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Foldable notebook Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is ready - and damn expensive

1.9.2022

Translation: machine translated

The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is more of a large foldable tablet with external keyboard and notebook option than a classic notebook. Asus is paying dearly for this innovation.

Asus first showed the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED in early 2022 at CES in Las Vegas. At the IFA in Berlin, the manufacturer now announced the sales launch and prices. I got a first impression on site
.

From November for a lot of money

The Zenbook 17 Fold OLED should be available in the fourth quarter of 2022. The recommended retail price is 3699 euros or francs. For Switzerland, Asus is more specific and is targeting availability from mid-November.

ASUS ZenBook Fold OLED (17.30", 1000 GB, 16 GB, CH, Intel Core i7-1250U)

Notebooks

−39%

Used

CHF2300.– currently CHF3760.20 new

ASUS ZenBook Fold OLED

17.30", 1000 GB, 16 GB, CH, Intel Core i7-1250U

Asus calls the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED a notebook. For me, however, it has little to do with a classic notebook. It can be used in more diverse ways. After I was able to hold it in my hands at the press conference, I am already considering arguments as to why I need it as a work tool.

First impression of the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED

When folded, the device looks very clunky and its "cover" has something of a thick, leather-bound book about it. When opened, however, it seems more delicate. In the first usage mode - Asus speaks of a total of six - I have a classic notebook in front of me with a 12.5-inch screen in 3:2 format.

A bit clunky to start with, you can see the keyboard in the middle.

The keyboard is fixed with magnets. If I take it off, the touchscreen extends over the entire length. If I don't have the Bluetooth keyboard at hand, I can display a virtual keyboard on the lower half or, for example, view web pages in portrait format.

In landscape mode, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED becomes a 17-inch Windows tablet with an aspect ratio of 4:3. However, it quickly becomes too heavy to hold in the hands with its 1.5 kilogram weight. Now it's time for the integrated stand. I use it to set up the notebook as an all-in-one PC in front of me and the external keyboard between us. The only thing I still need to pull out of my bag is a mouse in order to work on the 17-inch screen. There should be enough power thanks to a 12th generation Intel Core i7.

The hinge is supposed to withstand at least 30,000 folding operations. Asus nevertheless advises caution because - unlike smartphones - the panel is not protected by glass, but by a layer of plastic. By the way, Asus reckons with an average of 10 to 15 folding processes per day. That gives a theoretical lifespan of about five and a half years. On the devices on display, the fold could be felt very discreetly in the display, but not seen.

Whether the prospects of its many uses justify the high price and for whom the investment is worthwhile will be shown in our test.

31 people like this article

Jan Johannsen

Senior Editor

Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.de

When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.

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