Tech In Style Issue 1

Tech in

ON ASUS W

2,5WA6RD8S A 007 IN 2

INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY

FAST! POWERFUL! GORGEOUS! It’s one of the fastest laptops in the world. Inspired by Lamborghini, driven by you.

Win!

The ASUS 900 Eee PC worth £269!

10 handy o≤ce tips

Work fast, stay safe and go green

Get better exam results

Why technology is the best way to study

SUMMER 2008 WWW.TECHINSTYLE.CO.UK

style Tech in

Things you never knew about ASUS We’re all about delivering stylish digital solutions that work for you...

LEATHER-BOUND LAPTOP? A personal PC that weighs less than 1kg and comes in seven colours? The best manufacturers are realising that you need products to fit who you are and how you want to live.We certainly understand this and our £11 billion revenue in 2007 along with our listing in Fortune Magazine’s Top 500 Corporations, are testament to this.

Style and performance should not be an either/or option.You want both and, at ASUS, our 57-strong design team has won thousands of awards for delivering them.We were ranked in the top four notebook makers in 2007, and our motherboards powered one in three new PCs. Luxury and functionality: We’re not compromising. Neither should you.

Total solutions from ASUS WORK SMARTER

SLEEK AND CHIC

Ten tasty tips to help you get the most from your technology

04 Cover photography: Philip Sowels

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THE HOT SPOT

We zoom in on the super fast and powerful Lamborghini notebooks

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Jeremy Laird examines the best in business devices from ASUS

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DO WELL IN EXAMS

Technology can make a

difference to the way you learn

A LIGHT SLICE OF LIFE

Michael Brook looks at the latest in ultra portable notebooks

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

1

Award winning ASUS won 2,568 independent awards in 2007. That’s seven awards a day for 365 days of the year. Phew!

2

Top four ASUS is ranked in the top four worldwide notebook manufacturers and we offer a two-year global warranty!

Now that’s dedication.

3

One in three ASUS shipped over 60 million PC motherboards in 2007 so 1 in 3 PCs sold last year were powered by us. Is one in your PC?

MONITOR THIS

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Rose Brandle gets lost in visual

delight with these beauties

WIN AN ASUS EEE PC!

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Now is your chance to win this allsinging, all-dancing dream PC

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18 MOVIES ON THE MOVE Multimedia notebooks for every budget reviewed by Adam Oxford

GEAR UP FOR ACTION

Raw power and great gaming are shaken up by Alan Dexter

ONE LAST LOOK

Clever, fast, portable and unique – we look at the best of the best

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style Tech in

TITANIUM TOUGH

The titanium alloy backbone ensures an incredibly rugged and impact resistant design.

PREMIUM PORTABLE

A 12.1 inch chassis with exceptional paint ďŹ nish and Lamborghini badge, weighing in at just 2kgs.

PEAK PERFORMANCE

State of the art processing technology delivers critically acclaimed speed and power.

Quality &Control...

Main photography: Philip Sowels

Spotlight

Design excellence and uncompromising performance – ASUS and Lamborghini.

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find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

CRASH-PROOF CRYSTAL

Only surpassed by diamond for its hardness, sapphire crystal protects the integrated webcam.

STYLISH SECURITY

Secure sensitive documents with a single swipe thanks to the discreet fingerprint scanner.

LUXURIOUS LEATHER

The palm rests and Bluetooth mouse are stitch-finished padded leather, just like the Lamborghini itself.

WANDERING WIRELESS The latest Wireless-N and mobile 3G HSDPA technologies offer the ultimate broadband speeds.

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Photography: Philip Sowels. Image on LCD Photoframe Š Photolibrary. Illustration: Phil Nicodemi

style Tech in

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find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

10 ways to work smarter We help you get more out of your office technology with these truly useful tips.

1. For your eyes only The U6 ultra portable notebook (B) comes with fingerprint recognition to keep your important data secure.

7. Stay connected Make sure you have the right adaptors when you travel, as electric voltage standards vary from country to country.

2. Go green Use one device instead of five

8. Peace of mind Our notebooks come

3. Get personal Use Windows Sidebar and

9. A better view Adding a second monitor to your existing desktop or laptop doubles your desktop space to make working with multiple documents and applications far easier.

such as the ASUS P750 (F). It’s a handheld PC, a phone, a camera, a GPS device and an MP3 player all rolled into one. its gadgets for instant access to your calendar, train schedules, weather reports and more.

