ASUS unveiled two new additions to its popular TUF Gaming series at Computex 2024: the 14-inch TUF Gaming A14 and the 16-inch TUF Gaming A16. These laptops redefine portability for gamers by offering powerful specifications within ultraportable chassis designs.
The new TUF Gaming laptops boast the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processors with built-in NPUs capable of delivering 50 TOPS of AI performance. This translates to improved battery life and smoother performance, with features like background noise suppression and eye-gaze correction during gameplay. For tasks requiring more intensive AI processing, such as local image generation or complex in-game AI features, the laptops are equipped with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs, offering up to 371 TOPS of processing power. These powerful GPUs enable features like DLSS super resolution, frame generation, and ray tracing reconstruction, ensuring smooth and visually stunning gaming experiences.
The TUF Gaming A14 and A16 prioritize reliable performance under pressure. ASUS has implemented an improved cooling system featuring dual heat pipes, two 97-blade IceBlade fans, and two air vents. This efficient cooling solution ensures optimal heat dissipation, allowing gamers to enjoy extended gaming sessions without worrying about overheating.
TUF Gaming A16 (Source: ASUS)
TUF Gaming A16 (Source: ASUS)
TUF Gaming A16 (Source: ASUS)
TUF Gaming A16 (Source: ASUS)
Both the TUF Gaming A14 and A16 feature stunning 2.5K 165 Hz displays, delivering high refresh rates for smooth visuals and exceptional responsiveness in fast-paced games. High-quality audio is also a priority, with both laptops boasting immersive audio experiences for enhanced gameplay immersion.
The TUF Gaming A14 and A16 prioritize user customizability. Users can easily upgrade RAM and storage to tailor the laptops to their specific gaming needs and preferences, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing information for the TUF Gaming A14 and A16 is not yet available. Both laptops are expected to be available later in 2024.
AMD‘s Ryzen laptop chips are getting supercharged with AI performance this year. The new laptop SoCs are not just getting powered up, they’ll be getting a new naming convention too. The new “Ryzen AI” chips are focused on bringing the same performance we’re seeing with ARM’s x64-based chips to its own x86-based chipsets. In fact, if AMD’s own claims are to be believed, it would seem that it’s already well on the way to blowing its competition out of the water.
Source: AMD
Leveraging Zen 5 with AMD’s XDNA2 Architecture
Ryzen AI processors are the first with the company’s new Zen 5 architecture. The new architecture leverages a 4nm fabrication process that allows it to increase performance and efficiency. The Zen 5 architecture also allows for increased branch prediction and accuracy as well as higher throughputs. The architecture is also designed from the ground up for parallelism.
Ryzen AI Brief 1
Source: AMD
The main difference between the Ryzen AI 300 series processors and the mainstream Ryzen 9000 is AMD’s own XDNA2 architecture. This architecture complements the performance of the Zen 5 based SoC with a new NPU. This NPU is capable of achieving an AI performance of 50 TOPS. This outperforms Microsoft’s minimum requirement of 40 TOPS for Copilot+ PCs. XDNA2 NPUs also combine the benefits of both 8-bit and 16-bit performance bringing both performance and accuracy to the platform without quantization.
The new Ryzen AI 300 series processors are equipped with 12 high-performance CPU cores with 24 threads and 50% more on-chip L3 cache memory over Zen 4 processors for thin and light laptops. AMD emphasizes that the NPU performance will be crucial to achieving power efficiency on laptops with AI performance. These NPUs can even be leveraged to drive better gaming performance. It’s also worth noting that these Ryzen AI 300 series processors also come with RDNA 3.5 GPUs in the Radeon 800M graphics.
Source: AMD
New Naming, Better Value and New Laptops
Together with the new architecture, AMD is also streamlining the nomenclature of its Ryzen AI processors. Ryzen AI processors will now feature the Line (ie. Ryzen AI 9 or Ryzen AI 5) followed by the SKU and then the model. So, a high-performance Ryzen AI 9 processor would be labelled as Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. Where the line is denoted by “Ryzen AI 9”, the “HX” denotes the high-performance SKU and the model is denoted by the “370”. Also notable is the reduction in numbers for the nomenclature from 4 digits to 3.
