The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) is a laptop computer that feels prefer it must be a gimmick with a 14-inch, secondary contact show between the 16-inch Mini LED show and its keyboard, however you then begin to use it and notice it’s type of superb.
Beginning at $2,499, that sense of surprise doesn’t come low-cost. And if you happen to totally spec it out then your jaw will drop at greater than that shockingly shiny Mini LED show, as you possibly can shell out $3,999 for our evaluate configuration that features an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU with 16GB of VRAM, and 32GB of RAM.
With that stated, if you can also make your peace with parting with over $3,000, then this is without doubt one of the finest gaming laptops out there. And whereas added assist for that secondary show could be nice, I’ve discovered it to be a useful gizmo for productiveness and artistic work.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) worth and configurations
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) specs
Value: $3,999
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 2TB SSD
Shows: 16-inch Mini LED, 1600p, 165Hz; 14-inch, 4K, 60Hz
Battery: 7:06 (most important show solely); 5:49 (each shows)
Dimension: 14 x 10.5 x 0.8 inches
Weight: 5.7 kilos
The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) is a dual-screen gaming laptop computer with an RTX 30-series GPU, so affordability isn’t actually within the playing cards. The bottom mannequin is $2,499 and it comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 16-inch WUXGA (1920×1200), 165Hz IPS most important show, and a 14.1-inch, 4K (3840×1100) secondary ScreenPad Plus show.
Our evaluate mannequin takes a considerable leap as much as $3,999, and for that, you get an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU with 16GB of VRAM, 32GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, a 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600), 165Hz mini LED most important show, and a 14.1-inch, 4K (3840×1100) secondary ScreenPad Plus show.
Our evaluate unit is only one step beneath the totally maxed-out mannequin, which bumps the show as much as a UHD+ (3840×2400) decision at 120Hz, however is in any other case an identical. The RAM can also be upgradable to 64GB, however no transport configuration is out there with that possibility but, neither is there pricing.
If you happen to had been hoping to spend beneath $2,000, it’s going to be some time till we see a gaming laptop computer deal drop even the bottom mannequin Duo 16 there. Nonetheless, you possibly can take a look at our finest low-cost gaming laptops web page for laptops that provide robust efficiency at a much less eye-watering worth level.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) design
Lifting the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16’s lid and watching its secondary display screen angle up into place because the RGB lighting and shows flicker into life feels such as you’re sliding right into a starfighter cockpit — and also you’re poised to battle an extradimensional menace that’s threatening the planet.
That slender 14-inch show above the keyboard naturally creates a little bit of an area crunch in your keyboard and the touchpad. I handle each in additional element in a later part, however the look of it’s extra off-putting than really utilizing it, which feels pure after a day or so.
While you elevate the show all the best way again, you additionally reveal a clear viewport into the laptop computer with extra RGB lighting and the Republic of Players’ “For individuals who dare” branding inside. Is it vital? Completely not. Is it fantastic gaming extra? Completely it’s.
To discourage the second show from distracting you, you possibly can flip it off or cut back its brightness (impartial of the primary panel). The latter answer saved it from being a nuisance, however nonetheless allowed me to combine it into my workflow.
Turning to the outside, issues are far more conventional with a matte black end throughout your entire laptop computer. Half of the lid options barely shiny black dots that make it a bit of extra visually attention-grabbing. The ROG emblem and textual content on the lid have the magenta to purple shade shift that you simply discover on many ROG merchandise and that is additionally used on the road that runs at an angle alongside the center of the lid. By gaming requirements, it’s the top of subtlety, however it’s actually bought a bit extra occurring than the typical enterprise laptop computer.
A aspect view of the Duo 16 hints on the extra intriguing inside because the added strains and indentations for the secondary show are clearly seen. In any other case, it merely options the ports and a matched set of three vents on both aspect. The again of the laptop computer extends about half an inch past the underside of the show and features a trio of standing lights. The underside of the Duo 16 has stepped sections that angle up in the direction of the skin with two massive followers to assist maintain the whole lot cool.
At 5.7 kilos and 14 x 10.5 x 0.8 inches, the Duo 16 will not be mild, however it’s impressively compact for a 16-inch gaming laptop computer. The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (4.2 kilos, 14 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches) manages to return in nicely beneath it, however the Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (5.4 kilos, 14 x 10.4 x 1.1 inches) is significantly thicker . The Alienware x17 R2 (6.5 kilos, 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inches) is bigger nonetheless, however admittedly it needs to be for its 17.3-inch show.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) ports
The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) has an admirable assortment of ports. My solely complaints are that I would like a full-size SD card to microSD and I choose the AC-in to be on the again of the laptop computer. Nonetheless, these are minor issues.
