Computex 2026: Asus explains why Zephyrus Duo got a full second screen

Simple made meaningful. This has always been Asus’ design philosophy and the brand reiterated the same in a room full of journalists in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 1, 2026. Right on the heels of Computex 2026, which officially begins on June 2, Asus explained how creating a particular product can sometimes take years of research, testing and understanding user behaviour. 

Now there is no doubt that the ROG Zephyrus Duo has been one of the company’s most attention-grabbing laptops right from the start. The laptop’s earlier versions came with a smaller secondary display, but the latest model takes things much further with a full second screen and a detachable keyboard design. The 2026 Zephyrus Duo is also equipped with up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics, making it a serious machine for gamers and creators alike.

But the bigger question is: why did Asus decide to give the Zephyrus Duo a full second screen in the first place? We asked the company exactly that during the briefing session in Taipei, and here’s what they had to say.

Also read: AI is everywhere but handheld gaming could steal the show at Computex 2026

Asus answers why do gamers need a second screen

The idea behind dual-screen laptops is not new. Asus itself experimented with smaller secondary displays in earlier Zephyrus Duo models. But the company believes those displays never fully delivered the experience users wanted.

Andrean Tean, Industrial Design Specialist at ROG, explained, “As a gamer, I love the full second screen. The main screen is for gaming, while the second screen can be used for YouTube, Instagram, or anything else I want. In the last few generations of the Asus Zephyrus Duo, we had a 1.5-size secondary screen, but it was not as useful as the full-sized display on the latest model. The larger second screen is also great for creators using software like Photoshop and similar applications. So this device is designed for both gamers and gaming content creators.”

Now that statement perfectly sums up how gaming habits have changed. Today, gaming is rarely just about playing one title in full-screen mode. Many players constantly multitask. And Asus says that this behaviour pushed the company towards creating a more practical second display instead of a smaller companion screen.

Jo Wen, Design Project Manager at Asus, added, “We do a lot of research and see that gamers open a lot of tabs and use multiple screens. Be it for live streaming, chatting or even looking up cheat codes. They do a lot of things at once which made us think this is a good time to launch this product. Also gaming is all about sharing. You can also use the Zephyrus Duo by folding it and two users can use it at the same time.” said 

The detachable keyboard design also gives the laptop more flexibility. Users can place the keyboard lower on a desk while using both screens more comfortably, almost like a portable desktop setup.

Design is not just about looks anymore

While the Zephyrus Duo grabbed attention because of its unusual form factor, Asus spent a large part of the session talking about something much broader: design philosophy.

According to the company, its core philosophy is “Simple Made Meaningful”.

“The design philosophy of Asus is simple made meaningful. Here, simple does not mean easy or minimalistic style, but a design driven by precise insights and made in an essential form,” said Jo Wen, Design Project Manager.

And that idea can especially be seen in the Zenbook series. Over the last few years, Zenbook laptops have developed a strong identity in the premium thin-and-light category. Devices like the Zenbook A14 are extremely lightweight, yet they still manage to feel sturdy in hand. And a major reason behind this is the material Asus calls Ceraluminum. 

Wen, during her presentation, explained that Asus sees Ceraluminum as much more than just a durable material. According to the company, the idea here was to create a laptop that feels premium and lightweight in hand while still offering the strength users expect from modern premium notebooks. 

The company also believes the texture and feel of the material play an important role in making the laptop feel more personal and distinctive.

In addition to this, Wen also highlighted that Asus wants its laptops to represent more than just technology products. The company sees devices like the Zenbook as everyday objects that people carry everywhere, which is why factors like creativity, emotional connection, and personal identity are becoming increasingly important in laptop design.

“Laptops aren’t just a high technology tool but are everyday objects that reflect identity and culture,” she said.

That statement probably explains why Asus experiments with unusual products quite often. Whether it is dual-screen gaming laptops, ultra-light Zenbooks, or OLED-heavy premium notebooks, the company appears willing to try ideas that may not immediately appeal to everyone.

Will Asus make rollable laptops next?

Rollable devices continue to attract attention at trade shows, but they remain expensive and complicated to manufacture. And Asus acknowledged that. 

When asked whether Asus plans to enter the rollable category, a spokesperson hinted that the company is definitely watching the space closely.

“This is a good idea. Rollables cost is really high. We’ve been keeping track in this direction. Tech wise it will be no problem for us, but that’s not something that is gonna be for all users,” the spokesperson said. 

Also read: Computex 2026: Snapdragon C chipset, AI laptops and other announcements ahead of the show