ASUS just announced the release of Android Q Beta for ZenFone 5Z smartphones! You lucky few will be the first in the world to try the new features of Android Q!
In this guide, we will teach you how to install Android Q Beta into your ASUS ZenFone 5Z smartphone, and share with you the benefits of upgrading to Android Q!
What Is Android Q?
Android Q is the next-generation Android operating system that will supersede Android P (Android Pie) that is currently running in the latest Android smartphones.
When it launches, Android Q will bring with it a bevy of new features, which include :
A Dark Theme : Android Q now has a system-wide Dark Theme. Activate Dark Theme in Settings, or by turning on Battery Saver.
Suggested actions in notifications : You can now take action on messages with suggested actions in notification.
Prioritised notifications : You can decide whether an app’s notifications are interruptive or gentle. Interruptive notifications will make noise, vibrate, and appear on your lock screen, whereas gentle ones will not. Android Q also introduces algorithms to automatically determine whether notifications should be interruptive.
The Android Q Beta Programme
The Android Q Beta programme gives you access to an early build of Android Q, letting you experience Android Q ahead of its launch.
Needless to say, this is NOT the final build, so there are some bugs or known issues in the current version :
SD cards with exFAT format are not supported.
There is no beep when the volume up or volume down buttons are pressed. The beep still works with other functions.
Android Q Beta For ASUS ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL)
ASUS is providing an Android Q Beta firmware for their ASUS ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL) smartphone. Please note that :
The firmware is for ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL) only. Do NOT attempt to install it on other ZenFone models.
Android Q Beta updates are sometimes not as stable as official ASUS firmware updates. By installing this update, you accept the potential risks.
Please be aware that installing the system image on a device removes all personal data from the device, so you should back up your data first.
Please follow the instructions below to opt-in via Fastboot. Should you require any onsite help, please visit your nearest ASUS customer service center.
How To Install Android Q Beta On The ASUS ZenFone 5Z
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Four months after our sneak preview in Taipei, ASUS officially launched the ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX333) ultra-portable laptop.
Together with our hands-on preview of this new 13.3-inch ASUS ZenBook laptop, we will share with you the official presentation, colour options, as well as its price and availability!
The ASUS ZenBook Design Story
Hsi Chen from the ASUS Design Center reveals the design story behind the new ASUS ZenBook models.
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 Presentation
Leo Tseng, ASUS Malaysia Country Manager, presents the key features of the new ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333, as well as the ZenBook 14 UX433 and the ZenBook 15 UX533.
[adrotate group=”1″]
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 Colour Options
ASUS is introducing the new ZenBook 13 in three colour options – Royal Blue, Icicle Silver and Burgundy Red.
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 Price + Availability
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 is available starting 10 January 2019, with a starting price of RM 4,499 / ~US$ 1099 / ~£859. Here are some direct purchase links :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 Hands-On Preview!
The ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 has a 13.3-inch NanoEdge display that offers a whopping 95% screen-to-body ratio. It is powered by a quad-core 8th Generation Intel Core i7 or Core i5 processor with NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics.
Despite its small size, it boasts a full-size keyboard for comfortable typing. How did ASUS accomplish this? By removing its physical numeric keypad, and replacing it with the ASUS NumberPad – a unique LED-illuminated numeric keypad integrated into the touchpad!
It also comes with a 3D infrared camera, which allows you to login with Windows Hello even in the darkest of conditions. Even though the new ZenBook 13 has very thin bezels, ASUS managed to squeeze the camera into the top bezel.
Road warriors will be glad to know that the new ASUS ZenBook 13 has a rated battery life of 14 hours, and is MIL-STD-810G rated for reliability and durability.
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333 Specifications
Specifications
ASUS ZenBook 13 (UX333)
Display
13.3-inch NanoEdge Display
- Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- 72% NTSC colour gamut
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Processor Options
Intel Core i7-8565U
Intel Core i5-8265U
Memory
8 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM (2133 MHz)
Graphics Processor
NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (2 GB GDDR5 RAM)
Storage
512 GB PCIe 3.0 x2 SSD
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11 ac WiFi (dual-band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C
USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A
USB 2.0
HDMI
microSD card slot
Audio combo jack
Camera
3D IR camera (720p)
Touchpad
ASUS NumberPad
Audio
ASUS Sonic Master stereo audio system, certified by Harman Kardon
Array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support
Battery
50Wh 3-cell lithium-polymer battery
Up to 14 hours battery life
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Pack your bags and prepare to cheer your heart out, it’s ROG Masters season and the Grand Finals are ready to pack a punch this December. After forty gruelling Regional Qualifiers and four intense Regional Finals, the top six teams in both Dota 2 and CS:GO from China, EMEA, APAC and the Americas will be heading to Kuala Lumpur for the ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals!
The ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals
On the December 9th – 10th 2017, Kuala Lumpur will once again host the ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Esport fans will have a chance to see six teams per game duke it out in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for their share of the remaining US$470,000 prize pool. It will be tough, it will be intense, but most importantly, it will be a spectacle worth the watch!
Starting with a group stage on December 7th-8th for both Dota 2 and CS:GO, teams will be broken into two groups of three with games streamed online. The top two teams per group will then move on to a single elimination Playoff taking place in the KLCC on December 9th-10th!
[adrotate group=”2″]
Group Stage December 7-8 (not open to public)
Playoffs December 9-10 (free entry)
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC)
The ROG Master 2017 Featured Teams
Dota 2 : CDEC, Team Empire, Penta Sports, WG Unity, Execration, Optic Gaming
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The 2017 Lazada Online Revolution will run from 11 November 2017 until 12 December 2017 (11/11 to 12/12), in support of the Singles Day sales season. For those of you gearing up for the sales, we have pre-launch information on the Lazada deals that ASUS, MSI and Transcend will be offering at the Lazada Online Revolution!
So check out ASUS, MSI and Transcend’s Lazada deals below, and please useour Lazada affiliate code! Thanks, and happy shopping! 😀
The MSI Lazada Deals!
MSI Malaysia will offer special Lazada deals for selected gaming laptops worth up to RM 510!
The entry-level GL and GP gaming laptops will get cash vouchers of up to RM 300.
The MSI GE62 gaming laptop will receive a RM 450 cash voucher.
The MSI PE model will receive a RM 510 cash voucher!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
When ASUS announced that Korean superstar Gong Yoo is the brand ambassador for the ASUS ZenFone 4 smartphones, they also announced that he would grace the ASUS ZenFone 4 launch event. We were amongst the lucky few to be flown to Taipei for the “We Love Photo” event. Join us for our complete coverage of the ASUS ZenFone 4 “We Love Photo” launch event!
With six videos and five smartphones in this one event, we divided the coverage into smaller, more manageable chunks :
ASUS called it the “We Love Photo” event because the new ZenFone 4 family of smartphones is all about mobile photography. In fact, this is the first family of smartphones in the world to feature dual-lens cameras in every single model!
[adrotate group=”2″]
We earlier shared with you the specifications and our hands-on previews of the five ASUS ZenFone 4 models. If not, well, check them out below :
Although the many models may be confusing, they are very simply divided into three categories. The Selfie series is designed to offer the ultimate selfie photographic capabilities, while the Max series is focused on battery life. The main series (without Selfie or Max) focus on the main camera capabilities.
The ASUS “We Love Photo” Event
The ASUS ZenFone 4 “We Love Photo” launch event was slated to start at 2 PM on 17 August 2017. But guess what – Gong Yoo’s fans started queuing outside the Next TV Studio in downtown Taipei 12 hours early – at 2 AM in the morning! About a hundred of his fans were permitted to join us in the event hall, while the others had to wait outside in specially-erected tents. Look at how crowded the hall was!
The “We Love Photo” event kicked off with a pre-launch show, followed by a welcome speech by ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih.
[adrotate group=”1″]
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Series
ASUS Design Director Jen Chuang then revealed the key features of the ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie smartphones. These are designed to offer the ultimate selfie photography capabilities, so they all boast a dual-lens camera in the front!
ZenUI 4.0 & The ASUS ZenFone 4 Series
ASUS Head of Global Content Marketing Marcel Campos then talked about the new ASUS ZenUI 4.0. He revealed that not only will the new ASUS ZenFone 4 smartphones be upgraded to Android Oreo with ZenUI 4.0, the entire ZenFone 3 series will also receive the same upgrade!
He then shared the key features of the mainline ASUS ZenFone 4 smartphones. As every ASUS ZenFone 4 smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, he also invited ST Liew, VP & President of Qualcomm Taiwan, to talk about Qualcomm’s partnership with ASUS.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Specifications & Prices
In this video, ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih comes on stage to reveal the specifications and prices of the new ASUS ZenFone 4 models.
