Tech in Style Issue 15 (Worldwide)

Page 1

ch as m l st a ri i

BRINGING INNOVATIONS TO LIFE

spec

Tech in

Holiday gift guide

Fashionable, fast and feature-filled tech that’ll make friends envious!

Meet the new ASUS ZENBOOK

Style, travel and performance become one

Eee PC 1025CE Give a gift with flare

5 YEARS OF ROG From Project G to the true Republic of Gamers

ISSUE 14 NOVEMber 2011 www.techinstyle.tv


Editor's Letter

S

eason’s greetings and welcome to the 2011 holiday edition of Tech in Style magazine! The last few months of this year are absolutely packed with new launches and technology innovations, which is both extremely exciting for us and also admittedly a bit daunting, when you're trying to compile a gift list. We’ve dived through the new additions to detail what features are important, and who they'd be perfect for. Let me take you through a brief example: If you’re serving up a family Christmas you want to share, there is a beautiful new all-in-one (AIO) with 27 inches of screen real-estate the family can gather round. Alternatively if you want something more active, the new bundled WAVI Xtion lets you can play games controller-free on your HDTV. At the other end of the scale, if you plan to take a holiday in the New Year, an Ultrabook or tablet will certainly be the perfect travel companion, as they are extremely lightweight and thin.

Despite all the fun and games, we’re not forgetting the business folk. The Eee Slate B121 offers both touch and pen control on the large 12 inch display. Running Windows 7, it has native support for a huge range of professional and business applications from the likes of Adobe, Microsoft and many more. We hope you enjoy our new edition of Tech in Style magazine, and between issues please come and join us on our website at www. techinstyle.tv and Facebook page at facebook.com/techinstyle.tv.

Richard Swinburne, Editor

About ASUS ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktops, Eee Box and all-inone PCs, notebooks, netbooks, tablet devices, servers, multimedia and wireless solutions, networking devices, and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,398 awards in 2010, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than 10,000 and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2010 was around US$10.1 billion.

2

|

issue 14

Tech in Style

issue 14

Christmas 2011 EDITORIAL Editor Richard Swinburne PRODUCTION Production Manager Helen Ling Art Director Quawn Hsu Lead Designer Chiou Chong Lee

Copyright: ASUS Technology Private Limited, 2011. All editorial content in this magazine has been sponsored by ASUS. While every care was taken preparing this magazine, ASUS Technology Private Limited cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information nor any consequences arising from it.


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Contents

04 For the adventurer in your family Balance beauty and performance

06 Welcome to the Ultra era

Balance outer beauty with inner peace

08 Give a gift with flare

Choose from a huge range of colors on a brand new design

10 Still searching for that incredible gift?

Performs excellently, looks great and sounds perfect

12 Family-sized entertainment to share

04 10

The ET2410’s bigger brother launches with 10 point multi-touch, SonicMaster speakers, a bundled subwoofer and 27� of desktop space to share

14 Slated for business

Tired of your work laptop? The B121 could be exactly what you need

12

16 Struggling to find something for a techy? Look no further! ASUS P9X79 series motherboards with Dual Intelligent Processor 3 with New Digi+ Power control

18 Five years of passion to be the choice of champions

From Project G to Republic of Gamers, the ROG Way

NOVEMber 2011

|

3


Adventurer in your family For the

Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Primed with beauty and brains

4

|

issue 14


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

H

ot on the heels of the hottest selling Android tablet this year,the Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the bigger brother of the Eee Pad Transformer, combining a new, exquisite design with the most powerful tablet hardware ever. Both the Transformer and Transformer Prime will exist together to offer a choice of pad experience. The immediate impression the Transformer Prime gives is from its new spun-finished metal design. This technique produces a stunning textured patterning that seems to catch the light at any angle; perfect for showing off your brand new ultraportable Eee Pad anywhere. The Transformer Prime sports a thinner 8.3mm profile than any existing tablet on the market, including the iPad and Galaxy, and combined with a lighter 586g design than even the Apple iPad 2 (at 601g) it’s effortlessly transportable and feels closer to the natural ‘magazine’ hold than ever before. The revised locking mechanism also makes the new keyboard dock easier and more secure clipping together. This was an improvement ASUS engineers worked on from feedback from existing Transformer users, over social media platforms such as the popular ASUS Facebook fan page. There’s still the Corning Gorilla Glass needed to protect the Super IPS+ panel underneath, and its backlight is now capable of a super-high brightness, making the Transformer Prime readable even outdoors! Another upgrade is the rear camera, which is now

