TiS IFA 2013

l 13 ia 20 ec Sp

A IF

Tech in

BRINGING INNOVATIONS TO LIFE issue 25 www.techinstyle.tv

Docked and Ready

to Rock

New ASUS Transformer Pad

Through the Looking Glass

ASUS Zenbook UX 301 and UX302

Striking the Right Note

ASUS Fonepad Note 6

FOREWORD

CONTENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE

G

reetings from Berlin, where we’ve kept tabs on ASUS and the We Transform press event where they introduced several new devices that blur the lines between smartphones, tablets, notebooks, and even desktops.

We've seen the teasers, had a little peek at Computex, so we've had an inkling of what's coming up. But it isn't the same as being able to play with these products first hand.

We found ourselves in for quite a treat when we realized that there's not just one, but two Transformer Books at the show. The ASUS Transformer Book Trio is the world's first three-in-one notebook, tablet, and desktop PC that runs on both Windows 8 and Android operating systems. There's also the Transformer Book T300, a 13.3-inch notebook with a detachable Full HD display that doubles as a standalone Windows 8 tablet.

We’ve also seen the new Zenbook, which still sports the original’s sleek lines, only this time its lid is protected by tough, scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3.

It retains the original’s spun metal finish, but is a shade of white or blue. It’s mighty impressive too, capable of delivering 2560 × 1440 WQHD resolution visuals and powered by a 4th generation Intel Core processor.

And as always at every major ASUS event, there were a host of other products like the X102BA notebook and new ASUS Transformer Pad at the show, the likes of which are featured in the pages that follow.

For now, auf wiedersehen from Berlin…

issue 25 IFA special

04 Docked and ready to rock New ASUS Transformer Pad

06 Through the looking glass ASUS Zenbook UX 301 and UX302

08 Two of a kind

ASUS Transformer Book T300

10 Three’s company

EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Julian Prokaza Editor Joseph Yadao

ASUS Transformer Book Trio

08

PRODUCTION Production Manager Julian Prokaza Art Director Chiou Chong Lee

12 A call for change ASUS Fonepad 7

14 Striking the right note ASUS Fonepad Note 6

16 More MeMO

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and 10

18 Touching the masses

Copyright: ASUS Technology Private Limited, 2013.

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.

ASUS X102BA

Please recycle this magazine when you have finished reading.

12

18

Joseph Yadao Editor

About ASUS ASUS is a worldwide top-three consumer notebook vendor and makes the best motherboards in the world. ASUS designs and manufactures a diverse range of products that perfectly meet today’s digital needs, including desktop PCs, displays, graphics cards, netbooks, networking devices, servers, smartphones and tablets.

Driven by innovation and a commitment to quality, ASUS revolutionized the PC industry with its Eee PC™ and its products won 4,168 awards in 2012. ASUS has more than 12,500 employees around the world and a leading R&D team with over 3,800 engineers. Company revenue for 2012 was approximately US$14 billion.

2

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 IFA special

september 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

3

INSPIRED

Docked and ready to rock New ASUS Transformer Pad

The New ASUS Transformer Pad now features a 10.1-inch ultra-high resolution display and a NVIDIA Tegra 4 CPU

I

t took more than a year, but ASUS finally introduced the new Transformer Pad at IFA 2013 in Berlin.

This new Transformer Pad features a 10.1-inch 2560 × 1600 IPS display, a high performance NVIDIA® Tegra® 4 quad-core processor and an improved, lightweight Mobile Dock with USB 3.0, as well as ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced audio.

When you put them together, it makes for quite the powerful entertainment device.

The new ASUS Transformer Pad’s IGZO-TFT display provides reduced energy consumption and a wide color gamut. 2560 × 1600 WQXGA resolution gives you super sharp images, while IPS display technology provides accurate color reproduction even from extreme viewing angles of 178 degrees. The screen is also bright enough to be clearly read even under bright sunshine.

The new ASUS Transformer Pad has an NVIDIA® Tegra® 4 processor with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU and a 72-core GeForce GPU to provide the oomph for high definition movies and games.

It also supports Miracast Wi-Fi video streams, allowing

4

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 SPECIALSPECIAL 24 IFA computex

you to mirror what you’re doing on the new ASUS Transformer Pad onto a compatible HDTV. Alternatively, you can hook it up via HDMI for 4K Ultra HD visuals.

The new ASUS Transformer Pad has a front 1.2-megapixel camera for video chats, while a rear 5-megapixel camera allows you to shoot high quality images while simultaneously shooting Full HD 1080p videos.

The new ASUS Transformer Pad sports a metallic design that’s just 8.9mm thick, and tips the scales at just 585g sans dock.

