Tag Archives: Core i5

Advertorial

ASUS Vivobook 16X: The lightest 16-inch RTX 4050 laptop in Malaysia

Leave a comment

This article is sponsored by ASUS Malaysia. Statements made in the article do not reflect the views of the techENT editorial teams.

For those of you out there looking for a laptop with decent graphics performance while on a budget, machines running an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 are often recommended as the best you can get without breaking the bank. It not only offers close similar performance to the last generation RTX 3060 but also comes with support for DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation AI upscaling technology for a superior experience in games.

However, not every RTX 4050 laptop is built the same. Most brands cater towards the gamer crowd with their RTX 4050 laptops, while some put them into their thin-and-light machines targeting creative professionals. These, however, tend to result in laptops with certain compromises, as you’ll either end up sacrificing portability with the former thanks to a large, hefty chassis, or performance in the latter due to cooling constraints.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (1)

That’s where the ASUS Vivobook 16X (K3605) comes in. This is not only the lightest 16-inch laptop with an RTX 4050 in Malaysia, but it’s also a beast of a machine thanks to its capable 12-core processor under the hood. In fact, here are five reasons why we think the Vivobook 16X is the ideal machine for creative professionals on-the-go who double as casual gamers when it’s time to clock off work.

1. Perfect balance between performance and cooling

As we perhaps hinted at before, the Vivobook 16X packs a pretty decent punch under the hood despite its more subtle appearance. For starters, you’ll find a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H here, which is a high-end CPU for laptops that packs four Performance cores and eight Efficient cores for a total of 12 cores with 16 threads.

Now we know what you’re thinking: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H? Isn’t that fairly old by now? Well, yes, it’s a two-year-old processor, but just because it’s a little older doesn’t mean that it’s a bad option. See, thanks to the relatively high number of CPU cores, it stands out as a fantastic alternative compared to even newer processors such as the 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H, averaging about 13% higher results in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark. This makes it a great choice for those planning to do heavy multithreaded workloads such as video editing and 3D modelling.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (1)

That doesn’t mean that it can’t game either; the Intel Core i5-12500H not only closely matches the Core i5-13420H in Cinebench R23 single-core benchmarks, but also ever so slightly averages higher performance numbers than the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, which is two generations newer than the Core i5-12500H.

Knowing how well the Core i5-12500H stacks up against its newer siblings, it’s no wonder then that it’s the best for a value-focused performance machine such as the ASUS Vivobook 16X. It’s not all about the CPU only though; the Vivobook 16X also packs in an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU based on the latest ADA Lovelace architecture, allowing you to not only excel at pro-level rendering and other creative needs but also in-game with support for features like DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation for super smooth gameplay. The Vivobook 16X also uses NVIDIA Studio drivers, ensuring that you get maximum stability especially when it comes to professional creative apps used to edit photos and videos. On top of that, there’s even a MUX Switch enabling you to choose between using the discrete GPU or switching to the iGPU for a much longer battery life.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (3)

This marriage of powerful hardware and cutting-edge AI upscaling technologies means that you’ll be able to comfortably run triple-A titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings or Black Myth: Wukong with a mix of medium and high settings, and still expect 60fps and higher in-game.

All of that powerful hardware is kept nice and cool too with ASUS IceCool thermal technology, with upgraded 8mm, 6mm and 4mm heat pipes along with an 87-blade IceBlade fan for efficient heat transfer. Such cooling performance allows the Vivobook 16X to run with up to 70W CPU+GPU TDP in performance mode with no thermal throttling.

2. Slim, light and the most portable RTX 4050 16” Laptop

We’ve already mentioned a lot about what’s powering the Vivobook 16X, and while it’s what’s inside that counts, it’s hard to ignore the fact that first impressions tend to last forever too. Luckily then the Vivobook 16X offers a great user-friendly design, with the classic Vivobook raised logo on the metallic lid, and measures just 18.9mm thin. It’s also merely 1.8kg light, making this one of the most portable RTX 4050 laptops you can get right now with a 16-inch display.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (5)

That puts it in stark contrast to the other 16-inch laptops out there that feature similar levels of performance. In fact, in most cases, you’ll be resorting to gaming laptops with an uber-thick chassis typically above 20mm thick as well as weighing oftentimes over 2kg. Such heft makes them a lot more inconvenient for creators on the go who value not only performance but also portability, which is where the Vivobook 16X comes in with its slim chassis and compelling hardware.

ASUS laptops are also engineered to withstand more so that they can tough it out, and the Vivobook 16X is no different as it meets the US MIL-STD-810H military grade standard, making it reliable and durable. Other great design choices here include a 180-degree lay-flat hinge design for easy sharing, an ASUS ErgoSense keyboard for a more satisfying typing experience, and an ASUS Antimicrobial Guard for up to 99% bacterial growth inhibition for at least three years.

3. Perfect for work and play with accurate colours and a high refresh rate

ASUS has been at the forefront of laptop display technology for a long time now, and you can certainly see that with the Vivobook 16X. As this is a laptop that will likely find itself being used by many professional creatives, the Vivobook 16X comes kitted out with a large 16-inch IPS display in a 16:10 aspect ratio for additional screen real estate and covers 100% of the sRGB colour gamut that’s essential for colour accurate work.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (4)

The WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution meanwhile offers great clarity even when up close and personal with the Vivobook 16X. You’ll also find that the Vivobook 16X’s display offers a 144Hz refresh rate, as well as 300nits of brightness and is even kind to your eyes thanks to it being TUVRheinland low blue light and flicker-free certified.

