In addition to the 5 new Intel Z87 boards with the new golden colour scheme, ASUS will have the RoG and TUF boards upgraded with new functionalities in their new Z87 series. Below are the pictures of the mainboards.

They include the Maximus  VI Extreme, Maximus VI GENE and MAXIMUS VI HERO

For TUF Series, there is the small size board Gryphon Z87 and the original Sabertooth Z87

ASUS RT-AC66U Dual band (802.11ac) and USB-AC53 Dual band USB adapter review (802.11ac)
Bluetooth 17 Apr 2013

A traditional 802.11n router is probably what most people would use with their signed up broadband plans. While it delivers the connection, wireless speed is always a major complain.

While most 802.11n promises a speed of 450Mbps theoritically, most users will find that the speed doesn’t really go beyond half of it. A single band would also not be able to handle so many clients and cover a larger pool of home users.

Most users will buy their own routers to replace those bundled with their subscription plan. A Dual Band 2.4GHz + 5GHz would be a good choice. While there are various manufacturers out there with such design, the 5GHz band doesn’t really travel far enough.

With the ASUS RT-AC66U, all these issues are solved with the 802.11ac support which can deliver a theoritical speed of 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band. So, no more hanging during video streaming and you get comparable speeds as good as having a line connection.

The 3 antenna design is specifically design for better coverage of wireless signal. In fact, we noticed that most 5GHz Band routers will be out of the radar once you are around 10 metres aways from the router. For the ASUS RT-AC66U paired up with the  USB-AC53, we can still achieve pretty decent connection speeds even on the 2nd floor.

As a wireless router, the RT-AC66U is more than a simple router. It comes with built in USB ports that connect to printers, 3G/4G dongles or storage media. Other features include guest access, VPN server, DLNA server,  Download Master, 5GHz HD Streaming and Printer Sharing.

ASUS also preloads RT-AC66U with AiCloud ASUS AiCloud is the cloud service that delivers you the most at no cost. Sync your data on a home PC with an online storage account, share files with anyone using a simple link, and stream media from your home PC directly to any internet-connected device. Keep in touch with your stuff wherever and whenever like never before.

the ASUS RT-AC66U is easily setup with the web browser using the setup wizard. The menus are very intuitive and can be easily configured through the web. For Singapore users, the firmware also has option for easy set up for fibre broadband operators, M1, Singtel and Starhub.

In the subsequent pages, we will take a look at the package, setup and benchmarks.

ASUS RT-AC66U Specs

ASUS Unveils the GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II

Overclocked 1085MHz GPU, cool and stable performance plus GPU Tweak offer gamers a new sweet spot graphics card

Singapore (26 March, 2013) — ASUS today announced the GeForce® GTX 650 Ti  BOOST DirectCU II, which features an overclocked 1085MHz NVIDIA® GTX 650 Ti GPU paired with 2GB GDDR5 on a 192-bit interface. The card offers a combination of DirectX® 11.1-compatible power and  value, expanding the range of ASUS graphics cards that cater to gamers and DIY enthusiasts.

ASUS-exclusive features improve GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II performance. They include the DirectCU II cooler, which maintains 20%* lower temperatures than a reference GTX 650 Ti BOOST, long-lasting Super Alloy Power components, and user-friendly GPU Tweak graphics card tuning.

DirectCU II keeps high speed performance quieter and cooler

ASUS thermal design supports high end gaming with the stability of innovative cooling. Using all-copper heatpipes that directly touch the GTX 650 Ti GPU, DirectCU II expedites heat removal for 20%* lower temperatures than those of a comparable reference graphics card. A specially-selected 80mm fan with blades engineered to minimize drag is precision-fitted to the DirectCU II cooler, resulting in minimal vibration and noise. Compared to reference, the ASUS GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II is up to three times quieter*.

Super Alloy Power components maintain stability and increase overclocking headroom

ASUS uses proprietary power delivery parts that can handle the heat and stress of gaming and overclocking over longer product lifespans. Solid state capacitors, concrete-core chokes, and hardened MOSFETs apply exclusive materials, leading to 1.5 times the longevity of reference cards and an average overclocking range increase of 15%.