On the left aspect of the Duo 16, you’ve your AC-in, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port, a microSD slot, and a mixture headphone/mic jack. They’re fairly tightly clustered as Asus has to design across the thin-hinged part the place the secondary show matches, however even with a barely bulkier outdated USB stick within the USB-A port, I accessed all of those slots.
Round again, you’ve the HDMI 2.1 port, one other USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A port, and the RJ-45 Ethernet jack.
On their own on the fitting aspect is the final USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port. You’ll be able to cost at as much as 100W from this USB-C port, so for something aside from intensive gaming, it has you coated.
If you happen to want extra ports, take a look at our finest laptop computer docking stations and finest USB Sort-C hubs pages.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) show
The first Mini LED 16-inch show on the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) is without doubt one of the brightest I’ve used on a laptop computer and delivers an exquisite vary of colours as nicely. The 2560 x 1600-pixel decision and 165Hz refresh price are a wonderful match for productiveness, and naturally, gaming. There’s just one configuration greater that introduces a 4K decision with 120Hz refresh price, however in case you are ever going to be utilizing your laptop computer away from a charger, I’d severely contemplate the battery life value earlier than pushing for that prime decision.
To check the show, I watched the “Hiding in Coloration” episode of Life in Coloration with David Attenborough, the HDR Netflix sequence that I typically flip to for show critiques. The part on the flatback lizards is especially becoming as they settle disputes primarily based on which is extra colourful. A pair of the lizards squaring off on a rock confirmed off the monitor’s sharp element and vibrancy —- the reptiles’ fine-textured, leathery rainbow pores and skin was clearly seen.
In Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, the brilliant, colourful and quick refreshing show made driving throughout the countryside significantly pleasant as I took a break from my typically aimless wandering across the panorama to sort out one other aspect quest. This one took me right into a ruined constructing in Essexe and I drastically appreciated the added brightness as I bought pulled into fight at midnight nook of the edifice.
I used to be shocked to see that, in line with our colorimeter, the Duo 16 reproduced 78.2% of the DCI-P3 shade gamut, lacking the 84.7% common premium gaming laptop computer. The Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (82%) got here out on prime this time; the Alienware x17 R2 (76%) and Zephyrus M16 (75.8%) slipped simply behind. I discovered myself questioning if the brightness, which I’ll handle in a second, was giving the impression of extra vibrancy.
At 578 nits of brightness, the Duo 16 obliterated the class common (349 nits) and the Alienware x17 R2 (325 nits). It was additionally sufficient to outshine the Zephyrus M16 (479 nits) and Legion 5 Professional (472 nits). It could not hit the 1,100 nit peak that Asus claims, however the Mini LED panel on the Duo 16 is one thing to behold.
The secondary 14-inch show that offers the Duo 16 its title isn’t fairly as shiny at 316 nits, however it affords comparable shade at 79% of the DCI-P3 shade gamut. The multitouch show additionally helps stylus use, though you’ll want to select that up individually. As the previous proprietor of a number of TouchBar MacBooks, that is an really helpful model of that idea. You’ll be able to go off full home windows onto the secondary show in addition to deal with settings or different duties with out interfering together with your work on the primary show.
Some video games {and professional} apps like Premiere Professional leverage the second display screen, however it might use extra. I’m not above bringing a moveable monitor or a pill together with me to make use of as a secondary exterior show for my laptop computer, so I’m maybe the right goal for the Duo, however after a few weeks, I’m nonetheless discovering it to be greater than only a novelty.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) keyboard and touchpad
Typing on the Duo 16 is a nice expertise with the per-key RGB-backlit keys providing stable 1.7mm key journey and excellently springy response that ought to serve you nicely for typing or gaming.
I hit 88 phrases per minute with 98% accuracy on the 10FastFingers.com typing take a look at, barely above my 86-wpm common velocity and 96% typical accuracy. The Chiclet-style keys are well-spaced; the cursor keys blessedly free from interference within the backside proper nook.
