NBC Onsite: Asus Notebook Lineup II 2010

Powerful, Audible & Mobile.

No matter if it's to be a Lamborghini for the racing sports fan, an acoustic machine for the hi-fi aficionado or an angular business Eee PC for the office geek – Asus has it. Amongst others: Ion 2 GPUs and Atom D525 processors.

Asus had already presented its acoustic flagship, NX90, at the Cebit 2010. The 18.4 incher is the avant-garde of the N series, which ranges from 14 inches (N43) over 15.6 inches (N53) up to 17.3 inches (N73). According to Asus, all devices labeled with SonicMaster have top-quality sound equipment with an 11 watt amplifier (three watts are standard). The membrane's size varies depending on the form factor.

We could, once again, convince ourselves of the NX90's sound (speakers on the TFT's sides), and also that of the 17.3 inchers, N73 (speakers beneath the TFT) at the presentation. In particular, the NX90 provides an impressive, crystal clear (vocals), loud and surround sound. The N73 also supplies an above average sound, but doesn't come close to the SoundMaster in NX90.

Configuration Asus N73

• Processor: Intel Core i5/i7
• RAM: 4/8/12 GB DDR3 RAM
• Display: 17.3 inch glare type
• Chipset: Intel HM55
• Graphics: Nvidia Geforce
• Hard disk: 500/640 GB HDD
• Network: 10/100/1000 MBit/s, WLAN 802.11 b/g/n
• Drive: 8x DVD Multi D/L or BluRay combo
• Interfaces: Blutetooth 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x VGA out, 1x eSATA, USB 2.0, 1x audio out, 1x audio in, cardreader: MMC, SD (SDHC), SDXC
• 2 megapixel camera built-in
• Battery 6 cell lithium ion (4400 mAh)
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 home Premium 64 bit
• Features: Bang&Olufseln ICEpower & SonicMaster audio system, aluminum design, wave keyboard, ExpressGate
• Availability: Not stated
• Price: Not stated

The 12.1 incher in Lamborghini look is stuffed with fat hardware. Of course, we're talking about notebook standards. The Intel Atom D525 is Intel's most energy saving dual-core CPU with 1.8 GHz. Aside from that, a powerfull chipset graphics, Nvidia Ion 2, is built-in. The VX6 is likely the smallest SonicMaster sound machine. It also has, according to the manufacturer, a high-quality sound. Because the mock-up didn't work, we unfortunately couldn't test the claim.

Configuration Lamborghini VX6

• Intel Atom D525
• Nvidia Ion 2 N11M-PT2 graphics
• Bang&Olufsen ICEpower sound
• USB 3.0
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 250 GB hard disk
• 2 GB RAM
• WLAN draft-n
• HDMI port
• 0.3 webcam
• Colors: black, white

Detailed specifications, prices and availabilities haven't yet been set for the ASUS Lamborghini VX6.

The manufacturer has discovered business customers. Those who want to equip their employees with inexpensive but enduring netbooks in times of low budgets don't have to fear roundish consumer style anymore. The 1061P (10.1 inch) is equipped like a typical netbook (Atom N455) but has premium features with Bluetooth 3.0, gigabit Ethernet and a two gigabyte DDR3 RAM.

It goes without saying that it has an AR-coated display and matt surfaces (aluminum look). Also onboard: A USB charge function for all portable end devices, like cell phones or smartphones (when the netbook is off). A security feature is also used: the LoJack anti-theft protection. This software in the BIOS can locate a device as soon as it goes online again.

The showcased model actually made a handy impression and the keyboard could be used quite well, in passing-by. The "analog" camera cover for the 0.3 megapixel webcam is remarkable.

Configuration Eee PC 1016P

• Display: 25.7 cm / 10.1 inch (WSVGA, resolution: 1024x600), LED anti-glare type display
• CPU: Intel Atom N455 (1.66 GHz)
• Chipset: Intel NM10
• Graphics: integrated in the chipset (Intel GMA 3150)
• 32bit operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 professional
• Communication via Ethernet: 10/100/1000 MBit/s integrated
• Bluetooth 3.0 and WLAN 802.11 b/g/n integrated
• RAM: 2GB DDR3 RAM
• Hard disk: 250 GB HDD
• High-definition audio codec, integrated stereo loudspeakers and microphone
• Interfaces: 3 x USB 2.0, VGA, audio in, audio out
• Cardreader: MMC, SD (SDHC)
• Battery: 6 cell lithium ion (4400 mAh) / 40 watts
• Weight: 1270 grams
• Dimensions: 262 x 178 x 23.6 ~ 36.4 mm
>li>Colors: black, silver
• Standard warranty: 2 years incl. pickup & return service
• Availability: beginning of Q3 Germany/Austria
• Price: 449 euro RRP

The Eee PC minis have been given a facelift. The netbooks are available in red, blue, white, pink and black with a soft touch surface. They are technically equipped with the usual Intel Atom N450 processor. The difference between the P and PE versions is found in the hard disk and battery capacity. The "bigger" alternative, Eee PC 1015PE, can allegedly run for up to 12 hours.

