Foldable screens are no new thing in 2022. We have seen foldable phones turning from dreams to reality, and laptops aren’t far behind either. Asus launched its ZenBook 17 Fold, a full-screen convertible device with a built-in kickstand and wireless keyboard. Its versatile design allows you to have a large 17.3-inch display that can be folded down into two smaller screens. While it’s not the first full-screen convertible laptop, it certainly seems to be the most refined one. So, how well has Asus made this laptop and is it worth its premium price?
The design is the most outstanding feature of the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold. It can be used as a 17.3-inch laptop with the included ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard, or a 12.5-inch laptop with a virtual onscreen keyboard. You can also place the keyboard on the lower screen for typing more comfortably on the go. You can also use the device as a full-fledged tablet or fold it vertically to use it as a large reading device.
The premium-looking design is durable too. The device uses a magnesium alloy chassis that meets the MIL-STD 810H military standard for reliability. It measures only 17.5 mm thin when folded and weighs only 1.5 kg without the keyboard. It is perfect for those who want a large-screen device which can be carried around easily. One side of the device is covered with faux leather material, while the other shows off an Asus monogram on dark blue glass. The device looks straight out of a sci-fi movie in its Tech Black colour and it is bound to turn heads when you use it in public.
The ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard is 5.5 mm thin and adds only 300 grams to the device’s overall weight. It has large keys offering a 1.4 mm travel for a comfortable typing experience. The trackpad also has a smooth finish, so you can easily glide your fingers. Asus says it comes with a special hydrophobic coating and a high-end PVD anti-fingerprint coating, ensuring excellent resistance to wear and tear.
When unfolded, the device opens to a massive 17.3-inch display. It is a 4:3 screen aspect ratio running a resolution of 2,560 x 1,920. The screen uses an AMOLED panel for higher levels of contrast and deeper levels of black. It meets 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour space and it is also Pantone Validated. This means you can even use this laptop for professional colour-grade work. The screen has HDR support, so you can enjoy watching HDR content from supported streaming platforms. With 500 nits of peak brightness, you can watch content and go through webpages even in the brightest room setting.
The display comes with TUV Rhineland certification to ensure low blue light levels and reduced eye strain. There is also a colour sensor on the device for automatic brightness and colour temperature control. Asus gives the option to change the colour profile using the MyAsus utility app, so you can fiddle around and have a personalised viewing experience.
The Asus ZenBook 17 Fold ensures an all-around performance with its Intel Core i7-1250U CPU. The CPU is paired with an Intel Iris Xe graphics solution, 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. This hardware is powerful enough to handle heavy workloads, whether they are large Excel files or tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. You can also run web-building tools and play entry-level games on this laptop. The device comes with a 75 Whr battery and supports fast charging with the provided 65W USB Type-C charger. Asus has also introduced an Easy Charge feature that allows the device to be charged from 5W to 20W USB Type-C chargers, including power banks.
The laptop runs on Windows 11 Pro and comes pre-installed with the MyAsus app, which helps maintain your system, update software, and transfer files between your laptop and mobile. The device supports the Asus GlideX feature that lets you use the device as a secondary display using a wireless connection.
The Fold come with a pair of USB Type-C ports, supporting external displays and speedy data transfers. Asus also includes a Type-C to USB-A adaptor for using traditional USB devices like printers and external keyboards. For video conferencing, the Fold has a 5 MP in-built camera. It supports IR functionality and the Windows Hello feature, so you can face-unlock the device even in darker environments.
The Asus ZenBook 17 Fold sports a Harman Kardon-certified, quad-speaker system claiming outstanding audio quality. The speakers support Dolby Atmos and can deliver loud sound without any distortion, thanks to Asus’ SmartAmp technology. The ZenBook 17 Fold also supports a ClearVoice feature that filters out ambient noise and regulates individual voices from different positions for an optimum group calling experience.
The Asus ZenBook 17 Fold offers versatility like no other laptop. It is the most futuristic-looking device we have seen so far, which can be used both as a full-fledged laptop as well as a tablet. Its top-tier OLED screen is also a highlight, especially when combined with a powerful CPU, battery life and audio experience. Priced at Rs. 3,29,999*, this device is undoubtedly one of the most expensive laptops, but its flexibility could be worth the price for certain users. You can now order the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold from www.reliancedigital.in or by visiting your nearest Reliance Digital store.
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