Computex 2012: live from Taiwan with what's next in tech
Computex 2012 has arrived, and we're here in Taiwan to bring you the news at it happens. Joins us this week as we spend some quality time with the latest gear that PC manufacturers have to offer, and dive headlong into a world of thinner, lighter laptops and tablets.
Freescale's tiny 12-axis board demonstrates Windows 8 sensor fusion (hands-on video)
Digging through our cameras for more footage from Computex 2012, we found this gem: a video demonstration of Freescale's 12-axis Xtrinsic sensor platform. This little green circuit board is absolutely covered with sensors, such that it can track a tremendous array of data in real time. In all, it's got a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, altimeter, inclinometer, thermometer, and an ambient light sensor too. The real draw here, though, is the way the hardware and software tie all the...
AMD's mountain: how the second-place PC chipmaker hopes to build cheaper, better laptops
"Think about the mountain," says AMD's John Taylor. He's talking about ultrabooks. "As you get up to $799, $899, $999, you've got 50 SKUs sitting up here, at this place. They're going to fall off." He shapes his fingers into a pyramid, so I can visualize the metaphor.
The fact that Intel has over 110 design wins for its proprietary laptop platform doesn't seem to phase AMD's director of product marketing very much. In his estimation, Intel's ultrabook initiative isn't just driving quality,...
PQI Air Card lets you wirelessly access your camera's photos (hands-on)
Wireless SD card manufacturer Eye-Fi has more competition inbound: not only will it have to deal with Toshiba's FlashAir and the SD Card Association's new iSDIO standard, but memory vendor PQI had a tiny Wi-Fi SD card of its own at Computex 2012. Like the FlashAir, PQI's new Air Card creates a dedicated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi hotspot when you plug it into your camera and press the power button, which you can connect to your tablet, phone or PC, after which point the photos and videos automatically...
Senseye hands-on, or how I learned to play 'Fruit Ninja' with my eyes (video)
In December, we told you how a technology called Senseye could let you control your phone just by looking at the screen. The applications for good eye-tracking technology are far-reaching: you can imagine how it might assist chefs, doctors, and other professionals who need their hands free or who suffer a physical disability. That's not the Senseye we spotted at Computex 2012, but we ran across a very similar idea at the show from a company called Utechzone, and I'm proud to say, I used the...
Qualcomm's quad-core Snapdragon S4 plays games, Smart TV reference design does multitasking
At Computex, Qualcomm demoed Windows RT on a dual-core Snapdragon S4 reference tablet, but there was also more powerful silicon to be found: the company's quad-core Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 and MPQ8064 were to be found playing games and slinging TV frames as well. As a result, we've got video demonstrations of both Qualcomm's Smart TV reference platform and the upcoming game Reign of Amira running on Android 4.0.
Don't pay any attention to that Samsung logo in the Smart TV video, as it's just a...
Noctua shows off noise-cancelling PC fan prototype
There are plenty of PC hardware components on display here at Computex Taipei, but Noctua is demonstrating a fan with integrated active noise-cancellation, a curio too novel to pass up. The technology was developed by Rotosub, and consists of a microphone, a metal band around a PC fan's frame, and a signal processor. The microphone captures the sound being emitted by the fan, feeds that data to the signal processor, which analyzes the noise and toggles magnets built into the tips of the...
Asus demos Thunderbolt display, PadFone docking monitor at Computex
Squirreled away in a corner of Asus' booth at Computex Taipei was the company's first Thunderbolt-equipped display. Details are limited: the 27-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution monitor was mounted to a wall so we couldn't really take a look at the ports for ourselves, but we were told that it also packs DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI inputs, and will be headed to the US at an unspecified time, for an unspecified price. That isn't very much to go on, but if you're looking to hop onto the...
Windows RT on Texas Instruments' OMAP 4 reference tablet (photos)
Texas Instruments has a Windows RT prototype, too: just like rival Qualcomm, the chipmaker is showing off a dual-core reference tablet behind closed doors at its Computex 2012 booth. Unlike Qualcomm, unfortunately, the demo was completely hands-off, and we weren't allowed to take any video. That's probably for the best, though: OMAP product manager Bill Crean was kind enough to give us a quick demo, but it was immediately clear from glitches here and there that there's a lot of optimization...