You management the per-key RGB lighting from the Asus Armoury Crate app to tweak the brightness and customise the lighting patterns as you see match. There’s completely no mild bleed, even at most brightness, and I bought the backlighting to a shiny, however not overpowering degree.
The diminutive 3.7 x 2.1-inch touchpad is pushed off to the fitting of the keyboard and requires a while to regulate to. It’s nonetheless expansive sufficient for Home windows 11 gestures like two-finger scrolling and three-finger tabbing, however the huge 14-inch secondary contact show above the keyboard ought to forestall you from getting too upset in regards to the touchpad itself. Players naturally need a devoted gaming mouse anyway, however after a day, I used to be not gravitating to the center of the laptop computer on the lookout for my phantom touchpad. I might navigate, and click on shortly and simply, regardless of the teeny-tiny touchpad.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) audio
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15’s six audio system and twin force-canceling woofers are highly effective sufficient to think about skipping the earbuds or headphones that I sometimes advocate for laptop computer customers. If you happen to don’t want to fret about bothering anybody round you, then these audio system are loud and clear sufficient to fill any reasonably-sized atmosphere, together with my 12 x 18-foot listening house.
I listened to “I Ain’t Anxious” by OneRepublic off the “High Gun: Maverick” soundtrack and it was an ideal match for this setup. The 5.1.2 encompass sound created a powerful soundstage that had me checking to ensure Asus hadn’t discovered the right way to slip some further audio system into my workplace. The one downfall that can have you ever operating for these headphones is a scarcity of depth to the bass, it’s there, however it doesn’t hit as onerous because it ought to.
From a gamer’s perspective, I don’t know that the bass goes to be as a lot of a priority. So except you want a gaming headset to speak together with your squadmates, I wouldn’t thoughts skipping the cans and simply getting my recreation audio from the Duo 16.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) gaming and graphics
The Duo 16 sits on the pinnacle of efficiency in terms of laptop computer GPUs with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU with 16GB of VRAM. It must be greater than equal to any of the finest PC video games.
Past my very own gaming, we ran it by means of our typical array of recreation benchmarks to see the way it fared towards the competitors. On Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s highest 1080p settings, it hit 106 frames per second, beating the 89 fps class common and behind solely the Alienware x17 R2 (RTX 3080 Ti, 107 fps), whereas the Legion 5 Professional (RTX 3070, 80 fps) and Zephyrus M16 (RTX 3060, 69 fps) lagged behind.
The GTA V benchmark (Very Excessive, 1080p), went equally with the Duo 16 managing 123 fps, nicely forward of the 106 fps premium gaming laptop computer common. The Legion 5 Professional (84 fps) and the Zephyrus M16 (86 fps) couldn’t sustain.
On the Borderlands 3 benchmark (Badass, 1080p), the Duo 16 matched the Alienware x17 R2 at 97 fps, rushing forward of the class common of 82 fps. The Legion 5 Professional (80 fps) and Zephyrus M16 (64 fps) had been as soon as once more coughing within the mud.
The Crimson Useless Redemption 2 benchmark (Medium, 1080p) went nearly identically with the Duo 16 and Alienware hitting 78 fps, crossing the end line forward of the premium gaming laptop computer common (66 fps). The Legion 5 Professional (66 fps) and Zephyrus M16 (59 fps) fell into their acquainted positions behind.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) efficiency
The Duo 16 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor with 32GB of RAM, which is simply an apex predator ready to spring on no matter process you throw its manner. I hurled some prey at it within the type of my typical array of 42 Google Chrome tabs that included a pair of 1080p YouTube movies and a 1080p Twitch stream — and it didn’t wrestle with them for a second.
On the Geekbench 5.4 general efficiency take a look at, the Duo 16 scored 10,124, nearly precisely 33% greater than the premium gaming laptop computer common (7,642). Solely the Alienware x17 R2 (Intel Core i9-12900HK CPU, 13,710) managed to outscore it, with the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, 8,495) and the Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, 7,342) slotting in behind.
The Duo transcoded a 4K video to 1080p on our HandBrake take a look at in a stable 5 minutes and 26 seconds, as soon as once more besting the class common (6:06). The Alienware x17 R2 was as soon as once more the victor at 4:45, whereas the Legion 5 Professional (7:06) and Zephyrus M16 (7:58) trailed.
