I didn’t break this but I REALLY want to

The video reviews the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold, a large foldable laptop that opens into a tablet-like form with a 17-inch foldable OLED display. The host presents first impressions by demonstrating the fold mechanism, highlighting a leather-wrapped rear panel, a holographic etched design on the lid, and a hinge that feels surprisingly smooth yet stiffer than expected. In portable use, the reviewer explores how the foldable design affects usability, noting the 12.5 inch clamshell mode and the option to detach the keyboard for a tablet experience. The display is described as an HDR-capable f-OLED panel with up to 500 nits brightness, Pantone validation, and Dolby Vision certification, while the built-in kickstand supports a home theater-like viewing stance. The audio system is praised for clarity and a wide sound stage, though the reviewer warns that the bass is not as strong as premium rivals, tempering expectations for media consumption. Overall, the video frames the ZenBook 17 Fold as a premium but niche device with strong display attributes and notable usability quirks that affect daily productivity. The reviewer dives into core performance and thermal behavior, explaining that the CPU and GPU are adequate for everyday tasks but not suited for high-end gaming or heavy workloads in PC mode. Upgrades such as an SSD are accessible inside, and the 75 Wh battery is rated for around 11 hours at light brightness, though real-world use will vary. He notes that the device stays reasonably cool under load and that the fan remains quiet, with no drastic throttling observed during testing. However, the practical experience in laptop mode is less compelling due to reduced functionality when the screen folds into portrait orientation and the bottom half of the display is obscured. The review emphasizes that the total package is more about form factor and novelty than delivering a traditional, high-performance laptop experience. The keyboard and input experience sit at the center of several criticisms. The detachable Bluetooth keyboard offers substantial key travel for a device this thin, but the bottom-row click mechanism is described as flopsy and imprecise, making it hard to type accurately on the go. The keyboard does not wake the device from sleep, causing additional friction, and the sole charging port on the device pushes users toward docking setups for peripherals. In tablet or “tablet mode” usage, the software and window management tools help split content across the two displays, but dragging windows between them is cumbersome without a trackpad. The reviewer also addresses software experiences, such as preinstalled bloatware and a subscription service for mirror display functionality that feels unnecessary given the hardware capabilities. Despite these drawbacks, the laptop-style use case is deemed interesting for certain audience segments, particularly those who value screen real estate and portability over raw performance. In conclusion, the video positions the ZenBook 17 Fold as a bold, innovative concept that showcases foldable display technology but remains hampered by practicality, price, and limited software optimization. The host compares it to high-end rivals like MacBooks and Dell XPS lines, arguing that you pay a premium for the novelty and first-mover benefits rather than out-and-out performance. He suggests that the product is best suited for niche buyers who crave the largest possible screen in a highly portable chassis and for scenarios like visual accessibility, where large text is beneficial. The closing thoughts emphasize that Asus is betting on foldables being a future niche rather than a mainstream revolution, inviting viewers to reflect on whether the foldable laptop category justifies its price and what improvements would be needed in future iterations.

Topics · technology · laptops · hardware · consumer electronics