Laptop sightings - showing off at Computex 2012 (photos)
Are laptops dead? Manufacturers made their pitch with numerous new models at one of the world's largest tech shows, Computex 2012. The latest come in all different sizes, shapes, and even come apart.
See previous ZDNet coverage:
Computex 2012: AMD announces new E-Series processors, says it can do ultrathin laptops too
Computex 2012: Intel strikes back with a new wave of Ultrabooks
Computex 2012: ARM is positioned for the post-PC era
Computex 2012: Hands-on with Windows RT, Asus announces new Transformers
And here's coverage of Computex from CNET Asia
ASIS N56
The Asus N56V is a 15.6-inch laptop weighing in at 6 pounds, a middleweight system approaching the "desktop replacement" category. The slightly bronzed notebook has a 1,920x1,080-pixel-resolution display, 8GB of RAM, a 750GB, 7,200rpm hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce GT 630M graphics. The speakers above the keyboard fired off loud and crisp sound, but I wasn't as concerned with system design in this case; I focused chiefly on Ivy Bridge CPU performance.
Specs: 15.6-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, up to 8GB of RAM, 1TB 5400RPM or 750GB 7200RPM HDD, GeForce GT630M.
See the CNET first look.
This gallery was produced by CNET Australia and written by
Sony's first ultrabook, the Vaio T, doesn't fall far from the tree of other thin Sony laptops like the Vaio Z, but it's far more affordable: this is ultrabook-as-budget-laptop, not ultrabook as high-end computer.
Specs: 13-inch screen, Core i5 3317U, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 32GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1366x768, 1.6kg.
See the CNET review.
Just unveiled today at Sony's summer lineup launch event, the Vaio T is the Japan-based company's first Ultrabook. Its price (around US$1,000) and specs are comparable to HP's Envy 4 Ultrabook variant, so we put the two side-by-side to see how they stack up against each other.
Specs: 13-inch screen, Core i5 3317U, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 32GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1366x768, 1.6kg.
See the CNET review.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13-inch screen, Core i5 3317U, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 32GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1366x768, 1.6kg.
See the CNET review.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
This device is in a notebook form factor and comes with full-HD screens on both sides of the lid. The one on the outside is touch-capable and also supports a stylus.
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, dual 1080p IPS screens, third-generation Core processor.
See the CNET Australia first look.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, dual 1080p IPS screens, third-generation Core processor.
See the CNET Australia first look.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
The Asus Transformer Book is a convertible notebook, with a detachable screen that has multitouch support. More importantly, it is powered by a Core i7 processor, though it will have Core i3 and i5 options when it's available.
Specs: 11.6-, 13- and 14-inch screen, 1080p IPS screen, 4GB of RAM, Core i7, i5 and i3 third generation with SSD and HDD options.
It can instantly switch between tablet and notebook by detaching the screen.
(Credit: Vincent Chang/CBSi)
Specs: 11.6-, 13- and 14-inch screen, 1080p IPS screen, 4GB of RAM, Core i7, i5 and i3 third generation with SSD and HDD options.
It can instantly switch between tablet and notebook by detaching the screen.
(Credit: Vincent Chang/CBSi)
This 10.1-inch Tablet 600 features a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 chip with 2GB of RAM. There's only 32GB of storage, but the screen resolution and technology is identical to the 810.
While they come with keyboard docks, these won't work with current Asus Transformer products, though they still add USB ports and extend the battery life.
Specs: 10.1-inch screen, 1366x768 Super IPS+ screen, Tegra 3, 2GB of RAM, 32GB storage, Windows RT.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Asus' Netbooks were small, inexpensive laptops built mostly with plastic. The new Tablet 810 uses mostly aluminum and you can separate the keyboard dock from the screen. The build quality is also significantly better. You could say it's pretty much similar to the company's Transformer Android slates.
Specs: 11.6-inch screen, 1366x768 Super IPS+ screen, next-generation Intel Atom processor (Medfield), 2GB of RAM, 64GB storage, g-sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, e-compass, NFC, GPS.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 11.6-inch screen and 13.3-inch screen, 1080p, third-generation Core processor, 12mm thick.
See the CNET Asia hands on.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 11.6-inch screen and 13.3-inch screen, 1080p, third-generation Core processor, 12mm thick, SSD.
