This Integrated GPU is Insane - Intel is Back

The ASUS ZenBook Duo (2026) makes the previous generation look like a prototype. This completely redesigned dual-screen laptop with Intel Core Ultra 9 (Series 3) and Intel Arc B390 integrated GPU proves that Intel is back - and the integrated GPU performance is absolutely insane.

With dual 14-inch OLED touchscreens (2880x1800 144Hz) that now sit on the same plane, up to 19 hours of battery life, and RTX 4050/5050-level GPU performance from an integrated chip, this is how far ASUS has come by refining the design. It's a completely matured product.

The Intel Arc B390 with 12 XE cores is chef's kiss. This is my dream - a thin and light notebook where I can game without carrying a heavy brick with a dedicated GPU.

Performance Analysis: Integrated Graphics That Punch Above Their Weight

The Intel Core Ultra 9 (Series 3) CPU paired with integrated Intel Arc B390 might sound like a step down from discrete GPU variants, but ASUS has done something interesting here. The thermal management allows the integrated graphics to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods, resulting in performance that rivals entry-level discrete GPUs like the RTX 4050/5050 in many tasks.

CPU Performance

In Cinebench R23 multi-core testing, the Core Ultra 9 Series 3 delivers impressive results, completely destroying last year's Lunar Lake chips in CPU performance while using 30% less power. Compared to Arrow Lake, it matches the raw CPU power but with significantly better efficiency.

Key Performance Highlights:

• Identical performance plugged in or on battery - tested with both Cinebench and Premiere Pro
• Beat MacBook Pro 14 with M5 in video editing with Premiere Pro (which hammers both GPU and CPU simultaneously)
• Photoshop flips back to MacBook Pro thanks to unified memory, but most thin-and-lights handle Photoshop fine anyway
• Speedometer is faster (not generational, but faster than the 2025 Zenbook Duo)

The 32GB LPDDR5x RAM helps maintain smooth multitasking even with multiple applications spread across both screens. I regularly had 20+ browser tabs, Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro running simultaneously without significant slowdowns.

Graphics Capabilities: The Star of the Show

The integrated Intel Arc B390 with 12 XE cores is chef's kiss. We're talking RTX 4050 to RTX 5050 performance in many cases:

Blender Benchmark:

• Not only beats the previous model
• Actually beats the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 with the 8650S
• Yes, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 with Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 is still faster, but significantly more expensive

Real-World Performance:

• Light photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop effortlessly
• 4K video playback on both screens simultaneously
• Gaming that rivals entry-level dedicated GPUs (RTX 5050 level in Steel Nomad)
• Hardware acceleration for video encoding

Seeing the Intel Arc B390 achieve scores that match a dedicated GPU is incredible. This is what I've always dreamed of - a thin and light notebook where I can game without carrying a heavy brick.

The 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is upgradeable via the slot under the hinge (just remove a couple screws). Wi-Fi 7 card and everything else is soldered to the motherboard.

Display Quality: Two Beautiful OLED Panels

Both displays are identical 14-inch OLED panels with 2880x1800 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate with touch support and 2ms response time. These are ASUS's Lumina OLED displays, significantly upgraded this year:

• 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage
• Peak brightness: 1,000 nits (up from just 500 nits last year)
• Refresh rate: 144Hz ultra-smooth
• Response time: 2ms
• Contrast ratio: Infinite (true blacks)
• Anti-reflective coating: Significantly reduces glare
• Gorilla Glass: Better scratch resistance and durability

Real-World Usage

The dual-screen setup excels for:

• Content creation: Timeline on bottom, preview on top
• Coding: Code on one screen, documentation on the other
• Research: Multiple documents open side-by-side
• Spreadsheets: Massive Excel files become manageable

However, there are compromises. The screens are positioned at slightly different angles, which means you're always looking more directly at one than the other. ASUS has done their best to minimize this, but it's an inherent limitation of the form factor.

Build Quality and Design: Complete Redesign

This new ZenBook Duo makes the previous generation look like a prototype. The 3.64 lbs (1.65 kg) weight is impressive given there are two full displays inside.

Night and Day Improvements:

• Refined design: Looks like a proper laptop, you wouldn't even know it's dual-screen when closed
• Same plane displays: Unlike the old model's staircase-like gap, displays now sit on the same plane when opened
• Subtle hinge: Reminds me of a Galaxy Z Fold 7 - much more refined than previous version
• Improved stand: No ugly screws, feels like one solid piece of metal
• 40-70° adjustable tilt: Positioning flexibility for different workflows
• Desktop mode: Both displays in portrait create a proper ultrawide format

The chassis uses aluminum throughout, and ASUS engineers have been cooking - this is a completely matured product.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The detachable keyboard is fantastic. 1.77mm key travel (vs standard 1.5mm) with white backlighting that pops. It attaches magnetically with Pogo pins (or USB-C for lower latency gaming) and connects automatically via Bluetooth when detached. The touchpad is much bigger compared to last year's model, and all familiar macro keys are present.

Port Selection

ASUS includes:

• 2× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
• 1× USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
• 1× HDMI 2.1
• 1× 3.5mm audio jack
• 1× microSD card reader

Solid selection, though I'd have liked more USB-C ports.

