If you look into the PC market these days, you see nearly the same things from every other manufacturer. It has been that way for a while now actually. Every mainstream brand goes with their usual line-up, then there is the high-end professional line-up, a mainstream and high-end gaming line-up, and now, they have the high-end creative industry line-up. There is one segment that many manufacturers are not taking enough advantage of though. That is the student market.
It is a completely different market compared to what the other markets are serving you see. In this segment, consumers are looking to buy value-for-money portable set-up that they are comfortable to work with. Preferably you have something at 14-inch to 15-inch of display, large enough to easily browse through documents and rifle through research papers. It is also large enough to enjoy YouTube and Netflix when they need to relax. Of course, the main aim is to get work done on it. It has to be able to comfortably run excel files, easily create attractive and purposeful PowerPoints, and write long essays away from the charging port preferably.
Lenovo has a number of things that they are already doing to make their Notebook PCs more appealing to students. One of which is to bundle Microsoft’s whole office offering for students into their value Notebook PC line-ups. Their new strategy is to find a completely new kind of brand ambassador.
Source: Lenovo
Their new IdeaPad Slim 1, IdeaPad S145, and ThinkBook 14 Notebook PCs are included under their “Learn From Home” package. The Notebook PCs prices starts from MYR 999, MYR 2,049, and MYR 3,399 respectively. Selected devices will get the Students package with Microsoft Office 365 Student access.
They are looking for a full-time student to be their new ambassador this time. Of course, there are some criteria other than being a full-time student and being able to verify that status. The candidate has to also be active in their campus activities as a student. Interested participants also have to be active on social media and be a registered Member of Lenovo’s Education Store
If selected, the ambassadors will be exclusively invited to watch Lenovo Tech Talks. The Tech Talks are kind of product launch events or even concept show cases. Selected students will also get to participate in the Q&A sessions that happens within the events.
They also get direct access to Lenovo team members as part of a sort of a mentorship program. Students can speak to Lenovo team members in virtual office hours to gain skills that may be essential to their career path or as entrepreneurs. All this, on top of a 15% discount referral code they can use and share with friends or family members to purchase selected Lenovo devices listed under the “Learn From Home” program.
Eligible students may apply for Lenovo Malaysia’s Student Ambassador program or find out more about the program on Lenovo Malaysia’s website. All participants will be awarded with a certificate of participation to be added to their portfolio. At least you tried, you know. If you are selected though, you might be featured in one of Lenovo’s Quarterly Student Ambassador newsletter. For more information on Lenovo’s “Learn From Home” offers, head over to their website too.
We have always said that some of the best value for money PCs come from Lenovo. We say that because while they do not offer the best or the most powerful specs in that class of PCs, they always pack it with not only great build quality, but price them very reasonably. It also does not hurt that their keyboards are one of the best we have ever typed on when it comes to notebook PCs.
This value-for-money concept stretches from their business-line ThinkPads all the way to the gaming Lenovo Legion line. We especially like the Lenovo Legion Y700 and Y500 series. They keep things simple and honest. At the same time, they still offer great value and looks.
Source: Lenovo
This year though the Lenovo Legion Y500 and Y700 series is going to be joined by two newcomers, the 5i and 7i. To be fair, not much are known about the notebook PCs yet, but we can tell you that the Lenovo Legion 7i is coming in with 17-inch screen size and the 5i a 15-incher. We can also tell you that both notebook PC line-up will feature the latest 10th Generation Intel Core H-series processors. We are guessing the 7i will come with Intel’s most powerful and extreme Core i9.
The new series of notebook PCs will also come with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX technology. The 5i will stop at the RTX 2060, presumably to fit a tighter budget. The Lenovo Legion 7i though will pack a Max-Q design NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER GPU.
Source: Lenovo
Gaming notebook PCs are known to be a battery drainer though. No matter the size of the battery, you might run out within 4 hours. That is if you do not game. By the looks of it, the Lenovo Legion 7i and 5i might not have that big of a battery though. Their design focuses more on portability and a thinner form factor. Thanks to an industry first NVIDIA Advanced Optimus technology though, you might get all-day battery life from the Lenovo Legion 7i and 5i. The technology is basically a GPU switch. You get the idea.
