Tech in Style Computex 2012 Special (Complete)

12 20 x l te a pu i m ec co sp

Tech in

BRINGING INNOVATIONS TO LIFE issue 18 Computex 2012 www.techinstyle.tv

#WINNING Introducing the latest ASUS tablets

We’VE GoT Game

ROG G Series gaming notebook and the ROG Tytan CG8890 gaming desktop

One of a Kind

ET2411 All-in-One PC

FOREWORD

EDITOR'S NOTE

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elcome to Taipei and Computex 2012 – the last major computer exhibition for the year. With the eyes of the IT world focused on Taipei, ASUS has traditionally gone big in its own backyard. Last year, it tore up the rulebook as Chairman Jonney Shih made his PadFone announcement and introduced the ZENBOOK ultrabook to the world.

There’s no doubt that there’ll be major announcements coming up; although Mr Shih seems to have already let a cat or two out of the bag. In April, he promised that “ASUS…will unveil our total solution for ubiquitous cloud computing at Computex this year.” That aside, there’s a host of other big stories being bandied about by the rumor mills – Windows 8, Intel Thunderbolt. Who’s to say that they’re not entirely true?

While we’d love to give you the lowdown on the new toys they are planning to unveil at this year’s exhibition, it was all hush-hush in the “Skunk works” labs of ASUS HQ; with everyone appearing to be on lockdown and being tight-lipped on what’s to come from the Taiwanese IT giant. It feels like that scene from Top Gun where Tom Cruise says “It’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

So let’s talk about the things that we’re allowed to disclose, shall we? We’ve a slew of notebooks in this issue, ranging from the ZENBOOK Prime all the way to the brand new X Series. ROG has quite a line-up for Computex as well, with offerings ranging from motherboards all the way to full-fledged gaming desktops and notebooks. And yes, we can confirm that there are indeed a couple of Windows 8-based tablets on the way.

Whatever the next big thing ASUS announces is, all they can say is that these incredible innovations would offer endless possibilities.

EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Tim Smalley Editor Joseph Yadao Contributor Julian Prokaza PRODUCTION Production Manager Helen Ling Art Director Quawn Hsu Lead Designer Chiou Chong Lee

Copyright: ASUS Technology Private Limited, 2012.

All editorial content in this magazine has been sponsored by ASUS. While every care was taken preparing this magazine, ASUS Technology Private Limited cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information nor any consequences arising from it.

Please recycle this magazine when you have finished reading.

Joseph Yadao Editor

About ASUS ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best-selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktops, Eee Box and allin-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, tablet devices, servers, multimedia and wireless solutions, networking devices, and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,886 awards in 2011, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. ASUS has a global staff of more than 11,000 and a world-class R&D team of 3,100 engineers.

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CONTENTS issue 18 • Computex 2012

04 An ultraportable in its prime

Full HD IPS panels bring brings more clarity to the ZENBOOK Prime

06 A new class of tablet

Try to pick a winner from these Windows 8 tablets

07 Music to your ears

The N Series gets the party started with SonicMaster Premium

08 A new world of mobile computing Spoilt for choice? We cast an eye on the Transformer Pad range.

10 The story behind the ASUS PadFone

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We speak with the designers to get the lowdown on this technological marvel

12 Thin is in

Maximize space with the ET 2411 All-in-One PC

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13 Beautifully brilliant

Elegant simplicity - the ASUS Designo MX display

14 Entry point

Performance or price? The K Series makes no compromise

15 Reader Q&A

Looking for a desktop deputy? X marks the spot

16 Wrath of the Tytan

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18

Battle-hardened and battle-ready – the ROG Tytan CG8890

17 The next generation of gaming laptops

Sleek and stealthy - the G Series helps you sneak in under the radar

18 Maximus overdrive

Pushing the performance envelope with the ROG Maximus motherboards

19 Get a fresh edge for gaming

Enter a higher state of awareness with the ROG MATRIX HD 7970 graphics card and the Xonar Phoebus sound card JUNE 2012