GPU Tweak gives gamers easy access to graphics card tuning

Exclusive to ASUS graphics cards, the GPU Tweak utility offers a user-friendly interface that opens up versatile adjustments of graphics properties. Core and clock speeds, voltages, and fan speeds can be changed instantly, and multiple game-specific profiles may be created to make the most of each title.

NOTES TO EDITORS

30-word summary

The ASUS GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II graphics card features an overclocked 1085MHz GPU, offering sweet spot graphics power and value. ASUS-exclusive features include the DirectCU II cooler, Super Alloy Power components, and GPU Tweak.

60-word summary

The ASUS GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II graphics card features an overclocked 1085MHz GPU with 2GB GDDR5. It offers a combination of DirectX® 11.1-compatible power and value, expanding the sweet spot range of ASUS graphics cards. ASUS-exclusive features include the DirectCU II cooler for 20%* lower temperatures than reference, long-lasting Super Alloy Power components, and GPU Tweak graphics card tuning.

100-word summary

The ASUS GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II graphics card features an overclocked 1085MHz NVIDIA® GTX 650 Ti GPU, paired with 2GB GDDR5 on a 192-bit interface. It offers a combination of DirectX® 11.1-compatible power and value, expanding the sweet spot range of ASUS graphics cards that cater to gamers and DIY enthusiasts. ASUS-exclusive features that add performance and value to the GeForce® GTX 650 Ti BOOST DirectCU II include the DirectCU II cooler, which maintains 20%* lower temperatures than a reference GTX 650 Ti Boost, long-lasting Super Alloy Power components, and the GPU Tweak graphics card tuning utility.

*Actual cooling and acoustic performance may vary by system configuration, environment, and other factors

ASUS HD7790 Direct CU II – Overclock Edition
ASUS HD 7790 DirectCU II delivers good gaming and multimedia performance with its 1075MHz AMD Radeon™ HD 7790 GPU and 1GB GDDR5 video memory. Thanks to its proprietary thermal design, the HD 7790 DirectCU II offers considerable overclocking overhead that can be exploited with the exclusive ASUS GPU Tweak utility. GPU Tweak makes it easy to increase core and memory speeds, change voltages, regulate fan speeds, and create individual profiles for different games.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model name HD7790-DC2OC-1GD5
Graphics engine AMD Radeon™ HD 7790
Open GL Open GL 4.2
Video memory 1GB GDDR5, 6400MHz (1600MHz GDDR5)
Memory interface 128-bit
Engine clock 1075MHz
Outputs DVI-I x 1, DVI-D x 1
Dimensions 8.5-inch x 5.1-inch x 1.5-inch

SRP: $239

Testing System:
Intel Core i7 3770k
Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H
Samsung 1600mhz Low Profile
Hynix 128SSD Raid 0
Steventeam 1400W Gold

Benchmark

More Benchmarks and discussion here.

ASUS Launches the HD 7790 DirectCU II Graphics Card

Dual-fan DirectCU II thermal design ensures 20% cooler and greatly quieter performance than reference cards as GPU Tweak makes graphics tuning accessible

Singapore (22 March, 2013) — ASUS today announced the HD 7790 DirectCU II graphics card, which uses an overclocked AMD Radeon™ HD 7790 GPU and dual-fan cooling for high performance quiet operation. The HD 7790 DirectCU II offers DirectX® 11.1 gaming and multimedia performance with power-efficient 28nm GPU technology, and supports the newest PC games in mid to high detail settings at full HD.

Exclusive DirectCU II: 20% cooler and significantly quieter

An upper mid-range graphics card, the ASUS HD 7790 DirectCU II delivers good gaming and multimedia performance with its 1075MHz AMD Radeon™ HD 7790 GPU and 1GB GDDR5 video memory. Thanks to its proprietary thermal design, the HD 7790 DirectCU II offers considerable overclocking overhead that can be exploited with the exclusive ASUS GPU Tweak utility. GPU Tweak makes it easy to increase core and memory speeds, change voltages, regulate fan speeds, and create individual profiles for different games.

ASUS goes beyond reference requirements by implementing the innovative DirectCU II thermal design. It consists of dual 80mm fans specially-picked for quiet operation, copper heatpipes that contact the GPU directly, and an aluminum shroud for better heat dissipation. The HD 7790 DirectCU II runs at 20% (7°C) lower operating temperatures than a reference card, and is also significantly quieter than reference while offering better stability and product longevity.

