Asus Zenbook Duo 14 UX482 review: Superb for creators, not so for writers
Asus has a wide portfolio of consumer laptops, some with
a radical form factor and unique design language. Take for example the recently
launched Asus Zenbook
Duo 14 UX482. Aimed at content creators, the laptop is a one-of-its-kind device
with two screens – a full-fledged 14-inch fullHD resolution LED backlit
touchscreen and a 12.65-inch IPS-level touchscreen of 1080 x 515 pixel
resolution. The Asus Zenbook Duo 14
UX482 might not be the only laptop featuring a dual-screen but the
implementation of a secondary screen here is practical and useful in more ways
than one.
The second screen is connected to the primary screen through
Windows Project. It means this one is no gimmick and can be used like any other
second screen – you can duplicate the primary screen content on the secondary
screen or use both together for an extended view. Besides, it is not necessary
to always use both screens as each can be switched off independently. So, the
basics are covered right.
As for utility, the second screen adds extra space which comes in
handy to fit additional content that would otherwise be hidden behind the
primary window or rest minimised on the taskbar. For example, you can open a
Microsoft Word file on the second screen and a web browser on the primary one.
Asus has done a thorough job to make the second screen as good as the primary
one. The second screen supports split-view, just like the primary screen.
Therefore, you can fit at least four windows (two on primary and two on
secondary) and multitask without using the Alt+Tab key combination frequently.
Complementing the dual-screen set-up is the Asus ScreenXpert
software, which gives the second screen some extra power. This software is
available in the form of dock, which is like a taskbar but a powerful one. It
can be placed on the left, right or bottom side of the second screen, and can
auto-hide when not in use. Through this dock, you can adjust the brightness of
the second screen, navigate open applications on both screens, enable/disable
the physical keyboard, and manage other settings applicable to the second
screen.
Through this software, the second screen can be used as a trackpad
and for handwriting content.
The best use for the ScreenXpert software, however, is for content
creators through its Control Panel. It turns the ScreenPad Plus into a
customisable control deck, giving you sliders, wheels and buttons for commonly
used tasks in the Adobe application suite – Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects
and Lightroom. This feature scales the utility of the second screen for content
creators all the way north.
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