All of this makes the 16-inch display on the Vivobook 16X perfect for creators who would be able to appreciate the larger screen and taller aspect ratio to better see your workflow while maintaining impeccable colour accuracy too. And then once it’s time to clock off work, you’ll be able to quickly transform the Vivobook 16X into a portable gaming station that lets you see everything in-game at a buttery smooth 144Hz.

4. Complete selection of I/O ports

It perhaps goes without saying that almost all of us would hate carrying dongles with us. Your laptop should simplify your workflow, rather than become a headache every time you want to connect a simple accessory or transfer files from it. That’s again one of the great reasons why the Vivobook 16X can appeal to everyone from gamers to creatives, as it packs in a complete selection of I/O ports so that you can connect just about anything and everything to it.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (5)

Specifically, the ASUS Vivobook 16X packs in two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port with support for display output and power delivery, a HDMI 2.1 TMDS port, a 3.5mm combo audio jack and an SD card reader too. And that’s not all either as the Vivobook 16X offers great wireless connectivity options too thanks to support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

As such, you’ll be able to enjoy speedier transfers be it from an external SSD or an SD card after your shoots and productions, or if you prefer, simply download everything back from the cloud; it’s all no issue thanks to the complete connectivity options on the Vivobook 16X.

5. Brilliant option on a budget for everyone

With a new revised price tag of just RM3,999, the ASUS Vivobook 16X is truly a fantastic buy for anyone wanting an easy entry-level professional or gaming laptop that is not just powerful and capable but portable and durable too. You can find the Vivobook 16X on sale at our ASUS official eStore as well as on shelves from our retail partners nationwide.

This article is sponsored by ASUS Malaysia. Statements made in the article do not reflect the views of the techENT editorial teams.

Computers, Gaming, News

Acer Unleashes Power-packed Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop; Price Starts at RM3,099

Leave a comment

Acer Malaysia has unleashed the Acer Nitro V 15 gaming laptop! The new entry into the Nitro lineup is packed to the brim with gaming-centric specifications and promises an unparalleled gaming experience at its price point. The best part? It’s arriving just in time for the holiday season.

Acer Nitro V 15 7

The Acer Nitro V 15 revamps the Nitro gaming laptop in more than one way. It’s not only got a brand new, edgy design. It’s also pushing the boundaries when it comes to value for money. Gamers can maximise their investment with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that is complemented by either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 or RTX 2050 graphics card, ensuring seamless gameplay for casual gamers. The laptop’s commendable combined power draw of 180W and 170W for the respective graphics cards sets it apart, providing up to 30% more Frames Per Second (fps) compared to counterparts with lower Max Graphics Power (MGP).

Acer Nitro V 15 3
Acer Nitro V 15 6
Acer Nitro V 15 5
Acer Nitro V 15 4
Acer Nitro V 15 1
Acer Nitro V 15 2

One of the standout features of the Nitro V 15 is its captivating 144Hz 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display. Striking the perfect balance between power and style, this laptop is built to cater for more than just gaming. Gamers embarking on careers in graphics design or even multimedia should be able to breeze through with the Nitro V 15. The powerful laptop comes complete with a 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD) storage and 8GB of DDR5 5600Hz RAM. You’ll be able to expand the RAM up to 32GB for future gaming demands.

Acer is offering a 2-year warranty for the Nitro V 15. The first year also comes with an international warranty.

Pricing & Availability:

The Acer Nitro V 15 with the RTX2050 is priced at RM3,099. The RTX4050 version, on the other hand, will set you back RM3,899. It’s immediately available at Acer concept stores nationwide and the Acer e-store.

Customers who purchase the Acer Nitro V 15 before December 31, 2023, will enjoy gifts worth up to RM637. These gifts include a Nitro Urban Gaming Backpack, a 3-year subscription to Trend Micro Internet Security, a Logitech G Wireless Gaming Mouse, and credit for the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

Early adopters can also participate in a quiz through www.a-redemption.com. If you do, you’ll stand a chance to win extra rewards totalling up to RM50,000 in the Holiday Giveaway.

Business, Computers, Contributed

How To Balance Business Innovation and Operational Excellence

Leave a comment

This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia

IT decision-makers have officially earned their seats at the table — nearly three-quarters of CIOs say their roles have been elevated by the visibility they received during the pandemic. [1] Now they have to figure out what to serve first.

Picture1
The Lenovo ThinkPad® X1 Nano Gen 3 is powered by 13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P processor takes multitasking—and manageability—to the next level and is built for what IT needs and users want.

Digital strategy and transformation took the lead last year for 67% of CIOs, but the number fell to 60% in 2022 as IT decision-makers focused on the fundamentals of optimizing and managing technology.1 Priority whiplash has left more than 76% of CIOs struggling to balance two critical goals: business innovation and operational excellence.1

With the right technology partner, IT decision-makers don’t have to choose. Smarter digital workplace solutions raise the bar on productivity, business agility, and infrastructure integrity, freeing them to focus on strategic organizational change. In fact, that’s how they would prefer to spend their time — 83% of IT decision-makers are actively seeking digital transformation opportunities that will help their companies contribute good to the world.[2]

What should you look for in a technology partner?

