In the midst of the innovations around higher resolutions and refresh rates announced at CES 2022, I noticed a minor display announcement that could be even more important.
Asus announced an update to its popular ROG Zephyrus Duo 16, which is already a fairly unconventional gaming laptop. However, this year’s update makes it even more interesting by offering what Asus calls a “dual-spec” monitor.
What is a dual spec monitor? Well, in the truest sense of the word, it is a display that can be operated with two different specifications – or more precisely with two different refresh rates. That means a gaming laptop that could, for example, offer the option of setting the display to a higher resolution with a slower refresh rate – or a lower resolution with a faster refresh rate.
This is exactly what the new ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 can do. It can display UHD at 120 Hz or FHD at 240 Hz. Presumably, switching between the two is as easy as switching the resolution in a game.
Until now, the maximum refresh rate of a panel in gaming laptops was set in stone. Buy a 4K 60Hz panel? Well, that means your 1440p and 1080p gaming will also get stuck at 60Hz. As a result, slower 4K panels were out of the question for PC gamers, even if you would appreciate this 4K panel outside of gaming.
But if a panel could support two different refresh rates, you wouldn’t be limited by that one refresh rate.

The reason this is so beneficial? Well, different games require different specifications. You’re more competitive in a fast-paced shooter with a lower resolution and higher refresh rate. In the meantime, you’d appreciate the higher resolution of a slower adventure title with an emphasis on immersion and fidelity.
A dual-spec panel, like the one on the new ROG Zephyrus Duo 16, would allow gamers to customize their screen beyond resolution to match the game they’re playing.
Asus only offers the dual-spec panel as a display option for the Zephyrus Duo 16. The other is a more conventional QHD mini LED display. And while there’s no reason not to offer a gaming monitor with the same functionality, we haven’t announced one yet.
Suffice it to say, the dual spec panel is still an experiment. But for my part, I hope it will arrive.
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