Watch this in 1080p: the Asus Computex 2012 keynote
Computex might not be a trade show quite on par with January's gargantuan CES, but for the Taiwanese companies exhibiting their latest wares, it's arguably the most important week on the calendar. Asus didn't disappoint this year, bringing out a wide range of innovative new designs, highlighted by the eyebrow-raising Taichi, a dual-screened Windows 8 laptop that can also serve as a tablet. In the words of the always entertaining Jonney Shih, "the ultimate transformation is no transformation"...
HD & Home
Upcoming Google TV set-top box will play movie streams from Android phones and tablets
One of the biggest selling points for the Apple TV is Airplay technology which easily lets owners broadcast content from their iOS devices (and soon from their Macs, as well). A similar feature will soon be coming to Google TV, thanks to set-top box maker Honeywld. The company is showing off a new Google TV box at Computex that will allow Android tablets and phones to push video to the set-top box, providing a simple way for users to get content onto their TVs. Users will need to install a...
An Ivy Bridge too far? AMD may have finally lost the battle against Intel's juggernaut
Welcome to Computex 2012, the coming-out party for Intel's Ivy Bridge CPU refresh and Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system. The two halves of an irresistible hardware-software combination that has dominated the PC world for so long that it has its own nickname — Wintel — came together in Taipei this week to once again reaffirm their supremacy. And AMD just stood on the sidelines, watching and scratching its head.
Think about all the marquee devices launched by the likes of Acer and Asus...
Snapdragon S4 laptops are in production for Windows RT, says Qualcomm's Rob Chandhok
He wouldn't tell us when, where, or who would be building them, but Qualcomm SVP Rob Chandhok told us that laptops aren't just a potential application for the company's Snapdragon S4 chips. At Computex Taipei, he admitted that Snapdragon-powered Windows RT notebooks are actually in production at this very moment. After seeing what the Tegra-toting Asus Tablet 600 can do, it would certainly make a lot of sense, and don't forget that Toshiba has a prototype Windows RT laptop with a Texas...
Intel demonstrates ultrabook-to-phone wireless charging
Intel's new all-in-one PC concept features inductive charging for your keyboard, but the company isn't stopping there — it envisages a future where ultrabooks will top up your phone. Demonstrated with an Acer Aspire laptop, the wireless charger is slimline enough not to add too much bulk to the ultrabook's form, and it can charge a compatible phone when in close proximity. You'll know that it's working when you hear a satisfying ping, and a notification also pops up on the notebook's...
NEC LaVie Z hands-on: an unbelievably light 13.3-inch ultrabook
The NEC LaVie Z isn't the lightest laptop ever made, but it's hard to believe that when you pick it up: the 2.2-pound notebook has a lithium-magnesium alloy frame that you'd swear was filled with air rather than the latest Intel Ivy Bridge silicon. We got our hands on the ultrabook at an Intel showcase at Computex Taipei this week, and we weren't just impressed by the lack of weight. The LaVie Z is also so thin that it can just barely house its full-size HDMI and USB ports, handsome, nicely...
Lenovo ThinkPad Windows 8 tablet shown at Computex
Lenovo hasn't been a player in the Windows tablet game for a while (unless you count the convertible X220), but it seemingly couldn't resist joining in with the never-ending deluge of tablets at Computex Taipei. Intel is showing off the company's prototype tablet, which doesn't have a name yet beyond the ThinkPad branding. It's 9.7mm thin, has a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 screen, and feels pretty light.
Unfortunately we weren't allowed to actually touch the screen once we picked the ThinkPad up, so...
Drobo and Belkin Thunderbolt peripherals appear at Computex
It's taken a while for Thunderbolt to gain wider adoption, but Intel is using Computex as an opportunity to highlight the connectivity standard. Two of the more notable products at its booth are the $399.99 Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock that was announced yesterday, along with a new Thunderbolt-enabled Drobo storage device. Unfortunately we're not yet able to do real-world performance tests on these devices, but the Belkin dock's solid construction at least gave us some idea of what you'll...
