[REVIEW] : Asus Eee PC 1215B

Asus Eee PC 1215B

Netbook with a notebook spirit. 

Red with Patten

The new Asus 1215B now packs the latest AMD E-450 processor where its 25% better than its previous processor AMD E-350. The 1215B is the bridge between people who wants a lighter notebook without compromising performance.


The AMD E-450 is now equipped with an AMD 6320 (256mb) Graphics that is still clocked at 400Mhz. But with the new AMD Turbo Core technology (kinda sounds like Intel Turbo Boost), its able to overclock in a stable condition making your mobile experience faster when you need it. The processor can already perform well in applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Visual Studio for programmers or even games like Starcraft II is playable in fair graphics settings.


 

Now with USB 3.0 compared to its previous generation. The Eee PC 1215B is future ready not only in Hardware but also in design, as its Seashell design is enchanced with 3 colors rather than its just plain White and Black colors before. Now there is Silver, Black with Pattern and Red with Pattern

The chiclet keyboard of Asus is improved in the 1215B not only in ergonomics in typing but as its easier to clean and the keys can't pulled like notebooks in other brands. 

The touchpad is quite big compared to other 12 inches netbooks. although the seamless design is a little setback for persons with big fingers as it may interfere with your touchpad experience due to that when pressign the left and right touchpad buttons there is a chance your finger may touch the sensor area besides your finger in the touchpad area thus can mimic a "Muti-touch" gesture even if you don't want too. 

Asus Eee PC 1215B Specs

Dual-core 1.0GHz AMD Fusion E450

Windows 7 Starter

12.1-inch glossy LCD display (1366 x 768)

Integrated AMD Radeon HD 6320

2GB DDRAM (upgradeable to 4GB)

500GB 5400rpm SATA HDD

WiFi 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0

0.3 mp webcam

Ethernet; HDMI; Headphone; Kensington Lock; Microphone; 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0; VGA

2-in-1 card reader

3.4 pounds

SRP: Php22,995

Overall the Asus Eee PC 1215B is truly a Netbook with a notebook spirit. Bringing the latest AMD Processor E-450 it will definitely show how a netbook should be. The biggest contender of the 1215B would be HP's new DM1 as they packed Beats Audio in their unit, but we shall see if their audio is better since I haven't seen any of their unit in the market for now.

Disclaimer : Some Photos are from Pinoytechblog.com
http://www.pinoytechblog.com/archives/asus-eee-pc-1215b-review

Read More

Review : K43TA

Asus K43TA

Its AMD's Turn now

Asus K43TA

The Asus K43TA is one of the 1st AMD APU Notebooks from Asus offering an AMD Sabine A6 processor. 

AMD A6 Vision Logo

So why call it A6? Well basically AMD's naming convention is similar to Intel just replace "I" with "A" and add 1.

Intel Core i3 = AMD A4 + AMD Radeon + AMD Radeon® HD 6650M 1GB DDR3

Intel Core i5 = AMD A6 + AMD Radeon® HD 6720G2 1GB DDR3

Intel Core i7 = AMD A8

AMD A6 clocked at 1.4Ghz and has an AMD Radeon® HD 6720G2 with 1GB DDR3 supplies the best performance of AMD. Although people may get "off" in its 1.4Ghz clockspeed, don't underestimate as its already a Quad-Core

 notebook.

 Since before AMD's image are cheap but powerful processors. Although they improved their processors their price value is still the same.
The K43TA offers a different body materials from its streamline brother K43SJ. While the SJ has an Aluminium Body, the K43TA is plastic but has an Honeycomb texture.

Also the keyboard is the Wave keyboard of Asus instead of the Chiclet keyboad standard in most Asus notebook varieties. But as a K series, Altec Lansing speakers is a standard. 

The K43TA can handle most games today in fair settings, for example Crysis 2 is playable in advanced graphics settings. But when tuned to hardcore settings you will experience latency in commands already.

What's great about the K43TA is the price point, at projected price of 29,000 pesos. Its even cheaper than an i5 Sandy Bridge Notebook like the K43SV where its 32,995.

Equipped with standard notebook connectivity, 

• 1 x USB 3.0 
• 2 x USB 2.0
• HDMI v1.3 
• VGA D-Sub Port
• RJ-45 / LAN
• 3.5mm Audio - In Port
• DVD-RW Standard 

 Given AMD's new APU processors and Asus Technology, you're sure to have the latest power of AMD with no worries. 