Eee PC 1015PE
Hard disk: 250 GB HDD
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion (5200 mAh)
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR

Eee PC 1015P
Hard disk: 160 GB HDD
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion (4400 mAh)

Mutual configuration Eee PC 1015P/PE

• Display: 25.1 cm / 10.1 inch (WSVGA, resolution: 1024x600), anti-glare type display
• CPU: Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz
• Chipset: Intel GMA 3150
• Graphics: integrated in the chipset
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 starter
• Communication via Ethernet: 10/100/1000 Mbit/s integrated
• WLAN 802.11 b/g/n integrated
• RAM: 1 GB DDR2 RAM
• 0.3 megapixel camera built-in
• High-definition audio codec, integrated stereo loudspeakers and microphone
• Interfaces: 3x USb 2.0, 1x VGA out, 1x audio out, 1x audio in
• Cardreader: MMC, SD (SDHC)
Dimensions: 262 x 178 x 25.1 ~ 36.4 mm
• Colors: 1015PE – black/white/red/pink (glossy) or black/white/blue/red (matt) / 1015P black/white/blue (texture)
• Availability: beginning of Q3 Germany/Austria
• Price: 349 euro (1015PE), 329 euro (1015P)

It gets elite with the luxury Eee PCs. These 10.1 inchers have either the faster Intel Atom N475 (1.83 GHz), depending on the version, a USB 3.0 depending on the model. The 1018P is equipped with a fingerprint identification. The "smaller" Eee PC 1018P operates with an Intel Atom B455 processor and runs up to 10 hours, according to the manufacturer. It has to do without USB 3.0, but in return has a 30 euro lower RRP.

Eee PC 1018P with USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Atom N475 I.83 GHz
USB ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0
Fingerprint reader

Eee PC 1018P w/o USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Atom N455 1.66 GHz
USB ports: 3x USB 2.0

Mutual Configuration Eee PC 1018P models

• Display: 25.1 cm / 10.1 inch (WSVGA, resolution: 1024x600), glare type display
• Chipset: Intel NM10
• Graphics: integrated in the chipset, Intel GMA 3150
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 Starter
• Communication via Ethernet: 10/100 MBit/s integrated
• WLAN 802.11 b/g/n integrated
• RAM: 250 GB HDD
• Web memory: 500 GB, free for one year
• 0.3 megapixel camera built-in
• High-definition audio codec, integrated stereo loudspeakers and microphone
• Further interfaces: Bluetooth 3.0, 1x VGA out, 1x audio in, 1x audio out
• Cardreader: MMC, SD (SDHC)
• Battery 4 cell lithium polymer (6000 mAh)
• Weight: 1200 grams
• Dimensions: 262 x 179 x 18 ~ 21.9 mm
• Availability: beginning of Q3 Germany/Austria
• Price: 429 euro (with USB 3.0), 399 euro w/o USB 3.0

Asus also equips the Eee PC 1215N with Nvidia Ion 2 graphics, like the Lamborghini VX6. The 12 incher accommodates Intel's Atom D525 processor with two cores. Bluetooth 3.0 is supposed to provide a fast data transfer. Asus wants to supply a powerful secondary computer for mobile use with the 1215N. The slim seashell design of 296 x 203 x 38 millimeters only weighs 1400 grams. Available colors are classic black, silver or two different red shades.

Configuration Eee PC 1215N

• Atom D525
• Nvidia Ion 2 graphics
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 250 GB hard disk

Detailed specifications, prices and availability for the Asus Eee PC 1215 are not yet known.

The atomic keyboard appears to have finally arrived on the market, as it is now available. The Eee keyboard is an aluminum keyboard with an integrated 12.7 cm / 5 inch multi-touch display. It is a full-fledged, even if weak, PC. The device can be used as a PC and as a wireless keyboard connected to a monitor, projector or TV screen. With Ultra  Wireless Wideband (UWB, in the supplies), the Eee PC is supposed to be able to stream videos in HD quality over a distance of up to five meters to a TV set.

The integrated multi-touch display allegedly allows an intuitive operation. It calls up all programs, like Media Player or web chats quickly. The Eee PC operates with Windows XP Home and an Intel Atom N270 processor. This platform complies with the first netbook generation and is therefore obsolete. An HDD isn't used as the memory, but a shock proof 16 GB SSD is used instead.

Configuration EeeKeyboard PC

• Display: 12,7 cm / 5 inch (WVGA, resolution: 800 x 480), multi-touch display
• CPU: Intel Atom processor N270 (1,6 GHz, 533 MHz FSB)
• Chipset: Intel 945GSE / ICH7-M
• Video decoder: Broadcom AV-VD 904
• Operating system: Windows XP Home
• Communication via Ethernet: 10/100/1000 MBit/s integrated
• Bluetooth V2.1 and WLAN b/g/n integrated
• Wireless: Ultra Wideband Technology
• RAM: 1 GB DDR2 onboard Memory
• Hard disk: 16 GB SSD, 60 Day WebStorage trial access (free)
• High-definition audio codec, integrated stereo loudspeakers and microphone
• Interfaces: 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI out, 1 x VGA Out, antenna (WLAN and Ultra Wideband), Giga LAN, Audio in, Audio out, Ultra Wideband Receiver Interface
• Battery: internal battery / runtime up to 4 hours / 36 W
• Weight: ca. 1100 grams
• Dimensions: 145 x 425 x 10 ~ 24,4 mm
• Colors: silver with black bottom
• Supplies: The models are standardly delivered with adapter, Ultra Wideband Receiver, HDMI cable and mini USB cable
• Warranty: 2 years incl. pickup & return service
• Availability: Now in shops in Germany/Austria
• Price: 549 euro RRP