Here are the general prices that Jonney Shih announced :
Finally, the ASUS ZenFone 4 brand ambassador, and Korean superstar, Gong Yoo, came on stage to show off the new ZenFone 4 models. He then had an interview session (in Korean and Mandarin) with the hosts, before taking some selfies with four lucky fans!
More Event Photos
Here are some other photos from the ASUS “We Love Photo” event!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Right after Korean superstar Gong Yoo launched the ASUS ZenFone 4 family of smartphones at the Next TV Studio in Taipei, ASUS Malaysia revealed the ZenFone 4 price list and pre-order offers! Check them out below!
Updated @ 2017-08-20 : Added more details on the upcoming arrival of the ASUS ZenFone 4 and ZenFone 4 Pro, as well as purchase links for the ZenFone 4 pre-order offers.
Originally posted @ 2017-08-17
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Price List & Specifications
You may have earlier seen the specifications and hands-on previews of the five ASUS ZenFone 4 models. If not, well, check them out below :
ASUS Malaysia will only bring the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro, ZenFone 4 Selfie and ZenFone 4 Max Pro to Malaysia, at least in the beginning.
We heard though that the ASUS ZenFone 4 (with Snapdragon 630), and possibly the ZenFone 4 Pro too, will come in the first week of September 2017. Let’s take a look at what’s actually coming…
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro will retail in Malaysia for RM 1,799 / ~US$ 429, inclusive of the 6% GST.
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie will retail in Malaysia for RM 1,299 / ~US$ 309, inclusive of the 6% GST. ASUS Malaysia will also bring in a slightly smaller 5.2″ variant (Model ZB520KL), which will be priced at RM 899 / ~US$ 214.
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro will retail in Malaysia for RM 1,099 / ~US$ 259, inclusive of the 6% GST.
[adrotate group=”1″]
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Pre-Order Offers
If you pre-order the ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro, ZenFone 4 Selfie or ZenFone 4 Max Pro between 17–24 August 2017, you will get an ASUS ZenPower 10050 mAh power bank, and these goodies from ASUS Malaysia (while stocks last), and their e-commerce partners, Lazada and Shopee.
Here is a comparison table of the ASUS ZenFone 4 price list and pre-order freebies :
Pre-Order Bundle Gifts
ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro
(RM 1,799)
ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie
(RM 1,299)
ASUS ZenFone 4 Max Pro
(RM 1,099)
ASUS ZenPower 10050 mAh
power bank
(worth RM 99)
✔
✔
✔
Selfie Stick
✔
✔
✔
OTG Cable
✔
✔
✔
Micro USB Cable
✔
✔
✔
16 GB Micro SD Card
✔
✘
✘
So if you are looking to buy any of these ASUS ZenFone 4 models, go pre-order them now :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We were recently invited to the launch of the ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 WiFi router. The Blue Cave is part of ASUS’ new line of lifestyle-focused WiFi routers, which include the ASUS Lyra WiFi mesh system. As such, it’s designed to not only work well, but look good. Let’s take a closer look!
The ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 WiFi Router Revealed!
The ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 is a dual-band WiFi router targeted at non-techies. Hence, the emphasis on its aesthetics and user-friendliness. The name Blue Cave, incidentally, comes from the blue circular hole in the middle.
We had an opportunity after the launch to get some hands-on time with the ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 WiFi router. Check it out!
Four Internal Antennas
Its design requires the use of four internal antennas, but that does not mean it is less powerful. According to ASUS, it delivers a peak throughput of 1240 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, which is 20% faster than competing AC2600 routers using external antennas.
ASUS AiProtection
ASUS AiProtection, powered by Trend Micro, is built into the ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 WiFi router. This protects all connected devices, including smart home (IoT) devices, from intrusion, infections and malicious websites.
[adrotate group=”2″]
Smarter Homes with IFTTT
You can use the ASUS Blue Cave with other IFTTT-compatible devices and apps to create smart automated tasks.
PC-Free Control
You can control the router using a smartphone or tablet. The app will also keep you updated with notifications about network activity, security reports and more.
Family Overview
Parents can use the provided app to easily monitor and control every family member’s Internet and app usage.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We were recently invited to the launch of the ASUS Lyra. Lyra is a brand-new WiFi mesh system that is designed to provide large homes and offices with corner-to-corner wireless coverage. Let’s take a look at what a WiFi mesh system like Lyra is all about, and how it helps to deliver such extensive WiFi coverage!