An end-to-end solution provider will have your back, optimizing operations in three essential ways.

01. Productivity and collaboration

Exceptional technology is the baseline for productivity and collaboration, supporting hybrid workplaces, connecting employees, and securing data and devices from anywhere. When it works, technology enables peak performance and improves user experience. On average, three-quarters of employees credit their business technology with making them feel more productive and empowered.2 And 60% of IT decision-makers see their employee experience (EX) scores rise by focusing on improving users’ experience with technology.[3]

When technology doesn’t work, IT decision-makers put innovation on the back burner while they scramble to field help desk requests, respond to security emergencies, push out patches, and source new products to meet evolving business needs.

Look for technology that is optimized to work together, promises exceptional reliability, and leverages the most current innovations for data and employee security.

Lenovo delivers a portfolio of premium solutions — hardware, software, services, and accessories — ranging from PCs and smartphones to smart collaboration to augmented and virtual reality technology (AR/VR). Plus, remote management and automation technology innovations can cut time spent on manual processes by as much as 50%.[4] Hardware- and software-based security and manageability tools elevate productivity on modern devices like the ThinkPad® X1 Carbon Gen 11, powered by 13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1335U processor, built for what IT needs and users want.4

Picture2

About half of CIOs right now are spending significant time on operational IT improvements, and 26% are busy reacting to IT crises.1

What would you be doing if your technology could manage and secure itself?

02. Agility and optimization

Business transformation often depends on the ability to scale, requiring immediate access to mission-critical technology. Quick access to technology has proven elusive for some organizations, which results in IT teams spending significant time managing older equipment.

That’s an easy ask if they’re partnered with a technology provider that offers as-a-service solutions. With Lenovo TruScale, devices, infrastructure, services, and support can all be scaled easily to meet evolving business needs. Everything from the pocket to the cloud is available on demand, from a single point of contact, in a cost-efficient OpEx model. End-of-life recycling is also an important part of the package — streamlining the process for IT decision-makers, eliminating security risks associated with asset disposal, and helping to meet organizational sustainability goals.

When it comes to freeing up time for innovation, few decisions are as impactful as choosing an as-a-service partner. When everything from infrastructure to end-user devices is optimized, updated, and ready to be deployed anywhere in the world, operational excellence takes care of itself.

03. Intelligent infrastructure

Businesses need an infrastructure that delivers faster time to insights, improved application performance, enhanced security, and better manageability.

Cloud computing is an important part of the equation. As of 2022, 60% of corporate data worldwide is now stored in the cloud,[5] and that makes achieving operational excellence significantly easier.

Within just a few months after migrating to the cloud, 80% of businesses report operational improvement[6] thanks to the continuity, resilience, and efficiencies achieved with hybrid cloud computing.

The Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors in Lenovo’s ThinkAgile appliances optimize workloads and improve efficiency, providing significant improvement in data processing capacity. Along with flexible cloud storage, IT decision-makers also have access to remote management services and support analytics through one customer portal. With increased visibility across the entire fleet and the capability to manage technology remotely, they can significantly reduce organization-crushing downtime — and make time for transformation.

Smarter IT decision-makers don’t go it alone. 92% of CIOs believe technology vendors play a valuable role in their company’s overall success.[7]

[1] CIO.com, “State of the CIO, 2022: Focus turns to IT fundamentals,” March 2022
[2] Reach3 Insights and Lenovo, “Human-centered insights to fuel IT’s vision,” July 2022
[3] Lenovo, Intel, and Forrester, “Invest in Employee Experience, Drive Your Bottom-Line Growth,” October 2020
[4] Salesforce.com and Pulse, “Global IT Survey 2020,” accessed August 2022
[5] Statista.com, “Share of corporate data stored in the cloud in organizations worldwide from 2015 to 2022,” accessed August 2022
[6] Zippia, “25 amazing cloud adoption statistics,” May 2022
[7] IDG, “2022 Executive Summary State of the CIO,” 2022

Computers, News

HP Refreshes Pavilion Lineup with the Pavilion Plus 14 & Pavilion Plus 16

Leave a comment

HP has unveiled two impressive additions to its laptop lineup, the Pavilion Plus 14 and 16. These sleek machines combine striking designs with powerful performance, offering users a range of options to meet their computing needs.

HP Pavilion Plus 14: Versatility with Myriad Choices

The Pavilion Plus 14 presents a versatile array of choices for users. It’s available with configurations sporting either Intel or AMD processors. Users can choose between configurations with the Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5 or AMD Ryzen 7 processors.

HP Pavilion Plus 14 16 2

The standout feature here is the display. HP has opted to adopt the 16:10 aspect ratio and it’s pretty clear with the IPS and OLED displays in the HP Pavilion Plus lineup. The base model boasts a crisp 1920×1200 IPS panel, but there are enticing upgrades available. Users can opt for a 2560×1600 IPS screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate or an even sharper 2880×1800 OLED display, also at 120Hz. For those choosing the AMD variant, the configurations come with AMD APUs which come with integrated graphics namely the Radeon 740M, 760M, or 780M. The webcam has seen an improvement, now sporting a 5-megapixel camera.