At this time, there are no word on availability in Malaysia just yet. Of course, we can safely say that the Lenovo Legion 7i and 5i are coming sometime this year. That said, the Lenovo Legion Y540 and Lenovo Legion Y740 are also getting a refresh of their own with 10th Generation Intel Core H-series and NVIDIA GeForce RTX SUPER cards. The Lenovo Legion 5i and Lenovo Legion Y540 will be available for US$ 999 (MYR 4,354*). The Lenovo Legion 7i and Lenovo Legion Y740 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPUs will be priced at US$ 1,199 (MYR 5,226*). More information can be found on their website.
*Based on approximate rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.36 as of 02/04/2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most unprecedented events to have occurred in the past decade. In fact, the last time a major pandemic hit was in the 1910s. Since then, there have been milder pandemics which have occurred more recently in 2009 (Influenza A H1N1). The world has changed drastically since these pandemics. That said, the fact that the world is so interconnected and digitally dependent, makes the COVID-19 pandemic even more unique.
It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve learnt that pandemics aren’t just about being biologically compromised anymore. In fact, Flavo Aggio, the Chief Information Security Officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) attributes more than 15,000 deaths worldwide in this pandemic alone to the cyber attacks that healthcare agencies such as WHO face on daily basis. What’s more apparent is the number of cyber attacks related to COVID-19 have increased substantially since the pandemic began. Great Horn, a cloud-based security platform, reports that currently about 2% of email traffic related to COVID-19 comes from malicious players looking to get access to pertinent, personal information. Other security companies have reported that the number of cyber attacks linked to the COVID-19 pandemic have more than doubled since its emergence.
Proof is in the Pudding – Increased Cyber Attacks are putting Patients& People at risk
In the most recent attack against the WHO, a malicious hacker group known as DarkHotel setup a site to mimic WHO’s internal email page in an effort to get login information of WHO employees to access sensitive information. The group’s activities were first detected by Alexander Urbleis, a cyber security expert and attorney at Blackstone Law Group in New York. Urbelis mentions that he detected the site’s activation on 13 March.
This attack comes from the group after it vowed not to attack healthcare agencies and research centers during the pandemic. That said, the WHO was able to fend off the attack without getting compromised.
However, this hasn’t been the only COVID-19 based attack. During the same time, Brno University Hospital was forced to shutdown their technological services. This was due to a breach in cybersecurity which forced the hospital to take preventative measures. The attack compromised the health of all of the patients who required advanced testing. It forced doctors and nurses to chart manually which caused delays in care.
Perhaps more alarming is how hacker groups have also been targeting research centers and pharmaceuticals. Hammersmith Medicines Research (HMR), one of the companies involved in developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, reported that it was part of a ransomware attack. This attack compromised the information of about 2,300 patients involved in trials. The group behind the attack demanded money after gaining access to the files. These patient files have since found their way to the dark web, making them vulnerable to further compromise.
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that while malefactors are targeting healthcare institutions and companies, the ones who truly pay the price are the patients. With their data at risk and treatments being delayed or interrupted, we are seeing a larger, more worrying pool of victims.
Compromised Cyber Security Could have Lasting Effects
That is only the tip of the iceberg. With pertinent patient information in the wild, these patients have been exposed to a larger cyber threat; one that could be even more devastating to them after the pandemic. Information such as their addresses, social security and passport details are now available online – if you know where to find it. Another question remains: “Were these patients informed of such a data breach?”.
With the compromised information, malicious players will be able to gain access to a number of things including bank accounts and other important accounts. In fact, hackers will able to social engineer this information to gain access to emails, social media and more by simply connecting the dots. The fact of the matter is, most passwords and logins are linked to a person’s social history or items like their social security numbers.
These breaches have potential psychological and physical repercussions that not many are aware of. Being the subject of a data breach or having an email or bank account compromised as a result will result in lost time and psychological stress. Keep in mind, that some of these attacks hold your vital information ransom and demand for money. This would definitely lead to increased anxiety.