Source: AMD
Well, aside from the shiny new name and architecture, the latest AMD Ryzen AI 300 series comes with a whole value set. The processors are undoubtedly part of the AI revolution that is happening when it comes to mobile compute. The AI platform shit will deliver immense value when it comes to performance and power efficiency with laptops. We can expect to see laptops running the Ryzen AI 300 series processors having longer battery life with higher performance thanks to the XDNA2 NPUs that come in the SoC.
We can expect to see laptops with Ryzen AI 300 series processors hit the market in the coming months. Partners like ASUS, MSI, Acer, HP and Lenovo already throwing their backing with laptops in the works. In fact, ASUS has already mentioned a yet-to-be-announced stable of laptops including the ROG Zephyrus G16, ProArt P16 and PX13, Zenbook S 16, ASUS Vivobook S 14, S 15 and S 16, and TUF Gaming A14 and A16. MSI has also already announced the Stealth A16 AI+, Summit A16 AI+, Prestige A16 AI+ and Creator A16 AI+.
SKUs and Availability
Source: AMD
For now, AMD has announced 2 SKUs of the new Ryzen AI 300 series processors. We can expect to see laptops with these processors hit shelves as early as July 2024. SKU Specifications are as follows:
[i] Max boost for AMD Ryzen processors is the maximum frequency achievable by a single core on the processor running a bursty single-threaded workload. Max boost will vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to: thermal paste; system cooling; motherboard design and BIOS; the latest AMD chipset driver; and the latest OS updates. GD-150
Acer has launched a new lineup of TravelMate business laptops designed to empower professionals with cutting-edge features. These features include built-in AI capabilities, robust security solutions, and efficient manageability for businesses. Let’s delve into what these new laptops offer.
The latest TravelMate laptops boast the newest processors with built-in Neural Processing Units (NPUs). This translates to improved performance, smoother multitasking, and access to unique AI-powered experiences.
For a glimpse into these AI features, all the new laptops come with Acer TravelMateSense, offering quick access to device management settings and customizations. Additionally, a new Acer Experience Zone provides a central hub for the devices’ AI functionalities. A dedicated hotkey simplifies access to Copilot, a Windows feature that provides suggestions and assistance with various tasks.
Security remains a top priority for business laptops, and these new TravelMates address this concern with advanced security features and simplified administration for IT departments.
Every model comes equipped with a discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, biometric security options, and a camera privacy shutter to safeguard sensitive data. Businesses can also leverage Acer’s suite of commercial management solutions to streamline device deployment, configuration, and updates.
TravelMate P6 14: Designed for Premium Experiences
The TravelMate P6 14 caters to business leaders and executives. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors with Intel vPro Enterprise and built-in Intel Graphics, it unlocks a new level of performance, efficiency, and AI experiences.
This Intel Evo edition laptop boasts up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 1 TB of M.2 PCIe SSD for long battery life and swift responsiveness, even while handling demanding tasks.
Visuals are a treat on the stunning 14-inch WQXGA+ OLED (2880 x 1800) touchscreen display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and narrow bezels. 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut support and VESA HDR TrueBlack 500 certification guarantee exceptional colour accuracy and motion clarity.
Staying connected is seamless with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth® 5.3, and a comprehensive selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4™.
TravelMate P4 Series: Tailored for Everyday Business Needs
The TravelMate P4 Series encompasses a versatile range of thin-and-light laptops, including a 14-inch convertible, a 14-inch clamshell, and a 16-inch clamshell model. Each laptop is equipped with the latest features to enhance productivity and manageability for professionals and IT personnel.
The 2-in-1 TravelMate P4 Spin 14 offers maximum flexibility, allowing users to effortlessly switch between different tasks and modes. Weighing just 1.49 kg and measuring 21.9 mm thin, it prioritizes portability. An Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with built-in Intel Graphics and Intel vPro Enterprise eligibility ensures smooth performance. The 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) touchscreen display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and narrow bezels delivers a captivating visual experience, further enhanced by DTS immersive audio. For on-the-go professionals, Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G LTE connectivity keep them connected.