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INSPIRED

ZENBOOK Prime UX21A/31A

An

ultraportable

in its prime T

he original ASUS ZENBOOK set the benchmark for a new category of Ultrabook computers, but the bar has since been raised by the new ZENBOOK Prime. Sporting the same impossibly slim profile and beautiful spun aluminium case as its predecessor, the ZENBOOK Prime packs even greater performance, thanks to 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors and sophisticated power management technology.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade from the previous model is the screen, and the new ZENBOOK Prime UX21A sports an HD or a Full HD display, while its bigger brother the UX31A offers a choice of HD+ or Full HD displays. IPS technology ensures a brilliant image with a 178° viewing angle and extreme colour accuracy — all in a unibody shell that tapers to just 3mm at its thinnest point.

Razor thin it may be, but the ZENBOOK Prime still provides a comprehensive array of wired and wireless connectivity options. USB 3.0 delivers rapid USB device

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Meet the only Ultrabook™ that’s more capable than the outstanding ASUS ZENBOOK™ — the next-generation ZENBOOK Prime recharging and 10 times the data transfer rate of USB 2.0, while Bluetooth 4.0 offers faster wireless transfers and ultra-low power consumption. Dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi means the ZENBOOK Prime can exploit the faster speeds offered by the latest wireless routers, and connect to the latest high-resolution desktop displays via its micro HDMI and mini VGA ports.

Despite its extreme performance, the ZENBOOK Prime still offers outstanding battery life. ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II not only extends mains-free use by up to 25% with its sophisticated power-management technology, but also provides instant-on functionality and a standby time of at least two weeks, depending on settings. And speaking of features that sound too good to be true, the ZENBOOK Prime is also equipped with ASUS’ renowned SonicMaster technology that delivers superlative sound quality through a combination of professional-grade audio processing and high-quality audio hardware.

11.6” (UX21A) or 13.3” (UX31A) IPS display with ultra-wide 178° viewing angle with a choice of HD (1366 × 768) or Full HD (1920 × 1080) resolutions.

The UX31A also features a 13.3” 16:9 HD+ EWV at 1600 × 900 resolution.

Tech Specs

Beautiful, but resilient hairline aluminium case with a sleek profile that tapers to just 3mm at its thinnest point.

Full-size backlit keyboard that stays cool thanks to a custom cooling system that vents warm air through the rear of the notebook.

ZENBOOK Prime UX21A • Intel® Core™ i5 (1.7GHz) or i7 (1.9GHz) processor • 11.6” HD or Full HD screen • 4GB DDR RAM • 128/256GB SSD • 299 × 168.5 × 3 ~ 17mm • 1.1kg

Co-developed with B&O ICEpower®, ASUS SonicMaster technology uses professional-grade audio processing with 2.5W stereo speakers and large 25cc speaker chambers to deliver sound quality that belies the ZENBOOK Prime’s compact dimensions.

Incredible performance, thanks to the latest 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors with Intel® HD Graphics 4000, 4GB DDR3 RAM and up to 256GB SSD SATA 6Gbit/s storage.

ZENBOOK Prime UX31A • Intel® Core™ i5 (1.7GHz) or i7 (1.9GHz) processor • 13.3” HD+ or Full HD screen • 4GB DDR RAM • 128/256GB SSD • 325 × 233 × 3 ~ 18mm • 1.3kg June 2012

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Desired ASUS Tablet-810 (Windows 8)

ASUS Tablet-600 (Windows RT)

ASUS Tablets

A new class of tablet One new operating system, two new tablets and a completely Tech Specs new kind of computer ASUS Tablet-600 (Windows RT)

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SUS is hard at work on making its Ubiquitous Cloud Computing dream a reality, and stands ready to roll out new tablets designed to work with Windows 8 — providing users with an alternative to its successful Transformer Pad range.