The ASUS Lyra WiFi Mesh System
The ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) WiFi mesh system consists of three WiFi hubs that boasts tri-band 802.11ac capability, offering speeds of up to 2134 Mbps. Usually, one ASUS Lyra per floor is sufficient, so the basic kit allows you to provide “blanket coverage” for a four-storey home or office building.
Here is a closer look at one of the ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) hubs. Up to five of these Lyra WiFi hubs may be combined to provide corner-to-corner coverage for multiple floors in the building.
Corner-to-Corner WiFi
The ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) WiFi mesh system greatly extends the wireless coverage of your existing WiFi router, eliminating WiFi dead zones.
Single WiFi Network
The ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) mesh system creates a single WiFi network with a single SSID, so coverage is seamless. Your devices connects automatically to the strongest signal, and intelligently switches between Lyra hubs, without the need to change SSID.
[adrotate group=”2″]
Three Bands For Greater Capacity
The ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) mesh network uses three separate frequency bands. Each Lyra hub uses one band to communicate with the other hubs, leaving the other two bands free to connect to your devices.
Four Smart Antennas
The Lyra’s stylish chassis conceals four smart antennas. Whenever a Lyra hub is added to the network, it assesses the signal strength and quality from each antenna, and selects the best two antennas to use. It also searches for, and connects to, another Lyra hub with the best connection.
ASUS AiProtection
ASUS AiProtection, powered by Trend Micro, is built into every ASUS Lyra (Lowest Price) hub. This protects all connected devices, including smart home (IoT) devices, from intrusion, infections and malicious websites.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We were recently invited to the launch of the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) gaming router. This is the improved, gaming-optimised version of the ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), which is affectionately known as the “alien spider” router. They both look identical, but the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 gaming router boasts a number of improvements. Let’s take a look!
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 Gaming Router Revealed!
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) is a tri-band gaming router that is based on the famous ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) “alien spider” router. Let’s hear from ASUS what are the improvements in this Republic of Gamers (ROG) router!
We also had the opportunity to take a quick look at the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), and compare it to the ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) which looks almost identical. The key differentiating features externally – the ROG and ASUS logos, and the number of LAN ports – the ROG router has 8 LAN ports, while the ASUS router only has 4 LAN ports.
Here are the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) gaming router’s key features :
Optimised Gaming Ports
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) provides two gaming LAN ports that are optimized for gaming devices. All traffic on these ports is given top priority, so your gaming devices — or any other devices you want to connect to these ports — are always at the head of the internet queue!
Game Boost
ASUS Game Boost analyzes network traffic and prioritizes gaming packets, giving games a second level of acceleration for the best possible performance. Game Boost can be activated instantly with a single click on the Gaming Center dashboard, and it supports many consoles, including PS3, PS4, PS4 Pro, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Xbox One.
Gamers Private Network
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) has built-in support for the Gamers Private Network, powered by WTFast, which provides private, optimised internet connections to game servers, minimizing ping and latency to ensure smooth, lag-free gaming.
Fortified Network Security
To defend your network, the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) features Game IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), powered by Trend Micro. It protects your gaming network from external attacks and threats, neutralizing them before they can reach your network or devices. Even if your PC’s security software isn’t turned on — to get around blocked games, for example — Game IPS still protects your network from attacks and intrusions, giving you added peace of mind.
VPN Fusion
The VPN Fusion feature lets you run a VPN and an ordinary internet connection simultaneously! So even if other network users need to use a VPN, you can still enjoy maximum gaming speeds.
[adrotate group=”2″]
Dedicated WiFi Gaming Band
With the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), you can easily allocate one of the two 5 GHz bands to gaming devices, while other devices use the second 5 GHz band or the 2.4 GHz band.
RangeBoost
The RangeBoost feature is a powerful range-enhancing combination of hardware and software that increases coverage while also significantly improving long-range throughput!
Quad-Core Processor
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) is powered by a 1.8GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU that is more than powerful enough to handle anything you can throw at it, without skipping a beat.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ASUS just launched the ASUS ZenFone AR – a new-generation smartphone optimised for virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. In fact, it is the first ASUS smartphone to be Tango-enabled and Daydream-ready. Find out what the fuss is all about, and how much the ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) will cost, and more!