4. Go wireless Plug-and-play routers are

easy to use, give you instant access to the internet and cut back on wires.

with a unique two-year global warranty.

10. Power saver A laptop combined with a desktop display offers all the features of a desktop PC with the convenience of its portability, but consumes a fraction of the total power.

5. Save your battery Turn off notebook

features when you’re not using them to preserve battery life – shutting down your wireless card, for instance, will make a big difference.

B

6. Easy access Microsoft Windows Vista

®

hotkeys offer simple one-touch access to your favourite applications, websites and folders.

C

A

GET THE GEAR!

A. ASUS UF735 7” WVGA LCD digital photoframe, 5-in-1 card reader, USB port, 128MB memory, speakers B. ASUS U6 NOTEBOOK Genuine Windows Vista® Business, Wi-Fi, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400, 320GB HDD, 4GB memory, 12.1” TFT C. GIGAX1105N Gigabit Ethernet switch D. XONAR U1 SOUNDCARD 100dB output, USB, Dolby Pro-Logic IIx E. ASUS R50 UMPC 5.6” colour TFT, GPS, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, 32GB SSD F. ASUS P750 MOBILE PHONE Windows® Mobile™ 6, Wi-Fi, 2.6” colour TFT, 250 hours standby, 3MP camera.

D F

E

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style Tech in

A day

in the life...

Technology can have a dramatic impact on your studies, exams and social life. Read on to see how!

8am the wake-up call

9am the trend setter

End of term! But before Michael and his friends can catch the fast train to Funville there’s one last day of college. With the super-light Eee PC weighing less than 1kg, you can work anywhere. Just as well for Michael – he’s late, again.

On the bus, Michael’s black Eee PC boots up in seconds.With a 20GB SSD you can install all kinds of multimedia and games, but conscientious Michael taps out his final project notes and checks the email he synched with his PC last night instead.

10am the planning part In the lecture hall, Michael’s phone vibrates.Jen, his girlfriend, has sent a train eTicket. Michael uses Bluetooth to send it to his Eee PC to print out later. He’s making an MP3 of the lecture via his Eee PC so he can sneakily tidy up his photo library at the same time.

Clock images: © Androfroll –Fotolia.com

1pm the organiser Back home, Charlie’s on a M51 laptop adding Michael’s contribution to the group project.

The M51 provides you with 320GB of storage space and a full suite of office programs so Charlie’s using them to create a project DVD.

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12pm the studious bit Jen is waiting for Michael in the library and doing research for her thesis with her Eee PC. Instant messaging reveals Michael is busy doing last-minute project work with Charlie.

Men! Luckily the Eee PC has good battery life, so you can go on and offline all day.

6pm the weekend starts Finally, just as the train draws in Charlie’s girlfriend Kate sends everyone the skinny on their holiday destination and weekend plans via Bluetooth.The gang’s different coloured Eee PCs look just as bright as the weather forecast for the weekend...

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

Special offer

Make a great start to student life Get £100 off an ASUS laptop with your NatWest Student Account.

£100 OFF!

Being a student means making the most of your money. By opening a NatWest Student Account we can help you do just that.We’ll help you get ready for student life with a £100 saving on a state-of-the-art ASUS laptop.

ASUS is a market leader in the creation of innovative and rule-breaking laptops that are refined and ruggedly robust.Your laptop comes complete with Intel® Centrino® processor technology, carrying case, optical mouse and full two year warranty.

Wherever your studies and travels take you, your ASUS laptop will make the perfect companion.

This offer is available from 06 May to 31 October 2008.

For more information, please go to www.asus-uk.com/natwest

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style Tech in

Multimedia

Gaming

Experience pure entertainment magic.

Play games anywhere with these machines.

Pg 14

A lighter slice of life U

Pg 18

Ultra Portable

Michael Brook tells you how to get the most out of these gorgeous miniature computing tools.

LTRA PORTABLE NOTEBOOKS ARE, BY definition, stretching the laws of physics to their very limit to cram in every ounce of functionality possible. If you’re looking to get the best from your portable prince, then make sure you keep features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off when you’re not using them and that you have the performance settings pared down to only what you actually need.Turning these features off will increase your battery life. Due to their weight and size, battery life in an ultra portable laptop is precious so keeping your feature usage down to what you need will give you more time on the road.