With an inspired dual-purpose tablet design that can be transformed into a productive workstation by way of a mobile keyboard dock, the new ASUS Tablet 810(Windows 8) and ASUS Tablet 600(Windows RT) offer a completely new way of working with computers and industry-standard software.

High-resolution widescreen Super IPS+ displays with 10-point multi-touch make everything from web browsing to word processing a true hands-on

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experience, while Wacom digitizer stylus support on the 810 opens up a new world of creative possibilities.

Better yet, when a touchscreen alone isn’t enough to get things done, both tablets connect to their supplied QWERTY keyboard dock and are instantly transformed into a slimline ultraportable with even longer battery life. The addition of USB ports also expand on these tablets’ productive capabilities.

ASUS SonicMaster technology also means the 810 and 600 sound every bit as good as they look, while the 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash make capturing stunning images mere child’s play.

• NVIDIA® Tegra 3 Quad-core • 10.1” Super IPS+ Panel with 1366 × 768 resolution, Touch panel: 10 fingers multi-touch • 2GB RAM with 32GB eMMC • 8MP camera with autofocus and LED flash; Front: 2MP • G-Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, E-compass, NFC, GPS ASUS Tablet-810 (Windows 8) • Next Generation Intel® Atom™ processor • 11.6” Super IPS+ Panel with 1366 × 768 resolution, Touch panel: 10 fingers multi-touch • 2GB RAM with 64GB eMMC • 8MP camera with autofocus and LED flash; Front: 2MP • Wacom digitizer stylus • G-Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, E-compass, NFC ,GPS

Music to your ears ASUS New N Series Notebook

ASUS SonicMaster technology has already made a hefty splash in audio circles, and the all-new N Series promises even greater listening pleasure

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ith its 3rd-generation Intel® Core™ processors, the new ASUS N Series notebook delivers more mobile performance than ever before.

ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology makes this performance immediately available too, with a 2-second resume time and over eight days of standby time.

The N Series is built with entertainment in mind and features a Full HD* display with an incredibly wide viewing angle (150° H/120° V), and the anti-reflective finish keeps images clear and bright at all times.

An onboard HD camera is ideal for widescreen video chat with friends and family.

Other user-friendly features include a comfortable backlit keyboard and a wellproportioned track pad with multi-touch support and enhanced ‘360°’ Wi-Fi for superior wireless connectivity.

All this is packaged in a stunning low-profile design that’s fashioned from tough aluminium alloy with a beautiful hairline finish.

Here comes the N Series’ party piece — ASUS SonicMaster Premium. As with earlier N Series notebooks, this sound optimisation technology has been developed by the ASUS Golden Ear team and Bang & Olufsen

ICEpower® to deliver outstanding levels of audio performance in a mobile device.

The only clue to the new N Series’ considerable audio prowess is its ripple-like speaker mesh that flows from the top two corners of the keyboard; the design features up to 20,000 holes, and helps contribute to the clear audio delivery.

But the real magic takes place in the inside — SonicMaster Premium is designed to deliver optimal audio and it uses a combination of hardware and software to produce the best possible results.

Professional-grade audio codecs give incredibly accurate audio reproduction with reduced distortion; while the bundled professional version of MaxxAudio 3 audio processing software also fine-tunes the sound and allows the user to customize settings.

When it comes to hardware, the new N Series packs a powerful 11W amplifier with large stereo speakers and a compact desktop subwoofer also delivers rich, deep bass, making the new N Series notebooks well worth considering if you’re serious about sound quality. *Full HD panels on select models.

June 2012

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DESIRED

A new world of

mobile computing

Transformer Pad Transformer Pad Prime Transformer Pad Infinity

With three distinct new Android 4 tablets in store for 2012, ASUS is ready to redefine mobile computing. Which one will you take?

I

Transformer Pad

Transformer Pad Prime

t’s fair to say that no single tablet can cater for every mobile need, but with three new models in store for this year, ASUS has something to suit everyone in this new era of cloud computing.

