ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync review

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This gaming laptop has 15.6-inch 4K UHD primary display. You can also get a 300Hz FHD panel, which would be the better pick if you’re buying this primarily to play games. Below that screen is the ScreenPad, a 14.1-inch wide, 3840 x 1100 touchscreen panel built into the back half of the keyboard deck, which lifts slightly off the chassis and tilts toward you at a 13-degree angle. Crammed into the front half of the chassis is an RGB keyboard with a tiny touchpad to its right. Reveal more in ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync review.

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Pros & Cons

PROS

  • Innovative angled secondary display
  • Streamlined, slim design despite feature set
  • Top-end gaming performance and efficient cooling
  • Core i9 CPU, 4K display, and 2TB of storage as configured

CONS

  • Very expensive, especially as configured
  • 4K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate limit components’ effectiveness
  • No webcam

Specifications – ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync


Key Specs

  • Backlit KeyboardInfoYes
  • Screen SizeInfo15.6 inches
  • Screen ResolutionInfo3840 x 2160 (4K)
  • Touch ScreenInfoNo
  • Storage TypeSSD
  • Total Storage Capacity2000 gigabytes
  • Solid State Drive CapacityInfo2000 gigabytes
  • System Memory (RAM)Info32 gigabytes
  • GraphicsInfoNVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
  • Processor Speed (Base)Info2.4 gigahertz
  • Processor ModelInfoIntel 10th Generation Core i9
  • Processor Model Numberi9-10980HK
  • Operating SystemInfoWindows 10 Pro
  • Battery TypeLithium-ion

General

  • Product NameROG Zephyrus Duo 15 15.6″ 4K Ultra HD Laptop – Intel Core i9 – 32GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER – 2TB SSD
  • BrandASUS
  • Model NumberGX550LXSXS99
  • ColorGunmetal Gray
  • Color CategoryGray

Feature

  • Keyboard Touch ScreenInfoNo
  • Backlit KeyboardInfoYes
  • Cooling SystemInfoAir
  • Operating System ArchitectureInfo64-bit

Ports

  • Headphone JackYes
  • Number of USB Ports (Total)3
  • Number of USB 3.0 Type A Ports3
  • Number of HDMI Outputs (Total)1
  • Number of Thunderbolt Ports (Total)1
  • Number of Thunderbolt 3 Ports1

Display

  • Screen SizeInfo15.6 inches
  • Screen ResolutionInfo3840 x 2160 (4K)
  • Touch ScreenInfoNo
  • Display TypeWidescreen LED

Storage

  • Storage TypeSSD
  • Total Storage Capacity2000 gigabytes
  • Solid State Drive CapacityInfo2000 gigabytes
  • Hard Drive AcceleratorInfoNone

Memory

  • System Memory (RAM)Info32 gigabytes
  • Type of Memory (RAM)InfoDDR4 SDRAM
  • System Memory RAM SpeedInfo3200 megahertz
  • Cache MemoryInfo16 megabytes
  • System Memory RAM Expandable ToInfo48 gigabytes
  • Number Of Memory Slots1
  • Number of Memory Sticks Included1

Graphics

  • GraphicsInfoNVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
  • Graphics TypeInfoDiscrete
  • GPU BrandNVIDIA
  • Video MemoryInfo8000 megabytes

Processor

  • Processor BrandIntel
  • Processor Speed (Base)Info2.4 gigahertz
  • Processor ModelInfoIntel 10th Generation Core i9
  • Processor Model Numberi9-10980HK

Connectivity

  • Internet ConnectivityEthernet, Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth EnabledInfoYes
  • Embedded Mobile BroadbandInfoNone
  • NFC EnabledInfoNo

Camera

  • Front-Facing CameraNo

Network

  • Ethernet CardInfo10/100/1000
  • Number Of Ethernet Ports1

Compatibility

  • Operating SystemInfoWindows 10 Pro

Included

  • Optical Drive TypeInfoNone
  • Included SoftwareMicrosoft 365 (30 days trial)
  • Additional Accessories IncludedPower adapter, 3D ROG sculpture

Power

  • Battery Cells4-cell
  • Battery TypeLithium-ion

Dimension

  • Product HeightInfo0.8 inches
  • Product WidthInfo14.2 inches
  • Product DepthInfo10.6 inches
  • Product WeightInfo5.51 pounds

Audio

  • Audio TechnologyESS SABRE HiFi audio DAC technology, Smart Amp
  • Speaker TypeStereo speakers

Price and availability – ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync

I gamed and kicked my multitasking into overdrive with the $3,999 model, which has a 2.4-GHz Intel Core i9-10980HK CPU, 32GB of RAM, two 1TB PCIe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration, an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super GPU with 8GB of VRAM and a 15.6-inch, 3480 x 2160, 60Hz panel with a 3840 x 1100 secondary touchscreen. 