ASUS U2E from £1,199

A glorious mash up of hand polished stainless steel and premium leather makes the U2 a laptop of distinction.

What marks it out as one of supreme usability are features like a 32GB Solid State Disc for swift boot up times and a LED backlit screen that’s half the width and a third lighter than traditional LCDs.

Top Tip

Make good use of the built-in AuthenTec fingerprint scanner to keep thieving ne’er-dowells away from your prize documents.

SPECS (of U2E-1P057E)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo ULV U7600 HDD SSD 32GB MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 11.1” WXGA LED colour WEIGHT 1.25kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS Fingerprint security, 8-in-1 card reader.

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find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

ASUS U6 from £849

ASUS has gone to town on the finish of this stylish ultra portable and we defy anyone to find fault with the U6’s sleek looks. Under the hood, it sports a 2.53Ghz Intel T9400 dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM and a hulking 320GB hard drive. Despite its diminutive dimensions, it manages to squeeze in no less than four USB ports. It also happens to be exceptionally light.

SPECS (of U6V-2P001E)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, HSDPA, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 HDD 320GB MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 12.1” TFT GB GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 9400M G with 256MB VRAM WEIGHT 1.57kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS Fingerprint security.

Top Tip

Never be without internet access by taking full advantage of the HSDPA support and signing up for a 3G mobile broadband account.

ASUS F9E from £599 This is the power pick of the bunch and comes equipped with the latest Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor that can run demanding applications while you’re chatting on Skype or surfing the web. Its lightweight, robust design makes this the ideal laptop for work or play when you’re on the road.

SPECS (of F9E-2P211E)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 HDD 250GB MEMORY 2GB DDR2 DISPLAY 12” TFT WEIGHT 1.9kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS Fingerprint security.

Top Tip

Opt for a smaller 12-inch chassis design to gain from its far smaller physical laptop size and reduced overall weight.

Also...

ASUS EEE PC from £159

ASUS F6 £TBC

The Eee PC range has won more than twenty awards since it hit our shores and continues to break the boundaries of innovation, style and portability. From the groundbreaking ASUS 701 Eee PC to its latest incarnation as the 1000, you have all the functionality of a PC in a tiny, robust package.

This limited edition flagship notebook is a truly unique designer must-have with one-of-a-kind illustrations and style. It’s packed with superb features, connectivity and ASUS’environmentally friendly EPU.And, just for kicks, you can get an optional extra - when this baby heats up it releases a soft perfume...

SPECS (of Eee 1000): OPERATING SYSTEM Linux CONNECTIVITY Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi CPU 1.6GHz Intel Atom HDD 40 GB SSD DISPLAY 10” LED PLUS Linux or Windows XP Home version.

SPECS (of F6V-3P059C): OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 GRAPHICS ATI HD3470 with 256MB VRAM.

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style Tech in

Sleek and chic for business Professional

F

Jeremy Laird surveys ASUS’ latest professional portables and discovers an impressive selection of features.

ASUS R50A

REQUENTTRAVELAND MODERN BUSINESS life go hand in hand. Choosing the right portable PC is therefore critical for keeping you productive and connected on the move.

Fortunately, the latest ASUS systems pack in an incredible array of features, including 3G connectivity, GPS, swivelling screens and security devices, enabling you to work without compromise wherever you are. Now you are able to do anything from connect to the internet, access your email or work on urgent projects collaboratively while on the move.

from £899

Mobility is every portable PC’s calling card.The R50 minitablet takes it to a whole new level with a 5.6 inch screen and startlingly compact proportions.An Intel® Atom™ processor delivers the full Windows Vista® experience.

Wi-Fi and 3G networking plus GPS functionality make it the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything digital companion.

S INNOVATION DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AWARD

97 m mh igh

Top Tip

SPECS (of R50A-DV001E)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, 3.5G with HSDPA, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Atom™ Z520 HDD 32GB SSD MEMORY 1GB DDR2 DISPLAY 5.6” TFT WEIGHT 520g SOFTWARE Built-in GPS PLUS Fingerprint security, stylus input, external DVD Super Multi drive.

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199 mm wide

Is your gadget count getting out of control?