Android
Acer reveals sub-$200 7-inch quad-core Iconia Tab A110
Android's had a quiet showing here at Computex Taipei, but Acer just snuck out a new product that could well represent a breakthrough for the platform at large. The Iconia Tab A110 is at the company's booth without much fanfare, and on the face of it isn't particularly interesting — a 7-inch tablet with Android 4.0 that's powered by an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. However, we spoke to an Acer representative who said that the A110 would be positioned as the company's main low-end device when...
Microsoft
A closer look at the Asus Tablet 600 and Windows RT (video)
We just met with Nvidia here at Computex Taipei to take a more in-depth look at the Asus Tablet 600, the first Windows RT device to be announced. While no other OEMs have announced RT machines so far, Nvidia says its Tegra 3 system-on-chip will be powering each one at launch, and the company expects Microsoft's ARM-powered OS to be made available at the same time as Windows 8.
Nvidia wanted to emphasize the early state of the Tablet 600, but it looked pretty much ready for primetime to us...
Asus releasing world's first 802.11ac laptop, says Broadcom
In the past few weeks we’ve seen announcements for 802.11ac chips and routers, but computers that can actually take advantage of the new networking standard have been eluding us. Today at Computex, though, Broadcom VP Michael Hurlston announced that Asus's G75VW gaming laptop will handle the new networking standard, bestowing it with the title of "World’s first 5G Wi-Fi laptop." Since the G75VW is listed on Asus’s site as only having 802.11n, the two companies must be alluding to a...
Microsoft
AMD shows off 11-inch Compal Windows 8 hybrid tablet (update: video)
We've seen Intel's vision for Windows 8 already, but don't count out AMD. The company is showing off a Windows 8 tablet from Compal here at Computex Taipei, and it's in the hot form factor of the moment — the detachable keyboard dock. We spent some time with the 11.6-inch device, and while it's not the most attractive or thinnest (at "under 20mm") Windows 8 machine we've seen this week we didn't have any complaints about the unspecified AMD chip's performance. AMD also says that the tablet...
Microsoft
Nvidia promises 10+ hours battery life for Windows RT, no fans or vents in mobile PCs
Nvidia's Rene Haas gave a speech on the growing trend toward more mobile computers at Computex today, but the message was Windows RT: specifically, how ARM processors like the company's Tegra 3 will change the way we think of our computers in terms of battery life, noise, and heat. "It's really the next step in the evolution of the PC towards a true mobility device," said Haas. "The most popular seat in the Starbucks will no longer be the one by the wall adapter — you can sit where you...
Microsoft
Hands-on with a touchscreen Asus Zenbook Prime
We're still waiting for the Zenbook Prime UX21A to see a full release, but Asus has already prepared another variant for show here at Computex Taipei — a Windows 8 model equipped with a touchscreen. The company told us it's being "considered for production" right now, so we're not sure if it'll ever find a place in Asus's extensive Windows 8 lineup, but we came away impressed from our brief session with the ultrabook.
Touch response was excellent, and the hinge doesn't wobble under pressure...
Acer Timeline Ultra M5 hands-on: game-savvy ultrabook gets sturdier construction
Two months ago, we reviewed the Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M3-581TG, a 0.78-inch thick laptop that (properly configured) could play Battlefield 3. If you went out and tried to buy one, though, you were probably out of luck, because Acer decided never to launch the laptop outside of its native Asia. Why? The company was waiting to introduce the Ultra M5. It's the spitting image of its 15.6-inch predecessor, to the point where you'd swear it sprung from the same mold, but this 15.6-inch laptop...
Computex, day two: know your ultrabooks
While day one of Computex saw us buried under an avalanche of shapeshifting Windows 8 devices, day two was more grounded in the here and now. Intel was predictably keen to let us know that it sees the ultrabook as the future of traditional computing, showing off a huge number of models of which many are using its new third-generation Ivy Bridge processor design.
If you're wondering what on earth could set these machines apart from one another, we don't blame you — more than a few...
Dell Inspiron 14z and Inspiron 13z redux: one ultrabook, one not, coming June 19th (hands-on)
Yes, it's true: Dell's getting into the budget ultrabook and ultrabook-lookalike game today with the new Inspiron 14z and Inspiron 13z laptops. On the surface, they look much the same: Both have gotten a serious makeover since we originally praised their stylish budget designs, throwing out the XPS corners for a completely rounded, symmetrical frame. The Inspiron 13z is slightly slimmer and lighter at 3.81 pounds, with many flexible port covers for its several USB 3.0 sockets, HDMI 1.4a and...
