ASUS outs wide array of 2022 laptops in PH

ASUS unveiled its all-new 2022 line-up of sophisticated, high-performance Zenbook Pro and Zenbook S series laptops, as well as an exciting all-new 2022 lineup of Vivobook Pro series, Vivobook S series, and Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Artist Edition laptops at an online launch event entitled The Pinnacle of Performance.

2022 Zenbook line-up – Incredible Comes From Within

The comprehensive new Zenbook Pro and Zenbook S portfolios include standard, convertible and dual-display laptops ranging in size from 13 inches to 17.3 inches, all featuring a modern new design and the latest high-performance 12th Generation Intel Core H-Series processors or AMD Ryzen 6000 H-Series processors, up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop GPUs with the benefits of the NVIDIA Studio ecosystem, along with a dazzling array of performance- and productivity-enhancing innovations.

“At ASUS, we continue in our relentless pursuit for innovation to push everyone’s creativity to the next level,” said Rex Lee, ASUS Vice President and Head of Personal Computer BU. “Thanks to our users, ASUS has become worldwide No.1 NVIDIA Studio creator laptop brand.

And since launching our most comprehensive OLED laptop line-up in 2021, ASUS has earned the worldwide No. 1 spot for OLED laptops,” he continued. “With the full enhancement of our brand-new Zenbook Pro and Zenbook S series, these iconic premium compact laptop series not only achieve the pinnacle of performance, but also feature stunning OLED displays, unique innovations, and a modern new look.”

During the event, a powerful new Incredible Comes From Within marketing campaign for Zenbook was unveiled by Galip Fu, ASUS Global Marketing Director, Consumer PC.

“Over the last 10 years, the Zenbook series has been transformed, perfectly reflecting the ASUS journey in search of incredible,” he explained. “With our new 2022 portfolio, Zenbook moves to the next level. The incredible comes from within you, from all the people who see things from different perspectives, creating what has never been created. Zenbook is perfectly placed to support those who will not settle, so this year, we’re launching the Incredible Comes from Within campaign to continue in search of incredible.”

ASUS has partnered with NVIDIA to bring all the benefits from NVIDIA Studio to the new Zenbook Pro laptops, including software optimizations and pre-installed NVIDIA Studio drivers for enhanced performance and reliability in creative apps.

The 2022 Zenbook Pro and Zenbook S series of premium laptops all feature a completely new ‘modern Zen’ look, giving them an uncluttered, sophisticated appearance, with new details such as stepped diamond-cut edge highlights and the new ASUS monogram ‘A’ lid logo.

Continuing the Zenbook tradition, the emphasis is on elegance and portability combined with class-leading performance.

For unprecedented performance in a compact chassis, the Zenbook Pro and S series now use up to the latest 12th Gen Intel Core H-series or AMD Ryzen 6000 H-series processors.

Maximum sustained performance — up to a 140 W combined thermal design power (TDP) depending on the model — is assured by new and improved cooling solutions across the range including ASUS IceCool, IceCool Plus, and IceCool Pro.

Additionally, Zenbook Pro 16X OLED (UX7602) and Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED (UX8402) introduce the new Active Aerodynamic System Ultra (AAS Ultra), an innovative auto-tilt mechanism that elevates the ASUS ScreenPad Plus secondary touchscreen or the ASUS ErgoSense keyboard to allow improved cooling and better ergonomics.

Zenbook Pro 16X OLED – The most powerful Zenbook ever

The Zenbook Pro 16X OLED is an NVIDIA Studio validated laptop, powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, Zenbook Pro 16X OLED delivers extreme mobile performance.

The high-performance components are cooled with the new ASUS IceCool Pro cooling system, which uses two quiet IceBlades fans, each with 97 3D-curved blades.

These cool the vapor chamber and the 5mm heat pipe from the CPU and GPU, and the hot air is vented efficiently to the exterior via the new AAS Ultra mechanism, with its 14.5 mm lift that also tilts the keyboard by an ergonomic seven degrees.

The result is that the CPU and GPU can run at up to a 140 W combined TDP in Performance mode without throttling and can run quieter than 40 dB in Standard mode. The high-capacity 96 Wh battery provides up to 10 hours of autonomy to ensure Zenbook Pro 16X OLED will get through even the most demanding workdays.

For stunning visuals, Zenbook Pro 16X OLED is equipped with a world-leading 16:10 16″ 4K OLED HDR 60 Hz 550-nit Dolby Vision touchscreen that’s PANTONE Validated for industry-standard color rendering, has a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut, and is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500-certified for the deepest blacks.