With both GPS navigation and an optional TV tuner, the R50 is a multifunction masterpiece.

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

ASUS F5 from £479

Flashy features are all very well but in business as in life, reliability and usability count for a lot too.The F5 is a nononsense 15.4 inch widescreen laptop with a generously proportioned keyboard that will boost your productivity on the move.The vibrant, high-gloss WXGA LCD screen will also add some serious pep to those all important meetings and presentations.

SPECS (of F5RL-AP295C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Professional CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5550 HDD 160GB MEMORY 2G DDR2 DISPLAY 15.4” TFT WEIGHT 2.65kg.

Top Tip

The F5’s integrated 1MP webcam is handy if video conferencing regularly features in your work or private life.

ASUS R1 from £1,119

Tablet PCs are great for taking notes on the hoof. But for heavy duty document editing, you can’t beat a keyboard.

Handily, the ASUS R1 is a tablet convertible that gives you the best of both worlds.The 13.3 inch WXGA screen delivers an excellent compromise between portability and usability while the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor packs immense mobile computing power.

SPECS (of R1E-3P053T)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Tablet Edition CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 HDD 250GB MEMORY 2GB DDR2 DISPLAY 13.3” TFT widescreen WEIGHT 1.98kg PLUS Fingerprint security, slot-in DVD Super Multi DL drive.

Top Tip

Maximise the security of your data on the move with the R1’s fingerprint scanner and embedded TPM encryption chip.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

Also...

ASUS X80

ASUS F7

ASUS V1V

High-speed internet access, multimedia capabilities and optimised battery life at a good price.

This sleek, highly portable machine delivers a powerful mobile business solution below £700.

This ultra-slim notebook comes with a detachable docking station and highend business features.

SPECS (of X80LE-4P136E): OS Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5750 HDD 250GB DISPLAY 14” TFT PLUS Built in Webcam.

SPECS (of F7SE-7S059C): OS Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 HDD 250GB DISPLAY 17” TFT GRAPHICS ATI HD3470 with 256MB VRAM.

SPECS (of V1V-AK013E): OS Genuine Windows Vista® Business CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 DISPLAY 15.4” TFT GRAPHICS ATI HD3650 with 512MB VRAM.

from £549

from £699

from £1099

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style Tech in

Movies on the move

Multimedia

W

Choose your notebook wisely, says Adam Oxford, and it’ll be your all in one entertainment centre for movies, photos and music.

HETHER IT’S MUSIC, MOVIES OR photo editing there’s no performance difference between a desktop PC and a good laptop.And a laptop is portable, quieter and more power efficient, making it as perfect for playing HD movies on your TV as it is for editing Word documents on the go.

ASUS X50 from £419

You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to enjoy multimedia.The X50 is a high-power 15.4 inch notebook with plenty of punch for video and music, that will also suit any budget.With a large hard drive and an Intel® Core™ 2 processor it’s perfect for editing digital photos too. It’s a perfect complement to your mobile lifestyle.

Top Tip

By connecting a keyboard, mouse and monitor you will get the desktop experience at home as well as when you go out.

SPECS (of X50SL-AP163C) Onscreen images: © Photolibrary

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, USB CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 HDD 250GB MEMORY 2GB DDR2 DISPLAY 15.4” WXGA WEIGHT 2.8kg WARRANTY One year global GRAPHICS CARD ATI HD3470 256MB PLUS DVD Super Multi DL drive.

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find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

ASUS M51 from £749 If you value music above movies then the M51 could be right for you.With Dolby Home Theatre and Altec Lansing speakers it has the best sound around, and thanks to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics, it’s also a great choice for games and digital video.

Top Tip

Turn on the ASUS Splendid Video option for incredibly lifelike and vibrant colour correction for video playback and photo editing.

SPECS (of M51SE-AS112C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 HDD 250GB MEMORY 3GB DDR2 DISPLAY 15.4” WXGA+ TFT GRAPHICS ATI HD3470 with 256MB VRAM WEIGHT 2.96kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS Blu-ray/DVD combo drive, fingerprint security, Trusted Platform Module.

ASUS M50 from £899

ED RECOMMEND

Like the M70, the M50 is geared up for movies and music.