Although aimed at very distinct types of user, the three new models in the Transformer Pad range all share a common set of incredible features. Android 4 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ is standard issue, as are powerful quad-core NVIDIA® Tegra 3 processors and, of course, the battery-boosting keyboard dock that first established the Transformer Pad as a tablet to be reckoned with. Optional 4G LTE brings potential mobile broadband speeds faster than most home connections too, while renowned ASUS SonicMaster technology delivers surprisingly expansive sound quality for such slimline devices.

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Transformer Pad Prime

Transformer Pad Infinity

Desirability certainly isn’t in doubt with the Transformer Pad Prime and Infinity tablets, but the new Transformer Pad adds one more ingredient — affordability. Available in red, white or blue, the Transformer Pad also packs a 10.1” IPS screen with ultra-wide 178° viewing angle, plus a quad-core NVIDIA® Tegra 3 processor for smooth performance with Android apps of all kinds. Optional 3G/LTE mobile data makes it a capable tablet for serious mobile use too, as does the 10-hour battery life — or 15 hours, with the mobile dock.

The world’s first quad-core Android tablet combines an ultra-slim 8.3mm profile and low 586g weight with a brilliant 10.1” Super IPS+ screen that stays crisp and clear, even when used outdoors in bright sunshine. The result is an extremely portable tablet that won’t wear you out when held with one hand, or run out of power in a hurry, thanks to its 12-hour battery life that stretches to 18 hours when used with the mobile QWERTY keyboard dock.

The new Transformer Pad Infinity is an Android tablet designed with multimedia in mind. The 10.1” Super IPS+ widescreen display is just as breathtaking to behold as the Transformer Prime’s, but there’s one key difference — an incredible 1920 × 1200 resolution that displays Full HD with perfect clarity. The ultra-sharp 224ppi (pixels per inch) resolution renders web page text and digital photos with extreme sharpness too, but don’t think that the Transformer Pad Infinity is just about looks — ASUS SonicMaster technology means it has the sound quality to match.

Screen 10.1” (1280 x 800) IPS capacitive multi-touch CPU NVIDIA® Tegra 3 quad-core (1.2GHz) Memory 1GB RAM, 16/32GB user storage with microSDHC slot Camera 8MP rear with 1080p video recording capability, 1.2MP front Battery Life 10 hours + 5 hours with dock Dimension 180.8 × 263 × 9.9mm Weight 635g

Screen 10.1” (1280 x 800) Super IPS+ capacitive multi-touch CPU NVIDIA® Tegra 3 quad-core (1.3GHz) Memory 1GB RAM, 32/64GB user storage with microSDHC slot Camera 8MP rear with flash, with 1080p video recording capability, 1.2MP front Battery Life 12 hours + 6 hours with dock Dimension 180.8 × 263 × 8.3mm Weight 586g

Screen 10.1” (1920 x 1200) Super IPS+ capacitive multi-touch CPU NVIDIA® Tegra 3 quad-core (1.6GHz) Memory 1GB RAM, 32/64GB user storage with microSDHC slot Camera 8MP rear with flash, with 1080p video recording capability, 2MP front Battery Life 10 hours + 6 hours with dock Dimension 180.8 × 263 × 8.5mm Weight 598g

Transformer Pad Infinity

Transformer Pad

MAy 2012

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DESIRED

The story behind the ASUS PadFone The ASUS PadFone is an incredible blend of design, technology and flexibility, but how did the device get from the drawing board into your pocket? We speak with the designers to find out the full story

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any wonder how ASUS came up with the bold idea to combine leading-edge technologies to create the PadFone. In addition to wild imagination and state-of-the-art technology, “the courage to innovate” was key to PadFone’s success.

“It all started with Design Thinking,” said Pete, the Lead Designer of Industrial Design on the PadFone project. Design Thinking has been the core focus of ASUS product design over the past few years. “We need to develop a core system to connect all technologies together—to meet the expanding needs of our current and future customers.”

Pete believes that the PadFone project is only the beginning and that it’s actually a gateway to endless possibilities.