upgraded to 8MP with flash and large aperture design, to clearly capture every moment in photo or 1080P HD video recording. The front facing camera is a 1.2MP for applications such as video conferencing, which is suited perfectly for the recently updates Skype app. Powering the Prime is a brand new, quad core Nvidia Tegra 3 CPU. This latest ARM chip is the most powerful packed into a tablet to date, enabling unprecedented performance in anything you can throw at it. With Google’s Android and its Apps getting ever more advanced it’s a clear investment if you’re interested in doing some serious work or gaming on the go. This is backed up with 32GB or 64GB internet eMMc storage, as well as unlimited ASUS Webstorage (using the built-in App) for a year, and not to mention support for USB hard drives and thumb drives. You should never be without your data again! While the design and Tegra 3 are perhaps the most anticipated upgrades, the most understated change is perhaps the SonicMaster speaker upgrade where the Eee Pad Transformer Prime receives an even larger set of tuned stereo speakers! SonicMaster is more than just a name, it must achieve a suitably primed audio-fidelity in order to bare the brand; this includes upgraded speakers, amplifier and codec. The Transformer Prime is the perfect gift for any adventurer who likes to travel, share and blog on the go, in style, wherever and whenever they want.

Tech Specs Screen 10.1” LED Backlit screen with Super IPS+ (1280 x 800) and 10 finger multitouch Scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass OS Android 3.2 Honeycomb(1) (Free upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich when available) Platform NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 Quad-core CPU Capacity 32GB /64GB(2) EMMC + one year unlimited ASUS Webstorage(3) Memory 1GB LP-DDR2 Connectivity 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + ED Cameras 1.2MP (front), 8MP Auto focus (rear) with flash Sensors G-Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, E-compass, GPS Flash support Yes(4) Multi-tasking Yes

Connectivity (Pad) 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone/Mic-in); 1 x micro HDMI 1.4a port; 1 x Micro SD Card Reader; 1 x Internal Microphone; 1 x Stereo Speaker (powered by SonicMaster Technology) Connectivity (Mobile Dock) 1 x USB2.0 port ; 1 x SD Card Reader Dimension 263 x 180 x 8.3 mm (Pad only), 263 x 180.8 x 17 ~ 19.4 mm (Pad with mobile dock) Weight 586 g (Pad only), 1123 g (Pad with mobile dock) Battery Life 12 hours; 25Wh Li-polymer Battery(5), 18 hours pad with dock ; 22Wh Li-polymer Battery(5) ASUS exclusive “Power Saving Mode” to extend battery life on the go *1 Android is a trademark of Google Inc. *2 May vary by SKU and country.*3 Please visit http://www.asuswebstorage.com/ for more details. *4 Adobe® Flash® update required from Android Market.*5 Battery life tested under power saving mode, playing 720p video playback, Brightness: 60nits, default volume with headphones

NOVEMber 2011

|

5


ASUS ZENBOOK™

Welcome to the

Ultra Era A balance of beauty and performance

O

riginally demonstrated at Computex this year, ASUS’ new ZENBOOK is a masterclass in Ultraportable design. From the outside its spun-metal finish exhibits an extremely elegant and eye-catching design. With an ultra-slim profile measuring 3mm at the front and 9mm at the rear, it’s also the thinnest ASUS notebook to date,

6

|

issue 14

while its minimal proportions help draw focus to the large surfaces of spun-metal. It also means the 1.1kg Ultrabook is extremely easy to slip into any backpack or handbag, or simply whipped under an arm. Clearly the ZENBOOK’s form and function creates a natural synergy for people predominantly on the go. Backing up its beauty is yet another ASUS innovation,