Ready for the biggest games of the year

The PCI Express 3.0-based HD 7790 DirectCU II uses a 28nm GPU with AMD Graphics Core Next architecture, clocked at1075MHz. It supports DirectX® 11.1 and features 1GB of GDDR5 video memory rated at 6400MHz. With its attractive price point, it offers solid performance in all current and upcoming PC games, while maintaining modest power requirements with twin 6-pin power connectors.

NOTES TO EDITORS

30-word summary

The ASUS HD 7790 DirectCU II graphics card runs 20% cooler and significantly quieter than reference HD 7790. GPU Tweak offers a user-friendly graphics card tuning utility, enhancing gaming and multimedia.

60-word summary

The ASUS HD 7790 DirectCU II graphics card uses DirectCU II thermal innovation to run 20% cooler and significantly quieter than reference HD 7790. Its performance can be tapped by exclusive GPU Tweak, a user-friendly graphics card tuning utility. It offers great value DirectX® 11.1 gaming and multimedia performance with power-efficient 28nm GPU technology, supporting the newest PC games and entertainment.

100-word summary

The ASUS HD 7790 DirectCU II graphics card improves performance through the use of a 1075MHz GPU and proprietary DirectCU II thermal innovation. It runs 20% cooler and significantly quieter than reference HD 7790 designs, allowing for better overclocking. The higher performance ceiling can be tapped by exclusive GPU Tweak, a user-friendly graphics card tuning utility. The HD 7790 DirectCU II offers great value DirectX® 11.1 gaming and multimedia performance with power-efficient 28nm GPU technology. It supports the newest PC games in mid to high settings in 1080p, and can easily handle high definition multimedia content acceleration.

Supposedly the next generation chipset for Intel. The Z87 will be the next chipset to replace the Z77. Today, ASUS accidentally leaked a picture of the model name surrounded by chocolates. So, what is ASUS trying to tell us ?

Here is the picture

ASUS VivoTab™ RT 3G Available in Singapore

First Windows RT 3G detachable tablet with powerful quad-core processor in the ASUS lineup

Singapore (9 January, 2013) — Following the launch of its WiFi predecessor in October, ASUS VivoTab™ RT is now available in 3G in Singapore from today at S$1,049. The first Windows RT detachable tablet in Singapore, ASUS VivoTab™ RT features a mobile dock that transforms the tablet into a notebook for increased productivity and versatility with longer battery life. VivoTab™ RT uses NVIDIA^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core processor for smooth and responsive use with Windows RT, and comes pre-installed with the Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview that enhances users’ productivity on-the-go anytime, anywhere.

VivoTab™ RT hardware and software features

Microsoft Corp. and ASUS worked closely together to create one of the first Windows RT tablets in the market. With its chic metallic design measuring at 8.3mm and weighing at 525g, ASUS VivoTab™ RT is one of the thinnest and lightest 10.1” tablets featuring the powerful NVIDIA^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage space that ensures incredible performance. The 10.1” 1366 x 768 Super IPS+ display uses Corning^® Fit Glass and delivers sharp, detailed images with accurate colours, ultra-wide viewing angles of 178º and 600 nits brightness for stunning outdoor visibility.

The 8-megapixel high-performance camera captures incredibly detailed images with no shutter lag. With the ASUS SonicMaster technology and audio tuning by Waves, a recipient of Technical GRAMMY Award^®, the VivoTab™ RT features superlative sound quality.

ASUS VivoTab™ RT has a ‘hidden hinge’ design for a sleek, streamlined look and fully adjustable screen angle when used with the mobile dock. When docked, VivoTab™ RT converts into an ultra-portable productivity tool with keyboard, multi-touch touchpad and USB port, plus up to 16 hours’ use with the dock’s built-in battery. VivoTab™ RT with Windows RT comes preloaded with Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview for productivity at home and on the move. With its innovative tablet and mobile dock design, VivoTab™ RT delivers an outstanding combination of performance and mobility, both for work and play.