Personal Hygiene Must Include Your Digital Footprint
It can’t be any more obvious that we are in an age where our digital lives are increasing intertwined with our daily lives. Even in an epidemic, we are seeing the effects of cyber attacks on our daily lives Hence, with attacks on the rise, users like you and me must also take precautions to protect our digital footprint. It is as essential as washing our hands and avoiding touching our face in this pandemic.
Source: Kaspersky
We can start with one simple step – pay attention to the details. Kaspersky has reported that there has been an uptick in look-a-like domains since the onset of the COVID-19. In particular, when it comes to authoritative domains. In particular, they’ve highlighted an email supposedly from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in America. The official domain for the CDC is cdc.gov; however, emails have been sent from an email from cdc-gov.org. The small difference when it comes to this domain could be the difference between getting compromised or getting official information.
The next step you can take is, like washing hands, spend a little time refreshing your passwords. Good password hygiene is essential to keeping your information secured. Look at changing your passwords on a bi-monthly, if not monthly basis. If you’re working in an industry that requires heightened security and privacy, you know that they have policies that require you to change your password every 3 months, at the very least. So, why are you worth any less?
One of the most basic things you can do for increased security is to activate two factor authentication (2FA). When you activate 2FA, you will be prompted to give an additional item for authentication. This will help verify your identity. That said, activating 2FA is no excuse not to change your password on a regular basis.
With these steps as a starting point, you’ll have better security on the internet. That said, it’s just a start. Don’t get too comfortable with yourself when it comes to internet security. With more and more attacks focused on taking advantage of lapses of judgement, we need to be more alert. Even when we’re searching for information, it’s important we pay attention to the details, check website addresses and keep vigilant on the links in your email. While things may seem bleak, it’s no excuse to stay away from the internet. Just be more alert and vigilant and enjoy one of the best inventions since sliced bread.
The ROG line up is embracing a new colour! Having just introduced the Glacier Blue series to their line up, the company is adding even more colour with a new shade called Electro Punk. However, unlike the Glacier Blue, this shade isn’t meant for the chassis; instead, ASUS is bringing this pop of vibrant, electric pink using their Aura Sync technology.
The new Electro Punk Special edition will make its official laptop debut with the new ROG Strix G15. Bringing more vibrancy and personalisation to the popular Strix G series. The G series also makes the new colour accessible to everyone with its price point. However, an affordable price point doesn’t mean that the new ROG Strix G15 is a slouch. The Strix G15 comes with up to an Intel Core i7-10875H processor paired with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER GPU.
Together with the new laptop, ASUS is also introducing a slew of accessories from gaming mouse to backpack with the new Electro Punk shade. On the audio side of things, the ROG Strix Go 2.4 will be the first to sport the new hue. The wireless headset allows gamers to get good quality audio via 2.4GHz connection and works on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and all your smart devices even the Nintendo Switch.
The ROG Strix Scope TKL Keyboard will allow gamers to show off their gaming prowess while staying stylish in Electro Punk. The mechanical keyboard is touted as being made for face-paced multiplayer gaming. It’s decked out with the Cherry MX switched and made of durable aluminium topped material. Pair this with the ROG Strix Impact II and you’ll have an Electro Punk one-two punch!
ASUS is also introducing an Electro Punk backpack. The ROG Ranger BP1503 backpack is their go to carry the Strix G15 with its suite of accessories. Don’t forget to get the ROG Sheath to make sure you’re truly ready for the kill.
Pricing & Availability
No news on pricing and availability just yet. Stay tuned for updates.
Creators, in a lot of sense, are like gamers. Before you deny, let us look at the facts. People in the creative industry, especially designers, videographers, photographers, or 3D artists need a powerful PC. The more power, the better. Gamers need a lot of power as well to get the best sort of experience in the gaming world – a sort of immersive escape from the real world.
Creators, especially ones that are in the 3D design space needs a lot of computing power to render 3D spaces and designs. Gamers play a lot of 3D games and need plenty of rendering power from their PC to render whatever that is coded into the game smoothly and beautifully, as intended by the designers. Conclusion? Gamers and creators are nearly the same people.
