Tech in Style Issue 11

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Tech in

Save

£100

on the ASUS K52F with an RBS/ NatWest student account see page 3

BRINGING INNOVATIONS TO LIFE

Hearing is believing

Discover how ASUS is setting new audio standards with the new N53JN laptop

Let ASUS entertain you

We pick the best products to transform your home into a complete entertainment centre EeeTop ET2010

U33JC bamboo

Meet the new 20” all-inone multi-touch desktop PC from ASUS

Go green with this bambooclad laptop with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor.

issue 11 July 2010 www.techinstyle.tv

Contents

Hello and welcome to ASUS Tech in Style.

ASUS is always at the forefront of technological innovation and we have a number of exciting new products to reveal in this issue. Audio is one area where we’re working particularly hard and the N53JN laptop is the latest model in our prestigious N Series to benefit from the sound enhancements offered by our SonicMaster standard.

High-quality entertainment is something of a theme in this issue and we’re also introducing our new EeeTop all-in-one desktop PC — the ET2010PNT. This slimline sensation not only delivers a stunning widescreen image for PC games, but its HDMI-in port also means that you can connect to games consoles and Blu-ray players, too.

Later in this issue you can also see our pick of the ASUS products we think are ideal for anyone looking to set up the ultimate home entertainment centre.

Everything from graphics cards to HD media streamers to headsets is included, so there’s something for everyone.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

04 04 Hearing is believing

06 Ultra slim/ Ultra stylish

Helen Ling, Editor

About ASUS ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era, with a broad product portfolio that includes laptops, netbooks, motherboards, graphics cards, desktop PCs, servers, wireless solutions, mobile phones and networking devices. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s home and office users. ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionising the PC industry with the Eee PC. With a global staff of more than 10,000 and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion. ASUS ranks among BusinessWeek’s InfoTech 100, and has been on the listing for 12 consecutive years.

| issue 11

If you want a netbook that also says something about you, ASUS has two new Eee PCs to suit.

08 It’s great to be green

2

Discover how ASUS SonicMaster technology sets a new standard for laptop audio with the E53JN.

Meet the new U Series Bamboo — a laptop that’s both environmentally friendly and beautiful.

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Save £100

on the ASUS K52F with an RBS/ NatWest student account

10 Credits

Get ready for student life with ASUS

10 Home cinema style

Save space — and money — with the beautiful stunning new ASUS ET2010PNT all-in-one desktop PC.

12 3D that’s out of this world

Tech in Style

Two new 3D monitors from ASUS add a whole new dimension to your home entertainment.

14 Let ASUS entertain you

issue 11 EDITORIAL Editor Helen Ling Creative Director Quawn Hsu Group Art Director Bill Bagnall Production Kate Faulkner MANAGEMENT Managing Editor James Kidder

Our pick of the products that can turn your home into a complete entertainment centre.

PRODUCTION Production Manager Mark Young Production Co-ordinator Giulia Di Cesare

14

Copyright: ASUSTek (UK) Limited, 2010. All editorial content in this magazine has been sponsored by ASUS. While every care was taken preparing this magazine, ASUStek Limited cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information nor any consequences arising from it.

When you open a student account with NatWest or The Royal Bank of Scotland, you’ll be eligible for a £100 discount on a brand-new, state-of-the-art ASUS K52F laptop.

ASUS is a market leader in innovative and rule-breaking laptops that are refined and ruggedly robust. The ASUS K52F laptop has an Intel® Core i3 processor. 15.6” screen, 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. It also comes with a carrying case, USB optical mouse and full 2 year warranty as standard — everything you need to get you started with your studies.

This offer is available from 1st June to 31st October 2010, and full details are available online, or from branches of NatWest and RBS. Wherever your studies and travels take you, your ASUS K52F laptop will make the perfect companion.

issue 11 |

3

ASUS Exclusive SonicMaster technology

Hearing is believing

ASUS SonicMaster technology sets a new standard in laptop audio reproduction

L

aptops have long been associated with tinny speakers and distorted sound. But thanks to ASUS’ new SonicMaster standard, there are no more excuses for poor-quality audio.

Stunning sound — on a laptop

Given that we spend an average of around nine hours a day on audio-related activities, it makes sense to ensure that we’re listening to the highest-quality sound possible. Sadly, up until now that’s seldom been the case when it comes to laptops. Now that we’re using them for everything from watching movies to listening to music, playing video games and even making phone calls, ASUS thinks it’s time for a change.