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

• Aluminum monoshell design with intricate, spun metal finish • Ultra-slim profile: 3mm at the front, 9mm at the rear • Intel® Core™ i3, i5 and i7 processors • SATA Revision 3.0 SSD options • USB 3.0 connectivity • ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology • Audio technology from Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® and ASUS SonicMaster

as the ASUS Golden Ear team has managed to work their magic on the audio here as well. With audio Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® and SonicMaster technology, the ZENBOOK incorporates genuine technology that includes a premium audio codec, larger, more refined speakers with appropriately beefed up amplifiers and a larger bass chamber for deeper vibrations and to back them up. Together, this brings a professional grade audio experience in an extremely mobile package. That’s not all squeezed in under the keyboard though. The nutty center also houses a second generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 and a SATA Revision 3.0 SSD. This means this tiny Ultrabook is actually faster than most notebooks! The incredibly fast SATA Revision 3.0 SSD and DDR3 help feed the premium performance Core i7 CPU with all the data you can throw at it. This keeps the system extremely nippy, even if you stress it heavily with

work or video. Add in display resolutions up to the HD+ 1600 × 900 pixels on the 13 inch, ASUS ZENBOOK UX31 model, and the extra desktop real-estate for multitasking comes in handy while USB 3.0 offers a fast external connection. While an impressive spec, that’s still your usual laptop tech though.The innovative Super Hybrid Engine II with Instant on technology enables the ZENBOOK to deliver a smartphone-like computing experience. You can save your system state on standby for up to two weeks, and relaunch them in just two seconds. This means that no matter how far and for how long you have to go from your office, your finger is always on the button, raring to go! So, do you get it now? Here, the Zen is about getting things done fast and efficiently, anywhere, anytime: keeping you cool even when the things get tough. It really is a mobile mogul’s new best friend.

NOVEMBER 2011

|

7


ASUS Eee PC 1025CE

Give a gift with flare Choose from a huge range of colors on a brand new design

N

etbooks are still a hit for those who need the benefits of a lightweight Windows 7 device on a budget. With the latest Eee PC, their simplicity and portability is still unmatched, as ASUS has yet again refined the design for its new 1025CE. The new Eee PC 1025CE and 1025C are dubbed the Flare, as they come in several expressive colors - inside and out - along with striking white streaks down either side. Inside the chiclet keyboard spreads out right to the very edge in order to maximize the use of its condensed space. Darker body colors such as black, brown, blue and red are appropriately accented with black keyboards, while lighter whites or pinks are paired with a silver keyboard. That Next Generation Intel® Atom™ processor is the first to use Intel’s cutting-edge 32nm technology. This low power keeps the 1025CE going for up to 12 hours to give true all-day battery life. Combined with ASUS’ innovative instant on technology, the 1025CE can standby for up to

8

|

issue 14

21 days and resume at any time in just 3 seconds. If you do extended trips or often leave the Eee PC in the car, for the best part of a month you can keep the kids quiet for even the longest of journeys! Other features include up to a 500GB hard drive with a free trial to use 3GB of ASUS WebStorage, 802.11n spec wireless LAN and Bluetooth. HDMI output is also now available on an Atom netbook, so you can plug it into your HDTV or a projector. All that packs into a slim 10.1 inches and just 1.25kg with the 6-cell battery. It’s great for travelers; simply slip 1025CE into any bag then surf the web and grab email at locations with Wi-Fi on the way, then once you get there have a full Windows 7 system ready to share or present hours of videos, music and photos! With its brand new design and CPU, the 1025CE Flare adds another feather in the hat of the continuing Eee PC legacy. If you’re looking for a first-time PC, replacement or backup ultra-mobile netbook, then it’s absolutely worth considering.