Microsoft
Intel's All-in-One concept PC has plug-in upgrade module, 21:9 screen
Intel's 29-inch all-in-one PC doesn't have a real name — it's just called the All-in-One concept PC — but it does have a lofty goal: showing off technology that the company is developing, in the hopes that PC manufacturers will jump on board. It offers a 21:9 aspect ratio and is attached to an articulating arm that can pivot down to an easel mode or lay entirely flat. The concept was developed with help from a number of companies and isn't ever going to be available for sale (we couldn't...
Microsoft
Sony VAIO T ultrabook hands-on
How much laptop can Sony give you for $769.99? We can't be sure without a full review, but Sony's 13-inch VAIO T ultrabook, on sale today, feels pretty good. We only got a casual glimpse at the laptop under glass back in January, but at Intel's Computex 2012 event today we picked it up with our own two hands, and immediately admired its fairly rigid (for polycarbonate) chassis and decent (for its 1366 x 768 resolution) screen. It looks and feels more durable than some cheap metal laptops...
Microsoft
Dell Inspiron 14z ultrabook revealed at Intel Computex event
Intel is showing off a whole range of Ivy Bridge ultrabooks here at Computex Taipei, and a new Dell model is among them. We don't have much in the way of specs to offer, but the Inspiron 14z ultrabook (not to be confused with the earlier Inspiron 14z laptops) comes in a rather eye-catching shade of red. The form factor is on the bulky side, so we're keen to see what Dell has managed to fit in the chassis — the company clearly isn't aiming to push the envelope in terms of physical design,...
Intel outlines the future of the ultrabook
The last few days have been awash with touchscreen equipped ultrabooks, with companies like Acer, Asus, and Samsung showing off their take on the marriage of Microsoft's Windows 8, and Intel's energy efficient Ivy Bridge chipset.
Intel is chasing the demand for "mobile on-ramps," getting devices equipped with Intel-hardware in front of the growing demand for internet connected devices. There are currently 35 different ultrabooks on the market, and Intel expects the total to rise to 110...
Microsoft
Toshiba shows off first Windows 8 prototypes: convertibles, sliders, and tablets
Toshiba announced a handful of new Windows 7 devices today at Computex, but the company's also ready to talk Windows 8. We got a chance to see some of the initial hardware prototypes designed to run Microsoft's next OS — reps told us Toshiba is an incredibly close launch partner for Windows 8 — and it looks like manufacturers are really starting to think about different ways Windows 8 can be used.
Toshiba didn't reveal a lot of details, but reps showed us very early models of three...
Microsoft
Windows RT runs on a dual-core Snapdragon S4 tablet (hands-on video)
Want to see what Windows 8 derivative Windows RT looks like on a ARM-based tablet? Here's your best opportunity yet: Qualcomm loaded the OS onto its dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Liquid Development Tablet at Computex 2012 in Taipei, and we just took it for a spin. See us page through the basic Metro interface, a full-screen session of the game Vendetta Online, take a look at the weather in Taipei, pair applications side by side, swing by the classic Windows Desktop to prove that this is...
Microsoft
Toshiba outs LX830 all-in-one with 10-point touch input, refreshes business laptop line
On a busy day at Computex 2012, Toshiba is adding a new all-in-one PC to its home entertainment range with the LX830. Equipped with a wireless keyboard and mouse and a 23-inch HD display (1920 x 1080), the LX830 will be powered by the latest Intel Ivy Bridge processors, will support up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 2TB of HDD storage, and — for the Windows 8 enthusiasts out there — optional 10-point touch input.
In the United Kingdom, the LX830 will come with an integrated Freeview TV tuner,...
Toshiba launches the Portégé Z935, a 13.3-inch super light ultrabook
Toshiba has just launched what it is calling the "world's lightest" ultrabook, the Portégé Z935 (or Z930 in the UK). The 13.3-inch laptop is super light, weighing in at just over 2.4 pounds (that's just a bit more less than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air), and it's a slim 8.3mm at its thinnest point.