Other innovative and upgraded features include the all-new White-RGB ASUS Intelligent Lighting System that enables smart interactivity such as visual alerts for power or performance status; the ASUS Dial rotary controller for precise fingertip control of creative apps; and an enlarged touchpad with haptic feedback for click-anywhere convenience.

Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED – Dual displays, evolved

The seriously powerful Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is an Intel Evo-certified powerhouse that lets creators turn up their creative powers to the max.

The flagship up to 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900H processor and creator-grade NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU are cooled for extreme performance — up to an 85-watt combined TDP — by ASUS IceCool Plus technology, aided by the innovative AAS Ultra mechanism, which vents the chassis efficiently and also tilts the next-gen ScreenPad Plus secondary touchscreen by 12 degrees, positioning it at a comfortable angle for touch and viewing to ensure a seamless and immersive experience.

For studio-class visuals, the world-leading 2.8K OLED HDR 16:10 main Dolby Vision touchscreen has a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, an upgraded peak brightness of 500 nits, PANTONE Validated color accuracy, and a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut, as well as TÜV Rheinland-certified eye care.

For users requiring a larger display, the existing 15.6-inch Zenbook Pro 15 Duo OLED (UX582) has been updated for 2022, and now features up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU.

Zenbook Pro series

The versatile Intel Evo-certified Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLED (UP6502) is equipped with the world’s first 15.6-inch 2.8K 120 Hz OLED touchscreen, and is powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and the all-new Intel Arc A370M discrete graphics to deliver outstanding multitasking and multimedia power for serious users, enhanced with ASUS IceCool Plus thermal technology for maximum sustained performance. The compact, elegant, thin, and light design features stepped diamond-cut edges, a 360° ErgoLift hinge, and an HD IR camera for a fast face login. Combined ambient light and RGB color sensor allow automatic brightness and color adjustment. For an immersive cinematic experience, the Harman Kardon-certified quad-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system delivers ultra-realistic multi-dimensional sound.

Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702) features an expansive 17.3-inch 2.5K IPS NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen that’s PANTONE Validated with an ultrafast 165 Hz refresh rate, and superb all-round creative and productivity performance is delivered by up to an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. For superior audio experiences, there’s a Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos audio system driven by a powerful smart amplifier. The sleek, modern design is finished in elegant Tech Black.

Zenbook S series

With its versatile 360° ErgoLift hinge, Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED  (UP5302) lets users work or play in any mode they choose a laptop, tent, stand, tablet — or anything in between. The precision-engineered hinge is also torture-tested to ensure maximum reliability for total peace of mind.

The sleek and compact contemporary new unibody design — crafted from premium magnesium-aluminum alloy and finished in a choice of two fresh new colors — is just 1.1 kg light and 14.9 mm thin for effortless portability, and the up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor gives it the performance to handle any task with ease.

A long-lasting 67 Wh battery, three ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a microSD card reader make it the ideal portable companion.

The ultralight Zenbook S 13 OLED (UM5302) is an elegant and powerful companion for those with busy lifestyles. It packs a lot of advanced technology into its super-thin 14.9 mm magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis in just 1 kg, including up to an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor with AMD Radeon 680M graphics.

Finished in one of four sophisticated new colors — Ponder Blue, Aqua Celadon, Vestige Beige, and Refined White — Zenbook S 13 OLED is designed to stand out, yet it blends in anywhere. It’s up to 19-hour battery life, full connectivity — including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C — and USB-C Easy Charge make it the perfect on-the-go companion.

The clear and responsive 16:10 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen is PANTONE Validated for superb color fidelity, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified for the deepest blacks, and has an ultra-vivid 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for a superlative viewing experience.

Vivobook Pro series

The affordable, high-performance Vivobook Pro series is designed for aspiring creators.

New models for 2022 include the 16-inch Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (N7601/M7601), the 15.6-inch Vivobook Pro 15X OLED (K6501/M6501), the 14.5-inch Vivobook Pro 14X OLED (N7401), the 16-inch Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602), and the 15.6-inch Vivobook Pro 15 OLED (K6502/K6500/M6500).

These powerful creator laptops feature top-notch specifications that represent incredible value for money, with high-performance components including up to 12th Gen Intel Core i9 12900H or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processors with up to 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, studio-grade NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics, and an ultrafast 2 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.

ASUS IceCool Pro thermal technology allows creators to harness a total combined CPU and GPU TDP of up to 140 W.

World-leading OLED display technology is perfect for creative activities, with refresh rates up to 120 Hz and 0.2 ms response times.

They are PANTONE Validated for industry-standard color rendering, up to VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certified for high contrast and deep blacks, and have a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. For enhanced eye care, they are also TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue-light emissions.

