ASUS Bets on Niche Innovation and AI with New Laptops for CES 2026

LAS VEGAS, NV – December 30, 2025 – ASUS is signaling an aggressive push into the next generation of personal computing, previewing a bold lineup of AI-powered PCs ahead of its 'Always Incredible' virtual launch event at CES 2026. The announcements reveal a two-pronged strategy focused on redefining mobile productivity with a next-generation Zenbook DUO and capturing a highly specialized creative market with the first-ever ProArt GoPro Edition laptop. These devices serve as the flagships for the company's ambitious 'Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities' vision, which aims to embed intelligent features deeply into the user experience.

A Deeper Dive into Ubiquitous AI

ASUS is moving beyond treating artificial intelligence as a simple marketing buzzword. The company's strategy is built on two distinct pillars: 'Everyday AI' and 'Creator AI.' This framework aims to deliver tangible benefits by tailoring AI functionalities to specific user needs, a move that could differentiate its offerings in an increasingly crowded AI PC market.

'Everyday AI' is designed to enhance the daily computing experience for the average user. This translates into practical features like intelligent power management, where AI algorithms learn user habits to optimize and extend battery life. Communication is also a key focus, with AI-powered noise cancellation for clearer video calls and intelligent camera framing becoming standard. By integrating deeply with platforms like Microsoft's Copilot+, ASUS plans to offer more proactive assistance, from summarizing documents and drafting emails to providing contextual suggestions that streamline workflows. This initiative is about making the laptop smarter, more efficient, and more intuitive in the background.

On the other end of the spectrum, 'Creator AI' targets the demanding workflows of creative professionals. Here, the focus is on raw power and acceleration. The new lineup leverages dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to offload complex AI tasks, speeding up processes like video rendering, 3D modeling, and applying complex filters in photo editing software. This allows creators to run multiple demanding applications without the performance bottlenecks that can stifle creativity. The initiative also embraces generative AI, enabling tools that can suggest design variations or generate content, transforming the laptop from a simple tool into a collaborative creative partner.

The Future of Multitasking: A Ceraluminum Zenbook DUO

Highlighting the 'Everyday AI' vision is the next-generation ASUS Zenbook DUO. The iconic dual-screen laptop has been re-engineered with a focus on durability, performance, and battery life. The most significant physical innovation is its chassis, crafted from a new material called Ceraluminum. This hybrid material combines the lightweight properties of aluminum with the hardness and scratch-resistance of ceramic, resulting in a device that is not only more durable but also offers a unique, premium tactile finish.

Internally, the Zenbook DUO is powered by Intel's latest Core Ultra processors (codenamed Lunar Lake), which feature powerful integrated NPUs designed specifically for sustained AI workloads and improved power efficiency. This new silicon is key to ASUS's claim of 'all-day battery life,' with early estimates suggesting 10-12 hours of mixed usage—a remarkable feat for a device powering two displays. The signature dual 14-inch OLED touchscreens return, now boasting 2.8K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making the multi-screen experience more fluid and visually stunning than ever before.

By refining the dual-screen concept with better hardware, smarter software, and a more robust build, ASUS is directly addressing the core pain point of mobile professionals: the need for more screen real estate without sacrificing portability. The device aims to provide a true multi-monitor desktop experience in a portable form factor, a proposition that is increasingly appealing in an era of hybrid work. With a starting price estimated around $1,799, the Zenbook DUO is positioned as a premium solution for serious multitaskers.

Forging a Partnership for the Adventurous Creator

The most surprising reveal is the ProArt GoPro Edition, a groundbreaking collaboration that targets a specific and demanding user: the adventure creator. This device is more than a simple co-branded machine; it represents a deep partnership to build a mobile workstation that can thrive in the extreme conditions where GoPro cameras are typically used. The laptop features a ruggedized chassis with MIL-STD 810H certification, making it resistant to drops, dust, and moisture.

This partnership provides value far beyond the GoPro logo and signature blue accents. The laptop includes co-engineered hardware features like reinforced, high-speed ports for direct and secure camera connections. More importantly, it offers deep software integration. The included GoPro Player and Quik software are optimized to leverage ASUS's 'Creator AI' and the laptop's powerful internals, featuring exclusive AI-powered presets and accelerated workflows for processing GoPro footage on the fly.

Under the hood, the ProArt GoPro Edition is a beast. It can be configured with top-tier components, including Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 or 4080 GPUs, up to 64GB of RAM, and a stunning 16-inch 4K OLED display with professional-grade color accuracy. This machine is designed to handle 4K video editing, color grading, and rendering directly in the field, streamlining the workflow from capture to final cut. This level of specialization and performance comes at a premium, with pricing expected to start around $2,999, but for the niche it serves, it solves a set of problems that no other device currently addresses so directly.

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Field

ASUS's announcements do not exist in a vacuum. The entire PC industry is rallying around the concept of the AI PC, with competitors like Dell, HP, and Lenovo all showcasing their own AI-infused lineups at CES 2026, largely driven by Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative and the availability of new processors from Intel and Qualcomm with high-performance NPUs. In this environment, simply adding AI features is not enough to stand out.

ASUS's strategy appears to be one of targeted innovation. While competitors also offer broad portfolios, ASUS is making focused bets on unique form factors and strategic partnerships. The Zenbook DUO pushes the boundaries of mobile productivity, while the ProArt GoPro Edition carves out a new sub-category of creator laptops. By moving beyond generic AI enhancements and building devices that solve specific problems for well-defined user groups, ASUS is attempting to create products that are not just powerful, but indispensable. This calculated approach of combining broad AI integration with niche hardware specialization may prove to be a clever maneuver in the intensifying battle for leadership in the new era of the AI PC.