Looking to double your pleasure? You can get the base model of the Zephyrus Duo for $2,999. This configuration gets you a 2.3-GHz Intel Core i7-10875H processor with 32GB of RAM, a pair of 1TB PCIe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM and a 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080p, 300Hz main display and a 14.1-inch, 3840 x 1100 secondary touch display. 

Need more power? The $3,499 model bumps you up to a 2.4-GHz Intel Core i9-10980HK CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super GPU with 8GB of VRAM. 

Compare ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo Gaming Laptop vs Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo Gaming Laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync +ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2020) Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 240Hz FHD IPSAcer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, Intel i7-10750H,
Computer Memory Size32 GB8 GB16 GB
CPU Model ManufacturerIntelIntelIntel
CPU Speed5.3 GHz5 GHz5 GHz
Display Resolution Maximum3840 x 2160 pixels1920 x 1080 pixels1920 x 1080 pixels
Screen Size15.6 inches15.6 inches15.6 inches
Item Dimensions14.20 x 10.60 x 0.82 inches14.20 x 10.80 x 1.00 inches14.31 x 10.04 x 0.90 inches
Item Weight5.51 lbs5.28 lbs5.07 lbs
Operating SystemWindows 10 ProWindows 10 HomeWindows 10 Home
Processor Count866
RAM TypeDDR4 SDRAMDDR4 SDRAMDDR4 SDRAM
Wireless Communication Standard802.11ax, BluetoothBluetooth, 802.11ax802.11ax

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync

Build

The laptop’s undercarriage is made of magnesium alloy and has six strategically-placed feet and vents. Four of the rubber feet are situated toward the front of the laptop surrounding a Republic of Gamers logo. The remaining feet, positioned in the back, are significantly larger than the others to assist with airflow. 

In addition to being thin, there’s a streamlined look to the chassis design, with a diagonal lid line and restrained flourishes elsewhere. The whole chassis is metal, but rather than a more standard black or grey, it’s a blue-steel color with a sparkly metallic finish. 

Design

the Zephyrus Duo 15 is admirably thin and compact, measuring 0.82 by 14.2 by 10.6 inches (HWD). Its weight is less surprising at 5.3 pounds, but even that is not too heavy considering the build. It wasn’t too long ago that your average gaming laptop was heavier and larger than this without any special features.

Display

Both of the Duo 15’s matte displays serve up 4K goodness. The 15.6-inch main panel is extremely vivid despite its anti-glare coating. Watching the trailer for Good Trouble, a documentary about the late Rep, John Lewis (D), my eyes were immediately drawn to the royal blue sash holding the civil rights hero’s Congressional Medal of Honor. 

The red of the American flag worked to accentuate the golden drape in the background. Details were so sharp that you could see the delicate filigree pattern in the drapes as well as the golden decorative stand in the background. Although the details held up on the 14.1-inch, 3840 x 1100 secondary display, the color was a little duller than the main display. Still, the various hues it captured still looked pretty darned good. 

Brightness

The matte coating does not detract from the main panel’s brightness, averaging 402 nits, besting the 358-nit average. The ScreenPad wasn’t too far behind at 352 nits. The Stealth achieved 321 nits while the Blade Pro obtained 304 nits. The Triton averaged 277 nits. 

The main screen can reproduce 160% of the sRGB gamut, which is much more vivid than the 137% premium gaming laptop average. The Blade Pro hit 119% while the Triton and Stealth reached 117 and 116%, respectively. When we tested the ScreenPad, it reached 107%. 

Screenpad Plus

As you pull the main display open from clamshell position, the ScreenPad Plus raises itself from a flat position in line with the keyboard to a 17-degree angle facing the user. This tilt is crucial for viewability while gaming (more on this in a moment), as it would be too difficult to see at a glance while flat. (There’s also a thermal advantage to this, more about which in a bit.) The tilted angle is mostly usable, though I do find myself occasionally needing to lean and peer over at it to see the whole thing fully. Unsurprisingly given its shape, the screen’s resolution is unusual, sitting at 3,840 by 1,100 pixels. The ZenBook Pro Duo also features a full-width display, but it does not have the tilt action.