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

ASUS Eee PC 1025 Series

Tech Specs

1025C: 8 colors available including black, blue, red, gray, matt white, glossy white, pink and brown

CPU Next Generation Intel® Atom™ processors Screen 10.1” Slim LED Backlit WSVGA Screen (1024x600) Capacity 250-500GB SATA HDD Memory 1GB DDR3 (Up to 2GB RAM) Optical Drive DVD Super Multi or optional BD combo drive Connectivity IEEE 802.11b/g/n, BlueTooth 3.0* Dimension 262 x 178 x 20.7 ~ 34.4 mm Battery Life Up to 12 hours battery life*(6-cell)

1025CE: 3 colors available including pink, blue and purple USB Charger+* recharges peripherals and mobile phones even when the Eee PC is turned off Wi-Fi Direct connects to other wireless enables devices to share data, without the need for a wireless access point

*On selected models

USB 3.0* and Bluetooth 3.0 *1025CE model only

NOVEMber 2011

|

9


ASUS New N Series

Still searching for that

incredible

gift?

Performs excellently, looks great and sounds perfect

I

t’s the hardest part of this time of year: finding something just right for that special someone. We’re pretty sure that the new N Series from ASUS fits the

bill. On the surface the new N series sports its highly sexy piano black or arctic white finish and a real aluminum edging that begs to be touched. Inside the minimalist approach is chic and fashionable, drawing focus to the strong, geometric aluminum panels and keyboard. Sound is obviously a key feature, with audio Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® and SonicMaster Technology innovations including a patented and bundled subwoofer and larger, tuned internal speakers with improved amplifiers and a premium audio codec. Together, this

10

|

issue 14

provides richer sounds and deeper bass, giving the new N series has room-filling audio that is arguably the best of any notebook on the market. Dive inside and you’ll find a 2nd-generation Intel® Core™ mobile processor with Turbo Boost 2.0 technology, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory and Nvidia GeForce GT555M graphics with Optimus Technology that together will power anything thrown at it. Coupled to display options up to full HD (1920 x 1080) this provides plenty of desktop real-estate for multitasking or watching Blu-ray movies. With premium sound, a HD display, cutting-edge performance and beautiful design, stop searching now, because the new N series notebook is an incredible gift for anyone this year!


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Tech Specs CPU Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7/i5/i3 Processors Screen HD (1366x768), HD+ (1600x900) and Full HD (1920x1080) LED-backlit display options* Capacity 320GB/500GB/640GB/750GB HDD 2.5” SATA Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Graphics NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 2GB DDR3 VRAM Memory DDR3 1333Mhz, up to 8GB Optical Drive DVD Super Multi or BD combo drive Connectivity 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 3.0*, Gigabit Ethernet Weight 2.3 ~ 3.4 kg*

Music Now!

2-second resume time

USB Charger+

Thanks to its SonicMaster technology, the new N series is a laptop that’s made for listening to music. That’s why ASUS has included Music Now! — a fast-boot music player that gets the new N series ready to play from a cold start in just eight seconds. Music Now! uses a pre-boot environment to deliver a complete music management application, complete with playlist creation, album cover display and a sleep timer that lets you listen to the new N series while you drift off to sleep.

Tired of waiting? ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology lets the N Series resume from standby in just two seconds and it’ll stay that way for up to two weeks. Compared to standard sleep, which only lasts 2-3 days, and hibernation, which takes as long as a normal boot up; it is clearly an extremely practical feature.

One of the two included USB 3.0 ports has a special USB Charger+ function that lets you recharge and power devices over the USB connection, without first booting the notebook. This saves time and battery when all you need is just to juice up your phone.

NOVEMber 2011

|

www.insearchofincredible.com

* Subject to models.