Specifications

(1)     Battery life is measured with 720p video playback, brightness at 100 nits and default volume with headphones

Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview will update to Office Home & Student 2013 RT. For further details, please visit http://office.com/officeRT

ASUS Launches Convertible Device TAICHI in Singapore

An incredible fusion of notebook and tablet with innovative dual-screen design, TAICHI switches seamlessly between slim 10-point multi-touch tablet and fully featured Ultrabook™ simply by lifting a finger

Singapore (2 January, 2013) — ASUS welcomes 2013 by announcing the availability of ASUS TAICHI in Singapore from 3 January onwards at S$2,698.

A sleek and stylish 11.6” Ultrabook™ with an innovative back-to-back dual-screen design for unparalleled mobile flexibility and versatility, ASUS TAICHI features a powerful 3^rd generation Intel^® Core™ i7 processor and two back-to-back Full High Definition (FHD) IPS screens for sharing information in exciting new ways on the new Windows 8 operating system, all in a slender profile that tapers to a mere 3mm at just 1.25kg. With a “less means more” concept in mind, ASUS TAICHI combines the best features of both 10-point multi-touch tablet and Ultrabook™, making this convertible a powerful and portable Windows 8 device for all.

ASUS TAICHI design concept

ASUS TAICHI is designed to be multi-faceted, with two sides transforming into four distinct usage modes – Notebook screen, tablet screen, mirror screen and dual screen. ASUS TAICHI reflects life’s diversity, allowing users more ways to express themselves and interact with those around them. Itis a versatile device for many roles, many places and any time. With smooth and effortless transitions between modes, ASUS TAICHI guarantees users a flowing experience that is as natural as life itself.

Notebook and tablet in single, stunning 2-in-1 design

With a unique dual-display design and stunning black-mirror finish, ASUS TAICHI combines the best features of both 10-point multi-touch tablet and notebook, and switches seamlessly between the two simply by lifting a finger. In fact, ASUS TAICHI has a special hinge design that allows the lid to be lifted with one finger for the most intuitive user experience. Lid open, ASUS TAICHI is a powerful Ultrabook™ with a FHD screen, backlit keyboard and large multi-touch touchpad for making light work of demanding productivity tasks. Lid closed, ASUS TAICHI becomes a lightweight tablet with a 10-point multi-touch all-glass FHD screen, for easy and natural on the move. ASUS TAICHI’s flexibility and versatility means users would not have to carry multiple devices for different needs, thus increasing mobility.

ASUS TAICHI is a great example of the commitment ASUS has made to its “Design Thinking” philosophy, as it has also developed three key technologies to reduce the thickness and weight of the convertible device: A metal frame between the two screens for increased strength and rigidity, a special hinge design which dissipates heat from the double sided display and bevelled, diamond-cut edges that reduce the thickness of the lid and screen frame.

Dual screens for exciting new ways to share information

ASUS TAICHI’s back-to-back dual-screens can be used both simultaneously and independently to share information, enjoy multimedia and work with apps. With the lid open and both screens upright, ASUS TAICHI can share a presentation or movie to an audience on both sides, removing the need for a bulky projector or clumsy external display. An ideal tool for business users, IPS display technology also ensures brilliant images on both screens, with accurate colour reproduction and wide viewing angle for outstanding clarity. ASUS TAICHI also features a stylus for pinpoint precision on its 10-point multi-touch FHD all-glass display. The ability to switch quickly and easily between notebook and tablet modes makes ASUS TAICHI an easy and convenient convertible device anytime, anywhere.

Powerful performance

ASUS TAICHI is fuelled by powerful 3^rd generation Intel^® Core™ i7 processor, which can boast up to 3.0GHz of clocking speed with Turbo Boost, essentially delivering key attributes of notebook and tablet in one device. With integrated Intel^® HD 4000 graphics, 4GB RAM onboard and blazingly fast 256GB SSD storage, this enables improved performance of the ASUS TAICHI with a reduced power draw. Dual-band Wi-Fi with Intel^® WiDi and Bluetooth 4.0 offer high-performance wireless connectivity, while two USB 3.0 ports provide full support for the latest high-speed external storage devices and rapid mobile device recharging. ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology also gives ASUS TAICHI longer battery life, and up to two weeks’ standby time with two-second resume from hibernation.

High-end multimedia enjoyment

ASUS ambient light sensor technology automatically responds to ambient light levels that allows users to type easily even in the dark, and large highly responsive multi-touch touchpads provides for more intuitive control. To foster greater ease of use and accessibility, the ASUS TAICHI touchpads incorporate the ASUS Smart Gesture technology, which encourages smooth haptic inputs that guarantee a more enhanced user experience with the touch-powered convertible device.

