Event Coverage

ASUS N43SL Notebook Launch (Taiwan)

By Andy Sim - 30 Jun 2011

When Jay Met Jonney

The ASUS N43SL Jay Chou Special Edition Launch

Which mobile computing device collectively combines the expertise of ASUS, Bang & Olufsen and Jay Chou?  The answer to that question is also the reason why we are in Taipei at this moment. More to the point, we are here to witness the launch of ASUS' latest N-series notebook, otherwise known as the N43SL Jay Chou Special Edition. In a jazzed up media affair, the press event opened with ASUS Chairman Mr Jonney Shih conducting an "orchestra" consisting of an array of 14-inch N43SL laptops. The enigmatic Jay Chou soon appeared, taking his seat at the grand piano before playing tunes to accompany Shih's electronic ensemble.

 The stage was set, and many of those present waited in anticipation before the Taiwanese pop star emerged. Those Chinese words flashed on the giant screen is the running slogan for the N43SL, loosely translated as "in pursuit of excellence" if you trust our shoddy Mandarin that is.

Seems like ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih has quite a flair for the musical kind. Besides tackling huge corporate decisions, he also has a knack for conducting symphonies such as those formed by an ensemble of notebooks. 

After his on-stage performance, Mr Shih confessed that his son and himself are admirers of Jay's musical accomplishments. So it's no surprise that the Taiwanese artiste was appointed as Chief Designer to help design the flamboyant N43SL. Chou also added he was never adept at drawing since he was a child, and he thanked the ASUS creative team for aiding him during the creative process. Just like the first N43 model launched last year, the 2nd-generation N43SL will feature audio hardware and technology co-developed by the Bang & Olufsen ICEpower team. Termed as SonicMaster, you may expect similar amplifier circuitry as well as larger acoustic chambers and speakers on the Jay Chou-flavored laptop as the previous N43. Lookout for more info and photos on the new N43SL after the jump.

Chou takes a break from his usual repertoire of hip-hop tunes and soppy ballads to bang out a classical piece during the ASUS event. We might not be huge fans of his, but we have to admit that the boy's got talent. You'll get to see how Chou influenced the N43SL's design over at the next page.

Jay and Jonney responding to the media's questions during the Q&A session. Jay revealed he wasn't extremely gifted in the art of drawing, and was thankful for the help shown by the ASUS creative team during the N43SL's design phase. He also added he sometimes had trouble conveying his thoughts to the team despite his abundant creative ideas.

Chou is now "officially" an ASUS employee after Shih handed him an ASUS staff pass. In jest, the event's presenter reminded Chou to report for work punctually despite his superstar status. Hmm, we wonder what is his salary like?

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