The ASUS ZenFone AR Presentation
Introducing the new ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) is Li Huai Pin, ASUS Malaysia Consumer Product Lead. He shares with us the key features of the ZenFone AR smartphone, as well as its local price and availability.
Here is a clearer version of the product video that was shown before the ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) presentation began.
What Is Tango & Daydream?
The ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) AR is Tango-enabled and Daydream-ready smartphone. But what does that mean?
Tango is a set of sensors and computer vision software Google developed to enable augmented reality in smartphones. It adds motion tracking, depth perception and area learning capabilities, to enable the creation of augmented reality experiences.
Daydream, on the other hand, is the Google mobile virtual reality platform. The ASUS ZenFone AR can be paired with the Daydream View headset and controller to allow the user to enjoy virtual reality movies, games and apps.
How Useful / Fun Is Augmented Reality?
You may be wondering – how useful or fun is Augmented Reality (AR)? What exactly can you do with the ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) that you cannot do with any other smartphone? This ASUS video demonstrates three augmented reality examples that the ZenFone AR enables.
Special Warranty
ASUS is offering the ZenFone AR (Price Check) with a special 1-to-1 Exchange Warranty. Here are the details :
[adrotate group=”2″]
1-to-1 Exchange In-Warranty is only applicable to ZenFone AR (ZS571KL) only.
Exchange is valid only within 12 months from the date of purchase receipt.
1-to-1 Exchange In-Warranty is also applicable to customers of Pick Up & Return service by contacting 1300-88-3495.
1-to-1 Exchange can be done within the same day (only applicable to Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Puchong, Cheras, Ampang, Kajang and Serdang). If the exchange request is made after 3:00pm, the exchange can only be done on the next business day.
ASUS ZenFone AR Price & Availability
The ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) will retail for RM 3,799 (inclusive of 6% GST) / ~US$ 899 from 7th July 2017 onwards, bundled with Google Cardboard, a Screen Protector and a Silicone Case. You can order it from Lazada here!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS ZenFone AR Key Features
ASUS TriCam system for Tango experiences
ZenFone AR (Price Check) uses an ASUS TriCam system consisting of three rear cameras — a motion-tracking camera, depth-sensing camera and high-resolution 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera — which provide input to Tango, enabling smartphone augmented reality experiences for users.
The motion-tracking camera lets ZenFone AR (Price Check) keep track of its location as it moves through three-dimensional space. The depth-sensing camera lets ZenFone AR determine its distance from objects by projecting an infrared (IR) laser and measuring the amount of time it takes for IR light to bounce off objects and return to the phone. The 23MP PixelMaster 3.0 camera features a Sony IMX318 image sensor to vividly capture the environment as a backdrop for AR experiences.
AR is a rapidly growing area of mobile technology, and one that consumers are extremely excited about. ASUS and Google have partnered with well-known brands, such as iStaging, to bring the smartphone AR experience to customers. Tango also provides developers with the ability to deliver consistent AR experiences across devices and helps users easily discover a wide range of new apps, such as exciting games, home decor utilities, and apps that provide new ways to explore. To date, the ecosystem has grown quickly and there are plenty of apps on Google Play that are Tango enabled.
Daydream by Google
The expansive 5.7-inch display of ZenFone AR (Price Check) makes it ideal for VR apps and games when used with Daydream View, immersing users in incredible VR worlds that appear detailed and lifelike in WQHD (1440 x 2560) resolution. Super AMOLED technology enables deep blacks and high contrast, further enhancing image quality and 3D effects.
With ZenFone AR and Daydream View, users can explore new and fictional worlds with apps like Street View and Fantastic Beasts, kick back in a personal VR cinema with YouTube, Netflix, Hulu and HBO, and get in the game with Gunjack 2, LEGO BrickHeadz, Need for Speed, and more.
Impressive audio, inside and out
In addition to video, high-quality audio is an important component of immersive AR and VR experiences. To fulfill this demand, ZenFone AR comes with ASUS SonicMaster 3.0 technology. A five-magnet speaker driven by a powerful NXP smart amplifier delivers clear, expansive sound that can be played at high volumes without distortion. ZenFone AR (Price Check) can also output certified High-Resolution Audio (HRA) to compatible devices at 24-bit/192kHz — or 4X CD-quality. DTS Headphone:X provides virtual 7.1-channel surround sound for immersive entertainment experiences.