In addition, the 10-point multi-touch all-glass FHD display provides intuitive fingertip control with Windows 8, while the non-touch side is a non-glare and non-reflective surface that enhances user’s experience in any environment. With the incorporation of IPS technology, this gives ASUS TAICHI a bright, vibrant image with accurate colours and 178° wide viewing angle.

SonicMaster technology, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, delivers astonishing sound quality on ASUS TAICHI with all kinds of listening material. ASUS TAICHI also features a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera with 1080p full HD video recording and a second 720p HD video camera, a noise-suppressing array microphone for crystal-clear video chat in challenging environments.

Specifications

What is new for the upcoming year 2013? Well it would be the ASUS USB-AC53.

Based on the 802.11ac spec, it will enable multi-station WLAN throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second and a maximum single link throughput of at least 500 megabits per second (500 Mbit/s).

This is accomplished by extending the air interface concepts embraced by 802.11n: wider RF bandwidth (up to 160 MHz), more MIMO spatial streams (up to 8), multi-user MIMO, and high-density modulation (up to 256 QAM).

The USB-AC53 (AC1200 USB wireless adapter) is ASUS’s first 802.1ac dual band USB adapter. It comes bundled with a long USB cable and attachement NetClip in the box.

Here are some early pictures of it.

We should be seeing more 802.11ac wireless devices in 2013.

ASUS TAICHI is the world’s first ultra-portable to feature a back-to-back dual-screen design. Weighing at just 1.25kg, TAICHI features a powerful Intel® Core™ processor and two back-to-back full HD IPS display screens for sharing information all in a slender profile that tapers to a slim 0.3cm. With the lid open, TAICHI is a powerful Ultrabook™ with a backlit keyboard for dealing with even the most demanding productivity tasks. With the lid closed, TAICHI is a lightweight multi-touch tablet for easy and intuitive use with Windows 8 when on the move. Both screens can also be used simultaneously and independently for unparalleled movie flexibility and for sharing information in exciting new ways.

The demonstration below shows how the dual display can be activated.

Live Life Intuitively with ASUS PadFone™ 2

Quad-core smartphone with incredible battery life and a thinner, lighter
PadFone 2 Station deliver the ultimate mobile flexibility.

Taipei, Taiwan (October 16, 2012) — ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announces PadFone™ 2. Building upon the successful PadFone combination of an Android smartphone and dockable tablet for incredible mobile flexibility, PadFone 2 consists of a higher specification quad-core, LTE-equipped smartphone and a completely redesigned tablet.

ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih unveiled PadFone 2 in front of the world’s media at a press conference in Milan, Italy. “Our relentless drive to innovate through our ‘Design Thinking’ philosophy has empowered us to create PadFone 2. It’s beautiful, it’s fast and, best of all, it’s intuitive,” said Mr. Shih.

PadFone 2 is a fully featured 4.7” Android™ smartphone with industry-leading specifications that docks with the unique PadFone 2 Station to become a lightweight, but fully featured, 10.1” tablet. Apps are seamlessly optimized on-the-fly to support both tablet and phone modes, with an instant transition between smartphone and tablet screen sizes.

Enlarge and charge

ASUS’ world-renowned ‘Design Thinking’ philosophy has significantly reduced PadFone 2 Station’s thickness and weight. At just 649g, the combined weight of both PadFone 2 and PadFone 2 Station is now lighter than most tablets on the market, and the dock mechanism has been redesigned to require just one swift step to use. PadFone 2 has also been subtly refined to increase its screen size to 4.7”, while reducing its thickness and weight to just 9mm at its thickest point and 135g, respectively.

Battery life is astounding, too. The higher-capacity PadFone 2 2140mAh battery provides up to 16 hours 3G talk-time and 13 hours Wi-Fi web browsing, while PadFone 2 Station’s 5000mAh battery gives up to 36 hours 3G talk-time. PadFone 2 Station’s internal battery also has enough capacity to recharge the docked PadFone 2 three times over.