See the CNET Asia hands on.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CBSi)
The new Iconia W510 and W700 are 10.1-inch and 11.6-inch slates. Acer claims that the W510 will have up to 18 hours of battery life. It also has a keyboard dock, and you can rotate the W510 to face outwards (with the dock facing downwards) for presentations. As for the W700, it sports a full HD display, has a cradle and 8 hours of battery life.Specs: 10.6-inch screen, 1366x768, Intel third-generation Core processor.
See the CNET Asia preview.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CBSi)
Specs: 11.6-inch screen, 1080p, third-generation Intel Core processor, 4GB of RAM, Intel HD 4000 graphics.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
With Microsoft's Windows 8 OS expected to launch in a few months, PC vendors are preparing a number of devices to take advantage of the touch-based Metro interface. Asus is going with its Transformer-style detachable screen, while others such as Samsung and Lenovo have convertible notebook-cum-tablet hybrids in mind.
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 1366x768, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 24GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000. Video
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
The screen flips back and loads Metro interface.
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 1366x768, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 24GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000.
See the CNET Asia preview.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
The latest Samsung Series 9 goes extra-big, and the gamble pays off with the most portable and comfortable 15-incher you're likely to find. However, its high price and lack of higher-end features don't make it the best value. Here's more.
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1600x900, 1.16kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1600x900, 1.16kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1600x900, 1.16kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Chalk this one up on the interesting board: Toshiba has just announced an ultrabook with a 21:9 aspect ratio, known in the film world as CinemaScope.
Specs: 14.4-inch screen, 1792x768, Core i5 3317U, 6GB of RAM, 500GB hybrid HDD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1.7kg.
See the CNET Australia first look.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Fujitsu is finally making its much-hyped ultrabook official with the announcement of the new LifeBook U Series at a launch event in Singapore.
Specs: 14-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 32GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000.
See the CNET Asia hands on.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 14-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 32GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000.
See the CNET Asia hands on.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1.3kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
happens to be classified as an Ultrabook, though with an optical drive, discrete graphics and a weight exceeding 2kg, that's a bit of a stretch.
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1.3kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
This laptop will feature Lenovo's proprietary "Enhanced Experience 3" technology with RapidBoot, which claims to start 40 percent faster than a typical Windows 7 computer, and Lenovo Smart Update that "updates email, IM chats and social media messages even when in sleep mode".
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1.67kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 6GB of RAM, 120GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1.2kg.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13.3-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 120GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 14-inch screen, Core i5 3210M, 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, GeForce GT 640M.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 14-inch screen, Core i5 3210M, 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, GeForce GT 640M.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 13-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD, 24GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 4000.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 15.6-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 1366x768, 500GB HDD, GeForce GT620.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 15.6-inch screen, third-generation Core processor, 1366x768, 500GB HDD, GeForce GT620.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: 10.1-inch screen, 1920x1080, Tegra 3 (TF700T), Qualcomm 8960 Snapdragon S4 (TF700KL), 1GB of RAM, 16GB (TF700KL) and 32GB (TF700T).
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
The PadFone is a great idea and features a fantastic battery life when combined with its accessories. However, while the concept is cool, we think users may find the entire combination bulky.
Specs: Qualcomm 8260A Snapdragon S4 dual-core 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB storage, 10.1-inch screen 1280x800 (tablet), 4.3-inch screen 960x540 (phone).
See the CNET Asia review.
(Credit: Craig Simms/CBSi)
Specs: Qualcomm 8260A Snapdragon S4 dual-core 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB storage, 10.1-inch screen 1280x800 (tablet), 4.3-inch screen 960x540 (phone).
See the CNET Asia review.
Gigabyte's announcement of its X11 made waves last week with its claim to be the world's lightest. We managed to get our hands on the lone unit on display at Computex and were impressed by its design and build.
Specs: 11.6-inch screen, 1366x768, Intel Core i5-3317U or i7-3517U, 128GB SSD, third-generation Core processor, 975g.
See the CNET Asia hands on.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CBSi)
The Asus Transformer AIO features a large 18.4-inch multitouch display that can be removed from the dock, becoming a "wireless display for the AIO PC". This implies that the chunky dock for this device contains the PC innards used to power it. The interesting thing is that it runs dual operating systems, with just a single button to toggle between the two.
(Credit: Vincent Chang/CNET Asia)