Budding creators will also appreciate the inclusion of an SD Express 7.0 microSD card reader, the unique and intuitive ASUS DialPad virtual rotary control for their creative apps in combination with the ProArt Creator Hub app, as well as the long-lasting up to 90 Wh battery, and US military-grade durability.

Vivobook S series

Vivobook S series laptops are the thinnest and lightest in the Vivobook family, with a chassis profile measuring just 17.9 mm thin and weighing from as little as 1.6 kg, yet they offer performance levels normally associated with much bulkier models — they are some of the world’s first thin and light laptops capable of a 45 W TDP CPU performance.

The 2022 Vivobook S series lineup includes the 14.5-inch Vivobook S 14X OLED (S5402/M5402), the 16-inch Vivobook S 16X OLED (S5602/M5602), the 14-inch Vivobook S 14 OLED (K3402/M3402), and the 15.6-inch Vivobook S 15 OLED (K3502/M3502).

These ultra-modern laptops feature metal lids for the S 14/15 models or an all-metal construction for the premium S 14X/16X models. The all-new chassis design makes a real style statement, with a choice of youthful new colors — Indie Black, Neutral Grey, or Brave Green for S 14/15, and Midnight Black, Solar Silver, or Sand Grey for S 14X/16X — and a raised logo tab on the lid.

Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Artist Editions

The Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Philip Colbert Edition and the Vivobook 13 Slate OLED Steven Harrington Edition are two extraordinary limited-edition versions of the vivaciously versatile 2-in-1 portable companion that’s already wowing the world with its stylish looks and innovative design.

Designed in collaboration with world-renowned artists Philip Colbert and Steven Harrington, the Artist Editions feature themed hardware, exclusive accessories, and packaging, all designed in collaboration with the artists themselves.

These eye-catching editions each represent the unique world-view of the artist, with specially commissioned themed accessories — including a cover stand, smart cover, sleeve, stylus holder, and more  — and packing featuring their original artwork.

Both editions are also available with an optional artist-designed ASUS Marshmallow mouse.

For more information on the ASUS Pinnacle of Performance Event and the newest ASUS product line-ups, visit the ASUS website.

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Redmi Note 10S review: No fuss mid-range all-rounder

07/27/2021

The Redmi Note 10S is one-fourth of the company’s current Note 10-series. Positioned in between the base and Pro variant, this device exhibits a mesh of features that borrow or upgrade from the other models.

I’ve been using the Note 10S as my daily driver for a while and have been putting it through its paces in the real world. With that, I’ve found good reasons that make it a considerable purchase in this price segment.

Design

If you’re familiar with the build of the Note 10, you’ll find that it’s almost indistinguishable from the Note 10S. The physique is slim, light, and easy to use with just one hand.

I could grip it comfortably all the way around because of the curved edges. It also has IP53 dust and splash protection.

The Redmi Note 10S houses a glossy plastic back and comes in three colors — Pebble White, Ocean Blue, and what we have on-hand, Onyx Gray. The cameras are neatly presented in a rounded rectangle module that sits on the upper corner of the device.

The glossy back exhibits a really nice sheen when light hits it and makes it look very elegant. But as expected, fingerprints are easily transferred. There is a plastic case in the box to save yourself from constantly wiping the device.

On the right side, we have the volume rocker and power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor. Unlike most integrated fingerprint sensors, the Note 10S’s button sits flush or flat on the side.

This became my method of choice in unlocking the device as it was consistently responsive. And since we’re wearing masks almost all the time, it’s the most accessible, too. The Note 10S does also offer face unlock alongside the usual PIN input.

Though I do have to note that the fingerprint sensor is incredibly sensitive when set to touch for unlocking. It constantly scans what it comes into contact with which causes constant vibration. Remedy this by sticking to press for its unlocking method.

Going back to the device, you can find the dual SIM card slot can be found on the left while on top we have one of two speakers on the device, and the IR blaster. On the bottom, we have the second speaker, USB Type-C port, and headphone jack.

Display and multimedia

Fronting the Redmi Note 10S is a 6.43-inch AMOLED DotDisplay with narrow bezels all around. The screen is sizeable and comfortable to use on different apps and tasks.

Colors are a bit on the cool side but you can adjust the temperature in the device’s settings.

We found colors aren’t the most accurate but shouldn’t be a problem for the everyday user. As a whole, It’s still able to deliver well-saturated colors with dark blacks thanks to the AMOLED display.

The device also fares well under sunlight but the reflective screen does make it harder to see in harsh light. But indoors, I found the screen’s brightness to be more than enough for all of the tasks I go through on a daily basis.