That’s why ASUS has developed the SonicMaster standard. A combination of audio technologies * Subject to system configuration and use.

4

| issue 11

including both hardware and software, SonicMaster focuses on faithful sound reproduction rather than artificially boosting certain frequencies. That means you can always be certain that what you hear with SonicMaster is what was originally recorded — not the best guess of some clever software.

All models in the ASUS N Series conform to the SonicMaster standard, so you can be sure to hear the best-quality sound, from the most compact ultraportable to the biggest multimedia desktop replacement.

In order to understand what SonicMaster does for laptop audio, let’s take a look at some specific features.

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

1

Crystalclear sound

ASUS has developed what it believes are the best analogue/digital codecs in the industry, delivering the lowest signal:noise ratio and maximum clarity.

2

Lower distortion

Powerful amplifiers of up to 3W* with dedicated power supplies help eliminate the sound distortion that usually occurs with speakers at high volumes.

3

Deeper, richer bass

Large transducers improve frequency linearity and, along with virtual bass software for increased bottom-end response, ensure faithful sound reproduction.

4

Wider range

Up to 80cc* larger-thanaverage speaker chambers mean that the N Series can handle a wider range of frequencies than standard laptops.

5 ASUS N53JN Intel® Core™ i5-520M (2.4GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit 15.6” HD screen 4GB DDR3 memory 500GB hard disk Blu-ray / DVD combo drive £999 from www.ebuyer.com

Distinct vocals

Audio-processing software fine-tunes vocal performances to improve the clarity, articulation and volume, while preventing audio clipping at the same time.

6

surround sound

Software-enhanced surround sound reshapes sound waves to expand the soundstage and improve spatial imaging — the result is lifelike surround sound.

issue 11 |

5

Ultra-slim Ultra-stylish ASUS Eee PC 1015PE ASUS Eee PC 1018P

There’s nothing more portable than an Eee PC, but if you want a netbook that also says something about you, ASUS has two models to suit

Eee PC 1018P:

Eee PC 1018P

With a case that’s been carefully crafted from aluminium and a razor-sharp profile, the Eee PC 1018P is a netbook that’s bound to inspire desire in all who see it.

Don’t be fooled by its stunning good looks, though — this masterpiece of design also packs some seriously smart

6

| issue 11

Intel® Atom™ N475

features, from ultra-fast USB 3.0 ports to a 10-hour battery life* that lets you work all day without wires to worry about.

Fingerprint recognition and online backup help keep your data safe and secure, too, making the Eee PC 1018P the perfect travelling companion for people who like their technology to be sophisticated, both inside and out.

Genuine Windows® 7 Starter 10.1” LED-backlit screen (1024 x 600) Up to 10 hours* battery life USB 3.0 250GB hard disk with 500GB ASUS WebStorage £349 from Amazon.co.uk

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Eee PC 1015PE

Why put up with a dreary-looking netbook when you can cut a dash with the ASUS Eee PC 1015PE Available in a matte black or white with a uniquely textured finish, this is a netbook that’s as dynamic as the life you lead.

Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ processor, the Eee PC 1015PE offers astounding energy efficiency. Carefully selected components and ASUS Super Hybrid Engine technology deliver up to 11 hours of battery life* — that’s enough for most long-haul flights. Bluetooth lets you connect to a host of wireless devices, while ASUS WebStorage means you can access and share your files from wherever you go.

Eee PC 1015PE Intel® Atom™ N450 Genuine Windows® 7 Starter 10.1” LED-backlit screen (1024 x 600) Up to 11 hours* battery life Blue-tooth 250GB hard disk with 500GB ASUS WebStorage £309 from Amazon.co.uk

issue 11 |

7

?

Did youenkabnleotow reduce

ASUS have be e astic used for th the amount of pl se by 16-20% Bamboo Series ca

four ways to save the planet ASUS believes that social responsibility is key to sustainable corporate development. The GreenASUS initiative, established in 2000, introduced strict environmental standards to its working practices and 2008 saw the development of the innovative “Four Green Home Runs� strategy. This is designed to help ASUS create more environmentally friendly products for people of all generations.

Green Design

The modular design of ASUS laptops allows users to extend the lifespan of each model by easily replacing parts, thus reducing waste.

Green Procurement

ASUS R&D can only select vendor parts that have passed a strict approval process to ensure that they do not contain hazardous materials.

Green Manufacturing

To ensure the strict adherence to hazardous-substance guidelines, ASUS restricts the use of 37 hazardous substances, not just the six required by the RoHS directive.