Keyboard

You’ll have noticed the touchpad is relegated to the right side of the laptop, in line with the keyboard layout. This might be a surprise, but that unusual location is not unique to the Duo, or only due to the presence of the ScreenPad Plus. Several premium Zephyrus laptops have put their touchpads there, a necessity when the panel above the keyboard has been dedicated to cooling. The Zephyrus Duo combines the two, putting an advanced cooling system beneath the elevated display. This is pretty effective at keeping the laptop cool,

LED backlight

Like other Zephyrus laptops, the touchpad can also transform into an LED-lit number pad, at the press of a button in its top right corner. Tapping the numpad numbers wasn’t always 100 percent reliable for me; getting them to register requires a firm direct press, rather than acting like a sensitive touch panel.

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 ports

The Duo 15 has a fair amount of ports, including a pair of USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports along the right with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.

On the left, you have jacks for a pair of headphones, a microphone and charging. There’s a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port in the rear with am HDMI 2.0 port and gigabit Ethernet jack.

Processor and graphics

It features a Core i9-10980HK processor, a GeForce RTX 2080 Super (Max-Q) GPU, 32GB of memory, and a 2TB solid-state drive. Screens aside, these parts make it an insanely powerful gaming machine in its own right, strictly a high-end affair for enthusiasts. 

How good is for gaming?

When we ran synthetic tests, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (1920 x 1080, Very High), the Duo 15 scored 58 fps, matching the premium gaming laptop average and beating the Stealth (RTX 2080 Super GPU). However, with its own RTX 2080 Super GPU, the Blade Pro reached 65 fps. 

On the Grand Theft Auto V test, the Zephyrus achieved 84 fps, matching the category average and defeating the Stealth and Predator, which scored 82 and 60 fps, respectively. The Blade Pro was the ultimate winner at 89 fps. Advertisement

During the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, the Duo 15 obtained 69 fps, which was slightly below the 71-fps average and the Blade Pro’s 75 fps. Still, it was enough to surpass the Stealth and Triton (RTX 2080 Max-Q GPU), which produced 66 fps. 

And in case you were considering investing in an Oculus Rift or an HTC Vive, you’ll be happy to know the Zephyrus Pro Duo reached 8,549 on the VRMark Orange Room test, eking past the 8,530 average. The Stealth scored 8,075 while the Blade Pro got 7,771. 

The Duo 15 obtained 89 fps during the Far Cry New Dawn benchmark, beating the 85-fps average as well as the Blade Pro (87 fps) and Stealth (86 fps).

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo gaming laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync Performance review

How does the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 fare against some industry benchmarks? Here’s how it got on with some rigorous gaming tests.

3DMark Fire Strike: 17,571; Time Spy: 7,641
Cinebench R20: 4,045 cb
Geekbench 5 Single-Core: 1,343; Multi-Core: 8,153
Total War: Three Kingdoms: 202fps (1080p, Low) 62fps (1080p Ultra)
Metro Exodus: 146fps (1080p, Low), 59fps (1080p, Ultra)

The laptop performed equally well on our synthetic benchmarks, such as Geekbench 4.3 overall performance test, where it scored 32,056, demolishing the 27,596 premium laptop average. The Stealth, with its Core i7-10750H processor, reached 25,304 while the Blade Pro (Core i7-10875H CPU) hit 22,810 and the Predator Triton (Core i7-8750H CPU) reached 20,990.

During our File Transfer test (duplicating 4.97GB multimedia files), the Duo 15 had a transfer rate of 1,696.4 megabytes per second, tying the Stealth (512GB NVMe M.2 SSD) and the Triton (dual 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD) and beating 1,002.8 MBps average. The Blade Pro wasn’t too far behind at (512GB PCIe NVMe SSD) 848 MBps. 

The Duo 15 transcoded a 4K video to 1080p in 7 minutes and 22 seconds, smoking the 8:36 category average. The Stealth, Blade Pro and Triton posted times of 9:25, 9:31 and 11:04 respectively. 

On the Puget Photoshop test, which measures how well a system handles basic image manipulation tasks, the Duo 15 scored 873, beating the Stealth (757) and Blade Pro (730).

Editor’s recommendations

Abu Saleh Rizvee
Abu Saleh Rizvee

I love to write content and contribute for my society. I invest my days in creating content for products those I love and brands who need online presence

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