HP Pavilion Plus 14 16 3

In terms of memory and storage, options begin with 16GB of DDR5 memory and 512GB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. Connectivity is robust, featuring dual USB-C ports, USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. HP claims that this laptop can deliver up to an impressive 13.5 hours of video playback on a single charge.

Pavilion Plus 16: A Larger Canvas for Creativity

The Pavilion Plus 16 aims to provide a larger canvas for users who require a bit more screen real estate. It’s equipped with Intel processors, specifically the i5-13500H and i7-3700H. The laptop comes in striking silver and gold colour options. The 16-inch screen boasts a resolution of 2650×1600 at a fluid 120Hz. Graphics options include integrated Intel Xe or a dedicated GeForce RTX 3050 GPU.

HP Pavilion Plus 14 16 1

Battery life on the Pavilion Plus 16 is impressive – on paper at least. HP touts almost 16 hours of usage. Storage and memory options mirror those of the 14-inch version. The laptop is generously equipped with ports, including a Thunderbolt 4 upgrade for one of the USB-C ports.

Pricing and Availability

The Pavilion Plus 14 starts at $849.99 (MYR3,950.06) and will be available for shipping in September. On the other hand, the Pavilion Plus 16 starts at $999.99 (MYR4,647.14) and is set to launch in October.

We’re sure that Malaysian availability will be announced soon.

Business, Computers, News

Intel Launches Their Most Powerful Mobile Processors in the 12th Generation Core HX Processors

Leave a comment

Intel Vision 2022 is here! Their keynote was two hours long, but it was not for nothing. They touched on plenty of things that they are working on in the background. Most of it has to do with their corporate businesses and corporate initiatives. One of it though has to do with mobile workstations and that is one we were interested in. They announced the new 12th Generation Core HX processors for workstations. In other words, they have released their most powerful mobile CPUs yet.

Intel already has their 12th generation Intel Core processors on the mobile platform before this. While they are largely of similar build and architecture, they are different products, this Core HX one and the ones before. As Intel puts it, the Core HX is made for professionals and creators.

At the top, the 12th generation Intel Core i9 with Core HX still packs up to 16 cores. Eight of the cores are efficiency cores while the rest are performance cores. In their forms, they are still the same 10nm processors with the new big-small architecture. The new Core HX processors also still support the same DDR5 at 4800MHz speeds where available.

12th Gen Intel Core HX Mobile Workstation Processors | Talking Tech | Intel Technology

Where the new Core HX differs to the outgoing 12th generation Intel Core processors is in its multi-threaded performance. Intel claims that the Core HX delivers 65% more multi-threaded performance compared to the regular Core processors. 65% is a significant amount and important when it comes to creative use. It means less rendering and processing time in video production, 3D rendering, and even animation purposes. The 12th generation Core HX processors, in this case, will see the most benefit in CAD, animation, and visual effect applications. How it will compare to team red is yet to be seen though.

Still, just because the Core HX processors are optimised to be workhorses in creative and professional applications, does not mean that Intel has forgotten their core strength. The Core HX processors are still powerful gaming processors at their hearts. Of course, if you are building a gaming rig, there are other Intel products that might suit you better, this one should be more of an all-rounder for those who needs the versatility.

With Core HX, Intel has introduced seven new processors in their 12th generation Core line-up. The seven new processors are spread out between the Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 offerings. Because they are mobile processors, we will have to wait and see what Intel’s manufacturing partners can come up with later in the year with the Core HX solutions. For more information on Intel’s Core HX processors, you can visit their website.

Computers, News

Intel Has Joined the Chat – The New 11th Generation Desktop Intel Core Rocket Lake Processors

Leave a comment

Rocket Lake is here! Some might say, “about time”. We say, let the games begin.

Intel’s 11th Generation Intel Core processor for Desktop systems, while inevitable, seems to be something that should have come a while ago. Then again, taking their time to introduce a new product after the big game changer that was AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 series processor could be a smart thing to do. So here is the new Rocket Lake processors that has been teased and highly expected since the end of 2020.

500 Series Chipsets

The introduction of the new Rocket Lake processors also means that there is a new on-board chipset to pair to, as usual with Intel. Intel’s new 500 series chipset adds support for PCIe 4.0, which also means you can now take full advantage of new PCIe Gen 4.0 devices like the newer NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series and AMD Radeon 6000 sieres GPUs. It also means you can get the newer, faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs to work with too. Of course, there is some new improvements in Intel Optane Memory.

  • Source: Intel
  • Source: Intel

The new chipset is also supposed to open up more USB bandwidth on the new boards too, which also means more USB lanes and faster ports. You also get to put in faster memory modules at DDR4-3200. The new 500 series chipset also allows memory overclocking on the H570 and B560 chipsets, so you are less restricted when you have a budget to work with.

Back to the new processing chips. Of course, the are not just launching a single Intel Core i9-11900K. The range topper is coming with a whole slew of Intel Core processors from the low-end, low-power Core i3-10105T with four cores and eight threads all the way to the superpower that is the flagship Core i9-11900K. The new Rocket Lake launch also include the launch of the new Pentium series with the Pentium Gold G6605 two core processor leading the way.