Green Service & Marketing

ASUS participates in the EPEAT certification programme for environmental assessment, as well as the EU Ecolabel scheme to identify products and services that are kinder to the environment. http://csr.asus.com

8

| issue 11

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

It’s Great to be Green ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection

Made using environmentally sustainable bamboo, the new U Series Bamboo Collection is both eco-friendly and beautiful

A

ASUS Bamboo Collection U33JC Intel® Core™ i5-430M (2.27GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit 13.3” LED-backlit screen (1366 x 768) 4GB DDR3 memory 500GB hard disk SRP £849 from www.pcworld.co.uk

SUS takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and has long been committed to working practices that reduce its impact on our planet. Part of this commitment is to develop new products that not only eliminate hazardous substances in favour of more sustainable manufacturing materials, but that are also more easily recycled at the end of their life.

This holistic approach was exemplified by the development in 2008 of the first laptop to achieve EPEAT Gold certification — the ASUS N51V. A further 28 ASUS products have since received this accolade and this year they will launch a new laptop that builds on this success — the U Series Bamboo Collection.

The ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection was designed from the ground up to have as small an environmental footprint as possible. By using bamboo for the lid and palm rest, ASUS has been able to reduce the amount of plastic used for the Bamboo Series case by 16% - 20%. Bamboo pulp and non-woven cloth is also used for the Bamboo Series’ packing materials and its box is 100% recyclable.

Of course, bamboo is more than just an ecologically sustainable resource — it’s also a beautiful material to work with. Both sturdy and resistant to fingerprint marks, bamboo has a natural patina that changes over time to impart a sense of style to each ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection that’s as unique as its user.

issue 11 |

9

Home cinema style ASUS Eee Top ET2010PNT

Save space — and money — with the beautiful stunning new ASUS ET2010PNT all-in-one desktop PC

F

ew people want their home to be dominated by their desktop computer, but the ASUS EeeTop ET2010PNT takes streamlined simplicity to a new level. This stunning new all-in-one desktop not only has an ultra-slim design that can slip into the smallest of spaces, but HDMI input means that it can also double-up as an HD+ display for games consoles and Blu-ray players.

Top of the bill

The rich 20” widescreen HD display is complemented by virtual 5.1 surround sound speakers for even less clutter. Onboard 802.11n Wi-Fi and an optional wireless keyboard and mouse makes for a simple, one-cable set-up, too. An optional multi-touch display also means that the ET2010PNT is the ultimate hands-on computer — perfect for places where desktop space is in short supply.

NVIDIA ION 2 graphics with 15 times the performance of typical integrated graphics processors means that the EeeTop ET2010PNT can handle HD movies with ease. The easy access back panel makes upgrades a cinch too, making this an all-in-one PC that can expand to meet your needs, without expanding to take over your work space.

10

| issue 11

Win!

ASUS is giving away 10 copies of Clash of the Titans on DVD and Blu-ray — see www.techinstyle.tv for details © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv ASUS ET2010PNT Intel® Atom™ D510 dual-core processor Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium Discrete nVidia® ION 2 graphics engine 20” screen(1600X900) 2GB DDR3 memory (max. 4GB) 500GB hard disk HDMI input SRP £599

The 20” HD display is available with optical multi-touch technology for responsive and accurate fingertip control —perfect for places where there’s no room to use a mouse.

HDMI-in lets you use the EeeTop ET2010PNT as an HD display, too — and you can switch between PC and HD modes at the push of a button.

The 1600 x 900 resolution widescreen display is perfect for HD+ entertainment, while virtual 5.1 surround sound immerses you in the action.

Available now on

and DVD

The EeeTop ET2010PNT comes with a selection of useful software pre-installed, including Trend Micro Internet Security and a 60day trial of Microsoft Office.

www.clashofthetitansmovie.co.uk

issue 11 |

11

3D that’s out of this world This year, two new 3D LCD monitors from ASUS will bring a whole new dimension to your gaming and movie-watching experience

3

D looks set to be the breakthrough technology of 2010. James Cameron’s Avatar has set the box office on fire with its mind-blowing depiction of life on an alien world and 3D HDTV promises to add a new dimension to home entertainment. And this year two new LCD monitors from ASUS will bring 3D to your desktop.

Images that leap from the screen

3D computer displays are nothing new, but technology so far has fallen well short of delivering a full-colour, full-resolution image that can be viewed at anything other than head-on. The new ASUS VG236H and PG276H Full HD 3D LCD monitors, however, use a sophisticated technique of generating a 3D

image called alternate-frame sequencing.