Both have a Blu-ray drive and HDMI output for watching films on your TV as well as on the high definition, coated screen.With a viewing area of 15.4 inch though, the M50 is a smaller, lighter laptop for those constantly on the move.

SPECS (of M50VM-AK005G)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 HDD 500GB MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 15.4” WSXGA+ TFT GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 9600 with 256MB VRAM WEIGHT 3.02kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS Fingerprint security.

Top Tip

You can use your laptop’s fingerprint scanner to replace your Windows log-on for maximum security.

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ASUS M70 from £849

Everything about this laptop, from the 1920x1200 resolution screen through to the Intel® Core™ 2 processor and the Blu-ray combo drive, is the uncompromising best in class.As well as playing 1080p movies, the screen adjusts its backlight to compensate for the ambient brightness of the room, and the Altec Lansing speakers with Dolby Home Theatre make movies sound as good as they look. It also comes with the unique ASUS two-year global warranty. Now that’s a safe bet!

Top Tip

The M70 supports two hard drives, so you can have a massive 640GB of storage space – big enough for any media collection.

EXCELLENCE REVIEW

Close Up...

SPECS (of M70VM-7T032C)

Onscreen images: © Photolibrary

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 HDD 640GB (2x320GB supported) MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 17” WUXGA GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 9600 with 512MB VRAM WEIGHT 3.78KG WARRANTY Two years global PLUS 1.3MP swivel web camera, 8-in-1 card reader, Blu-ray/DVD combo drive, fingerprint security.

The built-in fingerprint scanner offers extra data security.

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Instant launch keys mean immediate access to features.

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AI Surround Technology delivers sensational sound.

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

ASUS X71 from £599

Size is important, especially when it comes to making the most of high definition movies. If you want the best of both worlds without having to pay a king’s ransom then go for the ASUS X71. It has both a 17 inch screen and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics, and yet it’s available for under £600. It includes a plethora of features ideally suited for the multimedia fan on the move.

Top Tip

A portable hard drive will give you tons of extra space for your media archive, and also allow you to swap it from PC to laptop easily.

SPECS (of X71SR-7S024C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 HDD 250GB MEMORY 3GB DDR2 DISPLAY 17” TFT WARRANTY One year global GRAPHICS CARD ATI HD3470 with 256MB VRAM PLUS 1.3MP web camera, DVD Super Multi drive, fingerprint security.

ASUS F8V from £779 With its 14 inch screen the F8V takes multimedia to a new level of portability, and yet it doesn’t sacrifice any style or processing power as a result. Like many of the notebooks here, the all-metal chassis is designed with ASUS Infusion technology, which not only looks good, but is scratch resistant and tough too.

SPECS (of F8VR-4P014C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, Wi-Fi CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 HDD 320GB MEMORY 3GB DDR2 DISPLAY 14” TFT GRAPHICS ATI HD3470 with 256MB VRAM WEIGHT 2.6Kg WARRANTY Two years global PLUS 1.3MP web camera, DVD Super Multi DL drive.

Top Tip

The F8V is topped off with the latest Intel® Centrino™ 2 processor technology and the 802.11n ready wireless connection.

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style Tech in

Gear up for action G

Alan Dexter believes there’s never been a better time to buy a gaming laptop. Raw power and great gaming anywhere you want...

AMING IS ALLABOUT POWER. It’s about having enough raw juice to render the latest games perfectly and smoothly. Gaming laptops are now just as powerful as their anchored siblings but, obviously enough, are more portable.

A gaming laptop is perfect for taking round to a friend’s house for a LAN party, instead of lugging a hefty rig and monitor.All the better for appreciating the look on their face when you repeatedly beat them at their favourite game...

ASUS G70 from £1,799 If you were to create a list of the best mobile gaming components, the end result would be the specification of the G70. Kitted out with a top of the range processor and a pair of Nvidia 8700M GT graphics cards in SLI, this machine will leave most desktops standing.And it looks good enough to eat...

Top Tip

If you’ve got access to a wired connection, use it.The difference over wireless may be slight, but every little bit helps when gaming.

SPECS (of G70S-7T026G)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9500 HDD 640GB (2x320GB supported) MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 17” WUXGA TFT widescreen GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 8700M GT with DDR3 512MB VRAM X2.