More Power

As per usual, Intel’s big focus on the new processors that were introduced is gaming. The headline figures for the class leading Intel Core i9-11900K unlocked processor is eight cores, 16 threads, and 16MB of Intel Smart Cache. The flagship chip clocks at up to 5.3GHz on Thermal Velocity Boost. Most games these days have not been able to capitalise on high multicore clocks too, so the Intel Rocket Lake platform processors are still expected to perform very well.

Of course, the new Rocket Lake Core processor will come with Intel’s UHD graphics with enhanced Intel Xe graphics architecture. Intel’s Xe GPU architecture pretty much has proven itself in the mobile computing space. It also means you technically can game on the on-board graphics. Intel claims 50% more graphics performance over the older generation Intel UHD Graphics. They also claim up to 19% generational improvement on the overall IPC performance. That is one of the larger leaps in terms of generational performance in Intel’s line-up. Oddly enough, the 11th Generation Core processors are still built on top of 12nm technology instead of AMD’s cutting-edge 7nm technology. AMD has also touted 5nm technology in their next Ryzen series.

Price and Availability

  • Source: Intel
  • Source: Intel
  • Source: intel

The biggest surprise from Intel’s new generation of processors though is their price tag. This time, their offering their CPUs at lower prices than their competitors. The range topping Core i9-11900K for example will be sold at US$ 539 (MYR 2,220*), US$ 10 (MYR 41*) cheaper than its competition the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at US$ 549 (MYR 2,261*). The Core i5-11600K, which would most likely be the processor of choice for most users will sell at US$ 262 (MYR 1,079*), a whopping US$ 30 (MYR 124*) less than AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X at US$ 299 (MYR 1,231*).

Intel’s 11th Generation Rocket Lake Core processors for desktop is announced to be available later in March 2021. There are no solid leads regarding its local (Malaysia) availability just yet. That also means there are no official pricing locally just yet. Of course, we will keep you posted. For more information, you can head to Intel’s website.

*Approximate value based on conversion rate US$ 1.00 = MYR 4.12 on xe.com as of 17/03/2021

Computers, Reviews

ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX425EA) In-depth Review: Intel-ligent, Compact Productivity

Leave a comment

When it comes to laptops, ASUS is definitely one of the go to brands for a lot of us. However, with so many line ups and models coming out fast and hard, it can be a little bit daunting when it comes to choices. Well, with ASUS’s new, Intel powered Zenbooks, we’re looking at a refinement of a model released earlier – in fact, we already have a review up of the older model.

So, why look at the Intel variant? The reasoning is pretty simple, the ZenBook is a unique offering with a lot to bring to the table. However, when it comes to performance, the processor can easily be the difference between a good laptop and a subpar laptop. So, where does this Zenbook fall?

Design

Let’s be really frank, there’s nothing very revolutionary when it comes to the ZenBook’s design. In fact, the new Intel powered ZenBook 14 pulls its design from the previously released ZenBook 14. This includes all the design queues and even colours. However, there’s a lot that can change in a matter of months when it comes to the design.

The ZenBook 14 comes with the now signature brushed metal finish. A real indication of the premium line up from ASUS. It has a slim silhouette with a hefty body. However, the top of the laptop clamshell where your display is nested is one of the thinnest we’ve seen on the market. It’s also one of the more sturdy options given it’s metal build. That said, the metal build is also where the laptop’s build gives a little. The hinge that holds the screen seems to be a little looser than you would like it; because of this, the top portion tends to fling back with the slightest jerk. Aside from that, the ZenBook 14 has a pretty solid body.

On the sides of the ZenBook 14 are an array of ports which include a microSD card slot. However, you will notice that the laptop is lacking a 3.5mm port. Other than that, it comes with Thunderbolt 4 capable USB-C ports, an HDMI port and a USB-A port. The USB-A and HDMI ports are actually the reason for the thickness of the laptop. Front and center of the Zenbook 14 is also a large touchpad which doubles as the numpad – a pretty welcomed feature if you work with numbers a lot.

Hardware

The ZenBook 14 isn’t skimping on hardware when it comes down to it. In fact, it has one of the better specc’d setups in the price range with the added benefit of being kitted out with all the I/O ports you need and a durable body.

Specifications

ASUS ZENBOOK 14 | UX2425EAAs tested
Processor (clock)Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 processor
2.80 GHz quad-core with Turbo Boost (up to 4.70GHz)
12MB cache
GPUIntel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Display14” Full HD (1920 x 1080)
16:9 aspect ratio
anti-glare screen
1W 400nits brightness
Four-sided frameless
NanoEdge design
90% screen-to-body ratio
2.5mm-thin side bezel and 10.9mm bottom bezel
IPS-level wide-view technology
Memory8GB LPDDR4X
512GB PCIe® NVMe™ 3.0 x2 M.2 SSD
Networking and ConnectionsIntel WiFi 6 with Gig+ performance (802.11ax)
Bluetooth 5.0  
2 Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® (up to 40Gbps)
1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (up to 5Gbps)
1 Standard HDMI
1 MicroSD card reader
Battery67Wh 4-cell lithium-polymer battery
Up to 15 hours battery life
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
Miscellaneous3D IR HD camera with Windows Hello support
Backlit Keyboard
Stereo Speakers
Microphone
DisplayPort over USB-C
Thunderbolt 4

Features

While it may seem like the ZenBook 14 is your run-of-the-mill laptop, it comes with enhanced features which ASUS has developed in-house. This includes both software and hardware. There is definitely a lot of features in the ZenBook; with some standing out more than others.