The difference is that gamers prefer a display that does not glare into their eyes. Colours, although important, are quite secondary. They prefer higher refresh rates than colour accuracy because that may affect their performance in an online multiplayer match up. Creators on the other hand prefer colour accuracy, quality and resolution over anything else. The more accurate the colours and resolution, the better. They need a true to life representation of colours to do their jobs.
That is the reason why creators need PCs with specialised monitors to work with. The old days of the creative industry was to get a gaming PC and hook it up to a colour accurate monitor. Not anymore.
Source: MSI
With the new MSI Creator 17, you are now getting a display like no other. They call it a Mini LED display. The technology of which, we have not understood fully yet. What we know though is that it is supposedly better than OLED and IPS displays in terms of colour reproduction. It is DCI-P3 100% certified, which also means you get very accurate colours.
The 17.3-inch Mini LED display pushes up to 4K in resolution. It is also a Display HDR 1000 display with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. That is bright; really bright. You might want to consider lowering the brightness in a dark room, else you get blind.
The MSI Creator 17 packs the power too with an NVIDIA GeForce 2080 SUPER (up to) and Intel’s 10th Generation Core i7-107875H processor. You can choose to slot in two SSD’s within the notebook for an uninterrupted workflow. They did not mention how much RAM you can get it with, but we can safely assume that you can slot in at least a 32GB RAM stick into it.
For more information and pricing of the Creator series notebook PCs, you should contact MSI directly for a quote. If not, you can find more information on MSI’s products in their website.
Comet Lake, or Intel’s 10th Generation of Core processors is upon us. It only makes sense that we start seeing the notebook PC versions of these very potent processors. For MSI, it is the 6 series that breaks daylight with their brand-new power units.
MSI GE66 Raider
Source: MSI
The first of the gaming notebook PCs that broke daylight is the GE66 Raider. To begin with, there is a new chassis that contains the dragon like performance hardware inside. You get a new RGB lighting at the mouth edge of the bottom half clam. It is like a ‘go faster’ stripe on a car, it makes it ‘go faster’.
Only, unlike a ‘go faster’ stripe, the 15-inch MSI GE66 raider packs a faster, more powerful 10th Generation Core i9 Processor and an even more powerful GPU in the form of an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER. Take this with a pinch of salt though – there are not confirmed spec sheet for Malaysia just yet. At this point, we only know that it is coming and what it looks like.
MSI GS66 Stealth
Thin and light is what everyone in the industry is gunning for theses days. That is the aim of the MSI GS66 Stealth. The older generation GS65 that this replaces has some golf accents that divides two worlds. Some thinks that it is a tad too tacky, some thinks it looks good.
Source: MSI
I, for one, prefer the brand new GS66 Stealth Core Black that makes it look like an actual stealth bomber in a way. It looks like any other notebook PC that means business in the business world. They remind me of the ruggedness that is associated with the indestructible Lenovo ThinkPads if I am so bold to say.
The new GS66 Stealth packs a cooling technology like no other. It has something they call MSI Cooler Boost Trinity+. The system is a combination of an optimised airflow system and a 0.1mm thin blades for maximum airflow out of a body no thicker than 2cm. That is the total thickness of the 15-inch MSI GS66 Stealth by the way.
Now you start wondering how this petite notebook PC packs Intel’s 10th Generation Core i9-10980HK power unit and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER (Max-Q). All that power is supported by two 16GB (up to) onboard RAM, making an effective 32GB of RAM size. With up to 2TB of SSD space – you can easily separate work and play with no fuss of running out of space. All this power translates to the beauty on the 15.6-inch Full HD 300Hz nearly 100%sRGB display.
ROG or Republic of Gamers has become one of the most popular gaming brands in the world. It has become ASUS’ most valuable brand when it comes to performance laptops and PCs geared for gamers. This year, ASUS breathes new life into its gaming laptop line up with new form factors, better specifications and an all new cooling system.
