Laptops Arena

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Asus has just released a new business portable computer following the design line of all its highly appreciated models coming in black with a stylish mirror finish. Characteristics include a spill-resistant keyboard against 120cc of liquid and built-in LED backlight for low light environments.

Meeting the requirements of business executives in mobile computing, Asus B50 enables high-speed wireless transfers, smart functionalities and reliable features, including a short boot-up time of just 8 seconds via the Express Gate. The latter capability gives the user instant access to the most important applications like web browsing, instant messaging, picture management multimedia player and online gaming.

Running on the Intel Centrino 2 processor technology, the new notebook provides smart power management with low consumption, which leads to an operating time amount of up to 5 hours.
For security, the model comes equipped with biometric technology for fingerprint scanning to allow access to the data stored only to the right users. In addition there is also the Trusted Platform Module for hardware-based encryption and secure login, which is very important during online transactions.
You can use the detachable docking station designed especially for this notebook model to connect all your peripherals and external devices quicker, keeping all your work organized.

The internal configuration includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor from T9400, P8600, P8400, P7350, T5850 or T5750, the Windows Vista operating system pre-installed, Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset, up to 4GB DDR2 memory, Intel GMA X4500HD graphics chipset, a DVD Super-Multi Light Double Layer to burn CDs and DVDs, up to 320GB S-ATA HDD storage, the Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100, a built-in 1.3MP web camera for video conferences, and an 8-cell battery type.

Asus B50 measures 36.3 x 26.3 x 2.5 - 3.57 cm at a weight of 3Kg with the battery, and sports a 15.4-inch display with Color Shine technology and ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology.

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ExpressCard slots replace the standard PC cards, adding support for both PCI Express and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity. The cards are hot-pluggable and support Firewire, external SATA drives, SSD drives, wireless cards, TV tuner cards, sound cards, external memory, and others.

One of the performance-increasing uses is the addition of external graphic cards to laptop computers, like the XG Station model from Asustek, compatible with HDCP and HDMI, which won a honorable mention at Red Dot Product Design 2008.
The HDCP is a digital copy protection method against copying of digital audio and video content, while traveling across DisplayPort, Digital Visual Interface, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Gigabit Video Interface, or Unified Display Interface connections.

It is the world’s first multimedia docking station featuring Dolby sound technology, real-time adjustments for GPU clock, fan speed and audio volume, LED display, and the company’s Splendid and GamerOSD hardware protection and overclocking tool.
Asus’ Splendid technology improves video display, enhances depth and color intensity in real time, increases image details, and provides 4 viewing profiles to match different viewing conditions.

Compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, Asus XG Station sports a LED display on which you can check the FPS, GPU speed, Temperature, Volume and Fanspeed, while featuring the following Dolby’s sound enhancements: Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual speaker, Dolby Digital Live and Dolby Pro LogicIIx.



Graphics are powered by an NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT with SLI, 256MB GDDR3 memory, DirectX10 and Shader Model 4.0 for cool video effects. In addition, there are the OpenGL 2.0 support, 4 USB 2.0 ports, and single dual-link DVI outputs for 3840 x 2400 at 30Hz resolution displays.

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You are probably expecting that a rugged notebook computer to look bigger than standard models, and to be heavier, but Asus is an expert in technologies and design, so the latest model released might be one of the best choices for mobile computing in field work.
To sustain this, Asus encased the model in a strong magnesium alloy chassis and added rubber bumpers to protect it against shocks, finishing with a strong film with anti-scratch properties.

Tested to military specifications, Asus B51 supports drops from up to 75 cm height, while the hard drive has a sponge protection system. The keyboard is spill resistant featuring a specially designed drainage path.

If we talk about performance we have to mention the components that power the new notebook from Asus, and here we have an Intel Core 2 Duo T8300/T8100/T5850/T5750 processor, the Mobile Intel GM965 chipset, Intel GMA X3100 graphics chipset, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/4965ABGN connectivity, up to 4GB DDR2 RAM memory, S-ATA hard drive with up to 320GB storage capacity, an optional built-in 1.3MP camera for videochat, optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and an 8-cell battery.
The Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset with the X3100 graphics chipset supports Windows Aero effects from Windows Vista operating system, and features Intel Clear Video Technology for imaging enhancement, and the 3D graphics support with more than 2X scores on 3Dmark06. It has dual-channel memory, 800/533 MHz system bus, PCI Express x16 graphics ports and PCI Express x1 I/O ports, Serial ATA, and USB 2.0 connectivity. The next generation of remote client network management for business, called Intel Active Management Technology, is also supported via the advanced chipset.

Users can choose from a few processing speeds according to their needs, and the options start with a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750, and up to the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8300.

Asus B51 rugged notebook runs on Windows Vista Business operating system and measures 36.5 x 27.3 x 3.82 cm at a weight of 3.1Kg including the battery.
In the following video posted by Asus on YouTube you can see a short presentation of the new rugged notebook computer.

<-234x60 Half Banner - left->I was telling you about Asus M50 and M70 as the first laptops coming with 1 Terrabyte storage capacity and AuthenTec’s fingerprint sensor technology.
Asus M50 was released in March and is the Asus M70’s turn to show up in stores featuring a 17-inch wide display of 1920 x 1200 resolution, Blu-ray and high-definition support for both audio and video.

The built-in Altec Lansing Speakers and Dolby Home Theater support make it a great mobile solution for full entertainment and it also features 2 HDD modules each of 500GB capacity.
Using the specially designed touchpad, the user can control the volume, play/pause the media, and a few others, with a tap of a finger, and when going back to working the user can change the pad back to normal cursor movements.

Asus M70 uses the SmartLogon technology for handsfree computer access after a facial recognition short procedure via the 1.3MP swivel camera which allows only the right user access the data.
Another security method provided by Asus M70 is the fingerprint scanner, so the user can choose which one to use and when.

Among the notebook’s specifications we encounter an Intel Core 2 Duo processor up to T9300, Intel wireless module, Windows Vista operating system pre-installed, ATI Mobile Radeon HD3650 graphics card with 1G VRAM or the ATI Mobile Radeon HD3470 with 256MB VRAM, up to 4GB memory, and Intel Turbo Memory.

Finally we have updates regarding the Asus Eee PC 900 we wrote about last month.
The improved version of the Asus Eee PC is characterized by the 8.9-inch display size of 1024 x 600 pixels which is larger than the previous Eee PC models’, and in addition it brings a built-in 1.3MP camera, 12GB or 20GB SSD storage capacities at 5400 rpm, Windows or Linux operating system, and all these in an 1Kg white ultra-portable PC.

With FingerGlide technology users have an innovative and easier way of accessing the data and this happens via two finger movements on the touchpad for zooming and scrolling, while holding the lightweight PC in one hand.
Other features include 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, Intel Mobile processor, 1GB DDR 2memory, Intel UMA display card, high-definition sound via built-in speakers, card reader, 3 USB ports, VGA-out, earphone jack, microphone, and a total dimension of 22.5 x 17.0 x 2 cm.

Asus Eee PC 900 with full display will be available this summer in selected countries at a higher price compared with the previous versions, of $630.