Asus didn’t allow us to down with the 2TB SSD within the Duo 16, placing down a 1,828 megabytes-per-second switch price that simply surpasses the class common (1,239 MBps). The Alienware x17 R2 wasn’t scared with its class-leading 2,268 MBps switch price, however the Zephyrus M16 (567 MBps) and Legion 5 Professional (833 MBps) have some work to do.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) battery life
The Duo 16 packs a 90Wh battery that helps carry it to affordable battery life if you happen to stick to straightforward duties. Nonetheless,if you wish to throttle it as much as full energy for gaming it’s essential discover an outlet fairly shortly.
In our Laptop computer Magazine battery take a look at, which includes browsing the net whereas set to 150 nits of brightness, the Duo survived for five hours and 49 minutes with each of its shows on and seven hours and 6 minutes if you happen to stick to simply the primary show. Neither mark tops the premium gaming laptop computer common (4:44). Sticking to the primary show solely to even the taking part in subject, that consequence places it forward of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (6:34), the Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (6:16) and the Alienware x17 R2 (2:58).
Fireplace up each these shows for gaming and it’s a really completely different story. Underneath these situations, it made it to 1 hour and 11 minutes in our PCMark 10 Gaming battery take a look at. Total, it’s a powerful exhibiting for the Duo 16 contemplating its uncooked efficiency and twin shows.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) webcam
The Duo 16 will get a participation ribbon for having a 720p webcam, however that’s about it.
In my take a look at shot taken in my workplace (the place I’ve full management of the overhead lighting and a pair of lights in entrance of me for video conferencing), the output from the Duo 16 nonetheless seems to be simply comically dangerous. There’s substantial noise and I checked a number of instances to ensure there wasn’t a plastic movie protecting the webcam due to the gauzy haze. Most webcams in laptops stay horrible, so this isn’t that stunning, It’s hardly a disqualifying problem for the laptop computer, however if you happen to don’t have already got one, then peruse our finest webcams and choose one up together with the Duo 16 if you happen to do any video conferencing or streaming.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) warmth
I’ve to provide Asus credit score right here. Though the Duo 16 will get a bit of toasty in sure spots, it manages to maintain its cool much better than I’d have imagined its spec sheet and twin shows. Asus harassed that the Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut Excessive Liquid Steel drops the CPU temperatures by 15 levels Celsius (59 levels Fahrenheit), and whereas it wasn’t sufficient to maintain each a part of the Duo 16 beneath our 95-degree consolation threshold, it got here awfully shut.
In our customary take a look at, which includes letting the laptop computer play a 15-minute video earlier than recording temperatures on it, the touchpad solely bought as much as 89 levels Fahrenheit. The keyboard hit 93 levels whereas the underside tipped previous consolation at 111 levels. Surprisingly, gaming for quarter-hour and operating the identical checks didn’t enhance issues that a lot, with the touchpad hitting 92 levels, the keyboard staying at 93 levels and the underside reaching 117 levels.
When you actually can use it in your lap, the Duo 16 isn’t the very best laptop computer to decide on if that’s going to be a standard observe for you. With that in thoughts, the truth that it retains the topside of the laptop computer at an inexpensive temperature, even beneath heavy utilization, is a win.
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) software program and guarantee
Armoury Crate is mainly your one-stop store for all of your efficiency and ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 customization wants. It can present your present thermal efficiency, fan velocity, will let you modify show shade, and affords full per-key RGB lighting customization choices in your keyboard.
For extra mundane issues, like guarantee data and software program upgrades, you’ll flip to the MyAsus app.
The Duo 16 comes put in with Home windows 11 Professional, and fortunately, meaning just about no bloatware to wash up if you hearth up your laptop computer for the primary time.
The Duo 16 comes with a one-year restricted guarantee. See how Asus carried out on our Tech Help Showdown and Finest and Worst Manufacturers rankings.
Backside line
The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022) is a exceptional gaming laptop computer that could be held again by its extra hanging function, the secondary show. It appears to supply head-turning enchantment and “why on earth would I need that?” in nearly equal measure. After a few weeks, it has gained me over, however the worth level makes it robust to persuade folks to make the leap on a brand new type issue.
The excellent news is that with or with out that secondary show, the Duo 16 is an impressive gaming laptop computer with efficiency and graphics that match nearly every other laptop computer in the marketplace. And the mini LED show makes gaming, content material creation and watching movies a pleasure. Come for the superb gaming laptop computer and keep for its distinctive second display screen that in the end gained me over.