When paired with its Mobile Dock, the new ASUS Transformer Pad, for lack of a better word, transforms into an extremely capable Android laptop. When it comes to convenience and productivity, the new ASUS Transformer Pad surpasses most of today’s market offerings. The dock has a full-size keyboard and a large multi-touch touchpad, along with the pre-installed Microsoft Office-compatible Polaris Office suite. A USB 3.0 port supports the latest SuperSpeed storage devices, while a built-in battery extends the new ASUS Transformer Pad’s battery life from 13 to 17 hours. The dock also features an SDXC card slot that complements the tablet’s own microSDXC card slot.

September June 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

5

DESIRED

ASUS Zenbook

Through the looking glass

The Zenbook just got more desirable with ultra-high resolution displays and a lid protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3

A

SUS raised the bar with the introduction of the ASUS Zenbook ultrabook almost two years ago.

These latest iterations – the Zenbook UX301 and UX302, sport the same sleek lines, only this time they have a lid protected by scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance™.

Available in Moonstone White and Sapphire Blue, these new ultrabooks still sport the same spun metal finish that’s been a Zenbook staple all these years, but the added layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 improves on that with a tough, high-gloss finish that simply astounds. And thanks to Corning’s proprietary NDR glass composition, it provides the Zenbook with superior scratch resistance, reduced scratch visibility and improved toughness.

Once you’ve gotten past that remarkable lid, you’re greeted with a 13.3-inch display available with 1920 × 1080 Full HD or 2560 × 1440 WQHD resolutions for incredibly sharp images and text. IPS (In-Plane Switching) display technology delivers rich and accurate color with

6

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 IFA SPECIAL

wide 178-degree viewing angles, while 10-point multitouch gives smooth and responsive fingertip control with Windows 8.

4th Generation Intel® Core™ processors provide the UX301 and UX302 with smooth multi-tasking performance with incredible energy efficiency. The high-end 28W Core i7-4558U dual-core processor available on option makes relatively easy work of the most demanding applications, while 512GB RAID0 SSD storage provides quick access to data. Models feature either Intel Iris™ graphics, or NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 730M graphics with Optimus technology for incredibly detailed gaming visuals.

The new Zenbook UX301 features 802.11ac Wi-Fi and connectivity options like USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 4.0.

Both models feature a backlit keyboard with automatic light level control and large multi-touch touchpads with Windows 8 gesture support. And of course, ASUS SonicMaster audio technology comes standard for rich, detailed sound.

SEPTEMBER 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

7

RE-WIRED

ASUS Transformer Book T300

Two of a kind If you’re caught in two minds, the ASUS Transformer Book T300 might be the notebook for you

I

f you can’t decide between a notebook and a tablet, then it seems the ASUS Transformer Book T300 is the one for you. A 13.3-inch notebook with a detachable Full HD display that doubles as a standalone Windows 8 tablet, it provides you with the best of both worlds.

ASUS Transformer Book T300 has a sleek metallic chassis with a durable soft-touch finish that makes it a pleasure to hold either as a notebook or a tablet. A 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor provides you with serious multi-tasking performance and up to eight hours of battery life. The 13.3-inch Full HD 1920 × 1080 IPS display provides razor sharp images, wide 178-degree viewing angles, and is bright enough to be used outdoors.

The latest multi-touch digitizer technology detects contact points as fine as 6mm, surpassing Microsoft’s 9mm

8

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 SPECIALSPECIAL 24 ifa computex

recommendation for Windows 8. To the layman, this means you get a proper 10-point multi-touch display with precise control input for both work and play.

At just 11.5mm thick, the tablet display is extremely portable, but that doesn’t mean ASUS skimped on practicality. It also comes with a built-in USB 3.0 port, micro HDMI, and an LED battery charge indicator.

The tablet display is complemented by an 11mm dock that snaps into place with magnets. It features a full-size backlit keyboard and a large multi-touch touchpad that recognizes Windows 8 gestures. On top of that, ASUS Transformer Book comes with a front-facing 720p HD camera, and a rear-facing 1080p Full HD camera; along with ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced stereo speakers.

September june 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

9

Tra all nsfor at t me he r B sam ook e ti Trio me giv es us a

Wi nd ow s

8n ote bo ok and PC , al on gw ith an An dro id

tab let,

Th ree ’s c om pa ny

INSPIRED

10

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 IFA SPECIAL

ASUS Transformer Book Trio

F

irst announced several months ago at Computex 2013, ASUS has finally unveiled the Transformer Book Trio – a new ultraportable device with a two-part dockable design that can be used on its own as a notebook, or as a separate tablet and desktop PC. If that’s not enough, Transformer Book Trio switches between Windows 8 and Android operating systems at a simple press of a button to offer you unrivalled flexibility.

