tech in style issue 11

BRINGING INNOVATIONS

TO LIFE

EEETop ET2010Meet the new 20” all-in-one multi-touch desktop PC from ASUS

U33JC bambooGo green with this bamboo-clad laptop with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor.

Tech in

ISSUE 11 JULy 2010www.TEChINSTyLE.TV

windows®. Life without walls™. ASUS recommends windows 7.Save

£100 on the ASUS K52F

with an RBS/NatWest student

accountsee page 3

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

Hearing is believing

Let aSUS entertain youWe pick the best products to transform your home into a complete entertainment centre

2 | ISSUE 11

Contents

About ASUS

helen Ling, Editor

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

04 Hearing is believing Discover how ASUS SonicMaster

technology sets a new standard for laptop audio with the E53JN.

06 Ultra slim/ Ultra stylish

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

08 It’s great to be green Meet the new U Series Bamboo — a

laptop that’s both environmentally friendly and beautiful.

hello and welcome to ASUS Tech in Style. ASUS is always at the forefront of

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

enhancements offered by our SonicMaster standard. high-quality entertainment is something of a theme

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

Later in this issue you can also see our pick of the ASUS products we think are ideal for anyone looking to set up the ultimate home entertainment centre. Everything from graphics cards to hD media streamers to headsets is included, so there’s something for everyone.

we hope you enjoy the issue!

04

3ISSUE 11 |

windows®. Life without walls™. ASUS recommends windows 7.

Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Credits

Tech in STyleISSUE 11eDiTORiAleditor Helen Lingcreative Director Quawn HsuGroup Art Director Bill BagnallProduction Kate Faulkner

MAnAGeMenTManaging editor James Kidder

PRODUcTiOnProduction Manager Mark YoungProduction co-ordinator Giulia Di Cesare

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

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

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

This offer is available from 1st June to 31st October 2010, and full details are available online, or from branches of Natwest and RBS.

wherever your studies and travels take you, your ASUS K52F laptop will make the perfect companion.

10 Home cinema style Save space — and money — with

the beautiful stunning new ASUS ET2010PNT all-in-one desktop PC.

12 3D that’s out of this world

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

14 Let aSUS entertain you

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

10

14

SAve £100

on the ASUS K52F with an RBS/

NatWest student account

4 | ISSUE 11

ASUS SonicMaster technology sets a new standard in laptop audio reproduction

L aptops have long been associated with tinny speakers and distorted sound. But thanks to ASUS’ new SonicMaster standard, there are no

more excuses for poor-quality audio.

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

That’s why ASUS has developed the SonicMaster standard. A combination of audio technologies

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

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

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

ASUS Exclusive SonicMaster technology

Hearing is believing

* Subject to system configuration and use.

5ISSUE 11 |



1CrySTaL- CLEar SoUnD

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

2LowEr DISTorTIon

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

3 DEEpEr, rICHEr baSS

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

4wIDEr ranGEUp to 80cc* larger-than-

average speaker chambers mean that the N Series can handle a wider range of frequencies than standard laptops.

5DISTInCT voCaLSAudio-processing

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

6 SUrroUnD SoUnD

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

ASUS N53JN

Intel® Core™ i5-520M (2.4GHz)

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit

15.6” HD screen

4GB DDR3 memory

500GB hard disk

Blu-ray / DVD combo drive

£999 from www.ebuyer.com

6 | ISSUE 11

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

Ultra-slim Ultra-stylish

ASUS Eee PC 1015PE ASUS Eee PC 1018P

eee PC 1018P:

Intel® Atom™ N475

Genuine Windows® 7 Starter

10.1” LED-backlit screen (1024 x 600)

Up to 10 hours* battery life

USB 3.0

250GB hard disk with 500GB ASUS WebStorage

£349 from Amazon.co.uk

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

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

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

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

7ISSUE 11 |



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

Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ processor, the Eee PC 1015PE offers

astounding energy efficiency. Carefully selected components and ASUS

Super hybrid Engine technology deliver up to 11 hours of battery

life* — that’s enough for most long-haul flights. Bluetooth lets you connect to a host of wireless devices, while ASUS webStorage means you can access and share your files from wherever you go.

eee PC 1015Pe

Intel® Atom™ N450

Genuine Windows® 7 Starter


Up to 11 hours* battery life

Blue-tooth

250GB hard disk with 500GB ASUS WebStorage

£309 from Amazon.co.uk

8 | ISSUE 11

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

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

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

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

GrEEn SErvICE & markETInGASUS participates in the EPEAT certification programme for environmental assessment, as well as the EU Ecolabel scheme to identify products and services that are kinder to the environment.

http://csr.asus.com

Did you know?ASUS have been able to reduce

the amount of plastic used for the

Bamboo Series case by 16-20%

9ISSUE 11 |



It’s Great to be Green

Made using environmentally sustainable bamboo, the new U Series Bamboo Collection

is both eco-friendly and beautiful

aSUS takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and has long been committed to working practices that reduce its impact on our planet. Part

of this commitment is to develop new products that not only eliminate hazardous substances in favour of more sustainable manufacturing materials, but that are also more easily recycled at the end of their life.