Super phone, super performance

A 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM ensures incredible PadFone 2 performance in both smartphone and tablet modes. The new 4.7” 1280 x 720 HD Super IPS+ display uses scratch-resistant Corning® Fit Glass and delivers sharp, detailed images with accurate colors, ultra-wide viewing angles and 550 nits brightness for stunning outdoor visibility.

A new 13-megapixel high-performance camera captures incredibly detailed images with no shutter lag. Burst mode can capture up to 100 shots at a blisteringly quick six shots per second, while simultaneously recording 1080p HD video at 30fps, or 720p HD video at 60fps. Low-light performance is also enhanced by the wide f/2.4 aperture and a dedicated image signal processor. Both PadFone 2 and PadFone 2 Station feature superlative sound quality too, thanks to ASUS SonicMaster technology and audio tuning by Waves, recipient of a Technical GRAMMY Award®.

Easy to share, easy to save

With capacities up to 64GB and 50GB of ASUS WebStorage provided free for two years, PadFone 2 offers endless possibilities for storing data. Data syncing between devices is also a thing of the past, since PadFone 2 storage is used by PadFone 2 Station when the two are connected, while NFC allows users to share webpages, Contacts and user recommendations from Play Store with others. Shared mobile data connectivity between smartphone and tablet also means just one data plan is needed for both devices, while support for up to 42Mbit/s DC-HSPA+ and 100Mbit/s LTE delivers super-fast web browsing and downloads.

User-friendly enhancements

PadFone 2 also features a new version of the SuperNote app that instantly converts handwritten notes made in multiple languages into editable text. Its Instant Translation tool also translates any word, phrase or sentence in an email, web page or app at a touch, without the need for a third-party translation tool.

Availability

PadFone 2 will be launched before the end of December in Europe (Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden) and Asia (Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and U.A.E). Availability in other countries will be announced at a later date.

###

PADFONE 2 SPECIFICATIONS

EDGE/GPRS/GSM   850/900/1800/1900MHz

LTE   800/1800/2600MHz

HSPA+ (DL: 21Mbit/s, 42Mbit/s (optional) / UL:   5.76Mbit/s)

LTE (DL: 100Mbit/s / UL: 50Mbit/s)Operating systemAndroid 4.0 ICS   (upgradeable to Jelly Bean)ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon S4 (8064 + 9215m) quad-core Cortex A15 class (1.5GHz) with   Adreno 320 graphicsStorage / memory16GB / 32GB / 64GB   eMMC Flash / 2GB LPDDR2 RAMColorBlack / WhiteConnectivity802.11a/b/g/n   Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0 & NFC (mobile payment function is   optional and by request only)

3.5mm   audio jack, Micro SIM

ASUS 13-pin dock connector (supports Micro-USB 2.0 &   Mobile High-Definition Link   for HDMI connection)GPSA-GPS & GLONASSDisplay4.7“   (1280 x 720) / 312ppi

Super   IPS+ (550 nits)

Scratch-resistant Corning® Fit Glass with HCLR Film   (anti-fingerprint coating)Main camera13MP BSI Sensor Sony Camera, f/2.4   Aperture,

five-element   lens, auto focus with LED flashFront camera1.2MPOtherG-sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, gyro   sensor, e-compassBattery2140mAh   Li-Polymer (non-removable)Talk timeUp to 16 hours with 3GStandby timeUp to 352 hours with 3GBrowserHTTP / Google browser / YouTube browser / Facebook /   Google+MessagingSMS / MMS / email / IMVideoVideo   Playback: MPEG4/H.264/H.263/WMV @ HD 1080p

Video   Recording: MPEG4/H.263 @ HD 1080p / 60fps @ 720p

H.264 Video Decode @ 720p / Video Encode @1080pH.264 / Ogg / Theora / MPEG4 / WMV / 3GPPictureJPEG / PNG / GIF / BMPAudioMP3 / WMA / 3GP / AAC / AAC+Dimension137.9 x 69 x 9mmWeight135g

PADFONE 2 STATION SPECIFICATIONS

IPS with capacitive multi-touch

Scratch-resistant   Corning® Fit Glass with HCLR   Film (anti-fingerprint   coating)Camera1MP   front camera

13MP via PadFone 2 rear cameraBattery19Wh (5000mAh)Connectivity3.5mm   audio jack via PadFone 2

ASUS 13-pin dock connector (Micro-USB 2.0 Host)External phone antennaWi-Fi & BT, GSM, WCDMA, & LTE receiver diversityAudioHigh-quality speaker with ASUS SonicMaster technology

All specifications are subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors. Content and product availability varies by country and coverage areas, and is subject to change. Brand and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies

Google Nexus 7 is first tablet to feature the Android 4.1 Jellybean OS. It is lightweight and has a 7″ display with a resolution of 1280×800.