With a sleek and durable metallic design, ASUS Transformer Book Trio is powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor for outstanding multitasking performance and increased energy efficiency when in Windows 8 notebook mode. Transformer Book Trio can switch instantly between Windows 8 and Android 4.2 with a press of the “Trio” key.

When play time comes, the 11.6-inch display can be detached from its PC Station keyboard dock to become an Android tablet with its own Intel® Atom™ dual-core processor and up to 64GB of solidstate storage. The Full HD display with IPS technology gives you vibrant and accurate color with wide 178-degree viewing angles, allowing you to easily share what you have onscreen with friends and family. 10-point capacitive multi-touch gives you complete control whether in Windows 8 and Android mode.

That leaves us with the PC Station, which isn’t just a keyboard dock with a multi-touch touchpad. It is a self-contained Windows 8 desktop PC once connected to an external display via a mini DisplayPort or Micro-HDMI. Both PC Station and tablet come with stereo speakers and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology to provide rich sound for your videos, music or games. When it comes to connectivity, there’s 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 in the PC Station, plus 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 in the tablet display. Separate batteries in the PC Station and tablet provide Transformer Book Trio with up to 13 hours of battery life for normal everyday use.

SePTEMBER 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

11

RE-WIRED

ASUS Fonepad 7

A call for change

Next generation ASUS Fonepad 7 features an Intel Atom processor and HSPA+ 3G high-speed mobile data with full telephony features

A

SUS also took the opportunity to introduce the next generation ASUS Fonepad 7 at IFA. This latest iteration of the 7-inch Android 4.2 device with full 3G telephony features a faster HSPA+ 3G for up to 42Mbit/s download speeds and a new non-slip finish.

At the heart of it all lies an Intel® Atom™ Z2560 processor with Hyper-Threading technology that gives Fonepad 7 super smooth multi-tasking performance.

The 7-inch display delivers crisp 1280 × 800 resolution with IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology for wide viewing angles and excellent daylight visibility. The display also features a special coat that keeps fingerprint smudges at bay. And if you feel that the 7-inch display is a tad bit too small, Miracast wireless video streaming lets you mirror content from your Fonepad 7 to compatible HDTVs. When it comes to audio, Fonepad 7 features dual-front speakers with ASUS SonicMaster audio technology ensure highquality sound.

The extremely portable ASUS Fonepad 7 has a slim 10.5mm profile and weighs just 328g, making it a perfect mobile entertainment device. Fonepad 7 features a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera, plus a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera with a 100 continuous-shot ‘burst’

12

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 ifa SPECIAL

mode and 1080p Full HD video recording. Fonepad 7 is available with either 8GB, 16GB or 32GB onboard storage, this can be further expanded through a microSD card slot.

As a 3G phone, Fonepad 7 supports GSM and WCDMA bands, with HSPA+ mobile data with download speeds up to 42Mbit/s and uploads of 5.76Mbit/s for smooth web browsing. Exceptional quality voice calls can be made through the built-in noise-cancelling digital mic or optional Bluetooth headsets. Fonepad 7 has a 3950mAh battery that provides up to 28 hours of 3G talk time, 35 days of standby time and up to 10 hours of video playback.

ASUS has tweaked the user interface, with the refresh integrating social media into the mix. You’ll now be able to see your friends’ latest social media updates when browsing contact lists or receiving incoming calls. There’s also 5GB of lifetime ASUS WebStorage included and ASUS WebStorage Office also provides a full Microsoft Office experience on the move. As far as exclusive apps go, SuperNote will let you draft notes that include images, videos, and voice memos. There’s also the Floating App for multitasking – letting you open up to six apps simultaneously onscreen.

september 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

13

INSPIRED

Strike the right note

ASUS Fonepad™ Note 6

The ASUS Fonepad™ Note 6 packs full tablet features, stylus input, and 3G phone functionality in a 6-inch chassis

T

he ASUS Fonepad series just got a touch more handy with the introduction of the Fonepad Note 6 — a sleek 6-inch Full HD Android tablet with 3G phone and data functionality. Much like its predecessor, ASUS Fonepad Note 6 provides the larger display of a tablet for apps and entertainment, along with the convenience of a smartphone-sized device.

The Fonepad Note 6 is a mere 10.3mm thick and tips the scales at just 210g. It has a 6-inch Super IPS+ display that showcases incredibly sharp images in 1920 × 1080 Full HD. It also provides you with wide-viewing angles and is bright enough to be easily read even in broad daylight.

And of course, there’s ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced audio piped through the Fonepad Note 6’s dual front speakers to accompany those visuals.

