On the outside, it sports a secondary touchscreen that delivers extra functionality in games and creative applications.
That difference means that the laptop GPU can’t match the desktop product as is to be expected.
If you’re working in creative applications, putting timelines or controls on the ScreenPad is useful.
The only slight annoyance is the lack of an included stylus.
The ScreenPad works with dedicated gaming apps.
The only slight issue here is the Delta E of 4.33.
That’s not a terrible, but it’s only good rather than great.
These are good results for an IPS display, and this panel is impressive and well-balanced.
The ScreenPad’s contrast level matches that of the main display, but its color accuracy is poorer.
That’s not a problem - better accuracy is more important on the main display.
Also bear in mind that the ScreenPad has a slightly mottled look due to its touchscreen layer.
For example, the keyboard and trackpad are pushed to the front of the machine.
The buttons have a middling 1.4mm travel, and their typing action is only moderate.
Also bear in mind that the keyboard position means that there’s no wrist-rest on this machine.
The trackpad is on the right-hand side of the laptop, at the front.
If you’re at all serious about work or gaming, you’ll connect a mouse instead.
The Asus has good connectivity, but this is another area where the innovative design is sometimes a hindrance.
That USB port supports DisplayPort and power delivery, but not Thunderbolt.
Connectivity is rounded out by an audio jack and a microSD card slot.
There’s also no webcam or fingerprint reader.
There are other areas where the Duo’s design impresses.
The Asus machine is only 21mm thick and weighs 5.5 pounds.
Build quality is fantastic - the Zephyrus Duo is consistently robust, and both screens move with reassuring smoothness.
It also looks great, with a body made from dark, brushed aluminum.
It’s smart, subtle, and attractive.
The high-end GPU is joined by aRyzen 9 5900HX.
The specification is rounded off by dual-band 802.11ax wireless, Bluetooth 5.1 and Gigabit Ethernet.
That’s great, although we’re a little sad to not see 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps Ethernet.
The ROG Zephyrus Duo SE GX551 we’ve reviewed is the most expensive version available that comes fully loaded.
The RTX 3080 is a formidable laptop GPU.
Positively, it did play most of our top titles at smooth frame rates at 4K.
The RTX 3080 laptop GPU does falter in tougher 4K scenarios though.
The top of the line laptop GPU is also a great performer at 1080p.
There’s almost nothing that this GPU won’t tackle at 1080p.
The only black mark came in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
At 1080p the GX551 hit an average of 82.6fps.
That’s fine for playability, but it’s behind the RTX 3060 and the RTX 2080 Super.
The laptop GPU averaged 48.7fps in Borderlands 3 at 4K, but the desktop card hits 66fps.
The Ryzen 9 5900HX isa chip we’ve already reviewedin detail and it’s an absolute beast.
It’s the fastest mobile CPU around, with stunning single-threaded performance and huge multi-threaded ability.
It’s a fantastic option for productivity, and consistently beats Intel’s rival Core i9-10980HK.
The GX551’s Matlab result of 1.27 is only a hair behind the XMG machine.
In the Excel benchmark the Asus took 11.3 seconds.
The Cinebench score fell behind the XMG laptop but squeaks ahead of the 5800H and easily outpaces the i9-10980HK.
The high-end hardware does mean that the GX551 must work hard to keep those components cool.
There are some thermal compromises, though.
The Asus Armory Center app has Windows, Silent and Turbo modes.
None of these options are gamechangers.
Don’t expect much from the 90Wh battery, either.
The GX551 lasted for four hours with the ScreenPad deactivated.
This is not a machine that’s supposed to leave the mains to achieve its true purpose.
Who Is It For?
The ROG Zephyrus Duo GX551 is an impressive, inventive machine.
The CPU sits in a similar position.
That second display does undermine the keyboard and trackpad though.
It also just won’t be useful for plenty of gamers and creatives.