11


ASUS ET2700 All-in-One PC

Family-sized entertainment to share

The ET2410’s bigger brother launches with 10 point multi-touch, SonicMaster speakers, a bundled subwoofer and 27” of desktop space to share

F

ollowing in the footsteps of the ET2410 AIO in our last edition of Tech in Style magazine, the larger, 27 inch ET2700 AIO is more about sharing. It’s not only those three extra inches of screen space that make the difference, the 10-point multi-touch display means you can intuitively share software between family and friends. In addition to the ASUS SonicMaster technology that ensures unbeatable sound quality, a bundled, external subwoofer delivers more than enough bass to do justice to the latest Hollywood blockbusters. This all-in-one desktop is as stylish as it is practical, with a sleek exterior design that is just 7cm deep at the center, it can slip into the tightest of spaces to keep your

12

|

issue 14

living room looking neat. It sits on a compact metal stand and has integral cable management features that keep the desktop space clear of clutter. Available with a choice of 2nd-generation Intel® Core™ processors and Nvidia GeForce graphics, the ET2700 AIO is perfect for everything from productivity tasks to watching DVD and Blu-ray movies — and the 27 inch LED-backlit, MVA widescreen display provides 178 degree viewing angles, making it perfect for Full HD entertainment however many you’re sharing it with.


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

• Hidden front controls and side/rear ports for a sleek, seamless design • ASUS SonicMaster audio with bundled, external subwoofer and DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC technology • 27” LED-backlit screen with 10-point multi-touch and touch-enhanced software • USB 3.0 and eSATA ports for instant file sharing and gadget syncing • Use the ET2700 AIO as an HD display for a games console or laptop

Tech Specs CPU Intel® 2nd generation Core™ processors Screen 27-inch 1920 × 1080 Full HD WLED LCD MVA panel, 178° wide viewing angle, Multiple touch* Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Graphics Integrated Intel® or discrete NVIDIA® GT 540M graphics Memory DDR3 1333MHz, up to 8GB Storage 1TB 7200RPM SATA HDD, up to 2TB supported Optical Drive BD RW/BD Combo/DVD SuperMulti Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b/g/n, BT 3.0+HS* Dimension 508 × 660 × 233 mm

*On selected models

november 2011

|

13


ASUS Eee Slate B121

Slated for business

Tired of your work laptop? The B121 could be exactly what you need

T

here’s no doubt that tablet PCs have their advantages; the touchscreen interface adds an extra angle to the mobility that already changed a generation of business people. Not every job is writing documents and Excel spreadsheets and when you’re using anything else other than Office apps, a pen or your finger are excellent input tools. After all, how often have you tried to use a mouse on your leg or found the tiny touchpad just too inaccurate? The new Eee Slate B121 increases the size and performance of what you’d expect a tablet PC to be though, sporting a larger 12.1 inch size and Intel Core i5 dual-core processor with 4GB of memory and 64GB SSD storage. For those who find the integrated storage limiting, the two USB ports support any flash drive, while ASUS also bundles its own Web Storage that provides unlimited space free for a year. Using Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS so you can use all the software you already own, meaning you don’t have to rebuy it or find alternatives. Its impressive AFFS display provides better color than standard mobile IPS displays and offers a 178° viewing angle, which is ideal for creative professionals who use Adobe applications, while its Corning® Gorilla® Glass screen can withstand the inevitable knocks, bumps and scratches of everyday use.

14

|

issue 14

It’s extensive range of ports, including two USB 2.0, a card reader and mini-HDMI out mean it’s highly versatile for any situation or application, and the bundled Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard means you can choose whether you need to take a real keyboard with you (versus using the touchscreen keyboard) when you travel. Finally, the trusted computing module means that even if your Slate is lost or stolen, the data within is untouchable as the TPM security keeps the hardware locked down - even if it’s taken apart! The New Year is coming and for some that means upgrade time, so consider the alternative, and go Slate.

Tech Specs CPU Intel® Dual-Core i5 470UM Processor Screen 12.1” LED Backlight WXGA (1280x800) Screen (Capacitive and Electromagnetic Touchscreen with AFFS) Capacity 64GB SSD storage Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Memory DDR3, 1 x SO-DIMM, 4GB I/O Ports Two USB 2.0 ports, 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Head Phone/Mic-in), one mini HDMI port, one MMC/SDHC/SDXC card reader Connectivity WLAN 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth V3.0 Dimension 312 x 207.2 x 16.95 mm Weight 1.16 kg


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

ASUS Eee Slate B121 Advanced Fringe Field Switching (AFFS) display provides better a color range than standard mobile IPS displays and an ultrawide 178º viewing angle Multi-input: touch, type, write Ultra-tough, Corning® Gorilla® Glass screen protects against scratches Unlimited ASUS Web Storage for 1 year Included digitizer pen TPM security keeps data safe

november 2011

|

15


ASUS P9X79 series motherboards

Struggle to find something for a total techy?