With it’s 4325mAh battery that can handle 9 hours HD video playback time, 10 hours of web browsing and up to 300 hours of standby time. So one can be more productive than spending and waiting to recharge the built in battery.

The Nexus 7 is built by Taiwan ASUS, famous for it’s PC range of products. At the centre of the Nexus 7 is the NVIDIA Tegra3 quad core processor which provides smooth and responsive apps. The graphics is powered by a 12 core GPU which delivers rich and detail graphics while the 4 Plus 1 CPU design gives it the procesing power.

As it is a powered by Google, Nexus 7 provides all the Google Apps into this tablet. Access Gmail, Chrome, Google+ and Youtube with ease and sync them across your phones, PCs etc.

With the new Google Now, it brings voice recognition to another level. Google Now brings the right information at the right time. For example, it can tell you today’s weather before you start your day, how much traffic on your route to office and it all happens automatically.

The tablet also comes with a 1.2 mega pixel front facing camera and NFC (Andriod Beam).

On the next page, we take a look at the Interface and features.

Finally the Nexus 7 tablet powered by Tegra3 will go on sale in Singapore from tomorrow at S$399. The price is reasonable based on exchange rate, it is exactly the same. The product is made by ASUS and powered by nvidia.

Below is our unboxing video of the Nexus 7.

ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, has launched the Google Nexus 7 tablet in Malaysia.

Priced at RM999, the tablet is now available at retail showrooms in the country.

George Su, System Country Manager, said Malaysia is the first country in South East Asia to receive the device.

“Previously we have introduced higher price range of tablets. We introduced the Nexus 7 tablet to position ourselves in the market and increase the company’s market share, especially in Malaysia,” he said at the launch here today.

“We believe that the demand and response will be very good for Nexus 7 tablet in the local market, as it is suitable for all kinds of users,” he added.

Nexus 7 is the first tablet in Google’s Nexus line of devices and the lead device for Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, the latest version of the world’s most popular mobile platform.

Asus and Google jointly developed Nexus 7 tablet, the world’s first seven-inch quad core tablet which delivers the best of the Google experience in a slim, portable package that fits perfectly in the hand.

The 3 telcos has been catching up with one another in delivering the fastest broadband speeds. Although M1 was late to introduce the service, they are the first to introduce it country wide this September 15.

M1′s LTE speed will range from 6.9Mbps to 17.4Mbps and will cover 95% of the including both outdoor and indoor locations.

New smartphone and mobile broadband service plans

M1 also announced that it will introduce new smartphone and mobile broadband service plans, in conjunction with its 4G service launch.

New M1 Smartphone Service Plans

New M1 Mobile Broadband Service Plans

With the new data bundles starting from 2GB per month, the majority of customers will not incur higher charges. 78% of smartphone users consume less than 2GB of mobile data per month and 93% less than 5GB of mobile data per month. For customers who use beyond bundled allowances, excess data will be priced at an affordable $5.35 per GB.

Furthermore, re-contracting M1 customers will be given an additional 1GB of complimentary data bundle on the new smartphone and mobile broadband plans.

M1’s new smartphone and mobile broadband service plans will be made available to all new and re-contracting customers from 15 September 2012.

At launch, 4G devices that will be available include handsets: Samsung GALAXY Note LTE, Samsung GALAXY SII LTE, HTC One XL and LG Optimus True HD LTE; tablets: ASUS Transformer Pad TF300TL and Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9 LTE; USB modem: Huawei E392, and mobile Wi-Fi modem: Huawei E589.

Live Demonstration

Customers can experience live demonstration of the amazing 4G service at M1’s flagship shop at Paragon from 6 September 2012. At the Live 4G demo-zone, customers will be able to test out new 4G handsets and tablets on M1’s 4G network, and experience first-hand, the next generation mobile experience.