In terms of specs, the Portégé Z935 has the newest Intel Ivy Bridge processors, Intel's HD 4000 graphics, up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM, and an up to 512GB SSD. The laptop has a brushed magnesium...
Toshiba unveils first 21:9 ultrabook with 14-inch Satellite U845W
Today, Toshiba is announcing the Satellite U845W ultrabook with a surprising 21:9, 1792 x 768 display. The U845W's LCD is 14 inches when measured diagonally, and its wide and shallow dimensions give it a compact footprint. Toshiba is touting this unusual screen as being the first laptop display to play widescreen movies without black bars, plus that extra-wide aspect ratio should make fine use of Windows 8's ability to run apps side by side.
The U845W — known outside the US as the U840W —...
Samsung shows off Ultra Touch and Ultra Convertible ultrabooks
The Series 5 Ultra Convertible and Ultra Touch bear some resemblance to the Series 5 Ultrabooks that precede them, but the pair Samsung is showing off here at Computex are designed around Windows 8, offering 1366 x 768 touch screens. The Ultra Convertible takes the notion one step further, with a 13-inch screen that can fold back onto the base. While touch screens on ultrabooks have proven rather popular lately, there are a few questionable design choices here that give us pause. The first...
Microsoft
MSI Slider S20 convertible Windows 8 ultrabook hands-on
Acer and Asus introduced Windows 8 machines in every form factor under the sun yesterday at Computex Taipei, and here's another from compatriots MSI — the Slider S20, a "convertible ultrabook" with a hardware keyboard that slides out from under the screen. The sliding mechanism works well, with just the right amount of resistance and a satisfying pop into place. It comes across somewhat like an oversized Motorola Droid, with the useful exception that the keyboard doubles as a stand in the...
Mobile
Qualcomm will put Snapdragon chips into Windows Phone 8, adds 'S4 Prime' designation for smart TV chips
Qualcomm's Rob Chandhok took the stage at the Computex Innovation Forum in Taipei today, and he revealed something that makes quite a lot of sense: Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 will include designs based on Snapdragon chips. Considering that the company's processors have monopolized Windows Phone 7 handsets since day one, and our sources tell us that Sprint already has such a handset in the lab, it's not much of a surprise, but it's nice to have official confirmation that Qualcomm's integrated...
Microsoft
Samsung shows off redesigned Series 7 all-in-one PC
Samsung's latest Series 7 all-in-one PC is on display here at Computex Taiwan, and its large, slim chassis doesn't fail to impress. The company is staying tight-lipped on specs, as the PC is still in the prototype phase. We do know that the 27-inch all-in-one will offer a 2560 x 1440 quad-HD display, and 10-finger multi-touch support. Samsung also mentioned that the unit will offer what support for hand gestures and voice recognition, but they weren't showing what that means just yet. The...
Microsoft
Samsung shows off Series 5 Hybrid PC Windows 8 transforming tablet concept
Samsung's booth at Computex Taipei has an interesting curio — a prototype Series 5 Hybrid PC with a magnetic dock that runs Windows 8. The company isn't revealing much in the way of specs right now, but its interest in the form factor is notable following a huge number of similar Windows 8 devices from Asus and Acer yesterday. This one looks to be around 11 inches in size, and beyond the hinge there aren't many surprises in terms of industrial design, though we did notice a slot for a...
Microsoft
Computex, day one: the search for the perfect Windows 8 form factor
Day one of Computex Taipei is over, and the biggest news has been the extensive lineup of Windows 8 machines from local heroes Asus and Acer. It's a dizzying array of devices that we don't mind admitting has been more than a little tough to keep track of, and while several of them are impressive a glaring question remains — just what will be the best way to experience Windows 8?
it seems that Acer and Asus are pondering the same issue
Microsoft's latest OS leads a double life. The sleek,...
MSI Slider S20 to make Intel's convertible 'Letexo' ultrabook concept a reality
MSI is set to announce an 11.6-inch touchscreen ultrabook which seems to be based on the Letexo concept Intel showed off at IDF earlier this year. The MSI Slider S20 features an 11.6-inch ten-point multi-touch display, Intel Chief River CULV processor, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, and HDMI-out. The Slider's big feature is a screen that slides flat to convert the ultrabook into a fully-fledged Windows 8 tablet. That's all the information we have on the Slider S20 for now, but we'll bring you more...