Cutting-edge hardware for unrivaled AR and VR performance
ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) is designed with the latest, top-of-the-line components to provide high-quality AR and VR experiences. This cutting-edge hardware also makes ZenFone AR one of the most powerful smartphones available. ZenFone AR features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor that has been specially optimized for AR operations.
ASUS worked closely with Qualcomm Technologies and Google engineers to help develop methods for efficiently distributing computer-vision workloads, as well as rapidly processing movement and positioning instructions with Tango to deliver smooth, immersive, and compelling AR experiences.
It also features the desktop-class Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics-processing unit (GPU) to deliver supercharged graphics performance and handle the graphical demands of Tango and Daydream applications with ease. ZenFone AR has a sophisticated vapor-cooling system that allows the CPU and GPU to work more efficiently and delivers enhanced performance to prevent overheating.
World’s first smartphone with 8GB of RAM
ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) is the world’s first smartphone with 8GB of RAM, enabling it to handle the demands of AR and VR with ease. It also helps with heavy multitasking, allowing users to keep dozens of apps open simultaneous and instantly switch among them. ZenFone AR also includes 128 GB of fast UFS 2.0 storage, enabling users to store a large library of apps, games, videos, photos, and music, and open them quickly
Thin and light metallic design
ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) packages its advanced technology in a beautifully minimalist, light, and compact design. A precision-milled metal frame and slim, 4.8mm edge provides a luxurious look that is further enhanced by stainless-steel accents around the camera. These accents also help protect the camera lens from scratches. ZenFone AR has an ergonomic curved shape with a 4.8mm edge and a tactile, leather-patterned rear surface that feels great in the hand.
[adrotate group=”1″]
ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 — Capture reality, fast and steady
ASUS ZenFone AR (Price Check) also features an advanced camera that takes beautiful, high-resolution photos and videos in almost any lighting condition. It has an ASUS PixelMaster 3.0 camera that uses the world’s highest resolution camera sensor (Sony IMX318) and the ASUS TriTech autofocus system. Other key camera features include:
Four-axis optical image stabilization (OIS) photo and three-axis electronic image stabilization (EIS) video stabilization — Enables sharp photos and shake-free videos.
03-second ASUS TriTech System — Exclusive TriTech autofocus technology is the ultimate integration of phase-detection autofocus, laser autofocus and subject-tracking autofocus, the result is a perfectly focused and sharp image every time – day or night, indoor or out.
Super Resolution mode — Creates ultra-high resolution, 92MP photos by capturing and combining four native 23MP photos to create a single image with exceptional clarity, greater detail, and less noise.
RAW file support — ZenFone AR offers photographers the freedom to shoot and store compositions in RAW format. RAW files save the full data of the photo captured by the camera’s sensor and are ideal for enhancement with editing software, where users are able to uncover fine details in areas of shadow, or recover overexposed areas in the highlights, with much lower loss of image quality when compared to editing JPEG image files.
High-resolution 4K UHD video recording — Captures ultra-detailed and sharp videos.
Professional manual creative controls — Gives keen photographers control over advanced camera settings, like white balance, exposure value (EV), ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, and focus. This makes ZenFone AR a powerful tool for learning the fundamental skills of photography and allows users to shoot scenes with many different creative interpretations.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ASUS just announced the availability of the ASUS Tinker Board Single Board Computer (SBC). The ASUS Tinker Board features 4K video capability, 2 GB of onboard RAM, Gigabit Ethernet and a powerful quad-core ARM-based processor –the Rockchip RK3288. Check out its key features below!
The ASUS Tinker Board Key Features
Class Leading Performance
With its powerful and modern quad-core ARM-based processor — the Rockchip RK3288 — the ASUS Tinker Board (Lowest Price) offers significantly improved performance versus other popular SBC boards. To provide the flexibility needed for different builds and projects, the Tinker Board features 2 GB of LPDDR3 dual-channel memory.
The ASUS Tinker Board (Lowest Price) is also equipped with an SD 3.0 interface that offers significantly faster read and write speeds to expandable microSD cards used for the OS, applications and file storage.
Robust GPU Performance & Functionality
Powered by the ARM Mali-T764 GPU, Tinker Board (Lowest Price) allow for a wide range of uses, including high-quality media playback, gaming, computer vision, gesture recognition, image stabilization and processing, as well as computational photography and more. Multimedia enthusiasts will appreciate the fixed-function H.264 and H.265 playback support, including playback of HD and UHD video.