Battery Life: Impressive All-Day Endurance

The 75Wh battery with the efficient Core Ultra 9 Series 3 chip delivers exceptional battery life. PC Mark Modern Office test results:

• Single display mode: Up to 19 hours (incredible for productivity)
• Dual display mode: ~12 hours (still all-day battery life)
• Heavy workloads (video editing): 5-6 hours max
• Content consumption: All-day laptop performance

The 100W USB-C power brick is compact, not clunky like gaming laptop bricks, and can charge other devices too.

Gaming Performance: RTX 4050/5050 Level Performance

This isn't a gaming laptop, but the integrated Intel Arc B390 absolutely shocked me with RTX 4050 to RTX 5050 level performance. Testing at 1920x1200 with settings between low and high:

• Overwatch: Full 144Hz refresh rate utilized at high settings, no frame generation needed - buttery smooth
• Arc Raiders: 60-70 FPS at low with XeSS enabled (10-20 FPS more with Intel frame generation)
• Battlefield 6: Solid playable FPS at low settings, totally viable for squad play
• Marvel Rivals: Competitive shooter performance - you can play this competitively
• Cyberpunk 2077: 30-40 FPS at low with XeSS (playable for this type of game)

For an integrated GPU to match dedicated GPUs like the Nvidia RTX 5050 in Steel Nomad and other benchmarks is incredible. This is my dream - a thin and light notebook where I can game without carrying a heavy brick with a dedicated GPU.

Thermal Management and Fan Noise

The dual screens generate heat, and ASUS addresses this with an efficient cooling solution. Fan noise is very respectable:

• Performance mode: 46 dB (audible but not like a typical gaming laptop - no need for headphones)
• Balance mode: 36 dB (totally fine for normal use)
• Whisper mode: 31-32 dB (nearly silent)
• Chassis temp: Warm but not uncomfortable

The cooling system manages thermals well without becoming obtrusive.

Audio and Webcam

Six speakers provide solid audio for this form factor. They won't blow you away like the ROG Zephyrus G16's speakers, but for six speakers in a dual-screen thin-and-light, they're pretty good.

The webcam at the top includes Windows Hello facial recognition for quick login. Quality is good for video calls.

Software Experience

ASUS ScreenXpert software manages the dual displays. It includes:

• Preset layouts for common workflows
• Custom window management
• Gesture controls for moving windows between screens
• Hotkeys for quick switching
• Automatic screen expansion functions
• Individual display disable option

Display Protection:

• Pixel refresh to prevent burn-in (standard on OLED)
• Splendor technology for improved text clarity (adjusts grayscale, easier on the eyes for reading)

The learning curve is real. Expect to spend a week getting comfortable with the workflow before it becomes second nature.

Who Should Buy This?

The ASUS ZenBook Duo is perfect for:

• Content creators who need timeline and preview windows
• Developers who want code and documentation side-by-side
• Students who research with multiple sources
• Productivity enthusiasts willing to adapt their workflow

It's not ideal for:

• Traditional laptop users who won't use the second screen
• Gamers seeking dedicated GPU performance
• Budget shoppers - the $2,099 price is steep

Comparison to Single-Screen Alternatives

For $2,099, you could buy:

• A MacBook Air M3 with better battery life
• A Dell XPS 14 with OLED and longer battery
• A ThinkPad X1 Carbon with legendary keyboard

But none offer the dual-screen productivity boost. If you'll actually use both screens, the ZenBook Duo justifies its premium. If not, save your money.

Verdict: Intel is Back, and This Design is Finally Mature

Intel's new Core Ultra Series 3 chips change everything. Intel is back. And if RAM prices don't derail us, these new laptops are going to be absolutely incredible. You're getting serious performance in a thin and light package - and you can actually game on them.

The ASUS ZenBook Duo (2026) represents how far ASUS has come by refining this design. It looks like a completely matured product. The processors in these things are so good that anyone buying this is going to have an incredible time with battery life, performance, and gaming capability.

The integrated Arc B390 GPU is insane. Matching RTX 4050/5050 performance in a thin-and-light integrated GPU is a game-changer. The dual 2880x1800 144Hz OLED displays with 1,000 nits peak brightness are stunning. Up to 19 hours battery life on single display mode is exceptional.

This is going to be a great year for laptops (though RAM costs might impact pricing). But yeah, this is looking good. ASUS has created something genuinely innovative here. The dual OLED screens aren't a gimmick - they're a legitimate productivity enhancement. This is the future of laptops, and ASUS nailed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the ZenBook Duo with an external monitor? A: Yes, you can connect external displays via HDMI or Thunderbolt 4, giving you up to four total screens.

Q: What happens if one screen fails? A: The laptop continues functioning with the primary display. ASUS offers warranty coverage for both panels.

Q: Can I disable the second screen to save battery? A: Yes, ScreenXpert software lets you turn off the secondary display, extending battery life by about 30%.

Q: Is the keyboard comfortable for long typing sessions? A: Yes, despite being detachable, the keyboard offers good key travel and a comfortable layout.

Q: How does it compare to other dual-screen laptops? A: The ZenBook Duo offers the most refined dual-screen experience currently available, with better software integration than competitors.