Nowadays, it is amazing that we no longer need a newspaper to catch up on the latest events, or even a watch to tell the time. Our smartphones can do all of that and then some, so why should we expect our notebooks to be any less versatile?
And that is exactly it. Versatility is precisely what you will get with the brand-new ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, and it offers not one, not two, but five different usage modes to prove it. Coupled with its fully-foldable 17.3-inch OLED display and a diverse suite of inclusions, this high-performance notebook is certain to turn heads whether you are walking into a cafe or an office.
Putting the right “fold” forward
Measuring approximately 38 x 29 x 0.87cm (1.37cm when unfolded), this latest addition to the ASUS Zenbook family does not sacrifice mobility for function. Despite being worlds apart from your average ultraportable, this otherwise diminutive notebook clocks in at just 1.5kg on the scales, so you will have no issues taking it along for work or to your favourite cafe.
On the inside, it sports a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1250U processor, 16GB DDR5 memory, a large 75Wh battery and 1TB SSD, all of which unite to provide stellar performance, longevity and speed for the vast majority of productivity tasks.
Yet, the Zenbook’s crown jewel is actually on the outside – its foldable 17.3-inch 2.5K resolution slim-bezel NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen. Not only is it PANTONE-validated with TUV Rheinland-certified low blue-light levels to reduce optical strain on users’ eyes, but it promises vibrant graphics too, sustaining a 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut.
On top of that, it is also capable of folding down to a compact 12.5-inch form factor for better portability – made possible through the introduction of a special detachable keyboard. This functionality allows the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED to provide far greater screen real estate than most other notebooks in this form factor.
In addition, unlike conventional convertible laptops, users can also fold the screen itself to fit the available working space, so that they will be able to continue operating at maximum capacity regardless of the situation. Needless to say, having a foldable screen on a laptop is sure to draw attention your way, and frankly, it does feel rather satisfying to be rocking the most unique device in the room.
But bragging rights aside, what exactly does “operating at maximum capacity” entail? Well, that depends on what you intend to do with the notebook in the first place, so let’s take the opportunity to glance over what the Zenbook has to offer in this regard.
Form and Function
At this point, it goes without saying that adaptability and versatility lie at the heart of the Zenbook’s offerings, and it embodies those concepts with no less than five different modes, all of which are catered to accommodate different user needs and usage scenarios.
The notebook’s default configuration – Laptop Mode is ideal for busy office executives that are constantly on the go and fulfils productivity tasks including attending ad-hoc video conferences over Zoom, and it even has a 5-megapixel AI-enhanced camera to boot. After that’s done, you can switch it to Tablet Mode for more casual purposes, like reading your favourite e-books, sketching or note-taking.
In fact, it’s worth pointing out that despite the relatively small size of Tablet Mode, it doesn’t compromise on performance. Case in point, you will always have the full power of the Zenbook’s quad-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system at your beck and call, and if that isn’t enough of a guarantee, a professional certification from the expert team at Harman Kardon ought to fit the bill.
Of course, while taking time to relax and recharge is important, there are also times when you need to hunker down and focus. That’s where the Desktop and Extended Modes come in. Specifically, the former is great for home businesses or students, as it affords you a 17.3-inch screen in desktop configuration with a 4:3 aspect ratio that you can use to work on projects and other deliverables with ease. Should you want to catch-up on the latest episode of a Netflix drama, this mode comes in extra handy for hands-free viewing.
When you rotate the screen 90 degrees, you get the latter mode that essentially doubles the screen real estate of the Laptop Mode, turning the device into a 3:2 aspect ratio notebook with two separate 12.5-inch screens. Coupled with the massive accessibility provided by ASUS’ ScreenXpert technology, this mode is particularly well-suited for content creators and professional creatives, who often have to handle heavy-duty tasks like image and video editing.
As a matter of fact, what’s even more amazing about it is that all five of these modes are available for any and all users. You don’t have to be a graphic artist or corporate executive to make use of Desktop Mode, for example – you could always just use it to enjoy your favourite entertainment media on a larger display. It’s all up to you.
Bend, don’t break
Yet, like any other product, it is only normal that one would be concerned about other aspects of the Zenbook. Durability is one of them, and that’s especially so when the foldable screen comes into the equation. However, there is no need for worry, as ASUS promises that the hinge is good for a whopping 30,000 cycles, while the notebook itself has undergone a US MIL-STD 810H military-grade battery of tests to assure you of its rugged build.
In short, it’s a whole lot tougher than most notebooks and infinitely less unwieldy, and as we discovered in our review, the crease – a common flaw in most foldable devices isn’t even that obvious.
Connectivity is no issue either, and its honestly quite impressive how thorough ASUS has been in plugging potential gaps. From market-leading Wi-Fi 6E Dual Band and Bluetooth 5 compatibilities to its in-built suite of apps like MyASUS or ASUS Now with Adobe Creative Cloud, the Zenbook is tailor-made to be able to adjust on the fly to any situation or user, which easily elevates it to a much higher level than your average notebook.
Granted, it is well-worth noting that the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is not just a pretty face, because it has quite a “pretty” price to match. At S$5,499, it’s far from being a budget-friendly option, but in our opinion, some experiences are priceless. The sheer versatility and functionality the notebook brings to the table is impressive, and if you consider that a convertible high-end option might set you back roughly the same amount or more, indulging yourself with a foldable notebook screen doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.
For more information on the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, check it out at the official ASUS website.
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