Fresh from Computex

source: hardwarezone.com
The New ASUS U Series

ASUS started off Computex 2009 with a bang, launching a new series of U notebooks that are pretty and functional. These U series notebooks are designed to be ultrathin, and from what we could see during the launch, they did this pretty well. Of course, the Intel CULV based notebooks made their appearance, and we were particularly impressed with the UX30, which looks pretty without loosing too much functionality.

Also making an appearance at the press event were the Eee PC Seashells and a 19mm thin LCD monitor that's part of their new MS line of monitors. Check out our pictures for more information!

ASUS CEO Jonney Shih talking to the press on ASUS's new corporate slogan and design philosophy and the new U series of notebooks are looking to be a good result of the new slogan.

The very elegant ASUS UX30 was definitely an eye-catcher with its pretty curves and awesome finish. For the record, it's using Intel's CULV platform.

The insides of the UX30 is equally pretty, with a nice top half and keyboard though the bottom half with its shiny glossy surface might not be a good idea in the long run.

The ports of the UX30 are hidden away behind latches such as this one, and make for a very pretty and clean exterior.

ASUS UX30 Specifications

Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9600/SU9400 Intel Core 2 Solo Processor SU3500/SU3300 Intel Pentium Processor SU2700
Chipset	Intel GS45
Operating System	Windows Vista Home Basic Windows Vista Home Premium
Display	13.3-inch LED-backlit HD display
Graphics	Intel GMA 4500MHD
System Memory	DDR2 800MHz up to 4GB
HDD	250GB/ 320GB / 500GB
Optical Drive	External ODD support
Communicatio	Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 02.11 a/b/g/n
Dimensions & Weight	328mm(W) x 222mm(L) x 23mm(H) 1.6kg

More Ultrathins

The smaller 12.1-inch U20 has an Intel SU9400 (1.4GHz) processor, up to 4GB DDR2 RAM, Intel GMA 4500MHD, up to 500GB HDD and an optical drive.

The U80V is a much bigger (14-inch) machine that uses a full fledged Intel C2D processor, though it still tries to keep its ultrathin form factor. It also uses a ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 for its graphical processing.

The UX50V is a 15.5-inch cousin of the UX30, and shares most of the same hardware, like an Intel C2D SU9400 (1.4GHz), but uses a NVIDIA GeForce G105M and has a built-in optical drive.

Yet more ultrathin goodness in the form of this slim and sleek monitor from ASUS, the MS227N. It's 19mm profile easily catches your eyes and you can adjust its tilt level with a light finger touch. How is this possible? Well, the next picture should explain things.

The ring stand allows for easy adjustment, though we're informed it only allows you to adjust 10 degrees at most.

No ASUS press conference would be complete without a look at an Eee machine, so here's an ASUS model holding up the Eee PC Seashell. No, we don't think she sells seashells by the sea shore, but if she did, we'd be joining the queue like the rest of you guys.

The ASUS Booth and Notebooks

We headed to ASUS' main exhibition booth over at the upper level of the Nangang Exhibition Hall to see the other goodies on display.

Their booth wouldn't be complete if the just launched ASUS UX30 wasn't present. This version has a lighter colored bottom half - and fingerprints aren't quite as obvious on this variant.

The 18.4-inch ASUS W90vp is a powerhouse of a notebook with its Intel C2Q Q9000 (2.0GHz), up to 6GB RAM, Intel X38 chipset, up to 1TB of storage and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4870 x2 for its graphical needs.

The 16-inch ASUS M60Vp gets a shiny aluminum cover that's really pretty to look at, and sports an Intel C2D T9550 (2.66GHz) processor, up to 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Blu-Ray drive and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4650 for its graphical needs.

If you need a sporty machine to match your Lamborghini, then the ASUS-Lamborghini VX5 is a no-brainer. It's not all just looks though, as the VX5 uses an Intel C2Q Q9000 (2.0GHz), 4GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB HDD, Blu-ray drive and NVIDIA GeForce Gt130M.

The ASUS G71Gx is another gaming notebook that will shock you with its specs:- Intel C2Q Q9000(2.0GHz), up to 6GB RAM, up to 1TB HDD, Blu-ray drive and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX260M for all your gaming need.

The World of Eee

All the pretty Seashells on the seashore with the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell series. It's the same Intel Atom platform with the Intel Atom N280, but expect a Pinetrail version soon.

The Eee PC Touch T91 is the long awaited tablet version of the Eee PC, and some models come with GPS and Digital-TV built-in.

The Intel Atom based Eee PC Touch T91 in tablet mode with a virtual keyboard on display.

The revamped and better looking AIO Eee Top weans off the Intel Atom platform with the Intel C2D T6500 (1.83GHz), 4GB DDR2 RAM, 320GB HDD, Blu-ray drive and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570.

We've seen the Eee Keyboard at previous events, of course, but it's still an interesting gadget that makes good use of the Atom platform.

We also spotted this EeeNAS PC D200 that will allow for up to 2TB of storage. The middle line you see amidst the sea of white is actually the slot for the optical drive.

Last but not least is the second version of the ASUS Eee
Videophone Touch AiGuru SV1T.
It's basically a portable Skype phone
that now features touch screen capabilities -
making it much easier to use

Video Cards and Motherboards

The ASUS Formula series of graphic cards are aimed at overclockers, and the coolers are as always, interesting to look at.

The ASUS Mars will be of limited availability due to limited production run, and only 1000 of these babies will be made. What it is though is two NVIDIA GeForce GTX285 put together on one card that gives 23% more performance than the GTX295.

So how does ASUS make sure both GTX285s don't melt and fuse together? This picture shows the internals broken down, and you can take a look at how they manage the cooling problems.

The standard ASUS Matrix range of video cards also makes an appearance. As always, the design catches the eye and makes a pretty picture.

Looking for more P55 action? This here is the ASUS P7P55 that's just waiting for a launch date.

The ASUS P7P57 Pro packs a bigger punch with its 8 Phase power design and of course, the Intel P57 chipset.

The P7P55 LE is the last P55 based motherboard on display at the booth and gives consumers yet another choice.

This Marine Cool prototype motherboard is military rugged and features an on-board UPS system and the board acts as a cooler via thermal dissipation due to the ceramic metal used in its construction.

The Others

The O!Play is the ASUS take on a media player and uses a Linux-based OS. It will be available at the end of the month, though it will ship to Europe and USA first. No word on Asia as yet, though its ability to play RMVB files should make it highly popular in this part of Asia.

Explore your ears with the ASUS Xonar Essence ST and features a SNR of 124dB front out, THD+N of 0.0003%, a frequency response of <10hz>

We also spotted this oddly shapped 2.1 sound bar, and ASUS promises the unit to have good sound, powerful subwoofer, but we do question the cutting edge shape. It does look different though.

The ASUS range of portable optical drives are worth a second glance thanks to their pretty looks and comes either Blu-ray capable or the usual DVD burner capability.

Also spotted was the (left-to-right): he RT-N17, a wireless N storage router which can act as a podcast server, the NAS-M25 two bay network storage centre and the BR-HD3, a wireless HDMI kit.

More routers spotted (left-to-right): the DSL-N11, which comes with ASUS EZQoS, the RT-N16, a wireless N router that can download files even though your PC

is shutdown and the RT-N13, which features a similar capability as the RT-N16.