This holistic approach was exemplified by the development in 2008 of the first laptop to achieve EPEAT Gold certification — the ASUS N51V. A further 28 ASUS products have since received this accolade

and this year they will launch a new laptop that builds on this success — the U Series Bamboo Collection.

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

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

ASUS Bamboo Collection U33JC

Intel® Core™ i5-430M (2.27GHz)

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit


4GB DDR3 memory

500GB hard disk

SRP £849 from www.pcworld.co.uk

ASUS U Series Bamboo Collection

10 | ISSUE 11

few people want their home to be dominated by their desktop computer, but the ASUS EeeTop ET2010PNT takes streamlined simplicity to a new level. This stunning new all-in-one desktop

not only has an ultra-slim design that can slip into the smallest of spaces, but hDMI input means that it can also double-up as an hD+ display for games consoles and Blu-ray players.

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

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

ASUS Eee Top ET2010PNT

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

Home cinema style

© 2010 warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

wIn!ASUS is giving away 10 copies of Clash of the Titans on DVD and Blu-ray — see www.techinstyle.tv for details

11ISSUE 11 |



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

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

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

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

ASUS eT2010PNT

Intel® Atom™ D510 dual-core processor

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium

Discrete nVidia® ION 2 graphics engine

20” screen(1600X900)

2GB DDR3 memory (max. 4GB)

500GB hard disk

HDMI input

SRP £599

www.clashofthetitansmovie.co.uk

Available now on and DVD

12 | ISSUE 11

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

3D looks set to be the breakthrough technology of 2010. James Cameron’s Avatar has set the box office on fire with

its mind-blowing depiction of life on an alien world and 3D hDTV promises to add a new dimension to home entertainment. And this year two new LCD monitors from ASUS will bring 3D to your desktop.

Images that leap from the screen3D computer displays are nothing new, but technology so far has fallen well short of delivering a full-colour, full-resolution image that can be viewed at anything other than head-on. The new ASUS VG236h and PG276h Full hD 3D LCD monitors, however, use a sophisticated technique of generating a 3D

image called alternate-frame sequencing. This displays two versions of the same image in rapid succession and, when viewed through wireless glasses with

lenses that alternately ‘blink’ in time with the display, the result is an image that leaps

out of the screen. Unlike 3D displays that must be viewed with polarised

lenses, alternate-frame sequencing displays a full-resolution 120hz image that doesn’t suffer from ghosting on fast-moving images. This makes the ASUS VG236h and PG276h 3D LCD monitors perfectly suited to gaming and movie watching, and the wide viewing angle means that several people can experience the thrill of the third dimension at once.

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

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

GET 3D GamInG on THE Go wITH aSUS roG

13ISSUE 11 |



Jam

es C

amer

on’s

Ava

tar:

The

Gam

e ©

200

9 Tw

entie

th C

entu

ry F

ox F

ilm C

orpo

ratio

n.

Gam

e S

oftw

are

excl

udin

g Tw

entie

th C

entu

ry F

ox F

ilm C

orpo

ratio

n el

emen

ts:

©20

09 U

biso

ft E

nter

tain

men

t. A

ll Ri

ghts

Res

erve

d.

ASUS vG236H 3D LCD Monitor 23” Full HD-Ready (1920 x 1080) 3D

displsy 120Hz refresh rate Includes NVIDIA® GeForce™

3D Vision™ glasses

170° H/160° V viewing angles 2ms response time

(grey-to-grey) Dual-link DVI (for 3D), HDMI and

component inputs SRP £449 (inc. VAT)

Please remove PG276h spec box

14 | ISSUE 11

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

Turn your HDTv into a one-stop entertainment hubwhat you need: aSUS o!play HD2 media playero!play HD2SRP £139.99 (Inc VAT)watching TV in hD is one way to pass the time, but the ASUS O!Play hD2 lets you enjoy so much more in your living room. Connect it to your home network and you can stream movies and music to your hDTV and even turn it into a gigantic digital photo frame for your own pictures. The O!Play hD2 even lets you connect to social

networking sites like Facebook and Flickr with the built-in Opera web browser for the ultimate big-screen surfing experience, while USB 3.0 lets you connect to the next generation of super-speed storage devices.

15ISSUE 11 |



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

aUDIowhat you need: Cine5 pC multi-channel speakeraSUS Cine5 all-in-one SpeakerSRP £149.99 (Inc VAT)you don’t need a room full of speakers and half a mile of cable to surround yourself with sound — a single speaker is all it takes. The ASUS Cine5 All-in-One Speaker uses sophisticated audio processing technology to deliver a virtual 5.1 surround sound experience from a single slimline component that slips under your desktop display, which means there’s no need to worry about sitting in the ‘sweet spot’— or tripping over a stray lead.

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

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

tech in style issue 11

Documents

asus products

asus tech

believinglet asus

asus k52f

asus ranks

asus designs

asus sonicmaster technology

new standard