“Creating a device that seamlessly transforms from a smartphone into a tablet and a notebook, while at the same time serving as a convenient platform for communication and sharing, is a real challenge for designers,” explained Steven, an engineer on the User Experience team. “Users would definitely love the idea though.”

Many questions about the user experience needed to be answered during the design process. The answer to those questions was to design DynamicDisplay technology, which serves as the primary basis in enabling the PadFone to achieve seamless transformation. Simple,

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intuitive and interactive, DynamicDisplay facilitates the adaptation of different hardware and software environments.

Looking at PadFone in your palm, it doesn’t transform just to attract attention; its inner beauty awaits recognition while the unibody design oozes attention to detail through the 38-stage process required to create the finish. “Feel the quality of its construction…” said Vince, the Lead Engineer on the Mechanical Engineering team, as he clicked open the PadFone Station’s back compartment cover.

A gentle press on the back cover released the PadFone from the Station and it effortlessly slid out along a rubberized track. “Don’t be mistaken, the cover is delicate but not fragile. Apart from the unique seamless design, it can also withstand five kilograms of pressure,” Vince added. “We had to truly wrack the team’s brains to perfect this process.”

“The PadFone is equipped with diamond-cut design, metal buttons, a laser-welded body, a stainless steel plate and more. You won’t find any cheap electroplated components in the PadFone,” explained Lead Designer Pete. This confidence and sense of pride is apparent in all aspects of PadFone’s design from the Zen-inspired back cover to how the device fits in your palm.

“It all sta rted with Des ign Thinking ,”

said Pet e, the Lea d Design er of Industria l Design on the PadFone project

Tech Specs Operating System Android 4.0 ICS CPU Qualcomm® MSM8260A Snapdragon™ S4 Krait dualcore 1.5Ghz Memory 16GB/32GB/64GB eMMC Flash + 1GB LPDDR2 RAM Connectivity 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 4.0, 3.5mm audio jack, Micro-USB 2.0 GPS GPS and A-GPS

Display 4.3” Super AMOLED, qHD (960 × 540), scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass with HCLR Film (prevents fingerprints) Camera 8-megapixel, Auto Focus/VGA Camera/LED Flash Expansion Slot Micro-SD (supports SDHC/SDXC up to 32GB) Dimensions 128 × 65.4 × 9.2mm Weight 129g February JUNE 2012

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RE-WIRED

Thin is in

AiO ET2411 Series

It may be just 60mm thick, but the new ASUS ET 2411 Series is an all-in-one desktop PC that doesn’t skimp on features

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ll-in-One desktop PCs have long been the best way to make the most out of the least amount of space, but the new ASUS ET2411 Series takes things one step further. Based on the powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors, this sleek desktop computer with a Full HD 23.6” display is a mere 60mm thick.

A low-profile stand and integral cable management ensure the ET2411 Series has a tiny footprint and the multi-touch screen means it doesn’t even need desktop space for a mouse. With its integral Blu-ray drive as well as HDMI input/output, the ET2411 can also double up as a cinema screen and a screen for game consoles; while ASUS SonicMaster technology with DTS Surround Sensation Ultra-PC™ II delivers rich virtual sound — there’s even a compact desktop subwoofer for added bass!

So if you don’t like the ergonomics of a laptop for full-time computer use, but don’t have room for a traditional desktop set-up, the new ASUS ET2411 Series offers the best features of both.

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Tech Specs ASUS ET2411 Series • 23.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit screen with multitouch • Intel® Core™ i7-3770S / i5-3450 • Up to 8GB DDR RAM • Intel® HD 2500/4000 or NVIDIA® GT 630M graphics • Up to 2TB SATA HDD • BD-RW drive • 590 × 461 × 60 ~ 230mm • 10.8kg

Beautifully brilliant

Designo MX239H / MX279H

Meet the desktop display that redefines beauty — the ASUS Designo MX Series

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t’s said that a thing of beauty is a joy forever, which means the new Designo MX desktop display will bring a smile to your face each and every day you use it.