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Gaming

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find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

ASUS G50 £TBC

The G50 is a compact but incredibly powerful gaming laptop.The 15.4 inch display boasts a resolution more commonly found on 22 inch monitors, competently driven by a state of the art GeForce 9700M GT graphics card, boasting 512MB of memory.Amazingly this machine can accommodate 640GB of hard drive space too...

SPECS (of G50V-AS001C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 HDD 320GB MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 15.4” WXGA+ TFT widescreen GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 9700M GT with DDR3 512MB VRAM PLUS 2.0MP web camera, Blu-ray/DVD combo drive.

Top Tip

Play at the native resolution of your screen.

This will ensure you have every chance of spotting your enemy clearly in time.

ASUS G71 £1,349

The G71 embodies everything that is meant by nextgen gaming: stunning looks backed up by even more impressive components.The Intel® Centrino® 2 has been built for power, and what better way to use it than for highend, beautifully rendered gaming and movie playback.

With up to 500GB of storage, there’s easily room for both.

SPECS (of G71V-7T001C)

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 HDD 500GB (2x250GB supported) MEMORY 4GB DDR2 DISPLAY 17” WUXGA widescreen GRAPHICS nVidia GeForce 9700M GT with DDR3 512MB VRAM.

Top Tip

Touchpads are fine for working with Windows, but always bring a mouse with you if you’re serious about gaming.

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style Tech in

The stars of the big screen

Monitors

There is a dizzying array of LCD monitors on the market, says Rose Brandle, but which is the right one for you?

ASUS MK241H £365

ASUS VW223 £204

Boasting an integrated webcam and microphone for gaming or chatting to friends online, plus HD 1080p resolution for watching the latest high-definition movies, this monitor is the ultimate multimedia hero.

This stylish monitor offers rich image quality with its 1680x1050 resolution and a wide viewing angle. But it’s the Splendid Video Intelligence display optimisation technology that really makes it stand out from the crowd.

SPECS

SPECS

PANEL SIZE 24” widescreen OPTIMAL RESOLUTION 1920x1200 RESPONSE TIME 2ms CONTRAST RATIO 3000:1 PLUS 1.3MP webcam.

Onscreen images (this page): © Cphoto - Fotolia.com

D MENDE RECOM

Top Tip

Image quality depends on a number of factors – look for high resolution and a fast response time.

PANEL SIZE 22” widescreen OPTIMAL RESOLUTION 1680x1050 RESPONSE TIME 5ms CONTRAST RATIO 3000:1 PLUS Wall mountable.

ASUS LS221H £270

ASUS PG221 £452

SPECS

SPECS

This ultra slim 22 inch exudes class with its clean lines and leather panel. Model looks are matched by excellent HD image quality and the anti-reflective glass surface means sharp, vibrant images every time.

PANEL SIZE 22” widescreen OPTIMAL RESOLUTION 1680x1050 RESPONSE TIME 2ms CONTRAST RATIO 4000:1 WIDTH 248mm.

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Top Tip

Want to expand your desktop space? With the VW223 you can attach multiple displays via USB.

BEST OR NIT LCD MO

This highly-featured widescreen monitor has excellent connectivity, fast response times for smoother gaming,TruSurround sound and a quirky back-mounted subwoofer for immersive multimedia experiences.

Top Tip

Choosing a monitor that can be wall mounted, like the LS221, is a great way to save space.

PANEL SIZE 22” widescreen OPTIMAL RESOLUTION 1680x1050 RESPONSE TIME 2ms CONTRAST RATIO 2000:1 PLUS 1.3MP webcam.

Top Tip

Max out your multimedia experience by using dedicated component or HDMI inputs.

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

One more for the road

Mobiles

Work anywhere, anytime – Rose Brandle assesses the latest batch of mobile technology designed to get you moving.

Eee Box from £199

Xonar U1 £47

SPECS

SPECS

The futuristic Xonar digital USB soundcard is the best way to upgrade your notebook’s audio performance, offering crisp, clear audio, surround sound and a great set of software utilities from Dolby to boost your audio. Comes bundled with a stereo microphone and an optical cable.

The revolutionary Eee Box is the smallest PC available, but it’s not short on performance.

This dinky box runs Linux or Windows® XP on an Intel® Atom™ N270 processor, and boasts 1GB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. It starts up in just five seconds, and its power use and noise levels have been vastly reduced, making it the smart choice for green consumers.