Look no further!

ASUS P9X79 series motherboards with Dual Intelligent Processor 3 with New DIGI+ Power Control

i

ntel’s brand new high-performance LGA2011 CPUs have just launched, and as the world’s number one motherboard supplier, ASUS has its own X79 motherboard to accompany them. These come in three flavors, including the Standard to Deluxe models, Republic of Gamers and TUF Sabertooth. The new foundation innovation from its X79 series includes the latest Dual Intelligent Processor 3 with

programmable DIGI+ Power Control for both CPU and DDR3 memory. For the first time ever, users are given total control over a range of voltage and switching frequency tuning options for various scenarios. When combined with ASUS UEFI software with the upgraded hotkey and ASUS SSD Caching with one click speedup function, it gives users complete intuitive control across an entire range of settings.

ASUS P9X79 Motherboards

house 64GB of memory. ASUS also introduces SSD caching technology to the X79 platform from the outset, giving users the flexibility to combine SSD performance with HDD capacity. It is more user-friendly and accessible than similar technologies thanks to its plug and play setup. BT GO 3.0 is integrated Bluetooth 3.0+HS technology for connecting the most recent smartphone and tablet devices without the need for an extra adapter. The adapter includes an integrated Wi-Fi adapter that offers 6 modes, including connecting to the internet via a standard wireless access point. Then there’s Fan Xpert; stemming from the criticallyacclaimed Fan Xpert+ software within AI Suite II, this has been revised for more precise control over the system fans. The motherboards are certainly more than their socket suggests, and ASUS P9X79 series includes the P9X79, P9X79 PRO and P9X79 DELUXE models.

New functions of the new DIGI+ Power Control hardware introduced to both the CPU and memory digital controllers include VCCSA load-line calibration and finesse of VRM switching frequency control. With such precision tools and an inherent expertise in design, the overclocking potential, precision control, and reliability afforded by ASUS P9X79 series motherboards is truly unparalleled. As usual the native UEFI software support >2.2TB hard drives and drag and drop boot prioritizing, but its feature-set also been expanded to include an F12 BIOS snapshot hotkey, F3 Shortcut for in-depth info, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory info to debug and share any issues with the extra-large memory support. This is because the entire range of P9X79 series motherboards includes 8 DIMM slots, for a massive potential to

16

|

issue 14


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

ASUS ‘TUF’ SABERTOOTH X79 Motherboard

ASUS TUF series has always been motherboards built to last, and the SABERTOOTH X79 is no exception. With military grade components and extreme testing methods that includes thermal shock testing methods used in aerospace and military testing, which cycle boiling humidity to sub-zero freezing, these motherboards will face absolutely any environment with ease. Backed up by an industry leading 5 year warranty, the SABERTOOTH X79 is sensible investment in a long-lasting platform that will provide years of high-performance computing. The TUF feature-set builds on the P9X79 series to add the unique Thermal Armor airflow guide for the dual cooling fans, while Thermal Radar monitoring and over-heat protection technologies preserve component lifespan and prolong reliability. TUF boards also come with a USB BIOS Flashback feature that increases system stability. USB 3.0 has been given a boost thanks to the addition of the new UAS protocol and ASUS’ unique auto-detecting software. Together these boost USB 3.0 performance up to 170%.

