CES 2011: Show Floor Coverage (Part 3)
In our continuing show floor coverage of CES 2011, we cover some really cool tablets, notebooks and other PC hardware from ASUS, as well as new Mitsubishi TVs and a quick peek at some extreme Shuttle XPC systems.
Memos, Sliders and Transformers
Meet the ASUS Eee Pad Memo which we had our first glance in Computex 2010. It is now much more mature and it should be available sometime in March. For the uninitiated, this is a 7-inch tablet, built-in stylus, runs on Google Adroid (Honeycomb) OS and is powered by a Qualcomm 1.2GHz processor. It even has dual cameras (5MP and 1.2MP) for easy video conferencing, and doubles up as a mobile phone with its GSM quad-band support (talk via a BT headset of course!).
Now for those who got jitters on knowing it has a stylus pen, fret not as the screen is a capacitive screen. The stylus is an additional input source for precision needs and comes handy for doodling (which responds to pressure as well) and other such needs. The Eee Pad Memo might not be as petite for its intended screen size, but it's a versatile sidekick for various needs.
Next, meet the Eee Pad Slider, an NVIDIA Tegra 2 powered tablet with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It has a 10.1-inch WXGA capacitive touch screen, dual camera sensors, optional 3G module and all of this runs on an Android (Honeycomb) OS. Like the Memo above, the Slider too supports ASUS MyWave, an online content store with cloud services.
And here she is in the horizontal layout and the keyboard slid out. It's practically a lightweight netbook.
Here's another version of the Slider tablet called the Eee Pad Transformer. Most of the specs are similar to the Slider seen above, but the main difference is the detachable keyboard, which also doubles up as an extra battery pack. The Transformer is ideal for those who need the tablet form factor more often but also want the versatility to snap one in when needed.
Refreshed Notebooks
The Eee PC 1215B is based on AMD's latest Brazos platform (AMD Fusion). This 12.1-inch unit is powered by the AMD E350 APU (1.6GHz, dual-core) and comes with the usual configuration options for memory and storage.
The ASUS Bamboo collection grows in size and variety. Seen here is a large U53 model with a 15.6-inch LED-backlit screen (1366 x 768 resolution) powered by the latest Intel Core processor options, a HM65 chipset and even a brand new discrete GeForce GT520M graphics engine supported by NVIDIA Optimus technology.
We saw the huge and interesting looking NX90 not long back, and in this show, we saw the newer and smaller sibling, the N53. Using the same B&O ICEPower and ASUS SonicMaster technology for better audio performance, the N53 15.6-inch notebook carries newer underlying hardware like the second generation Intel Core processors, Intel HM65 chipset, GeForce GT 550M with 2GB video RAM and USB 3.0.
The stealthy G53 notebooks gets updated internally with new Intel Sandy Bridge processors, GeForce GTX 460M GPU and a 3D capable screen option (though the resolution drops to 720p to keep costs in check). The more expensive Lamborghini VX7 also follows suit with the same hardware updates and options.
Some nice 'bling bling' accessories for their portable devices.
New PC Hardware - Mobos, GFX cards and More
The ASUS PA246Q is a professional monitor with a 24-inch IPS screen and comes with a unique QuickFit function which overlays real size document, photo and grid formats onscreen for users to quickly assist on alignment and editing.
The new EeeBox PC EB1501P is still using an Atom based system but now comes with second generation NVIDIA ION graphics, USB 3.0 and comes with a built-in ODD.
The ASUS P8H67-I Deluxe is their latest HTPC solution based on the mini-ITX form factor.
For an AMD platform, the new E35M!-Pro microATX motherboad is an ideal HTPC choice with a built-in AMD Zacate processor and is passively cooled.
ASUS' custom edition Radeon HD 6970 arrived using DirectCU II design.
Following the well implemented RT-N56U wireless-N router with simultaneous dual-band operation, the new RT-N66U has the same capabilities and comes with other data shaping, QOS and priority controls.
Mitsubishi Booth - LaserVue Gets Bigger!
Mitsubishi is still going strong with their LaserVue series based on the DLP rear projection TVs. Their reason is that as screen size grows, the cost of LCD TVs go up very steeply and rear-projection DLP technology TVs offer the best performance to price ratio. Seen at the show is this new massive 92-inch model. See the mock 46-inch screen size for comparison? That's the equivalent cost of getting this massive screen too.
Here's the same TV in action. Additionally, all of their LaserVue TVs are 3D upgradable easily and don't carry a premium price tag as LCD TVs do.
Not to be outdone by their competition, Mitsubishi will also soon start to offer 3D LED TVs as optional offerings. Just like how Panasonic offers LCD TVs when they are concentrating on Plasma primarily.
Outside of their booth, this is a massive large format organic LED TV demoed by Mitsubishi.
Shuttle's Booth
Shuttle hasn't gotten anything really exciting, but here's a product that Shuttle is angling as personal workstations. This is the Shuttle SH67H3 whose specs include support for a Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor, up to 16GB of memory and workstation graphics cards such as AMD FirePro and NVIDIA Quadro FX.
Shuttle's other extreme product is this SX58J3 that's aimed at extreme gamers. Even the chassis sports such a finishing to dictate who it's aiming, Inside, it's an Intel X58 system with a Core i7 Extreme Edition processor, support for up to 16GB of memory and can support extreme graphics cards like a GeForce GTX 580 or an AMD Radeon HD 6970.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.