The new ROG line up will be powered by the latest and greatest 10th generation Intel Core processors paired with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX SUPER. It will feature the one of the industry’s first displays with 300Hz refresh rate and speedy performance thanks to DDR4 RAM. It will also feature ASUS’s new Liquid Metal cooling solution which is touted to reduce temperature by 10°C to 20°C.
ROG Zephyrus Duo 15
Spearheading the new line up is the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15. The new addition to the Zephyrus line up comes with a form factor that ASUS enthusiasts will be pretty familiar with. Adopting the second screen experience pioneered by the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo, the Zephyrus Duo 15 comes with the new ROG ScreenPad Plus.
The new ROG ScreenPad Plus makes the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 a device made for streamers and multitaskers. The new second screen isn’t just there to look at, users will be able to multitask better thanks to the touch screen. However, this 14.1-inch, 4K UHD screen plays second fiddle to the 15.6-inch PANTONE validated display which comes with a refresh rate of up to 300MHz.
The new Zephyrus flagship will be powered by the all new, 10th Generation Intel Comet Lake Core i7 or Core i9 processors. This will be paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX SUPER graphics processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM.
ROG Zephyrus S Series
Following close behind is the Zephyrus S series which consists of the S17 and S15. The Zepyrus S series comes with a svelte 18.9mm chassis that houses power packed specifications. Both the S17 and S15 come support NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX SUPER graphics cards and Intel’s latest 10 generation processors.
The Zephyrus S series also comes with a display with a refresh rate of up to 300Hz refresh rate. This display is also PANTONE validated for colour accuracy on the S17. The S17 also comes with a full desktop-style keyboard with per-key RGB LED backlight and a NumPad. The extra room also allowed ASUS to include an integrated volume roller. It also comes with the ASUS’s AAS cooling technology which opens a large intake vent on the bottom end when the lid is opened.
The S15 comes with a smaller screen and a reinforced palm rest area. The extra strength provided by the honeycomb structure makes the palm rest flex resistant. The soft touch finish adds a smooth, fingerprint resistant layer.
ROG Zephyrus M15
M is for the masses. The Zephyrus M comes not only with an affordable price but also a range of configurations for any gamer. Starting with the 10th generation Intel Core i7, the Zephyrus M is slated to be the most affordable one of the range. It comes with display options ranging from a Full HD IPS panel with 144Hz to a 4K UHD panel. Customizability doesn’t end there; the Zephyrus M comes with a range of GPUs starting with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti to the RTX 2070.
While affordability is one of the hallmarks of the Zephyrus M, it doesn’t compromise when it comes to quality. The laptop’s slim chassis is made of structurally reinforced magnesium alloy. When it comes to sound, the M comes with an ESS Sabre DAC for crisp audio. It has two easily accessible M.2 slots and supports dual display outputs and Thunderbolt 3.
ROG Strix SCAR Series
Staying faithful to its e-sports roots, the refreshed Strix SCAR series comes with all the bells and whistles that you’d expect. From looks to its it specifications, the Strix SCAR 15 and 17 are made for gamers. It doesn’t shy away from showing its gaming inclination with customizable RGB LED lighting effects. This is, of course, complemented by an illuminated RGB ROG Logo on the lid.
The Strix SCAR series pushes its boundaries with up to an Intel Core i9 processor paired with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER on the Strix SCAR 15 or the RTX 2080 SUPER on the Strix SCAR 17.
ROG Strix G Series
Rounding up the new series of laptops is the ROG Strix G series. ASUS refreshes both the Strix G15 an G17 with better specifications and a new Electro Punk version. This new version comes on top of the Glacier Blue and Original Black versions og the Strix G.
Both models of the Strix G series come with the 10th generation Intel cores and the NVIDIA RTX SUPER Graphics. The G series tops out at the Intel Core i7 and the RTX 2070 SUPER. It also comes with display panels with 144 Hz and 240 Hz refresh rates.
Pricing and Availability
ASUS has not announced any pricing or availability at the time of the announcement. However, stay tuned and we’ll be updating you as we get the information.
