ASUS: the new Zenbooks are coming, with OLED as far as the eye can see

In addition to its new Pro 14 Duo model which is definitely making a strong impression, Asus has decided to expand its Zenbook range with a new device that is just as unique as its two-screen nugget. Here’s the intriguing Zenbook Pro 16X OLED, along with a slew of new Zenbook-branded devices.

Like the Duo side of its family tree, we find the AES hinge mechanism which splits the top into two distinct parts; the palm rests stay flat while the second half tilts 12°. On the Zenbook Duo, these two parts are respectively occupied by the keyboard and a secondary screen. But this time, Asus has opted for a different formula.

Zenbook Pro 16X OLED: the future best friend of creators?

The keyboard advances a notch to occupy the surface which is reserved for the secondary screen of the Zenbook Duo. Instead, there is a very large touchpad accompanied by an element that will immediately wink at digital artists: a “touch ring” (for lack of a better term) which immediately recalls the range of graphics tablets Wacom Intuos Pro.

And those who are familiar with this material will be delighted to learn that it is about the exact same philosophy. This ring, which has a native integration with all Adobe suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects…) allows you to modify lots of parameters on the fly, in a very ergonomic and intuitive way; an ally of choice for artists and editors of all stripes.

Moreover, it will be fully configurable, which opens the door to applications in all disciplines of digital art. We think in particular of modelers who work with ZBrush, the Substance suite, Blender, and other software of this type. Because it happens that the screen is also touch-sensitive and compatible with the new Asus Pen; we therefore end up with a machine capable of making itinerant artists salivate. No need for a graphic tablet to sculpt a character or draw a superb still life!

And this touch functionality is not the only remarkable feature of this screen. As a device for creators, this Zenbook Pro 16X OLED was expected at the turn, and it responded. This model is entitled to a slab 4K OLED HDR 60Hz with high level colorimetry (100% DCI-P3 with Pantone, True Black 500, DisplayHDR and Dolby Vision certifications).

To bring the whole thing to life, this model will also be entitled to a 12th generation Intel Core i9 12900H supported by a GeForce RTX 3060 portable version. These will be served by 32 GB of LPDDR5 at 5200 MHz.

Add to that a big 96Wh battery, and you’ve got a handsome beast that just might become a traveling performer’s best friend when it’s released in Q3 2022, starting at £2,999.

Zenbook Pro and Zenbook S: OLED panels for (almost) everyone

At the same time, we also find the Zenbook Pro in 14.5, and 16 who discover a new big brother with a 17.3-inch model, a first for this range. This will be entitled to an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor and even a dedicated graphics card, with an RTX 3050.

On the other hand, it is also the black sheep of the Zenbook range since among all the devices announced today, it is the alone to have to make a believe on the OLED. Buyers will have to make do with a decent 2.5K IPS touchscreen that’s still capable of delivering 165 frames per second. This model will be available from €1,499 from the 3rd quarter of 2022.

We also note a new Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLED. As its name suggests, this is a convertible equipped with a pretty 15.6-inch 2.8K (120 Hz) OLED panel. It will be entitled to a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor and above all to Intel’s brand new dedicated graphics card, the Arc A370M. This Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLED will be available from €2,099 from the third quarter of 2022.

Asus also took the opportunity to update its Zenbook S range with two interesting models. First, we find a Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED, that is to say a new convertible equipped with the same ErgoLift hinge as the Zenbook Pro 15 Flip. It will also be entitled to a latest generation Core i7, but in essence it is the smaller brother of the model above, less powerful, but also thinner and lighter. It will also be slightly cheaper with an entry price of €1999.

Finally, Asus concludes this wave of Zenbooks with the S13 OLED, a very small yet well-equipped machine. It embeds a Ryzen 7 6800U and even a small dedicated graphics card, namely a Radeon 680M from AMD.

This is becoming a habit on these Zenbooks, but the screen once again looks good; This is not a convertible, but it still has a touch screen, OLED 2.8K moreover. It is also certified DisplayHDR True Black 500 and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut, more or less what you can expect from a device of this caliber. It will be sold from €1,499 from the 3rd quarter of 2022.