Available in 23” and 27” screen sizes, the Designo MX uses IPS display technology to give a wonderfully wide 178° viewing angle. It has an ultra-slim profile with an exquisitely designed sundial-inspired stand and features extensive connectivity options that include dual HDMI ports. The Designo MX does away with the need for desktop speakers too, thanks to its integral high-quality Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® speakers.

Tech Specs Panel size 23”/27” Wide Screens, WLED/IPS Optimal resolution 1920 × 1080 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) 80,000,000:1 Response Time 5ms (Gray to Gray) Viewing Angle 178°(H)/178°(V) Input Dual HDMI 1.4, DVI, D-Sub, Earphone jack, PC audio-in jack Audio Built-in speakers with B&O ICEpower®

JUNE 2012

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RE-WIRED

Entry point ASUS K Series

Affordable portables can make a serious style statement too, as the new K Series clearly demonstrates

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uying a new laptop can be complicated at the best of times, but when it’s a first-time purchase for all-round use, it’s a question of finding the best combination of price, performance and specification.

Fortunately, the new ASUS K Series takes the pain out of putting those three features in order of importance — by putting them all on equal footing.

Powered by the latest 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA® 600M Series graphics, the new K Series laptops are faster and more frugal than ever before. That means they’re suited to all manner of tasks, whether it’s running serious productivity software, catching up on social networking sites or enjoying a movie. Better still, IceCool technology keeps the K Series comfortably cool, while ASUS SuperBatt technology prolongs the battery lifespan by up to 300% as it automatically optimizes the recharge cycle.

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Available in six stylish colours and with a new streamlined design sporting a patterned aluminium finish, entry-level laptops have never looked so good.

They’ve never sounded so good either, thanks to ASUS SonicMaster Lite that uses upgraded components and software, along with enlarged speaker chambers to bring greater audio clarity and depth. The multi-touch track pad enhances the user experience with larger dimensions and increased sensitivity. All in all, the new ASUS K Series is perfect for first-time buyers, and looking at the all its features, it’s also one they’ll want to hang onto for quite some time too.

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Q&A

Looking for a desktop deputy

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A desktop PC at home is more than sufficient for my computing needs, but I’m thinking of buying a laptop for general-purpose use around the house — and hopefully in the garden, when summer comes. A second PC means the kids don’t have to wait for me to finish using the desktop PC when they have work to do. Can you recommend something stylish that doesn’t cost a fortune?

Katherine V Gavaldà, Madrid

Tech in Style explains why the new X Series is an excellent choice for an all-round laptop to complement a desktop PC

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The looks of a laptop are highly subjective, but the clean lines and minimalist design of the new ASUS X Series mean it will blend seamlessly into any environment — plus it’s available in four striking colours to suit all tastes. The full-size keyboard makes it as comfortable to use for long periods as any desktop, plus the generously proportioned track pad with multi-touch support means there’s no need to plug in a mouse for precision pointing duties. Better still, ASUS IceCool technology keeps the X Series much cooler than the competition, making this one laptop that’s perfect for use on your lap.

A laptop that’s intended as a second computer can sit unused for long periods, but the X Series should always be ready for action. ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology gives up to two weeks’ standby time and the two-second resume time also means there’s no lag after lifting the lid. 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors ensure that the X Series has plenty of performance on tap for a wide variety of tasks too, while a choice of vibrant HD LED-backlit displays give a crisp, clear image for everything from spreadsheets to widescreen movies.

Tech Specs ASUS X501A • Intel® Core™ i5 processor • 15” 16:9 HD (1366 x 768) LED-backlit display • Up to 4GB DDR3 RAM • SATA 320GB/500GB/750GB(5400 rpm) • 380(L)x253(W)x26.5(H)mm • 2.01kg(with 4-cell battery)

june 2012

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INSPIRED

ROG CG8890 Tytan

Wrath of the

Tytan

N

ot everyone wants to source, assemble and configure an array of different components to build a high-performance PC, but thanks to ROG and the new Tytan CG8890 gaming desktop, they don’t have to.