Connectivity Galore

The ZenBook 14 is one of the only laptops on the market to actually have a near complete array of I/O ports. The only one missing from the array is a 3.5mm jack. The ports are a welcomed feature on a thin and light like the ZenBook. This feature alone sets it apart from many of the thin and light laptops in its class. These ports allow for better workflow and make the ZenBook 14 even more versatile. With the USB-C Thunderbolt ports, the Zenbook can hook up to any screen capable of USB-C connectivity for a desk work environment. The same is true when it comes to the HDMI port. The addition of a microSD card slot help workflow if you need to transfer data from the memory cards.

The highlight when it comes to connectivity on the ZenBook 14 is definitely the  WiFi 6 support. With the new standard of WiFi connectivity the laptop is able to support higher data transfers when it comes to large files. It’s also future-proofed for high speed WiFi for the near future. That said, the WiFi 6 compatibility thanks to Intel’s modem is also able to draw faster speeds when it comes to regular WiFi too. During our time reviewing the laptop, we noticed about 10-15% faster connectivity on WiFi 802.11 ac connections compared to older laptops. While we thought it was anomalous at first, subsequent tests yielded the same results.

NumPad & Keyboard

The next feature that caught our eye is the Zenbook’s keyboard. The keyboard spans edge to edge on the body of the laptop making it blend seamlessly into the chassis – until the back light kicks in. The typing experience on the keyboard is one of the better ones that is available on a laptop. The 1.4mm of key travel makes the keystrokes less tiring and gives enough depth that it feels pretty natural and comfortable typing for long stretches of time. The keys are also sufficiently big that you won’t end up pressing more than one button. In fact, we would say that the keyboard on the ZenBook has one of the largest key sizes in its class.

The mouse pad is sufficiently large that you won’t run out of space to glide your fingers when working. It’s pretty smooth and comfortable to use. Even the clicking isn’t a strain. It’s simple but thanks to the thought that ASUS put into it, the experience was a little bit better. The real showstopper when it comes to the Touch Pad is ASUS’s inclusion of a NumPad. The virtual NumPad can be turned on by simply tapping the corner. Once the NumPad is activated, it behaves like a regular NumPad on any keyboard. This feature was a real boon especially when you’re dealing with numbers on spreadsheets. It was refreshing and felt more natural to have instead of needing to resort to the numbers on the first row of the keyboard. A swipe on the top also launches the calculator app.

AI Powered Clear Voice & Quick Sign In with Windows Hello

Hardware aside, ASUS has also bolstered some of the hardware with AI. One of the most relevant features to the current realities is their AI powered ClearVoice mic. The microphone intelligently detects and enhances the speakers voice and minimises or removes background noises such as passing vehicles or even your crying baby. With video conferences going mainstream, this feature is very welcomed. During our time with the laptop, this feature did come pretty handy. It was good enough that people didn’t realise that we took a call from a café as the background noise was so minimal.

This paired with the Windows Hello capable IR camera made life very convenient with the ZenBook 14. The IR camera made so we didn’t need to type our password in when in public spaces. It worked really week too. Even in darker environments it was able to detect and recognise faces within 2 to 3 seconds.

Performance

The ZenBook 14 is powerful for a thin and light. ASUS has configured it with enough power to do your everyday tasks and then some. The 11th gen Intel i7 processor brings a real punch in performance powers. It was able to handle chrome with multiple tabs (by multiple we mean more than 20) open without a hitch. While we don’t refer to benchmarks for performance, there was a noticeable increase in performance compared to the 10th Generation laptops we tested. Things were smoother and most importantly, they seemed more stable.

While the processor did bring a punch, the Intel Xe graphics is what impressed us. The platform is a major improvement from Intel’s previous integrated solutions for graphics. While previous iterations of Intel’s integrated graphics were able to handle light photo editing and even lighter video editing. The Intel Xe graphics allowed me to do basic editing of 4K on Adobe Premiere Pro without much problems. It was a pleasant surprise, one which led to a lot of syncrhonized work for editing.  

The Intel Xe platform also allowed the ZenBook 14 to handle some gaming. During our review, we were able to play games like Star Craft II, Diablo 3 and even some Bastion. While the games aren’t that graphically intensive, they are an improvement over Intel’s UHD graphics. The games were set to medium if not high. Of course, the laptop did heat up after gaming for a while which is expected.

Display

Another strong point for ASUS’s ZenBook 14 is the Full HD 1080p IPS display. The display is capable of 400 nits brightness which allows you to work on it in the sun if need be. But the best part of the screen is the amount of detail you get with it. Yes, it’s not a quad HD display. But at 14-inches, it would arguably be overkill to have such a high definition display. ASUS has found a middle ground that makes sense when it comes to size and display.