Thermaltake Level 10 M mouse shows off the finer side of performance (hands-on)
The Thermaltake Level 10 M mouse is the second collaboration between BMW Designworks USA and Thermaltake, and it's a conversation starter, if anything. Call it streamlined: the body is made of aluminum, but its sparse innards are exposed revealing quite a bit of empty space. It's surprisingly light, and fit snugly in our palm. We couldn't actually strap the mouse to a PC and give a few games a go, but our limited hands-on time didn't disappoint. A honeycomb pattern on below the left button...
ViewSonic's Android Smart Display is a 22-inch tablet for your desktop (hands-on)
If you like the look of the Asus Transformer AiO but don't care about the portability factor, ViewSonic's Android Smart Display VCD22 may be of interest — it's a 22-inch 1080p Android 4.0 machine with an all-in-one form factor that you're unlikely to want to use on your lap. There's a 1GHz dual-core processor inside, along with 1GB RAM, and it seemed to back up the software smoothly enough with impressively speedy touch response.
The Android 4.0 skin itself seems to be untouched, but there...
Microsoft
Asus Transformer AiO dual-boots Windows 8 and Android 4.0 (hands-on video)
It would seem there's no stopping Asus' shapeshifting aspirations: at its press conference in Computex, the company announced the Transformer all-in-one, a desktop PC equipped with an Intel Ivy Bridge processor, a discrete graphics card, and an 18.4-inch 10-finger multitouch display in anticipation of Microsoft's Windows 8. Mustn't forget that "transformer" bit — lift the screen out of its base, and it doubles as a gargantuan tablet.
While in tablet mode, the Transformer AiO will use a...
Asus RT-AC66U AiCloud Router supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi for 1.75Gbps
Asus' newest router was just announced at Computex with 802.11ac Wi-Fi support. Like the Netgear R6200, Asus' RT-AC66U offers Wi-Fi speeds around three times as fast as 802.11n, capable of a combined 2.4GHz / 5GHz bandwidth of 1.75Gbps (1.3Gbps on 5GHz, 450Mbps on 2.4GHz) thanks to the advanced IEEE standard. It supports up to eight SSIDs and features Gigabit ethernet and two USB ports — one to host a 3G dongle and another for serving up DLNA media from an attached drive.
It also includes a...
Asus announces Tablet 810: 11.6-inch Windows 8 tablet with Intel Atom processor (update: video)
If you're not interested in a transforming Asus Windows RT tablet then the company is also revealing its Tablet 810 Windows 8 device today. The Tablet 810 will ship with an 11.6-inch Super IPS+ panel, 8-megapixel rear camera, and Intel Atom processor for the all important traditional desktop apps compatibility in Windows 8.
Asus has also packed in a Wacom digitizer with stylus support, alongside an extremely thin form factor: just 8.7mm thick (thinner than Apple's latest iPad). The Tablet...
Asus unveils Transformer Book Windows 8 convertible notebook (update: hands-on video)
Asus has revealed a number of new Windows 8 hardware offerings today, but it also has a convertible notebook planned for later this year. The Transformer Book is powered by Intel's 3rd generation Core i7, i5, and i3 processors alongside 4GB of RAM, USB 3.0, and Nvidia graphics. Asus is shipping the Transformer Book with a full HD IPS display in 11.6, 13, and 14-inch options.
A detachable full-size keyboard is available on the Transformer Book, allowing it to switch into a Windows 8 tablet...
Asus Taichi: a dual-display Windows 8 laptop / tablet hybrid (hands-on video)
Asus has just announced the Taichi laptop / tablet hybrid at Computex 2012 in Taipei. Essentially a laptop with a display on both sides of its lid, the Taichi features either dual 13.3-inch or 11.6-inch IPS HD displays, an Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM, SSD storage, two USB 3.0 ports, Micro HDMI, mini DisplayPort, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and "HD" front-facing camera.
When in laptop mode the Taichi offers a full-sized backlit chiclet keyboard and trackpad. Asus calls it an...