With its liquid-cooled 3.3GHz Intel® Core™ i7-3960X processor, 16GB DDR3 RAM and NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 690 graphics, this black-clad behemoth delivers unprecedented performance with unmatched stealth style. It’s also built with easy overclocking in mind and the Turbo Gear button instantly boosts the speed of the quad-core processor without having to reboot.

A 2TB 7200rpm hard drive with dual hot-swappable 128GB SSDs (RAID 0) mean near-instant load times, while the ASUS Xonar DX sound card delvers superlative sound quality. Add in the cunningly designed cooling system and integral lighting whose colour is keyed to actual system performance, and the result is a desktop PC that simply blows the competition away.

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Get ready to crush the competition with a desktop gaming PC that looks — and performs — like no other Tech Specs ROG Tytan CG8890 • Intel® Core™ i7-3960X (3.3GHz) processor • 16GB DDR3 RAM (2133MHz) • NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 690 graphics • 2TB 7200rpm SATA3 HDD • 2x 128GB SSD • BD Writer

ROG G Series

The next generation of gaming laptops

Get ahead of the competition with the new ROG G Series

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e loathe describing the new ASUS G Series as “more than just a laptop”, but this level of performance gives gamers such an unfair advantage over the competition that it’s easy to believe there’s more to it than meets the eye.

The sleek, stealth fighter-inspired design is a deliberate ploy to make the new G Series appear low-key — this may be a laptop built with raw gaming performance in mind, but it can be taken and used anywhere, without attracting undue attention.

And raw performance is something the G Series has in spades, thanks to the latest 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors, up to 16GB RAM and NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660/670M graphics.

The G Series is also a laptop that’s built for comfort. Its ergonomically inclined keyboard with separate numeric keypad is perfectly suited to productivity use as it is to prolonged fragging sessions, while the soft-touch rubber palm rest helps keep fatigue at bay. A unique thermal design uses dual fan exhausts to vent warm air through the rear of the laptop too, while a removable fan filter on the G75 model ensures optimum cooling at all times.

Of course gaming is where the G Series really excels and the 15.6” (G55VW) and 17.3” (G75VW) displays both support NVIDIA® 3D Vision with Active Shutter 3D technology for a fully immersive stereoscopic image. NVIDIA® 3D LightBoost™ technology on the G75VW also makes the screen up to two times brighter for a completely convincing 3D experience. And before you start to wonder, we can assure you that the new G Series doesn’t skimp on sound quality either, thanks to onboard 2.1 channel audio with a builtin subwoofer and ASUS SonicMaster Lite audio technology.

Tech Specs ROG G55VW • Intel® Core™ i7 processors • 15.6” LED-backlit screen • Up to 16GB DDR3 RAM • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5 VRAM • 384 × 299 × 20 ~ 51mm • 3.8kg (with 8 cell battery) ROG G75VW • Intel® Core™ i7 processors • 17.3” LED-backlit screen • Up to 16GB DDR3 RAM • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M/670M graphics with 2GB/3GB GDDR5 VRAM • 415 × 320 × 17 ~ 52mm • 4.5kg (with 8 cell battery)

JUNE 2012 June

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DESIRED ROG Maximus V Formula and Maximus V Extreme motherboards

Maximus overdrive The next generation of Maximus motherboards deliver more performance than ever before

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e introduced the compact ROG Maximus V GENE motherboard in the last issue of Tech in Style, now meet its two bigger siblings — the ROG Maximus V Formula and Maximus V Extreme.

Although the ROG Maximus V Formula is designed for premium gaming and Maximus V Extreme for maximum overclocking potential, these two Intel® Z77-based motherboards are both equipped with the latest in digital power design - ROG Extreme Engine Digi+ II technology.