For more information on M1’s amazing 4G network and services, please visit www.m1.com.sg/4G.

SingTel on the other hand was launched in June and will only cover 80% by year end and 95% by 1Q 2013. Starhub is expected to roll out LTE by year end.

Both telco uses LTE that runs on 1,800MHz and 2.600MHz frequencies. Customers who buy 4G devices do take note that it must support these spectrums otherwise it can’t take advantage of LTE.

Phones and tablet that will work are Samsung Galaxy Note LTE, Samsung Galaxy SII LTE, HTC One XL and LG Optimus True HD LTE phones, as well as the Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE tablets. Unfortunately the Apple new iPad won’t run in LTE mod as it supports the 700MHz and 2100MHz spectrums.

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO Thunderbolt Thunderbolt speed test benchmark

We have received the ASUS P8Z77-V Pro Thunderbolt motherboard and did a quick test on it’s thunderbolt speed.

Using the Seagate Thunderbolt Adapter with Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB with Apple Thunderbolt cable. The device is connected to the single port on the ASUS motherboard.

From ATTO Disk Benchmark, the performance is similar to what we did for Gigabyte thunderbolt board Z77X-UP5TH. The performance is better than USB 3.0 but slower than SATA 6Gbps (if drive is connected using a USB docking station / direct connection to SATA port). Below are the results.

Thunderbolt is the next big thing that most manufacturers are incorporating onto their motherboards. Today, we received the latest version of ASUS Intel Z77 motherboard – ASUS P8Z77-V Pro/Thunderbolt motherboard.

Below is a video preview unboxing the board + package. Watch out for our review in the near term.

Discuss

ASUS and Google Announce Nexus™ 7 Tablet
World’s first 7” quad-core tablet, featuring Android™ 4.1, Jelly Bean

Singapore (June 28th, 2012) — Unveiled at Google I/O 2012, Nexus™ 7 is the first tablet in Google’s Nexus line of devices and the lead device for Android™ 4.1, Jelly Bean. Nexus 7 combines premium hardware designed by ASUS with the latest version of Android and all of the entertainment from Google Play. Jointly developed between ASUS and Google, Nexus 7 is the world’s first 7” quad-core tablet, built to bring consumers the best of Google in a slim and portable package that fits perfectly in the hand.

“We are very excited about this partnership and the synergy that it brings into the hands of consumers,” said ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih.

“We wanted to build a tablet that was light and portable enough for you to take your favorite entertainment wherever you go, but still didn’t compromise at all on power and performance,” said Andy Rubin, SVP of Mobile and Digital Content at Google. “Together with ASUS, we were able to accomplish that in Nexus 7. And starting at $199, it will be something everyone can enjoy.”

Nexus 7 comes with a NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor, meaning everything is faster – pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze. A 12‐core GeForce® GPU delivers advanced graphics while the patented 4-PLUS-1™ CPU design gives you maximum performance when you need it and power efficiency when you don’t. Nexus 7 8GB is available for $199, while the 16GB version is $249 and enables consumers to keep even more of their content close at hand — even when they’re not online.

Detail features can be seen here

If you remember, we posted a story sometime ago about this add on card. This card will fit on a number of ASUS Z77 models that has the TB header on it e.g. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77. (News link)

This card is a dual protocol with PCI Express and DisplayPort. It supports 10 Gbps per channel in both directions. 

The card has two connectors, one is for the Thunderbolt connector and the other is the DisplayPort IN port.

This solution is kind of hybrid as you would need to connect the existing DisplayPort with the card with the cable provided. The card can support a daisy chain of up to 6 Thunderbolt devices.

Here are some pictures of the package and product.

ASUS Pre Computex Show showcase NAS, Transfomer AIO, Atom Tablet, Dual Screen tablets, AIO
Text: bt
Photographer : jackwu

ASUS today held a press conference in Taipei, showcasing the latest innovative products for the year to international media.

We all know ASUS is known for it’s motherboards and cards for power users. In fact, they do have other product lines which are well suited for the end user.

In the showcase, they presented products ranging from NAS (with USB 3.0 capability), A large tablet with AIO features, ATOM based Tablet, Core i7 tablet, Dual screen tablet.

ASUSTOR NAS products supports both SATA 3 and USB 3.0

ASUS Transformer AIO on page 2