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP or Linux CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth CPU Intel® Atom™ N270 1.6GHz HDD 250GB MEMORY 2GB WEIGHT 1kg.

Top Tip

ICE ’S CHO EDITOR

AUDIO OUTPUT 100dB DYNAMIC RANGE 96dB CONNECTIVITY USB MICROPHONE Yes (stereo vertical array) SOFTWARE Dolby bundle PLUS 10-band equaliser.

Choose a PC with lower power consumption to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Top Tip

When choosing an external soundcard for notebooks, portability is a key feature.

Mobiles...

ASUS P320 £299

ASUS M930 £399

ASUS P750 £399

This ultra compact PDA is great for working on the go, with Windows® Mobile™ 6.1,Wi-Fi and GPS navigation to get you there on time, every time.

This sleek business handset flips open to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and ultra-wide second colour screen with embedded webcam for video calling.

This business powerhouse offers high-speed data transfer, business applications and integrated GPS plus multiple connectivity options.

SPECS: OS Windows® Mobile™ 6.1 Professional CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB DISPLAY 2.6” colour TFT WEIGHT 105g STANDBY TIME 200 hours PLUS 2MP camera.

SPECS: OS Windows® Mobile™ 6 CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPRS, USB, Bluetooth MEMORY 64MB DISPLAYS 2.6” colour TFT + 2” TFT WEIGHT 158g STANDBY TIME 200 hours PLUS 2MP camera.

SPECS: OS Windows® Mobile™ 6 CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPRS, Bluetooth MEMORY 64MB DISPLAY 2.6” colour TFT WEIGHT 130g STANDBY TIME 240 hours PLUS 3MP camera.

SUMMER 2008 |

ICE ’S CHO EDITOR

21

style Tech in

Win!

Competition

an Asus Eee PC Plus

3 copies of Microsoft Office 2007 How to Enter

To enter, simply answer the following questions: 1. How many independent awards did ASUS win in 2007?

2. Which article did you enjoy most in this magazine (please include page number)?

Send the answers to the two questions, plus your name, address, email address and telephone number, to: win@techinstyle.co.uk Entries must be received by 31 October 2008.The prizes will be drawn 6 November 2008.Winners will be notified by 17 November 2008.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This competition is open only to residents of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, except employees of ASUS Limited and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate families (defined for the purpose of these rules as husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, or persons residing in the household of such employees), and anyone else professionally connected with this competition. The promoter reserves the right to verify the eligibility of entrants and check their identity. The promoter is ASUS Limited, PO BOX 1209, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 9EX. Please direct any queries or complaints regarding the competition to either this address or to: marketing_uk@asus.com

Comprehensive global protection Most ASUS laptops are protected with a global two-year warranty. This comprehensive cover includes the cost of the repair and components for total peace of mind.

United Kingdom ASUSTeK (UK) Ltd. +44-870-120-8340 Taiwan ASUSTeK Computer Inc. 0800-093-456 Hong Kong ASUS Technology (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. +852-3582-4770 Bamboo image: © Photolibrary

China ASUSTeK Computer China Shanghai +86-21-5442-1616 Australia ASUSTeK Computer (Australia) Pty Ltd. 1300-2787-88

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Sydney Suite 1, Unit 12, Gateway Business Park, 63-79 Parramatta Road, Silverwater, NSW 2128 Australia Bangladesh Global Brand Pvt. Ltd. +88-02-8123283 Dhaka 19/2, West Panthapath (7th Floor), Dhanmondi, Dhaka1205, Bangladesh India ASUS Technology Pvt. Ltd. +91-22-4005-8888 Mumbai 101-108, Bonanza ‘A’ Wing, Sahar Plaza Complex,Andheri Kurla Rd, Andher, Mumbai400059, India.

| SUMMER 2008

Indonesia PT. Astrindo Senayasa +62-21-612-6555

Korea ASUS Korea Co.,Ltd. +82-2-1566-6868

Port-Louis 40/42 St Georges Street PortLouis,Mauritius

Jakarta Gedung Mal Mangga Dua Ruko No. 25 Jl. Arteri Mangga Dua Raya, Jakarta 10730, Indonesia

