Recently, if someone had asked me about my predictions for CES 2025, I would have responded enthusiastically, “I’d anticipate an abundance of laptops with foldable screens!” The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold, ASUS Zenbook Fold, and HP Spectre Fold were groundbreaking when they debuted, offering a unique blend of adaptability and a large screen that facilitates seamless multitasking or more captivating movie experiences.
Despite their unique foldable display technology, these laptops are priced out of reach for most computer users due to their high cost. At launch, finding one below a few thousand dollars was rare, and they’ve become even scarcer since being discontinued. The Spectre Fold 17 is currently on sale at Best Buy, but it still costs $4,500.
Two-screen laptops offer a middle ground for people who value extra screen area when on the move. Instead of relying on flexible display panels to reduce cost, they opt for double the space you’d find in a regular laptop.
For approximately eight years, Lenovo’s Yoga Book with its dual-screen design has been evolving, culminating in the Yoga Book 9i (Gen 9) that my colleague Zachary Boddy recently reviewed. Although Lenovo’s 2024 design concept piqued my interest, it was the ASUS Zenbook DUO that convinced me of this layout’s potential.
For the year 2025, both the ASUS Zenbook DUO and Lenovo Yoga Book 9i have undergone upgrades. One company opted for a more conservative approach, while the other made significant enhancements.
Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10) sees some significant improvements
Last year, I thoroughly enjoyed testing the ASUS Zenbook DUO and found that ASUS saw no need for major updates in its 2025 model. Conversely, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (Gen 9) didn’t leave a strong impression on me. It’s encouraging to see Lenovo making substantial improvements instead.
Instead of 13.3 inches, the screens on the Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10) now span 14 inches. These stunning dual OLED panels still offer 2.8K resolution. The most notable update about these displays is an upgrade to a 120Hz variable refresh rate (VRR), which is significantly higher than the previous model’s 60Hz displays, making them easier on your eyes.
Regardless of its larger screen and increased body size, Lenovo remarkably reduced the weight from 2.95 pounds to 2.69 pounds. This reduction is even more noteworthy given that it houses a bigger 88Wh battery. The only processor available seems to be Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 255H, which can handle up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.
Here’s a closer look at the specs of Gen 9 and Gen 10 Yoga Book 9i models.
In a more fashionable manner than ASUS, the Yoga Book 9i’s dual-screen configuration leans towards elegance by integrating some of Lenovo’s top design elements, such as a revolving soundbar hinge with Dolby Atmos, into a distinctively high-end look. Regrettably, several issues I had with the Yoga Book 9i persist up until 2025.
The keyboard seems more like an add-on rather than a thoughtful design element, missing both backlighting and a tactile touchpad. However, ASUS addresses the issue of the stand and keyboard not being combined by introducing distinct design solutions.
Surprisingly, Lenovo has continued to use three Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of switching things up, while it’s common nowadays to carry a dongle. On the other hand, ASUS offers a wider variety of built-in ports for your convenience.
In simple terms, Lenovo plans to release the Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10) in May 2025, with a starting price of $1,999. However, it’s worth noting that the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2025) has an initial price of $1,699, but offers less advanced specifications to begin with.
ASUS played it safe with its refreshed Zenbook DUO for 2025
I was intrigued to test out the Zenbook DUO (2024) for a review, but I was truly astonished by its capabilities. It converted me into a dedicated advocate of the dual-screen format, and it’s a laptop I wholeheartedly suggest to anyone who feels cramped with limited screen space while traveling. The stand is cleverly concealed at the back of the PC, there are no sacrifices made to the keyboard (which attaches magnetically for convenience during use and transport), and its battery life is impressive.
In the review for the Zenbook DUO (2024), my colleague Ben Wilson highly praised the laptop, awarding it a full five-star rating and the Windows Central Best Award. He expressed this positive sentiment in his write-up.
ASUS introduced me to its unique collection of high-end hardware with a stylish and functional dual OLED touchscreen setup in a sleek design. The Zenbook Duo, a top-tier laptop, performed exceptionally well during my tests, with only minor complaints about the webcam quality and lack of an Ethernet adapter. While it’s not flawless, it comes pretty close at this price point, making it a solid recommendation among the best 2-in-1 laptops we’ve ever tested.
I share similar thoughts about the 2024 Zenbook DUO. While it has its merits, it isn’t without its flaws. Its camera and audio quality are mediocre at best, the active pen doesn’t magnetically attach, and it’s bulkier and heavier than typical 14-inch notebooks.
It’s slightly disheartening that there aren’t any upgrades in these aspects for the 2025 Zenbook DUO, yet the benefits continue to overshadow the drawbacks. ASUS didn’t feel compelled to experiment much, instead choosing to prioritize performance enhancements over a redesign. Let’s examine the specifications of the 2024 and 2025 Zenbook DUO models.
It’s quite straightforward to notice the distinctions between the models. The updated model is powered by Intel’s most recent Core Ultra Series 2 H processors, and it supports Wi-Fi 7 for enhanced wireless connectivity. Interestingly, both its dimensions and weight are unchanged, and it still boasts the impressive OLED touch displays from before.
By offering FHD+ display choices, ASUS has the potential to lower the price of the Zenbook DUO (2025) compared to the Yoga Book 9i. The Zenbook DUO is set to debut on February 10 at a starting price of $1,699, which is roughly $300 less than Lenovo’s laptop.
Will folding laptop screens ever return?
As a tech enthusiast, I firmly believe that we’ll witness an increase in foldable laptop screens in the future. There’s definitely a niche market out there, but it’s safe to say it’s still quite small. The high prices associated with these devices currently limit their mass appeal, and the trade-offs required aren’t suitable for everyone’s needs or preferences.
I must say, dual-screen laptops such as the Zenbook DUO and Yoga Book 9i surpassed my expectations in a significant way. They offer fewer trade-offs, their prices are competitive, and they deliver a computing experience that truly feels like using a traditional laptop.
Among all the PC brands I’m familiar with, I find myself most confident in recommending the ASUS model. Even though its initial cost is slightly increased compared to before, it is significantly cheaper than what you would typically pay for a foldable screen device, making it still a worthwhile investment.
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2025-01-07 20:39