Asus Touts Performance, Looks, Competitive Pricing in Holiday PCs

Backed by the theme “In Search of Incredible,” Asustek Chairman Jonney Shih launched at a press conference in New York Tuesday a lineup of Windows 8-based computing products under the Asus brand, including what he called the first dual-screen convertible Ultrabook. Shih referred to the end of the “personal computer era” and the beginning of the “ubiquitous cloud computing era” marked by the “SoLoMo” themes of social, location and mobile. He touted Asus goals of performance, style and affordability.

The Taichi Ultrabook has a back-to-back 1080p dual-screen design, which Shih positioned for business productivity and family interaction where multiple users can “share information in exciting new ways.” Taichi is built around an Intel i7 core processor and tapers to 0.12-inches at its thinnest point in a 2.2-pound aluminum-wrapped case. With the lid open, Taichi acts as an Ultrabook with backlit keyboard and touchpad. With the case closed, Taichi acts as a tablet with a multi-touch screen, Shih said. Both displays use in-plane switching technology and they can be used simultaneously or independently, he said. Prices range from $1,299 for an 11.6-inch system, with 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD and Intel i5 Core processor to $1,599 for 256 SSD and i7 Intel Core processor, according to product specifications. Shipping is slated for November from select retailers and the Asus website, the company said.

The Windows 8-ready ET2300 all-in-one PC is a “full-fledged desktop with a 23-inch multi-touch screen and a double-hinge that allows users to position it as a traditional desktop or as a digital canvas that folds parallel to a table, Shih said. Additional features are Asus’s Sonic Master audio technology, WiDi and USB 3.0.

The Asus VivoTab is the first Windows RT-based detachable notebook, Shih said. The VivoTab “doesn’t compromise the real deal” in laptop mode, he said. Prices start at $599 for the Wi-Fi version, currently available, and a $699 3G version will release through AT&T later in the year, he said. The 10.1-inch tablet is powered by the Nvidia Tegra processor and comes in 32- and 64 GB versions, the company said.