Seoul #306,Chungjin B/D,53-5, Wonhyoro-3ga,Youngsan-goo, Seoul,Korea 140-719

Myanmar Golden PowerTechnology +95-1-226664

PT. Berca Cakra Teknologi +62-21-344-2234 Jakarta Jl. Tanah Abang 3 No. 19 G-J, Jakarta Pusat 10160, Indonesia Japan ASUSJapan Inc. 0800-123-2787 Chiba 279-0032,10-6 Chidori,Urayasu City,Chiba,Japan

Malaysia Asustek Malaysia Office +603-2148-0827 Kuala Lumpur G-2,Ground Floor, IT@SPS,Wisma SPS,Jalan Imbi 55100,KualaLumpurWilayah Persekutuan,Malaysia Mauritius Pascal Computer Services Ltd.+230-2131518

Yangon No.72,Lanthit Street, LanmadawTSP,Yangon, Myanmar New Zealand ASUS New Zealand Ltd. 0800-278-788 Auckland L1,131 Khyber Pass Road,New Market,Auckland,New Zealand Philippines Banbros Commercial Inc. +63-2-7273009

Metro Manilla Banbros Corporate Center #32 Pilar, CornerAraullo Street,Addition,Hills, SanJuan,MM,Philippines Singapore Asustek Computer (S) Pte.Ltd. +65-6720-3835 No.1 Coleman Street,#04-18The Adelphi,Singapore 179803 Sri Lanka Epsi Computers (Pvt) Ltd. +94-11-2502533 Colombo #302AGalle Road,Colombo 4, Sri Lanka Thailand ASUSTekThailand +662-679-8367~70

find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk

Plus: All about the ASUS EPU and our passion for the environment.

Vietnam ASUSTechnology (Vietnam) Co.,Ltd. +84-8-8300446 Ext. 112

Czech Republic +420-596-766-888

Norway +47-2316-2682

Spain +34-902-889-688

Austria 0820-240513

Denmark +45-3832-2943

Poland +48-225718040

Sweden +46-8587-69407

Finland +358-9693-79690

Portugal +351-808-789-887

France 0821-232787

Romania Euros SRL/ 800800316

Switzerland +41-848-111-010 (De / Fr) +41-848-111-014 (De / Fr) +41-848-111-010 (Ita)

Germany 01805-010920

Serbia KIM-TEC Ltd. +381-11-2070-677

Belgium +32-(0)-78150231 Bulgaria Most Computers Ltd. +359-2-91823 Sofia Bl.240,Blv.Shipchenski prohod,1111 Sofia,Bulgaria Croatia M SAN Grupa D.O.O. +385-1-3654-961 Zagreb Buzinski prilaz 10.Zagreb 10010/385 Croatia

Greece 80044142044 Hungary +36-15-054-561 Italy 199400089 Netherlands 0800-023-2694

Slovak Republic +421-232-162-621 Slovenia Accord 92 DOO +386-01-511-47-50 Ljubljana Stegne 13,1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Israel Ronlight Digital Ltd. +972-3-9520520 Iran Digital Guaranty +98-21-8855-2441 Pakistan ShingTechnologies Inc. +9221-5824561 Saudi Arabia AsusAl-AqlemiaTrading Est. +966-1-460-3216

Syria Digital Plus Co. +963-21-2246260

Canada Asus Service Center Canada +1-888-678-3688

Turkey ASUSTeK Computer (Turkey) Pty Ltd.+90-216-521-4601

USA +1-888-678-3688

Istanbul Alemdag Cad.Masaldan Is Merkezi No:46 D.1 Kisikli, Uskudar ,Istandbul,Turkey United Arab Emirates ASUSTeK Computer (Dubai) Pty Ltd.+971-4-2833-728 Dubai Office #103,1st Floor,Zalfa Bldg.

Al GarhoudArea,Dubai, UnitedArab Emirates (UAE), P.O.Box 113499

Latvia Servisa ICT/ +371-7-408838 Lithuania Servisa ICT/ +370-37-328442 Russia +7-495-231-1999 Ukraine DataLux Ltd. +380-44-4961791 South Africa ASUSTeK Computers Pty Ltd. +27-11-783-5450

Estonia Servisa ICT/ +372-6671796

SUMMER 2008 |

23

Travel light.

The Eee PC. Everything you need.

Superb battery life, Wi-Fi and shock-proof Solid State Drive technology.

From ÂŁ159.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.co.uk