Read More

[Review] : Eee Pad Slider

Eee Pad Slider SL101 

Changing the Game Once Again

Eee Pad Slider SL101

       The Eee Pad Slider is another CES 2011 launched product of Asus. Where its the 1st tablet to have its own keyboard, they keyboard is opened through sliding thus its name "Slider". What's innovative about the Eee Pad Slider is that it doesn't aim to become a normal tablet, but its designed to capture the tablet prospects but still needing a physical keyboard

As typing in touchscreen is inconvenient in long duration, the Eee Pad Slider solves the problem of having a Physical Keyboard in tablets. Honestly I would like to see this concept into a 14" notebook. The Eee Pad slider is slightly more wider than the Eee Pad Transformer, the fact that in comparing the Transformer to other tablets its the most widest. 

Bottom View

Thicker than most tablets, the Eee Pad Slider is still an worthy tablet as it offers the Physical keyboard for enchanced user experience. Just like the Eee Pad Transformer, the keyboard keys are simillar to the Chiclet keyboards of netbooks but decreased by 1 row to fit into the keyboard all the needs. 

Picture from Yugatech

The specifications of the Eee Pad Slider is standard and same as the Eee Pad Transformer, but this time the Eee Pad Slider has an USB 2.0 Slot due to the keyboard body enables the unit to have more space. At 17mm and 980grams its one of the heaviest tablets in the market, but its the sacrifice of having a physical keyboard. Surprisingly a wireless mouse can work with the Android OS, making productivity even more fun and convenient.

Battery life is up to 8.5 hours, 1 hour less than Eee Pad Transformer's 9.5 declaration of usage mobility. Honestly the Asus Eee Pad Slider is more practical for me as I am not picky in weight and thickness, but others may still consider the Eee Pad Transformer due to its additional battery life. 

Overall the Eee Pad Slider is a worthy tablet in the market today, offering a physical tablet is really a factor to consider as consumers are still not used to touch screen usage in long duration. Given the approach of Asus to tablets, the concept of N+1 really placed Asus to become a worthy tablet manufacturer. Its no doubt that the Eee Pad Slider is one two options from Asus for you not to let go your beloved Physical Keyboard. 

Eee Pad Slider Specs

• NVDIA Tegra 2 1.0Ghz Dual Core 
• 8.5 hours of battery life
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB EMMC Storage
• Chiclet Type Keyboard
• 1x USB 2.0, 1x Mini HDMI, 40-Pin Connector, Micro SD, Audio Out
• 980g / 17mm

*Pictures are from Hardwarezone.com.ph and Yugatech

Read More

[Review] : N45SF

Asus N45SF
Incredible in Sound

Asus N45SF

The Asus N5 Series is the next generation notebook of Asus for the higher end market. This multimedia notebook of Asus just doesn't aim to provide better sounds, but now the N series notebook is designed by the same designer of the Asus Flagship notebook the NX90 David Lewis.

Its powered by the Latest Intel 2nd Generation i5 - 2410 Processor with its partner for graphics NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M with 1GB DDR3 VRAM. The notebook was launched in the recent Computex 2011 where it was introduced to even uplift the experience of users through sound. 

White and Black N5 series notebooks

Given its silver keys in the keyboard, its approach is another level to notebooks as said earlier its co-designed with David Lewis. The notebook now takes more of a straight and sharp detail look and smooth curves in the edges for more high class delivery.



Sound is the forte of the N series as it continues the legend of the Bang & Olufsen Speakers. But this time Asus included an external subwoofer for real audio delivery. The subwoofer is small and just like holding a Mini-Mug. Compared to the previous versions of N series, the speaker chamber is beveled to have more bass production, but now due to the separate subwoofer the speakers are now flat but still produces crystal clear sound. 


So what does this mean to a regular Notebook user? To make it short, you can actually hear what you are playing :)

Asus Sonic Master Subwoofer

Asus N5 Series Speakers

Sonic Master the proprietary sound encoder of the N45SF where it said to deliver almost real sound quality. The N45SF is one of the 1st Asus Products to have Super Hybrid Engine 2, where it has now "Instant On" where it can start up in just 2 seconds from Sleep. Also with two USB 3.0 Ports, it offers the fastest connectivity


Given the quality of sound of the N45SF, its sufficient enough for people who doesn't want earphones. As a Video editor myself, the N45SF gives my needs in creating my AVP's especially when it comes to Adobe After Effects.

Speccy of N45SF

Overall the N45SF delivers a true audio experience for mobile computing, this notebook can enable users to be more immerse in their Multimedia experience. Thanks to its improves Bang & Olufsen Speakers and new class design. 

Read More