The ROG Zephyrus has become ASUS’s go to series when it comes to pushing the boundaries of gaming laptops. Having first pushed the boundaries of portability and svelte design about 2 years ago, the line up is now looking to push boundaries when it comes to functionality. However, it still maintains
The new ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 adopts a form factor ASUS fans will be familiar with. We first saw this form factor when ASUS launched its ZenBook Pro Duo. That said, ASUS has optimised and enhanced the dual screen form factor for the power user and gamer. The new ROG ScreenPad Plus tilts up at a 13° angle when the lid is opened. This serves a two-fold purpose of making the the Zephyrus Duo 15 more ergonomic to use as well as allowing more airflow through the larger opening on both the top and bottom of the laptop thanks to ASUS’s Active Aerodynamic System (AAS).
The AAS system opens a 7 to 10mm vents that extend across the bottom of the laptop. This allows increased airflow to cool the processors and components. This is better fortified by the larger 28.5mm air intake across the top surface of the laptop’s base. This lies hidden behind the ROG ScreenPad Plus. This AAS Plus allows an additional 30% of airflow better cooling the components. This also helps keep the laptop even more silent at only 43dB even in performance mode.
The ROG ScreenPad Plus is a 14.1-inch 4K, UHD screen which spans the top half of the base of the laptop. The touchscreen display allows users to use multiwindows and even monitor things such as chat or even the OBS console while livestreaming. Of course, if you’re using things like Adobe Premiere Pro on the Zephyrus DUO 15, the ScreenPad Plus will be able to show you your timelines.
Users have the choice of speed or resolution when it comes tho the main display of the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15. The main display is either a 300 Hz Full HD IPS LCD display with 3ms response times or a 4K UHD display with a 60 Hz refresh rate. The 15.6-inch display panels are PANTONE validated and have support for NVIDIA G-SYNC. The 4K UHD display covers 100% of the Adobe gamut while the FHD IPS covers 100% of the sRGB gamut.
On the insides, the new Zephyrus Duo 15 comes with either the 10th Generation Intel Core i9-10980HK or i7-10875H processors. This is paired with either a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER or RTX 2080 SUPER graphics cards. This comes with a built-in 16GB of DDR4 RAM with an extra SODIMM RAM slot.
Pricing & Availability
ASUS hasn’t announced any pricing or availability as of yet. However, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we get word.
Official Specifications
Processor
Intel® 10th Gen Comet Lake i9-10980HK Intel® 10th Gen Comet Lake i7-10875H
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C™, DisplayPort 1.4, TBT, PD input 20 V/3A；output 5 V/3A 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (right) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (Bottom) 1 x HDMI (HDMI 2.0b support) 2 x audio jack: mic-in & headphone, plus mic-in 1 x RJ45 LAN
Battery
90 Wh
Power Supply
240 W power adaptor Supports USB-C™ Power Delivery 3.0 up to 65 W
The ROG Strix SCAR series has been engineered from the ground up as a gaming laptop meant for professional gamers. It has always been about getting the most performance to get the edge over your competition. This time is no different. ASUS is supercharging the ROG Strix SCAR series with a larger, more powerful version of the popular, eSports centric gaming laptop.
The new ROG Strix SCAR 17 brings a larger 17.3-inch Full HD display with up to 3ms response time and 300 Hz refresh rate. The larger screen gives players a better, more immersive experience as they work on taking down the competition. The high refresh rate will enable them to have split second response to score that much needed win.
Of course, the SCAR 17 is no slouch when it comes to the processing power of the laptop. Powered by up to an Intel Core i9-10980HK paired with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER, the laptop should be able to handle any game or video processing that users throw at it. It also comes with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM with 2 M.2 slots for terabytes of memory.
Coming along for the ride is a new, optimised cooling system and also the ROG Keystone II. Developed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, the system allows deep personalisation and also encryption. Users are able to use it as an encryption key for a hidden drive or for launching apps of their choice.
Pricing & Availability
No word on pricing or availability from ASUS just yet. However, stay tuned and we’ll update you when we do.