The Maximus V Formula features the new ROG Fusion Thermo™ heat sink that provides excellent heat dissipation via a hybrid pipe design that provides passive air or water cooling.

SupremeFX IV™ Line Shielding technology “cuts” the printed circuit board – totally isolating the audio from other components to reduce high speed horizontal EMI. Additional designs hide the analog signals inside the circuit board, thereby protecting them from EMI along the vertical plane; while a stainless steel cover forms an electrically-conductive metal armor for added protection.

Enhanced SupremeFX IV audio hardware comes standard, and utilizes premium Japan-made ELNA audio capacitors and an extra-large 1500uF main capacitor.

A headphone amplifier capable of driving 300Ω load impedance delivers the most intense sound experience to gamers with professional audio equipment. With an output SNR of 110dB, SupremeFX IV™ delivers high fidelity and lossless quality audio.

The Maximus V Extreme features OC Key™, which features a graphical overlay onscreen to display the parameters of OSD TweakIt and OSD Monitor. The former gives on-the-fly access to key system settings, while the latter offers advanced POST tracking with no performance overhead. Subzero Sense™ provides accurate temperature monitoring of critical components without having to utilize expensive digital thermometers, while VGA Hotwire technology offers easy graphics card overvolting with a simple soldering task.

The Maximus V Extreme also comes with onboard Intel® Thunderbolt for use with a new generation of peripherals that offer data transfer speeds of 10Gbps and daisy chaining without the need for a hub.

In addition, both motherboards offer easy network access though, thanks to their mPCIe combo card with dual-band 802.11 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Tech Specs ROG Maximus V Extreme • LGA1155 socket for Intel® 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/ i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors • Intel® Z77 Express Chipset • 4 x DIMM, max. 32GB, DDR3, 2800(O.C.) • 4-Way NVIDIA® SLI™ & AMD CrossFireX™ support, PCIe GEN 3.0 speed ROG Maximus V Formula • LGA1155 socket for Intel® 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/ i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors • Intel® Z77 Express Chipset • Dual-channel memory architecture (4x DIMM, 32GB max, DDR3 2800(O.C.)) • 3-Way AMD CrossFireX™ (Native CPU signal)

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issue 18

ROG MATRIX HD 7970 and Xonar Phoebus

Get a fresh edge for gaming

G

etting the best from any graphics card requires skillful overclocking, but not all cards can take the extra strain. Not so the new ROG MATRIX HD 7970. Not only does this AMD Radeon HD 7970-based card sport impressive specifications that deliver blistering performance and high frame rates fresh from the box, but it’s been also designed from the start with overclocking in mind.

Key to the MATRIX HD 7970’s overclocking prowess is the same DIGI+ VRM technology found on ROG’s highperformance motherboards. In short, this allows fine digital control over overclocking parameters for rock-solid overclocking and improved power efficiency .

Better still, the MATRIX HD 7970 also supports hardware over-volting with its VGA Hotwire feature. Pin connectors on the card provide direct hardware control over core, memory and phase voltages, opening up a while new range of overclocking opportunities.

Meanwhile, GPU Tweak allows for easy overclocking, fan speed, voltage adjustments, as well as new and exclusive tweaking features, GPU load line and PWM frequency via an intuitive interface. It even automatically updates the card with new drivers and BIOS revisions.

Introducing two great new components that raise the game for high-performance PCs

Sounds fantastic High-quality audio is a key ingredient for immersive sound, but not everyone wants to share the action through a set of loudspeakers — and not all sound cards are designed to give their best results with headphones.

The new Xonar Phoebus features the exclusive ROG Command technology which reduces up to 50% of ambient noise to provide authoritative voice technology during online multiplayer gaming sessions. With a clear 118dB SNR and a powerful 600 ohm headphone amplifier, the Xonar Phoebus delivers precise positioning and immersive gaming audio. There is no need to fish around the back of the PC to plug headphones in, either — it comes complete with a desktop control box extends convenience and puts headphone/microphone connections and volume control within easy reach.

june 2012

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