This displays two versions of the same image in rapid succession and, when viewed through wireless glasses with lenses that alternately ‘blink’ in time with the display, the result is an image that leaps out of the screen.

Unlike 3D displays that must be viewed with polarised lenses, alternate-frame sequencing displays a full-resolution 120Hz image that doesn’t suffer from ghosting on fast-moving images. This makes the ASUS VG236H and PG276H 3D LCD monitors perfectly suited to gaming and movie watching, and the wide viewing angle means that several people can experience the thrill of the third dimension at once.

get 3D gaming on the go with asus rog The ASUS ROG G51J 3D is the world’s first gaming laptop with an alternate-frame sequencing display and wireless ‘active shutter’ glasses, courtesy of NVIDIA® 3D Vision. This Intel® Core™ i7 powerhouse delivers breathtaking 3D images on

12

| issue 11

its 15.6" screen in full-resolution for the ultimate immersive entertainment experience in a highly portable package. With over 400 games already supported by NVIDIA® 3D Vision, you’ll never be stuck for something to play.

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

ASUS VG236H 3D LCD Monitor 23” Full HD-Ready (1920 x 1080) 3D displsy 120Hz refresh rate Includes NVIDIA® GeForce™ 3D Vision™ glasses

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game © 2009 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

Game Software excluding Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation elements: ©2009 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

170° H/160° V viewing angles 2ms response time (grey-to-grey) Dual-link DVI (for 3D), HDMI and component inputs SRP £449 (inc. VAT)

issue 11 |

13

Let ASUS entertain you ASUS has a multitude of products that can turn your home into a complete entertainment centre — here’s a few to get you started

14

| issue 11

Turn your HDTV into a one-stop entertainment hub

What you need: ASUS O!Play HD2 media player O!Play HD2

SRP £139.99 (Inc VAT) Watching TV in HD is one way to pass the time, but the ASUS O!Play HD2 lets you enjoy so much more in your living room. Connect it to your home network and you can stream movies and music to your HDTV and even turn it into a gigantic digital photo frame for your own pictures. The O!Play HD2 even lets you connect to social networking sites like Facebook and Flickr with the built-in Opera web browser for the ultimate big-screen surfing experience, while USB 3.0 lets you connect to the next generation of super-speed storage devices.

Windows®. Life without Walls™. ASUS recommends Windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

VIDEO

What you need: ASUS Bravo 220 graphics card ASUS Bravo 220 Graphics card

SRP £64.99 (Inc VAT) If you need a graphics card to transform your PC into a multimedia powerhouse, our pick is the ASUS Bravo 220. ASUS Splendid Plus technology uses an external sensor to intelligently adjusts brightness, contrast and colour levels to suit the ambient lighting for perfect picture quality, while Bravo Media Center lets you enjoy your movie, video, music and photo collections using the supplied remote control.

AUDIO

What you need: Cine5 PC multi-channel speaker ASUS Cine5 All-in-one Speaker

SRP £149.99 (Inc VAT) You don’t need a room full of speakers and half a mile of cable to surround yourself with sound — a single speaker is all it takes.

The ASUS Cine5 All-in-One Speaker uses sophisticated audio processing technology to deliver a virtual 5.1 surround sound experience from a single slimline component that slips under your desktop display, which means there’s no need to worry about sitting in the ‘sweet spot’— or tripping over a stray lead.

Alternatively…

Xonar Xense premium gaming audio set XENSE Soundcard bundle

SRP £209.99 (Inc VAT) If you don’t want to wake the neighbours when you crank up the volume, ASUS has the ideal solution. The Xonar Xense combines a high-quality ASUS sound card with a high-fidelity Sennheiser audio headset for ultra-low noise levels (118dB) and pinpoint positioning in the sound field — perfect for FPS gamers looking for an aural advantage. A high-powered headphone amplifier with high-impedance drivers, EMI shielding and support for DirectSound and Dolby ensure superlative sound quality for all other types of audio, too.

ASUS CineVibe rumble-feedback USB gaming headset CINEVIBE

SRP £59.99 (Inc VAT) Anyone looking for even greater immersion with their home entertainment will be well served by the ASUS CineVibe rumble-feedback USB gaming headset. As the name suggests, this high-quality headset delivers more than just first-rate sound with deep bass — it also vibrates in sync with the audio, so that you can feel, as well as hear, what’s happening on-screen. The technology works great with games and movies, where you’ll feel like you’re sat smack in the middle of the action.

issue 11 |

15