Official Specifications
Processor
Up to Intel® Core™ i9-10980HK
Operating system
Windows 10 Pro
Graphics
Up to NVIDIA ® GeForce RTX™ 2080 SUPER
Display
Up to 17.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS FHD 300Hz (3ms)
Memory & storage
Up to 32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz SDRAM 2 x M.2 NVMe® PCIe® 3.0 x4 up to 1 TB SSD with RAID 0 support Up to 3 SSDs
Connectivity
2×2 Intel® WiFi 6 (Gig+) (802.11ax) RangeBoost support Bluetooth® 5.1
Audio
2 x 4.2-watt speakers Smart amplifier
Keyboard
Backlit chiclet keyboard Aura Sync Per-key RGB
Interfaces
Left side I/O 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x Audio combo jack: Mic-in and Headphone out Rear side I/O 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 X USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C™ (supports DisplayPort, no PD charging) 1 x LAN RJ45 jack 1 x HDMI (supports HDMI 2.0b), supports HDCP SPEC 2.2
Software
Armoury Crate GameFirst V Sonic Studio GameVisual Aura Creator
This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia.
In a staggering feat of modern construction, crews in Wuhan, China built two emergency hospitals in 10 days shortly after the coronavirus outbreak began to relieve an overburdened hospital system for this unprecedented pandemic. For a small group of Lenovo employees, those days in late January will be forever remembered as a time of rapid and meaningful collaboration alongside colleagues and friends to meet a devastating technical challenge.
Emergency Construction Begins
As hospitals in Wuhan became instantly overcrowded with patients, construction began on January 23 of the Huoshenshan hospital and again on January 27 of the Leishenshan hospital. The day after emergency construction crews broke ground on the first hospital, Lenovo created an epidemic prevention and control team that decided to donate all the IT equipment needed by Huoshenshan.
Source: Business Insider
Delivering hundreds of computers, tablets, printers, and more to the hospital in such a short time—and in a way that would be safe for everyone involved—posed an incredible challenge to the team. Still, the scale and operational experience of Lenovo made the team optimistic they could contribute all the necessary parts within the aggressive 10-day timeline.“We just want to do something, to help by providing whatever IT equipment the hospital needed,” said Lu Yuan, General Manager of Lenovo’s Commercial Customer Business of Hunan and Hubei provinces (Wuhan is located in Hubei province).
Round the Clock Coordination
Source: Lenovo
Getting the products to the hospitals through a largely quarantined city was the first task, followed immediately by assembling IT and maintenance volunteers needed to make it all work on site. Lenovo’s after-sales service engineers from across the country, Xu Tan, Senior Manager of Lenovo Customers of Hubei and Wu Zhiyuan, Senior Sale Manager of Commercial Solutions volunteered and worked non stop to better equip the front-line medical staff for a better fight.
“The complex environment is far beyond imagination,” said Wu. “Under normal circumstances, with the speed of Lenovo, 15 people and 500 sets of equipment can be fully installed and commissioned in less than 24 hours. However, the 24-hour, non-stop construction requires coordination from multiple parts, such as communicating with the hospital’s organizer, establishing the on-site network, and syncing with tech experts at Lenovo headquarters.”
Wu continued, “In general circumstances, one PC is equipped with one printer, but for the hospital each medical PC needs to connect to three printers: a wristband printer, a case printer, and a receipt printer, which is a tough challenge for compatibility. Huoshenshan alone has 500 desktops, and if we install the equipment one by one, the workload is beyond imagination. But with the help of Lenovo IDV [a desktop solution that can quickly install thousands of PCs] we installed the desktops of 500 computer terminals at once, enabling doctors and staff to use them immediately. Also any problems can be handled remotely, which is not only extremely efficient but also reduces the frequency of entering any contaminated areas.”
A group of Lenovo engineers and hospital support completed the installation and commissioning of more than 1,400 pieces of equipment at both hospitals in only a few days to ensure that the hospitals would be able to provide services to patients on time.
By February 2, all IT equipment donated to Huoshenshan Hospital was delivered, updated, installed, and put into use—just one day before its doors opened to patients on February 3.
This was the beginning of Lenovo’s efforts to support employees, customers, and communities as COVID-19 spread. In China, Lenovo’s efforts continue, bolstered by the friends from Lenovo all around the world.
