ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED: The Harbinger of Bright Future of Foldable Laptops
There has been a lot of buzz about the ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED. ASUS sent over a unit for me to take a look at, and I was really surprised with how it managed to not just amaze me both as a consumer and content creator, but also made me think of a bright future ahead of the foldable and hybrid form devices.
When hybrid form devices like the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X were first introduced, many consumers were unsure about their future. Some thought they would follow in the footsteps of modular smartphones, which were introduced but then faded away after a few years. However, as we have seen, there have been a growing number of announced products with hybrid form designs and it’s clear that this trend is not tapering off anytime soon. In fact, I believe that as technology continues to advance, we will see further improvements in the design and functionality of hybrid form devices. The ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED is a prime example of how this new form factor has evolved and improved over time. It demonstrates the potential for new technologies to be seamlessly integrated into this unique and versatile design.
f-OLED = Versatility
One of the standout features of the ZenBook 17 is its FOLED display – foldable OLED. OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, is a technology that produces incredibly vibrant and accurate colors, making it perfect for watching movies, editing photos, or just browsing the web. The 17-inch OLED screen also provides ample space for multitasking, making it a great option for professionals who need to work with multiple windows open at once.
The ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED is not only a powerful laptop, but it also boasts a unique foldable design that allows it to transform into a smaller, more portable device. By folding the laptop in half, users can convert it into a 12.5-inch laptop with a 1920 x 1080 resolution display. This smaller form factor is perfect for tasks that require a more compact and portable device, such as writing scripts or articles on the go. For the past two weeks, this has been my daily grind and found the laptop to be a reliable tool. When when you need a bigger screen for tasks like watching movies or working with multiple windows open, it can be easily converted back to its 17-inch form factor. This level of versatility in design makes it a great option for both professionals and power users who demand flexibility and portability in their devices. It is also worth noting that the hinge that allows the laptop to fold is also incredibly sturdy and smooth, making it easy to switch between the different modes.
At first, I was really really hesitant to keep on folding and unfolding it, but I got used to it eventually and realized that it’s really built to withstand frequent folding.
Good enough for productivity tasks
Under the hood, the ZenBook 17 is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it more than capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing or 3D rendering. The laptop also comes with Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics graphics card, which allows for smooth gaming experience for some indie titles and acceptable video editing experience. Yes, I know – it isn’t the most powerful in the market right now, but at the end of the day, ASUS needed to balance performance, form-factor, and price!
Extra Stand-out Features
The ZenBook 17 also comes with a host of other features that make it an excellent option for professionals and power users. Notable ones are its keyboard and speakers, for me!
Not your ordinary detachable keyboard
The ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED UX9702’s keyboard is designed to provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience for users. The touchpad has a special hydrophobic coating that ensures excellent resistance to wear and tear, and is designed to glide gently under your fingers.
The keyboard itself is full-size, with a 19.05 mm key pitch, providing ample space for effortless typing. The keys themselves have a 0.2 mm keycap dish, which helps to increase typing feel and accuracy. Additionally, the key travel is 1.4 mm, providing precise feedback and a more comfortable typing experience.
The keyboard also offers additional functionality, like the ability to capture screen grabs, activate the webcam, or access the MyASUS app via function keys. Users can also switch typing between two devices with the same keyboard, enhancing the multi-tasking experience. In addition, the keyboard has Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with magnetic attachment for seamless operation.
Overall, the keyboard of the ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED UX9702 is designed with a focus on typing comfort and functionality. With its spacious layout, precise key travel, and additional functionality, it’s a great option for users who frequently type and value a comfortable typing experience.
ASUS x Dolby x Harman Kardon Speaker System
The ASUS ZenBook 17 OLED is equipped with a powerful audio system that delivers immersive surround sound for an unparalleled entertainment experience. The quad-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system is certified by Harman Kardon, and is driven by a smart amplifier that maximizes volume while minimizing distortion.
The smart amplifier is a volume-enhancing, distortion-suppressing dual-channel system that is equipped with a powerful DSP chip. This chip allows the twin speakers to be driven at the maximum volume possible, while also preventing long-term damage to the sensitive speaker voice coils. The output is intelligently matched to the speaker’s physical capabilities, resulting in a high-quality audio experience.
Great option for productivity and entertainment
Overall, the ASUS ZenBook 17 OLED is equipped with a powerful and versatile audio system that delivers immersive surround sound, clear audio, and reliable long-term operation. Whether you’re watching a movie or listening to music, the sound quality is exceptional, making it a great option for entertainment enthusiasts. Kudos to ASUS for putting this as one of the top priorities of the new foldable laptop.
In conclusion, the ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold OLED UX9702 is a feature-packed laptop that offers a lot of value to its users. Its foldable design, OLED display, and powerful hardware make it an excellent option for both work and entertainment. With a long battery life and a host of other features, this laptop is definitely worth considering for those in the market for a new device.
Availability
The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (UX9702) comes in a premium Tech Black color and in a limited 100 pieces in the Philippines. The flexible laptop is priced at PHP 219,995 and has a free lifetime license to Office Home & Student 2021 license.
| Variant | Color | Specs | SRP |
|---|---|---|---|
UX9702AA-MD007WS | Tech Black | 17″ 2560×1920 4:3 500 nits touch FOLED / i7-1250U / 16GB LPDDR5 / 1TB PCIE4 SSD | PHP 219,995 |
Check out the laptop in ASUS Concept Stores and authorized resellers. To see a complete list of where you can buy, click here.
For more information on the laptop, click here.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