Bezels are thin all around with the chin being the thickest. Up top, you’ll see the punch-hole notch for the selfie camera. There’s a silver ring around it making it a bit noticeable but it’s easy enough to get used to.

Overall, I had no complaints with the display and in using it for different productivity and social media apps. Watching videos, though, was a different story.

The Redmi Note 10S’s software seems to oversharpen videos. It can be bothersome especially when you’re watching a scene with a lot of blacks or shadows as artifacts tend to show up and details are lost.

Oddly enough, it only seems to happen with videos so you may want to consider this if you like to watch a lot of content. But if not or it’s not your priority, the Note 10S’s AMOLED screen provides fair and reliable performance in all other aspects.

The device is equipped with dual speakers that output sound quality that’s expected.

They’re loud, audible, and have a good balance of lows, mids, and highs. But because it’s Hi-Res audio certified, you can get a better experience by plugging in a compatible set of headphones into the headphone jack.

Performance

At the heart of the Redmi Note 10S is a MediaTek Helio G95 processor which should perform similarly to the Note 10’s Snapdragon processor. Our unit came with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage but there is an 8GB RAM variant for more demanding users.

Additional storage up to 512GB can be achieved by inserting a microSD card.

My experience with the device and its software was pleasantly fast and snappy. Apps opened quickly enough and gestures were responsive. I could also easily jump in and out of these apps without lag which helped in multi-tasking.

Gaming is on the conservative side of performance. Heavy titles like Genshin Impact struggles on the highest settings but that’s pretty expected.

On medium, you still get noticeable frame drops but with a couple of adjustments, you should be able to achieve better gameplay performance. Less demanding titles like League of Legends were more playable on this device.

The phone does heat up after continuous use but not enough to cause discomfort. Performance does start to slow down, though, so marathoning may not be an option for this device.

In my time with it, the Redmi Note 10S gave a reliable and workable performance, especially for productivity tasks. I had no problems going through daily routines of accessing emails, uploading content, and social media.

Hiccups in game performance didn’t have me reaching for this phone to play but it was a compromise that I didn’t mind making for a phone at its price.

Camera

One of the most prominent updates of this phone from the Note 10 is its camera system.

The Note 10S upgrades to a 64-megapixel main shooter. It works together with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle, 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth sensor.

Photos are pleasing when there is plenty of light available. Shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, both the main and ultra-wide cameras were able to bring out a good amount of details and color.

Low-light performance is a hit and miss. You can sometimes get pretty clear and detailed images but there are times shadows and darker tones exhibit noticeable noise.

The 13-megapixel front-facing camera is pretty much the same. It does very well in bright light and adequately in low light. Personally, I enjoyed the front camera as it gave me pretty sharp and good-looking selfies.

AI beautification works well to enhance features instead of exaggerating them. Cutouts for portrait mode are also impressive and enhance the overall look of the photo.

All in all, the Redmi Note 10S’s quad-camera system performs up to the mark for its price range. It also gives users a good range of tools and features while the front-facing camera provides flattering portraits that are definitely upload-ready.

Battery

Onboard the Note 10S is a 5000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. The Note 10S is supposed to reach a full charge in 69 minutes. This proved truthful in our tests using the shipped charger and cable.

In the real world, the Note 10S’s large battery is a champ. The 5000mAh capacity coupled with the phone’s power-saving tech allowed me to survive a whole day.

We were out shooting on the tracks and I had the Note 10S as my main phone and as a hotspot for my second phone. I was surprised and impressed to see that it didn’t run out of juice until the end of the day.

Creature Feature

In our reviews, The Modern Creatures aims to find special features in a device that makes it worth having – something that gives it an edge over its competitors. And for the Redmi Note 10S, it would be its long-lasting 5000mAh battery.

Not having to worry about the device’s battery is a luxury we appreciate and we got that with the Redmi Note 10S. The 5000mAh battery fuels all the tasks you need to do in a day and its power-saving tech frees you from charging cables.

Final Thoughts

The Redmi Note 10S may have a confusing position in the Note 10-series lineup but it’s clear that this device offers a slightly upgraded model with better cameras and overall performance at a more accessible price.

It’s great for users who need more stable and reliable performance for everyday tasks and loads as its upgraded processor helps in multi-tasking and other productivity features. Add its long-lasting battery and upgrade cameras, you’re getting a feature-filled phone at a wallet-friendly price.

The Redmi Note 10S comes in with an attractive price of just PhP 11,990 for the 8GB/128GB variant. You can purchase it through Xiaomi’s official store on Lazada and Shopee.

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