CES 2019: ASUS reverses the notch in its laptop with slimmest display bezel

Bezels aren’t just shrinking in smartphones, laptops have also started to lose them. ASUS’s latest attempt has the company reversing the notch and hiding its bottom bezel beneath the keyboard. The ZenBook S13 introduces the “world’s slimmest bezel” with a 97 percent screen-to-body ratio. ASUS achieved this by creating what can be considered a reverse notch (the webcam sticks out at the top of the screen) and hiding the bottom bezel below the keyboard when the laptop is open. On either side of the 13.9-inch 1080p display, the bezels are at 2.5mm, which means the overall footprint of this laptop is less than most 13-inch laptops.

The ZenBook S13 is powered by an 8^th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage. Impressively, ASUS was able to squeeze in NVIDIA’s GeForce MX150 GPU. These slim laptops usually rely on integrated graphics, so putting in discrete graphics is a great addition. Letting games like Fortnite can even run at the display’s native 1080p in 30fps. It comes with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a microSD card reader. There’s also an integrated fingerprint sensor in the trackpad. The laptop is expected to launch in Q1, but no word on pricing just yet.

Source: The Verge

ASUS expands Chromebook Education Series with new laptops

Aside from introducing its first Chrome OS tablet, ASUS also has new laptops to add to its Chromebook Education Series, which have access to G Suite for Education a.k.a. Google’s suite of cloud-based education apps.

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ASUS introduces first Chrome OS tablet

ASUS recently unveiled its Chromebook Education series and part of that line is a new form factor: a 9.7-inch ASUS Chromebook Tablet CT100. It’s the first ASUS Chrome OS tablet. This line of devices are designed to handle the wear and tear students will place on them, while making sure they stay creative and productive. The CT100 gets the same Chrome OS version available on the notebooks and Chromebox desktops, but helps introduce the technology to the kids. It features a rubberized chassis that’s less than 10mm thick, making it easier for small hands to grasp. If kids accidentally drop them, it’s rated for drops of up to 100cmm, which is around the height of most desks.

The screen is a QXGA display covered in strong tempered glass. It also comes with a stylus that hides into the tablet frame when it isn’t in use. It’s powered by a hexa-core OP1 processor, designed specifically for Chromebooks, and 4GB of RAM. Onboard storage is at 32GB and it comes with a 35Wh lithium-polymer battery, which ASUS claims is enough for a full school day. It charges via USB Type-C. ASUS hasn’t announced pricing or availability yet but it’ll be arriving in the coming months.

ASUS ROG Phone gets listed for late October release

If we are to believe the GearBest listing, the ASUS ROG Phone is set to come out around a month from now. The site states the phone will start shipping between October 22 and 24. The 8GB/128GB version is listed at around €1,140 (around CA$1,700), while the 8GB/512GB model goes for €1,400 (around CA$2,100). The phone is packed with a 90Hz AMOLED screen, binned Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, virtual trigger keys, 4,000mAh battery, and dual USB-C ports, among others. It was launched in June and the wait seems so long. Once it does come out though, is this a device you’ll consider getting?

Source: GSMArena