Choosing between the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 depends on your needs. The TUF Gaming A16, being less expensive, offers good value with solid performance for general use and gaming, courtesy of its AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics. However, the ZenBook Pro Duo 15, while more expensive, provides a premium experience with a stronger Intel i9 processor and Nvidia graphics, better suited for intensive tasks like engineering, 3D modeling, or machine learning, along with superior display quality. The ZenBook is also slightly more portable but both have comparable battery life. If budget is a priority and you mostly handle everyday tasks and gaming, the TUF Gaming A16 is sufficient, but if you require top-tier performance and a high-resolution screen for professional work, invest in the ZenBook Pro Duo 15. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
Very good battery life
Advantages of the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
8.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
294.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
332.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is very good for general use, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 surpasses the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 in general use due in large part to its superior CPU and double the RAM, which offers better multitasking and faster performance. Moreover, the ZenBook's OLED screen with higher resolution provides a more vivid display, but the tradeoff is less portability and a shorter battery life compared to the TUF Gaming A16, which also has a solid CPU and ample RAM for everyday tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
9.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a solid CPU for engineering tasks, along with moderate RAM and a decent GPU that supports hardware ray tracing, suited for less demanding design software; the screen quality is fair with good screen size, but its portability and keyboard are just good, not exceptional. In contrast, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 comes with a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a high-end GPU for more intensive engineering software, plus a superior OLED touchscreen with higher resolution for detailed design work, but sacrifices some portability due to its added features and slightly heavier weight.
Content Creation
7.6/10
8.7/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is very good for content creation, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3/10
8.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is very good for software development, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
8.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
332.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15 for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a balance between resolution and brightness that provides a clear and vivid display suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, but its lower refresh rate may lead to less fluid visuals in fast-paced gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15's high resolution and brightness ensure sharp and bright images for both general usage and professional design tasks, coupled with a wide color gamut that ensures colors are accurately reproduced. However, like the TUF Gaming A16, the Pro Duo's lower refresh rate limits its performance in gaming and 3D content, where smoothness is crucial.
Battery
12.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo 15 has 7 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Cost
$838
$2,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 costs $2,000.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.6/10
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"Benchmarks aside, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is hard to compare with other PCs. Its closest competition may be a multi-monitor desktop, or a laptop with an attached travel monitor. The Pro Duo is more portable and versatile than either of those options, especially with the software tools Asus has thrown on top. For a certain niche of artists, media creators, and gamers, all that might add up to something special, even if it’s unattainable for the rest of us."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 or the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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