The Full HD IPS display of the ZenBook 14 is one of the best we’ve seen on a laptop. It has pretty accurate colour reproduction and has a high enough pixel density that minute details are not missed. This paired with the powerful speakers and the thin bezels make the audio visual experience on the ASUS ZenBook 14 one of the best on the market.

A Powerful Tool for Working on the Go which can seamlessly transition to a desktop setup

The ZenBook 14 with Intel’s 11th Gen processors is a powerhouse of a laptop with enough battery to last you a full day of use before needing to be topped up. With its myriad of options for ports, its also puts other laptops to shame when it comes to connectivity. Being able to work on videos, picture and also have all-day battery life is a powerful combination that makes the ZenBook stand out. However, it’s a formulaic approach to a laptop which needs a refresh – one we know that ASUS is capable of. While it’s a good performer, it leaves you wanting more in design and user experience.

Computers, News

Thin, Light, Stylish – Meet the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon

Leave a comment

Lenovo’s Carbon line up has long been reserved for its premium ThinkPad line up which the company gears for corporations. However, this year, Lenovo is trying something new by bringing the Carbon’s signature thin and light form factor to its Yoga line up. Joining the recently announced Yoga Slim 7i and Slim 7i Duet, the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon enhances Lenovo’s portfolio with an even more premium laptop focusing on the thin and light form factor.

The new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon weighs only 966 grams but packs specifications to allow you to be productive on the go. The laptop brings the signature carbon fiber build of the ThinkPad Carbon to the Yoga line up bringing both durability and a lightweight build. The material boasts the company’s proprietary second generation Web-Core 2.0 Carbon Fiber with enhance rigidity and durability while reducing the material weight by up to 40%.

The chassis isn’t the only thing that the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon has going for it. It comes either an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 or a Core i501135G7 bringing capable performance complemented by Intel’s new IRIS Xe graphics. There are options for either 8GB or 16GB of dual channel DDR4 RAM with options of up to 1TB PCIe M.2 SDD storage.

The Yoga Slim 7i Carbon comes with a 13-inch Quad HD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The display panel has 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut and has been certified by TÜV-Rheinland to be low blue light emitting. The panel also has Dolby Vision and Atmos optimisations, according to Lenovo. The display comes with super slim, 3mm bezels which allow for a more immersive experience. The hinge has 180° of rotation.

On the connectivity end, the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon comes with 2 USB Type C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4, PD 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB 4; 1 USB Type C with support for PD3.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB3.2 and an audio combo jack. It also supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0. It also supports Windows Hello with its IR camera.

Pricing & Availability

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon will be available in Moon White for MYR4,399. Release date is to be confirmed.

Computers, Lifestyle, News

Acer Brings Magic in Purple with Acer Aspire 5 (2020) at MYR 2,599

Leave a comment

Being flexible and able to work from anywhere in the world is more important than ever before. It is important also that you need to be able to set up and get going within 5 seconds of you sitting at a table. This flexibility is paramount in the world today.

This kind of flexibility sometimes comes with a big price tag. But what if you have MYR 3,000 to spend on that flexibility? You can buy an Acer Aspire 5 or the Acer Aspire 3 and more to get you up to speed with your work from home requirements.

Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5, as you have read from the title is MYR 2,599. In the sea of notebooks today, that might sound like a good price. That is because it is a good price for a general-purpose notebook.

For that money though you are not paying for discounted or inferior hardware. You still get a powerful enough 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processors. It does not have a dedicated discreet GPU for its 14-inch Full HD IPS display on board, but the Intel HD graphics is still good enough to run some low-level video editing and rendering with little issues.

Of course, you are not looking at this as a main video or production level rig. In that sense, you only get 4GB of RAM in the device which is still expandable if you need more. Within the sleek and pretty Magic Purple coloured body is a 512GB SSD to make quick work of your documents and file keeping purposes. Of course, if you need more space, there is an extra HDD slot too.

To make sure that you have everything you need to stay productive, the Acer Aspire 5 comes with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2019 pre-installed. But that is not all that you can do if you are already planning to spend MYR 3,000 on a rig. You can get a pretty good mouse with that, probably a nice pair of earphones to keep you stay productive and focused with the Aspire 5.

Acer Aspire 3

Need something bigger? 14-inch is a little puny? 15.6-inch should work fine then. That is the Acer Aspire 3 with 15.6-inch Full HD display.

You get Intel’s 10th Generation Core i5 still, the same as the one you find in the Acer Aspire 5. It also comes with 4GB in RAM (expandable), and a 512GB SSD storage. You get 32GB of Intel Optane Memory in place as well with the Acer Aspire 3.

Price and Availability

The Acer Aspire 5 is now available in Acer authorised stores across the nation. It will be also be available in all Acer’s official online store. As mentioned earlier, the Acer Aspire 5 is available in Magic Purple colour option at the price of MYR 2,599. The Acer Aspire 3 comes in Obsidian Black fro the same price. For more information on the Acer Aspire 5 and the Acer Aspire 3, you can head to Acer’s website.

Computers, News

The New ASUS ZenBook 13 & ZenBook 14 Lands in Malaysia! Prices start from MYR3,999

Leave a comment

ASUS’s ZenBook series has always been the company’s foremost when it comes to delivering solutions for workers on-the-go. The company has revitalised the line up with features that make working on-the-go easier, more ergonomic and less of a hassle. This year is no different with the new ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX325) and the ZenBook 14 (UX425).