ASUS Republic of Gamers Rampage IV Extreme Motherboard

Building on a 5 year heritage of innovation excellence for extreme-performance gamers and professional overclockers, the ROG brand has yet again produced another gem worth of the Extreme branding. The fourth generation Rampage board offers exclusive features such as Subzero Sense™, VGA Hotwire™ for extreme overclockers and world record breaking benchmarkers that use subzero overclocking. The innovative OC Key plugs into the DVI port of a graphics card and displays a live overlay of the precise system information right up on the display without any additional software. It’s completely independent of the system so it doesn’t affect benchmarks, but still lets users see the system settings without looking away from another display. The X-Socket conversion kit means you can also avoid junking that costly, premium LGA1366 cooler as it will now fit on your new motherboard. Peeling back the red and black skin underneath we find an upgraded Extreme Engine DIGI+ II that is equipped with 10k hour black metallic capacitors that are made in Japan and the finest possible digital VRM components on the market to give voltage and power control well beyond the normal limits. With native 4-way SLI and CrossFireX support and classic ROG features such as ProbeIt, TweakIt, BIOS Flashback and remote tweaking technologies such as ROG Connect and USB BIOS Flashback, the Rampage IV Extreme really is the ultimate motherboard: primed for any need in any scenario you can throw at it. Go on, we dare you!

november 2011

17


Five years of passion to be

the choice of champions

From Project G to Republic of Gamers, the ROG Way

T

here is a fundamental rule in the industry: in order to produce a successful new product range, the designers must have a complete understanding of their consumers. As the product and R&D engineers at ASUS consist of hardcore hardware fans, they are constantly thinking about how they can come up with the products that overclockers and PC gamers really need. They set out to design an ultimate motherboard; one with features never before seen by the world. At the end of 2005, the award-winning A8N32-SLI motherboard was created, and its success ushered in the next a prototype for future ROG products. It was the first motherboard to support NVIDIA SLI dual graphics cards, where the A8N32-SLI Deluxe combined two GeForce 6600 GT graphics cards could outperform the ultimate GeForce 6800 Ultra in benchmarks. Its high performance and overclocking margins made the A8N32-SLI Deluxe a top choice among overclockers and enthusiasts throughout 2005, as 3DMark results confirmed, with the top five overclockers worldwide exclusively using it.

18

|

issue 14

The Intel based P5N32-SLI Deluxe that came shortly after, marketing the ultimate gaming performance on its packaging for the first time; bringing it one step closer to becoming ROG. However the team of product and R&D engineers and PC enthusiasts weren’t satisfied with just these two successes; they wanted to push the extremes of performance ever further and it had to be something never seen before. They wanted to create a society for PC gamers, enthusiasts and overclockers alike, but what should they call themselves? Extreme Team? Too ordinary! Extreme Game Group? Too common! G Group? Not mind-blowing enough! After much discussion, the temporary name “Project G” was decided upon and soon after, Project G’s first engineering motherboard, codenamed Pluto, was created. In 2006 after several months of testing the newly established Project G team was officially renamed the Republic of Gamers, and after careful planning and redesigning Pluto, ROG’s first product, Crosshair, made its debut with many new ROG exclusive functions.


Find out more at www.techinstyle.tv

Very soon after enthusiasts and overclockers got their teeth into it, the highest overclocking frequency record of 3658.3MHz was achieved with an AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 processor. This success threw open the floodgates of records, awards and international recognition for all subsequent ROG motherboards to date - and before long – other complementary ROG hardware as well. Since then, the Republic of Gamers has become the brand that enthusiasts have come to demand and throughout its five years of its growth, ROG has thoroughly embraced its brand culture of “The Choice of Champions”.

november 2011

|

19


ASUS recommends Windows® 7.

ASUS All-in-One PC ET2410

From Life To Live

Bring live performance home and fill your space with acoustic wonder Powered by SonicMaster, DTS Surround Sensation, and a bundled external subwoofer, the ET2410 immerses you in powerful bass, spacious sound, and crystal clear audio. Combined with a 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor, genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, NVIDIA® graphics and a brilliant 23.6” Full HD display, your entertainment shines on the ASUS ET2410.

•External subwoofer, TV tuner, and multi-touch are available on selected models only. •Intel, the Intel Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.