Filed under: Laptops

If you’ve been holding off on picking up a mobile gaming machine, Asus has officially launched two gamer-focused designs that should pack the power those FPS freaks want need. The 15.4-inch G1 and 17-inch G2 sport common innards and unique styling cues, as the G1 rocks green outer LEDs while the G2 is complimented in red. Beneath the hood of these beasts is your choice of Intel’s T7600/T7400/T7200/T5600/T5500 Core 2 Duo processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, up to 160GB SATA hard drive, LightScribe-compatible dual-layer DVD burner, built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, Bluetooth, and 802.11a/b/g. The G1 sports WXGA / WSXGA Color Shine LCD options and a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go7700 graphics set, while the G2 gets a WXGA display and the 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 card. You’ll also find a fair assortment of ports, including video output, an ExpressCard slot, a flash card reader, and a few USB 2.0 ports to boot; additionally, the outer casing is built to withstand the less-than-gentle travels a mobile LAN machine is bound to endure, and the customizable “OLED instant display” can presumably showcase battery life, performance statistics, or available updates on the fly. While concrete pricing hasn’t quite been nailed down yet, both notebooks will supposedly come with the pictured backpack and mouse combination, but we’re sure this fairly well-loaded laptop will demand a hefty premium when it hits the market.

[Via Electronista, thanks Jonathan]

 

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wireless

While this may not match your speedy new Lamborghini notebook, the Asus AiGuru S1 handset should make your VoIP calling a bit easier — while you’re on the PC, at least. This Skype-friendly wireless handset resembles a Nokia candybar phone circa 2000, but touts the ability to connect via 802.11b/g to make calls. Unfortunately, that excitement was quickly put back on the shelf, as reviewers noted that it only connects via a computer with “customized software” installed (thoughtfully included on a USB wireless adapter), thus eliminating the thought of hitting up a VoIP call whenever near a stray WiFi signal. The 128 x 64 blue LCD was said to be “responsive” to commands, and the 2.5 hours of talk time should be plenty for all but the lengthiest chats. It was noted that the built-in voicemail was a tad buggy initially, but eventually worked itself out, and the most important praise came from the “perfect audio quality” when yapping over Skype. As somewhat of an afterthought, the phone does have an audio output for streaming tunes via Windows Media Center to your headphones or attached speakers, but we doubt your VoIP handset will become your favorite musical liaison anytime soon. The AiGuru S1 performed well enough to earn 8 out of 10 golden stars, but considering that you still need a (powered up) PC to use this thing, £69.99 ($132) seems a bit steep to get your VoIP on.

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Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

The fine folks at Asus are dropping three new portable series to serve professionals with Core 2 Duo speeds and snazzy design. For starters we have the V1 widescreen laptop, with a 15.4-inch display and the full range of Core 2 Duo processors, from the 1.67GHz T5500 to the 2.33GHz T7600. Graphics are provided by ATI’s Mobility Radeon X1600, with 256 or 512MB of RAM. Hard drives range from 80 to 120GB, with a dual HDD option, and the V1 features gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 for connectivity. There’s also an ExpressCard slot, fingerprint reader, S/PDIF audio and a card reader to round out the 0.98-inch thick, 6 pound laptop. The F2 series is only slightly more modest, with processors from Core Solo all the way to the Core 2 Duo T7400, and a 15-inch XGA or SXGA+ display. There’s no digital audio, but the F2 does have TV-out and an optional 1.3 megapixel webcam. Graphics are a Radeon X1400 card running 128MB or 512MB of memory, and specs are otherwise similar to the V1. The R1F Tablet PC keeps the trend going, keeping pace with its siblings on specs for the most part, but featuring a 13.3-inch WXGA LCD and most likely integrated Intel graphics. There’s no word on price or availability for any of these models, but we’re liking where Asus is headed with ‘em so far.

[Via Laptoping]

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Storage, Networking

While it may not be as litigiously bold as that Dutch LamaBox peer-to-peer server, we’re sure that ASUS’ WL-700gE will catch the eye of the MPAA and RIAA all the same. Seemingly, the WL-700gE is just another digital media server packing 802.11b/g WiFi, a 3.5-inch 160GB internal disk drive, 4 x wired Ethernet ports, 3 x USB 2.0 jacks, a built-in firewall, and plenty of on-board apps to serve-up data via Web browser, FTP, Samba, and UPnP/DLNA. It’ll even share USB tethered webcams, speakers, and printers across your net. But did you know that buried in the product details (which might explain how we missed the product announcement earlier this year) is support for computer-less BitTorrenting directly over the box’s WAN port? That little nugget not only frees-up your in-home bandwidth but allows you to put your computer to sleep as that sweet, sweet media rolls in overnight. So go ahead, pick up the roughly $250 box as priced on-line, slap on a few 750GB drives and put down a retainer for a good trial lawyer, you know, just in case you get carried away.

[Via dailywireless]

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Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, ASUS, GSM, GPRS

After adding a slider and flip to its stable of autofocus camera phones, ASUS is turning its attention to the candybar form factor, showing the V80 last week. Other than the autofocus 2-megapixel shooter with macro, there’s not much to write home about — though the FM recorder is kinda nifty. Other features include a QR code reader, Bluetooth 1.2, 220 x 176 display, and EDGEless Class 10 GPRS. ASUS is making a big deal about the V80′s 16mm thickness, but we’re not entirely sure why, considering that Samsung’s 9.9mm D830 alleges autofocus capability just the same. No word on availability or pricing, but thanks to quadband GSM, we might just keep an eye out for this sucker stateside.

