ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold Review: The World First 17 inches ‘FOLED’ Laptop - 5 Key Features

Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702), is the world’s first 17.3-inch foldable laptop. Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is an Intel Evo-certified foldable laptop featuring a large 4:3 17.3-inch 2.5K touchscreen that folds in the middle to create two 3:2 12.5-inch 1920 by 1280 displays.

For a long time, tablets have been built as a full-screen computing device, while laptops persist in maintaining their physical keyboards in some way. The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, on the other hand, poses the question, 'What if your laptop was just a giant folding screen? Personal computers are moving towards this direction, but only a few like Asus have been bold enough to embrace it fully.

Asus has introduced a revolutionary device, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, which boasts versatility in its design. With its bendable display, users can opt to split the screen and attach a physical keyboard, or use it as a massive 17-inch monitor by placing the keyboard in front. This innovative device offers multiple configurations and can even be used as a giant tablet, held in the palm of your hand. Although Asus has included a detachable keyboard as a backup, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is a clear indication of the company's forward-thinking approach to technology.

5 Key Asus Zenbook 17 Fold Features

The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold is a cutting-edge laptop that stands out with its impressive features. From its foldable 17.3-inch OLED display, co-engineered with Intel, to its Windows 11 Pro operating system and custom software, the Zenbook 17 Fold offers a unique computing experience. Below are 5 key features that make the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold a highly sought-after laptop in the market.

1- Hardware and design - The Zenbook 17 Fold can be characterized as a 17.3-inch (43cm) "all-in-one" device, a term utilized in the computing sector to signify monitors that have all the necessary components integrated and don't require an additional external unit. Typically, a 17.3-inch screen is not considered portable, however, the Zenbook 17 Fold boasts a foldable design that allows it to be compacted like a book. While its thickness of 17.5mm and weight of 1.5kg make it somewhat cumbersome, its manageable height and width make it easily transportable and able to fit into most laptop sleeves in a backpack. The hinge is sturdy and steady at any angle; this allows the display to sit in an L shape. Asus designed a thin wireless keyboard that can be placed on the bottom half of the screen, turning what was a 17.3-inch large screen into a 12.5-inch screen.

2- Software Performance – Powered by Windows 11 Pro, the Zenbook 17 Fold has been tailored to seamlessly adapt to its changing form factors. Asus has developed software named "Display Xpert" to enhance its functionality, allowing users to efficiently multitask on its expansive screen. The software enables users to immediately organize their apps in a grid, making it easier to work with the larger display.

3- Intel Evo™ platform and the 12th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1250U Processors – The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, developed in collaboration with Intel, meets the stringent standards of an Intel Evo™ platform device, ensuring adherence to specific hardware specifications and delivering a superior mobile experience. This includes rapid wake-up times and extended battery life, guaranteeing an exceptional user experience. The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is powered by a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1250U processor. As part of Intel’s 12th gen processors, the Core i7-1250U features an unprecedented new hybrid architecture which combines the power of two Performance cores and eight Efficiency cores (P-core and E-core). This translates to real-world performance, intuitively scaled to match whatever you’re doing. The Performance cores are designed to maximize single-thread performance and responsiveness for compute-intensive workloads like gaming and 3D design. The Efficiency core delivers multithreaded performance for tasks that can run in parallel (like image rendering), along with efficient offloading of background tasks for modern multitasking.

The Intel® Core™ i7-1250U processor also brings along support for the higher speeds and bandwidth of LPDDR5 memory, faster connectivity of Intel® Wi-Fi 6E, and reliable Thunderbolt™ 4 ports.

4- Connectivity – Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED features two Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm audio combo jack. Each Thunderbolt 4 port can support up to 40 Gbps data bandwidth, DisplayPort, and power delivery. This makes it possible for the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED to easily connect to external 4K displays, storage devices, or expand connections. With the USB-C® Easy Charge, it means the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED can be used with a wide range of standard USB-C chargers (5V-20V). The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED can be charged on the go with the use of airline chargers, portable chargers, or power banks. With its easy-to-use USB-C® Charging feature, it guarantees 4.5-watt charging even when connected to non-Power Delivery chargers.

5- Asus ErgoSense Bluetooth Keyboard and Touchpad – The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED comes with one of the ASUS ErgoSense Bluetooth Keyboard and Touchpads in the package. Asus ErgoSense Bluetooth Keyboard and Touchpad provide users with up to 24 hours of battery life and a comfortable typing experience thanks to its 19.05 mm pitch (the distance between the middle of a key to the middle of its adjacent key). The keyboard also features many commonly used function keys, enabling users to enjoy of a seamless experience. Furthermore, the Asus ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad boast an innovative design with a subtle 0.2 mm dish-shaped indentation and a generous 1.4 mm key travel - the longest in its class among laptops. The indentation gently guides fingers onto the keys, while the longer key travel enhances the typing experience with improved feedback. These unique features enhance typing accuracy and provide a comfortable typing experience akin to using a desktop PC keyboard.

In conclusion, the UX9702 is a teaser of what we should expect in future computing devices. It is however worth to note that cutting-edge innovations like the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED always comes at a cost. As technology progresses and production ramps up, costs come down and with time, the foldable laptop range will become commonplace, the build and design will get better and ultimately become more affordable to an everyday user.

Learn more about the Zenbook UX9702 OLED here.

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Source: Legit.ng