The two new entries into the ASUS ZenBook line up make up the new ZenBook Classics line up which hold fast to the original ZenBook’s ethos of being portable and fitted for productivity. The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 come with the 10th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors with Intel IRIS Plus Graphics which allow them to be more power efficient and more powerful – allowing on-the-go workers to get more done and keep up with the increasing demand for processing power. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the ZenBooks will be able to handle most anything you can throw at the laptops.

The new line is the lightest and most compact line up of ZenBooks ever. The 13.3-inch ZenBook 13 comes in at only 1.07kg and is an astounding 13.9mm thin. The ZenBook 14 maintains the thickness but gets a little bump in weight, coming in at 1.13kg. Both laptops come with Full HD LED displays with 1080p resolution. The slim bezels around the screen allow for up to 90% screen to body ratio for a more immersive experience when you’re consuming your multimedia while maintaining the compact size.

Built for Productivity

Keeping with their productivity focus, the laptops come equipped with The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 come with a 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 solid state drive (SSD) for quick read and write performance. The SSD also allows you to boot into Windows in less than 10 seconds. In addition, ASUS NumPad 2.0 which turns the touchpad into a fully functional NumPad for all your number crunching needs. Together with NumPad 2.0, ASUS has also optimised the ergonomics of the laptop with it’s now ubiquitous ErgoLift hinge. The hinge raises the laptop slightly and angles the keyboard for a more natural typing experience and better cooling.

The new ASUS ZenBook Classic entries are not only optimising hardware for productivity, it also ensures that you don’t need to live the dongle life. The ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 both come with a full array of ports to make sure you’re ready to connect. It comes with two USB-C port complete with Thunderbolt 3 technology and ASUS EasyCharge. Also on the laptops is a USB Type A port, a HDMI port and a microSD card reader.

In addition to the numerous ports, the new ASUS ZenBooks also come equipped with WiFi 6 compatibility. The new WiFi technology allows up to three times more data to be communicated through WiFi for quicker data speeds and better latency. Your data isn’t the only thing that will be quicker than usual, you’ll also be able to login in a snap with the Windows Hello thanks to the IR webcam on the new ZenBooks.

Keeping productive can be a little bit frustrating at times, but the ZenBook 13 and 14 are tough with MIL-STD 810G ruggedness. So, you won’t need to worry about things getting a little bit rough with the laptops. This is complemented by up to 22 hours battery life thanks to it’s large 67Wh battery.

Pricing & Availability

The ASUS ZenBook 13 and ZenBook 14 will be available starting on August 11, 2020 for MYR3,999 (USD$953.25) for the version with the Core i5 and MYR4,699 (USD1,120.15) for the one with the Core i7.

Official Specifications

ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX325)

CPUIntel Core i7-1065G7 processor
Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
Display13.3” LED-backlit FHD (1920 x 1080)
450 nits
Slim 2.9 mm bezels with 88% screen-to-body ratio
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Office SoftwareOffice Home & Student 2019 included
GraphicsIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Main memory8GB 3200 MHz LPDDR4x onboard
Storage512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
ConnectivityWiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5.0
CameraHD infrared (IR) webcam (supports Windows Hello)
I/O ports2 x Thunderbolt™ 3 USB-C® with ASUS USB-C® Easy Charge
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A;
1 x Standard HDMI 2.0;
1 x MicroSD card reader
TouchpadASUS NumberPad 2.0
AudioCertified by Harman Kardon
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with surround-sound; smart amplifier for maximum audio performance
Array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support
Battery67 Wh lithium-polymer battery up to 22 hr battery life
AC adapter65-watt power adapter
Output: 20 V DC, 3.42 A;
Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions304 x 203 x 13.9 mm
WeightApprox. 1.07 kg
ColorPine Grey
Retail Pricing (MYR)RM 3,999 (i5-1035G1)
RM 4,699 (i7-1065G7)

ASUS ZenBook 14 (UX425)

CPUIntel Core i7-1065G7 processor Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
Display14” LED-backlit FHD (1920 x 1080)
400 nits
Slim 2.5 mm bezels with 90% screen-to-body ratio
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Office SoftwareOffice Home & Student 2019 included
GraphicsIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Main memory8GB 3200 MHz LPDDR4x onboard
Storage512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
ConnectivityWiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5.0
CameraHD infrared (IR) webcam (supports Windows Hello)
I/O ports2 x Thunderbolt™ 3 USB-C® with ASUS USB-C® Easy Charge
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A;
1 x Standard HDMI 2.0;
1 x MicroSD card reader
TouchpadASUS NumberPad 2.0
AudioCertified by Harman Kardon
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with surround-sound; smart amplifier for maximum audio performance
Array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support
Battery67 Wh lithium-polymer battery up to 22 hr battery life
AC adapter65-watt power adapter
Output: 20 V DC, 3.42 A;
Input: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions319 x 208 x 13.9 mm
WeightApprox. 1.13 kg
ColorPine Grey
Retail Pricing (MYR)RM 3,999 (i5-1035G1)
RM 4,699 (i7-1065G7)