This 10-point capacitive touch display gives responsive fingertip control over Android 4.2, as well as precise handwritten input through the built-in stylus which works brilliantly with the exclusive ASUS apps. Take the stylus out of its silo and Instant Page immediately launches for you to take notes easily. Smart Crop lets you save images in any app just by circling it, while Smart Peek gives you an overview of all apps currently in use with a simple tap of the stylus.

14

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 22 MWC SPECIAL 25 IFA Special

Beneath that display lies a new Intel® Atom™ Z2580 processor with Hyper-Threading technology that provides a balance of performance and efficiency to provide up to 17 hours of 3G talk time and up to 7 hours of video playback. DC-HSPA+ lets you surf the net smoothly thanks to 42Mbit/s download and 5.76Mbit/s upload speeds.

ASUS Fonepad Note 6 takes full advantage of the refinements found in Android 4.2, with apps featuring improved social network support and a new email interface that also shows exchanges in thread view.

The rear 8-megapixel and front-facing 1.2-megapixel cameras come with a new camera app which provides real-time previews of image effects, white balance and exposure adjustments. The ‘All Smiles’ feature picks up the best smiles from a series of sequential photos, and works behind the scenes to compose a shot where everyone in the frame is smiling. On the other end of the spectrum, ‘Smart Remove’ lets you remove unwanted background elements like objects and people, so no more photobombs.

Fonepad Note 6 is available in black or white, with 16GB or 32GB onboard storage. Both models also feature a microSDHC card slot for adding more.

FEBRUary 2013 September

|

www.techinstyle.tv

15

RE-WIRED

More MeMO

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 / MeMO Pad 10

Two more MeMO Pads – in 8 and 10-inch guises join the family

T

he affordable ASUS MeMO Pad range keeps on growing with arrival of the MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10 tablets at IFA. These new tablets feature 8-inch and 10-inch screens respectively, 1280 × 800 resolution displays, quad-core processors and microSD card storage.

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10 feature LED-backlit 1280 × 800 displays with IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology for bright and vibrant images, wide viewing angles and increased brightness for great daylight visibility. Both tablets feature high quality dual speakers with SonicMaster audio for great sound.

Both models have a 1.2-megapixel front camera for video chats. MeMO Pad 8 has a 5-megapixel rear camera, while the MeMO Pad 10 has a 2-megapixel rear camera; both of which can shoot great photos and 720p HD video.

The MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10 are powered by 1.6GHz quad-core processors that not only make them ideal for multitasking, but also very energy efficient. Under HD video playback test conditions, ASUS claims that the MeMO Pad 8 has up to nine hours of battery life, while bigger brother clocked a bit better at 9.5 hours. When it comes to storage, MeMO Pad 8 has 8GB, while MeMO Pad 10 is available in 8GB and 16GB guises; they both feature a microSDXC card slot as a storage expansion option.

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 has a width of 127mm and weighs just 350g, so it can be easily held in your palm. The 1-inch increase screen size over standard 7-inch tablets may not seem much, but it does yield 30% more onscreen real estate. Its bigger brother, the ASUS MeMO Pad 10 is equally portable, at just 522g.

ME180A

16

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 SPECIALSPECIAL 24 IFA Computex

September june 2013

ME102A |

www.techinstyle.tv

17

INSPIRED

ASUS X102BA

Touching the masses

Affordable and productive ultraportable computing comes to the fore with the ASUS X102BA

T

o be completely honest, entry-level notebooks have always been a bit bland. But ASUS is set to transform that with the arrival of the X102BA – a compact and lightweight ultraportable with a 10-point multi-touch, 10.1-inch 1366 × 768 display for responsive fingertip control with Windows 8.

Sporting the latest AMD A4-1200 1GHz dual-core APU with Radeon™ HD 8180 graphics, and with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 thrown in, the X102BA is one productive machine that balances multi-tasking performance with energy efficiency. ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II with ‘Instant on’ delivers a smartphone-like experience, thanks to a two-second resume from sleep time, over two weeks of standby time and automatic data

18

www.techinstyle.tv

|

issue 25 IFA SPECIAL

backup in sleep mode when the battery level drops below 5%.

The ASUS X102BA’s display has a multi-touch digitizer that senses contact points that’s a mere 5mm in diameter; surpassing Microsoft’s 9mm recommendation. This makes it more sensitive to touch inputs, letting you paint or draw in precise detail. The X102BA also features a large multi-touch touchpad with Windows 8 gesture support, as well as an ergonomic keyboard.

ASUS SonicMaster audio gives that added level of gloss when it comes to sound for your music or videos, while ASUS Splendid video technology provides bright, vibrant images.

september 2013

|

www.techinstyle.tv

19