Asus announces Tablet 600: transforming Windows RT device with Tegra 3 and 2GB RAM (hands-on video)
Ahead of its Computex press conference, Asus is showing off the Tablet 600, a Windows RT device that takes the detachable keyboard form factor made popular by its Transformer Android series. It's got an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor, an eight-megapixel camera, 2GB RAM, and a 10.1-inch 1366x768 Super IPS+ panel. The press conference is going on right now, and we'll be sure to make hands-on impressions of the device our priority.
Microsoft
Hands-on with Gigabyte's incredibly light carbon fiber X11 laptop
Last week Gigabyte announced its X11 laptop, an 11.6-inch machine made from carbon fiber that, at 2.1 pounds, the company claims is lighter than the equivalent MacBook Air. We just checked the X11 out in person here at Computex Taipei, and it certainly doesn't weigh too heavy on the arms — though the tradeoff is a slightly less solid feel than we're used to from Apple's unibody design. The glossy finish is also one of the more prone to fingerprints we've seen.
Inside, we're looking at your...
Acer introduces Aspire S7 Windows 8 touchscreen ultrabooks (hands-on video)
Acer is unveiling its first Windows 8 collection at Computex and Taipei, and while it’s showing off some other, non-traditional designs, its Aspire S7 aluminum ultrabook is quite a looker. The 1080p touchscreen laptop is coming in two sizes — 13.3 and 11.6 inches — and Acer is quoting 12 and 9 hours of battery life, respectively. Other details are light, but Acer is adding a glossy layer of glass to the outside of the 13.3-inch machine’s aluminum lid. It seems like the company is...
Microsoft
Acer unveils 10.1-inch Iconia W510 Windows 8 convertible tablet (update: hands-on video)
Acer has just unveiled its Windows 8 lineup at Computex, among them the seriously attractive 10.1-inch Iconia W510 tablet. We're a bit light on details as of now but here's what we do know. The W510 is a convertible, full HD touchscreen, IPS display tablet with three different use "modes," including standard tablet style, docked with its detachable keyboard, and rotated 295 degrees from the dock in "presentation mode" which Acer showed off with a PowerPoint presentation on stage. With the...
Acer announces 11.6-inch Iconia W700 Windows 8 tablet (update: hands-on video)
Acer's unloading all of its Windows 8 announcements at Computex in Taipei today, among them the Iconia W510 and W700 tablets. While we don't have full specs for either yet, the W700 is an 11.6-inch Full HD, 10-finger multitouch touchscreen tablet with Dolby Home Theater sound, and it's also got a pretty interesting cradle to go with it. The cradle allows for a tilt of up to 70 degrees while in landscape mode for better viewing angles, and goes to 20 degrees for more convenient touch angles....
Microsoft
Acer unveils 27-inch Aspire 7600U and 23-inch 5600U swiveling Windows 8 all-in-ones (update: hands-on)
Acer has just announced two new all-in-one Windows 8 PCs at Computex 2012 in Taipei: the 27-inch Aspire 7600U, and the 23-inch Aspire 5600U. Acer is touting the slim form factors of the new U series, and says that the 5600U is the "thinnest all-in-one available," while the 7600U is just 35mm thin. Both the 7600U and the 5600U have "full HD" screens, 64-point multitouch display and Dolby surround sound, and their stands are pretty fantastic: they can be positioned completely vertical to the...
Apps & Software
The Verge is live from Computex, Taipei
As if E3 weren't enough trade show to be watching this week, The Verge is also coming at you live from Computex in Taipei, Taiwan. It's humid and rainy out here, but we'll be doing our best to bring you the latest on Windows 8 as well as showings from the likes of Asus, Acer, and more. Early rumors have suggested both companies will be making a push into Windows 8 tablets along with Toshiba, and there are indications that this will be a big show for Asus in particular. You'll be able to keep...
Asus, Acer, and Toshiba to unveil Windows 8 tablets next week, says Bloomberg
Bloomberg is reporting that several companies will use next week's Computex show in Taipei to reveal their Windows 8 tablets. According to the site's sources, we'll see an Intel-based tablet from Acer and a Toshiba tablet using a Texas Instruments ARM processor, along with Intel and ARM Windows 8 products from Asus. The Asus ARM tablet will reportedly be using a Tegra chip from Nvidia and use the same detachable keyboard form factor seen in the company's Transformer Android devices. Bloomberg...
