In a series of Vivo, ASUS combines very different devices, from small inexpensive laptops, is positioned as a replacement for less popular netbooks and tablets to ultrabooks transformable processor-based NVIDIA and Intel. Combines full range general approach to the design and use of the operating system Windows 8, as in the computer and in tablet form.
Although ASUS is the ancestor of this class of devices like netbooks, the company now turns the production of these products. Their popularity and gradually falls in this segment particularly clearly visible impact on the market of tablet PCs, which also compete netbooks and cheap laptops. In many countries, sales of netbooks ASUS stopped for half a year ago.
However, these inexpensive devices are still in some demand, but ASUS is preparing an alternative to them in the face of low-cost laptop ASUS X201E. Although the price lists of some companies it is listed as a netbook – it’s not. The system is not based on processor Intel Atom, and the full Intel Celeron, Pentium and Core i3 processors with low power consumption (TDP 17 W). In this case, the design is similar to the device ASUS X201E Series Zenbook, although the materials are clearly easier. The notebook is equipped with a matrix of 11.6″ with a resolution of 1366×768 pixels and can have up to 500 GB HDD and up to 4GB of memory. Device weighs 1.3 pounds and provides up to 5 hours of battery life. This ASUS X201E is delivered with Windows 8 (there is also a version with Ubuntu and without OS) supports ASUS Smart Gesture, lets you use specific to that OS control gestures on the touchpad. Notebook in three different coloring (black, blue, red) will be available in mid-December at a very attractive price.
In Vivo-younger model series – ASUS VivoBook S200, by and large, can be called the ASUS X202E. It uses the same chassis as in ASUS X201E, body only, this model of aluminium (weight increased to 1.4 kg), and a screen with a diagonal of 11.6″ has a touch surface. Naturally, VivoBook S200 or ASUS X202E only comes with Windows 8, and the same supports enhanced gestures ASUS Smart Gesture. This model, which has the same three colors (black, red and silver cover), is available for sale.
The older model – ASUS VivoBook S400CA already belongs to a class of ultrabooks. Ultrabooks, although such copies are not sold as Intel planned a year ago, but gradually gaining popularity.
If you talk about ASUS S400CA – a 14-inch ultrabook with a touch screen, a resolution of 1366×768 pixels and a mass of 1.8 kg, with a thickness of 21 mm. The system is equipped with a processor Intel Core i5/i7, hybrid drive SSD + HDD – 24 + 320 (or 500) GB, and 4 GB of memory, a built-in video Intel HD Graphics 4000. Other features worth mentioning acoustics ASUS SonicMaster and 5 hours on a single charge. This ASUS S400CA will appear in mid-December in many of the countries.
The flagship of the new line of laptops, ASUS U500VZ not part of a series Vivobook, but was presented as part of the same event. Although visually ASUS U500VZ meets our notions of ultrabooks, formal model does not fall within this class of device, its mass is slightly more than 2 kg – 2.16 kg, it has processor-based Intel Core i7, with powerful discrete graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GT 650 with 2GB memory and has up to 8 GB of RAM. Matte screen device based on IPS-matrix, its diagonal 15.6″, Full HD resolution and the lack, in contrast to the models of Vivo-series, touch the surface. Disk subsystem SSD + HDD – 128 + 500 GB, but the optical drive in ASUS U500VZ is not provided. Interesting feature of this model is speaker SonicMaster Premium, with a miniature external subwoofer and backlit keyboard. Of course, this ASUS U500VZ running on Windows 8.
ASUS VivoTab RT the most interesting part of the presentation was dedicated to tablet lineup. ASUS conventionally divides its tablet PCs into three categories. Junior level MeMo device to which the Nexus 7 model with WiFi and 3G, and next year in the series, it seems, will be replenished. In the Upper level – unusual PadFone, the second version of which was presented in the fall. And the average level, a series of Transformer, which until recently were only devices based on Android, but now they are complemented by three models on Windows 8.
ASUS VivoTab RT TF600T/TG, as the name implies, is based on the operating system Windows RT and, according to the manufacturer, is the lightest 10-inch tablet on the market. With a thickness of 8.3 mm (iPad 4 – 9.4 mm) and weighs only 525 g vs. 652 g of the latest model of Apple. In this case, a docking station is essentially a keyboard with an external battery, the tablet shows an impressive 16 hours of autonomy. To reduce the thickness and increase the brightness of the display technology has helped ASUS TruVivid, eliminates the air gap between the layers of the matrix. Something like Apple showed at the launch of the new iMac. In addition, the use of technology Nano Molding Technology, allowing obtaining the plastic with the properties of the metal has a positive impact on the weight and strength of the unit. It is except to say that the version of T / TG differ only 3G modules for the latter.
The older model is ASUS VivoTab TF810C based on the processor Intel Atom Z2670 and running at full Windows 8. VivoTab Z2670 has 1.8 GHz dual core which is much faster than previous generations of Intel Atom, so do not think that TF810C has slow system, it is not. Visually, this hybrid is very similar to the series ultrabooks Zenbook, in fact, it uses a matrix with Super IPS + 11.6″ is more typical for laptops than for tablets. Interestingly, embedded in a matrix digitizer Wacom, enables you to use the tablet for drawing. Dock of ASUS VivoTab TF810C shows fantastic 19 hours of autonomy, and a full-sized keyboard and full use of desktop applications, the same Office 2013.
ASUS VivoTab TF810C has 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of memory for applications. Traditionally this tablet device has two cameras – rear 8 megapixel with flash and 2 megapixel front. Unfortunately, the exact price of TF810C, which should appear on sale before the end of December but first it will be higher than VivoTab RT of course.