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Filed under: Displays, Gaming

When it comes to gaming monitors, performance is everything, so Asus was off to a good start by endowing its new 19-inch PG191 LCD with a zippy 2-millisecond response time. However, we're not sure that it was also a good idea to build two speakers and a subwoofer into this unit; although they do lend the monitor a rather, um, distinctive look, it would seem that most consumers who are really into their gaming already own a set of dedicated speakers -- and probably a 5.1 or 6.1 setup -- which perform better than the ones Asus is offering here. Also, part of the package is a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, which may indicate that the company is actually targeting wannabe-gamers with this model -- folks who envy the rockstar lifestyle portrayed by Fatal1ty and friends, but who have yet to begin accessorizing their own PCs. Rounding out the specs are your standard 1,280 x 1,024 resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio, and 320cd/m2 brightness, along with a DVI port, in-game video capture software, and special audio/video settings designed to enhance gameplay. No word yet on pricing or availability, but if the speakers and camera add too much loot to the bottom line, we can't imagine that many real gamers will be interested.

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Filed under: Laptops

It might not be as fancy as the high-class Lamborghinis our pals at Engadget Chinese saw at Computex, but according to this review, the 14-inch Centrino Duo W3J is a winner. Weighing in around 4-pounds, it fits right into the ultra-portable category, but doesn’t skimp on specs including a Core Duo processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 that maxes out at 512 MB when the HyperMemory kicks in (256MB onboard and 256MB shared RAM). It even has the Bluetooth 2.0 that its cousin the A8Jm was so tragically missing – at least here in the States. All that, plus Asus’ signature brushed metal styling and a battery life of about 2.75 make this machine sound like a champ, but we still can’t help but think about the slick Q35 we could buy with the £1029 asking price.

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Filed under: Laptops

According to Notebook Review, ASUS' 14.1-inch A8Jm Core Duo-powered laptop is a powerful, feature-filled machine that provides good value for its $1,550 pricetag -- but you also have to factor the cost of potential Geek Squad service calls into that price, because ASUS' tech support options, both online and over-the-phone, are judged to be pretty mediocre. Still, even after having no luck -- and getting no help -- figuring out why the InstantON button on his unit was causing the notebook to boot directly into Windows, the reviewer doesn't hesitate to recommend the A8Jm almost without reservation, citing its video capabilities (a nVidia GeForce Go 7600 card pushing 1,280 x 800 pixels), connectivity options (WiFi, ExpressCard, card reader, and FireWire, DVI, S/PDIF, and five USB 2.0 ports), quiet operation, and most importantly, the speed of its 1.83GHz T2400 processor and 667MHz DDR2 RAM. Besides that buggy InstantON button, the lack of built-in Bluetooth seems to be the only real knock against this model (especially since European versions have it while North American ones don't), but that's an issue you can easily remedy on your own.

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Filed under: Handhelds

Our peeps over at Engadget Chinese caught a sidelong glance at the thing over at the Windows Mobile booth at Computex, but we're pretty stoked now that we've fully caught wind of the new Asus A639 powerhouse Pocket PC. Suppposedly we can expect this sucker to come decked with all the trimmings, including an Intel XScale 416MHz CPU, 1GB flash memory, 64MBRAM, SiRFstarIII GPS, 802.11b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. Not too shabby for a handheld, though cellular voice and data might be a nice afterthought. We'll let you know if and when we see this sucker pop up on the FCC.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

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Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, ASUS, GSM, GPRS

ASUS, better known for motherboards and laptops, has been dabbling in the cutthroat cellphone world as of late; their latest offering is the J206 “music phone.” In this case, we say “music phone” with giant air quotes because the device ships with an absolutely anemic 60MB of internal flash to its name. Fortunately, you have a MicroSD slot at your disposal, but we have a hard time taking any music-oriented device seriously with this kind of capacity out of the box (unless, of course, you’re only interested in bringing a hundred songs with you). Storage issues aside, this looks to be a decent midrange tri-band GSM slider, rocking a pretty standard 220 x 176 display, 1.3 megapixel camera, MP3, AAC, and WAV support, Bluetooth, and iPod-esque touch control for music and basic phone operations. No word on US availability, but without coverage on the 850 band, we’re not holding our breath. More shots after the break.

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs

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Filed under: Handsets, ASUS

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: Laptops, Wireless

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: Handsets, ASUS, GSM

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Filed under: CES, Laptops, Transportation

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Filed under: Handsets, ASUS, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS

We know durn well that an FCC nod means absolutely nothing for a handset’s chances of stateside release, but doesn’t this seem like a no-brainer for ASUS? The quad-band P525 fills a niche that no other manufacturer has in the States, offering the versatility advantage of Pocket PC Phone Edition with the usability advantage of a traditional keypad. Granted, the device lacks EDGE or any form of 3G, but built-in WiFi makes the situation (arguably) bearable. Ah well, wishful thinking; we’re sure we’ll this thing’ll ultimately be destined for import shops at prices that leave only ASUS fanboys’ mouths salivating.

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Filed under: Handsets, ASUS, Windows Mobile, GSM, GPRS

If you’re willing to trade the P525′s honest-to-goodness numeric keypad for an embedded SiRF Star III GPS antenna, ASUS is about to drop your hookup with the upcoming P535. The Pocket PC Phone Edition device is rumored to come packing some serious heat with an XScale humming along at a generous 520MHz, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g, a 2-megapixel cam, and a miniSD slot in the event that 256MB of internal flash doesn’t cut it for you. No word on release, but without GSM 850, 3G, or EDGE on board, we’re not getting too worked up about it.

[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]

 

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