The 16-inch TravelMate P4 16 prioritizes power for users running demanding applications. The latest Intel Core Ultra processors with Intel vPro Enterprise, Intel Unison, fast dual-channel DDR5 memory of up to 64 GB, and up to 1 TB of PCIe SSD storage provide a robust foundation for productivity. The WUXGA (1920×1200) display with narrow bezels and Acer TrueHarmony technology ensures excellent visuals and immersive audio. A comprehensive selection of ports ensures seamless connectivity.
The AMD-powered TravelMate P4 14 leverages the latest AMD Ryzen PRO 8040 Series processors with AMD Ryzen AI, offering exceptional performance for collaboration, content creation, and everyday productivity tasks. With up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory, up to 1 TB of PCIe Gen4 storage, and cutting-edge enterprise security features, this laptop caters to demanding users.
Durable with AI Features
All TravelMate P4 Series devices are engineered to withstand the rigours of everyday use. Their military-grade durability certification ensures they can handle bumps and knocks without compromising performance. Acer Dust Defender technology helps minimize dust buildup internally, a common cause of performance slowdowns. Security features extend beyond hardware, with all devices equipped with discrete TPM 2.0, privacy shutters, fingerprint readers for secure logins, and an optional Smartcard reader for the TravelMate P4 models.
Each TravelMate laptop is equipped with new AI features designed to streamline collaboration and creative workflows. These features are conveniently located within the Acer Experience Zone on the TravelMateSense application.
Creative professionals will appreciate Acer LiveArt, which allows for instant background removal from images with people, animals, and objects, and can even generate depth maps on 2D images. Additionally, GIMP with the Intel Stable Diffusion plugin empowers users to create illustrations and images with just a few clicks and simple text input.
For flawless video conferencing and live streaming experiences, these TravelMates come pre-loaded with Acer PurifiedView 2.0. This software utilizes the NPU to offload AI-powered applications, optimizing power consumption and enabling features like Background Blur, Automatic Framing, and Eye Contact to project a professional image. Acer PurifiedVoice with AI Noise Reduction actively suppresses background noise for crystal-clear audio.
Pre-installed Business Support Solutions
Acer equips these laptops with a suite of commercial solutions to streamline business operations and safeguard data. The new TravelMateSense software allows users to optimize, customize, and access support systems with a single click. This application offers functionalities tailored to different work scenarios like meetings, travel, and focused work, with the ability for further customization based on individual preferences. “Secure Guard” provides a robust set of security features, including USB Device Filter, Personal Secure Drive, File Secure, and Dynamic Lock to protect TravelMate devices from potential threats. The “Checkup” feature allows users to monitor the health of vital device components like storage, RAM, and battery, even offering guidance on battery calibration for optimal performance. TravelMateSense also provides convenient access to system configurations, performance and charging modes, screen settings, and the DustDefender function, along with a real-time status report on the overall health of the TravelMate devices.
For organizations lacking dedicated IT staff, Acer Office Manager simplifies data collection, resource management, and IT asset monitoring from a central location. Data security is further bolstered by Acer ProShield Plus, integrating multiple security and management features into a single, user-friendly console.
Pricing & Availability
The new Acer TravelMate laptops will be available in various configurations and colour options (where applicable). Here’s a quick breakdown of starting prices in USD (US Dollar) and their estimated conversions to Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) based on today’s exchange rate (1 USD = 4.02 MYR):
Acer TravelMate P6 14: Starting at USD$1,429.99 (Approx. MYR 5,767.78)/EUR1,359 (Approx. RM5,472.18). Availability will begin in July 2024 in North America; the EMEA region in Q3 2024.
Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Starting at USD$1,329.99 (Approx. RM5,361.38)/EUR1,019 (Approx. RM4,103.78). Availability will begin in July 2024 in North America; the EMEA region in Q3 2024.
Acer TravelMate P4 16: Starting at USD$1,229 (Approx. RM4,947.78)/EUR959 (Approx. MYR 3,853.18). Availability will begin in July 2024 in North America; the EMEA region in Q3 2024.
Acer TravelMate P4 14: Starting at EUR949 (Approx. RM3,811.78). Availability will begin in the EMEA region in Q3 2024.
