The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 represents a significant leap forward in the realm of foldable PCs, offering a blend of innovative design and robust performance that sets it apart from earlier iterations. This device transcends the novelty factor often associated with foldable technology, presenting itself as a genuinely viable alternative to traditional laptops and desktop setups. The Zenbook Fold 17 aims to redefine portability and versatility, allowing users to seamlessly transition between tablet, laptop, and desktop modes. It’s not just a foldable screen; it’s a carefully engineered machine that addresses the challenges of durability, usability, and performance, ultimately delivering a compelling user experience. This is truly a foldable PC, done right.
The Zenbook Fold 17’s defining feature is, of course, its foldable display. The 17.3-inch OLED panel boasts vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. When folded, it transforms into a compact 12.5-inch form factor, making it surprisingly portable. The hinge mechanism feels sturdy and reliable, inspiring confidence in its long-term durability. Asus has clearly invested significant effort in ensuring the folding action is smooth and precise.
- OLED Display: Stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Durable Hinge: A robust mechanism designed for longevity.
- Premium Materials: The chassis exudes quality and sophistication.
Beyond its innovative design, the Zenbook Fold 17 delivers impressive performance. Powered by an Intel processor and ample RAM, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The included Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad provide a comfortable typing and navigation experience in laptop mode. The device also shines as a large-screen tablet, ideal for content consumption and creative tasks. The responsiveness of the touchscreen is excellent, making it a pleasure to use with a stylus or your fingers. The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 truly offers the best of both worlds in a single device.
The Verdict: Is the Fold Worth It?
The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 is undeniably a premium device with a price tag to match. However, it justifies its cost with its innovative design, impressive performance, and unparalleled versatility. If you’re looking for a device that can seamlessly adapt to your evolving needs and offer a truly unique computing experience, the Zenbook Fold 17 is definitely worth considering. While it may not be for everyone, the Asus Zenbook Fold 17 demonstrates the potential of foldable PCs and sets a new standard for the category.
The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 represents a significant leap forward in the realm of foldable PCs, offering a blend of innovative design and robust performance that sets it apart from earlier iterations. This device transcends the novelty factor often associated with foldable technology, presenting itself as a genuinely viable alternative to traditional laptops and desktop setups. The Zenbook Fold 17 aims to redefine portability and versatility, allowing users to seamlessly transition between tablet, laptop, and desktop modes. It’s not just a foldable screen; it’s a carefully engineered machine that addresses the challenges of durability, usability, and performance, ultimately delivering a compelling user experience. This is truly a foldable PC, done right.
Unfolding the Potential: Design and Build Quality
The Zenbook Fold 17’s defining feature is, of course, its foldable display. The 17.3-inch OLED panel boasts vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. When folded, it transforms into a compact 12.5-inch form factor, making it surprisingly portable. The hinge mechanism feels sturdy and reliable, inspiring confidence in its long-term durability; Asus has clearly invested significant effort in ensuring the folding action is smooth and precise.
Key Design Highlights:
- OLED Display: Stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Durable Hinge: A robust mechanism designed for longevity.
- Premium Materials: The chassis exudes quality and sophistication.
Performance and Usability
Beyond its innovative design, the Zenbook Fold 17 delivers impressive performance. Powered by an Intel processor and ample RAM, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The included Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad provide a comfortable typing and navigation experience in laptop mode. The device also shines as a large-screen tablet, ideal for content consumption and creative tasks. The responsiveness of the touchscreen is excellent, making it a pleasure to use with a stylus or your fingers. The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 truly offers the best of both worlds in a single device.
The Verdict: Is the Fold Worth It?
The Asus Zenbook Fold 17 is undeniably a premium device with a price tag to match. However, it justifies its cost with its innovative design, impressive performance, and unparalleled versatility. If you’re looking for a device that can seamlessly adapt to your evolving needs and offer a truly unique computing experience, the Zenbook Fold 17 is definitely worth considering. While it may not be for everyone, the Asus Zenbook Fold 17 demonstrates the potential of foldable PCs and sets a new standard for the category.
After spending two weeks with the Zenbook Fold 17 as my primary device, I can confidently say it’s changed how I view portable computing. Initially, I was skeptical. Could a foldable screen truly replace the reliability of a traditional laptop? The answer, surprisingly, is yes, with a few caveats.
My Experience: A Foldable Journey
The first few days were a bit of a learning curve. Getting used to the different modes – tablet, laptop with the virtual keyboard, laptop with the physical keyboard, and even propped up as a makeshift all-in-one desktop – took some experimentation. However, once I found my workflow, the Zenbook Fold 17 became incredibly efficient.
I primarily used it for writing, editing, and light photo editing. The large OLED screen was a joy to work on, and the colors were incredibly accurate. I even watched a few movies on it in tablet mode, and the immersive experience was fantastic. One particular evening, I was working on a project late at a coffee shop. I unfolded the device, paired it with my noise-canceling headphones, and I was immediately lost in my work. I didn’t even notice Amelia, the barista, calling my name until she was standing right next to me. The screen really does draw you in.
Practical Applications:
- Travel: It replaced both my laptop and tablet on a recent business trip. The reduced weight and size in my backpack were noticeable.
- Presentations: I used it to deliver a presentation, projecting the screen onto a larger display. The ability to annotate directly on the screen was a huge advantage.
- Reading: Ebooks and articles were a pleasure to read in tablet mode.
Minor Grievances
Of course, no device is perfect. The virtual keyboard takes some getting used to, and I found myself occasionally making typos. The battery life, while decent, isn’t exceptional. I typically got around 7-8 hours of moderate use, which meant I needed to charge it at least once during a full workday. I also noticed a slight crease in the screen where it folds, but it’s only visible at certain angles and didn’t impact my overall experience.