HD Audio Quality
Further improving on key areas found lacking on many SBC boards, the ASUS Tinker Board (Lowest Price) is equipped with an HD codec that supports up to 24-bit/192kHz audio. Its integrated audio jack supports audio output and a microphone in, without an extension module.
Maker-Friendly, with IoT Connectivity
[adrotate group=”2″]
The ASUS Tinker Board (Lowest Price) features standard maker connectivity options, including a 40-pin GPIO interface that allow for interfacing with a range inputs from buttons, switches, sensors, LEDs, and much more. Tinker Board is equipped with one DSI MIPI connection for displays and touchscreens. The secondary CSI MIPI connection is for connection to compatible cameras allowing for computer vision, and much more.
The Tinker Board (Lowest Price) also features Gbit LAN for Internet and network connectivity. A dedicated bus resource designed for the LAN port ensures consistent Ethernet performance. The integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth controller on the Tinker Board is shielded with a metal cover to ensure minimal interference and improved radio performance. An integrated IPEX antenna header allows for easy antenna replacement or upgrades.
Tinker Board (Lowest Price) also features a full-size HDMI output. Additionally, it includes four USB 2.0 ports for extensive peripheral and accessory connectivity.
The ASUS Tinker Board Availability & Pricing
The ASUS Tinker Board (Lowest Price) is now available in Malaysia for just RM 285 or on Amazon.com for US$ 59.99. It comes with a 1 Year Warranty (1 to 1 swap)
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ASUS just released a huge-ass Android 7.1.1 Nougat update for the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom smartphone. Amongst the many updates and upgrades is a new Portrait Mode. Software bokeh may not be new, but the ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode promises a better looking and more accurate bokeh effect, thanks to the way it uses its dual camera system.
Updated @ 2017-07-07 : Added some ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode sample photos
Originally posted @ 2017-06-29
The ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode
The ZenFone 3 Portrait Mode works by using the ZenFone 3 Zoom‘s two cameras simultaneously to calculate portions of the photo that should be blurred out for that bokeh effect. The blur effect can be changed in real time via a slider in the new Portrait Mode interface.
This type of “software bokeh” effect is not new. Other smartphones have introduced similar camera modes like “Bokeh” or “Subject Focus” but most of them either use the second camera as a dedicated “depth sensor”, or use software to blur out the background. Other ASUS ZenFone models also have the similar Depth of Field Mode that creates a similar effect, but it requires multiple shots, which means you’re limited to still objects.
The new ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode differs from those methods though. It makes use of the dual cameras to simultaneously shoot two photos – the 59 mm lens focusing on the subject, while the 25 mm lens takes the background. Using the depth information from the two photos, the depth of field can be made shallower or deeper depending on the f-stop you wish to simulate (from f/0.95 to f/22).
While this is still a software bokeh effect, it should result in a far more accurate and realistic blurring of the background. You may recall that the traditional software bokeh can inadvertently blur the wrong parts of the picture. Using both lenses simultaneously should eliminate that problem, and allow the bokeh effect to be applied even to moving objects.
The new interface – when opening the camera for the first time since the update, you’ll notice some subtle changes in the UI. Gone is the dedicated switch to Manual Mode (though you can always just tap the Modes button and switch from there) and is now replaced with a Portrait Mode button, which you can tap to switch.
[adrotate group=”1″]
How To Use The ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode
When you open the ZenFone 3 Zoom‘s camera for the first time after installing the update, you’ll notice that the Manual Mode button is gone, replaced by a Portrait Mode button. The Manual Mode is now accessible via the Modes button.
Once you switch to Portrait Mode, an f-stop slider will appear. The slider allows you to adjust the virtual depth-of-field, which will determine where and how much of the bokeh effect is applied.
When you take the photo, the ZenFone 3 Zoom will take two photos – the main camera with f/1.7 lens takes a photo of the background, while the secondary camera with f/2.8 lens takes a photo of the subject. Your f-stop setting will be applied to the final image using the depth information from the two photos.
Try out the new ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode and let us know how it works for you!
Some Portrait Mode Samples
We took the opportunity during the ASUS ZenFone AR launch to take photos of these models to demonstrate the ZenFone 3 Zoom Portrait Mode effect.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
If you read our ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom review, you will recall that we pegged it as the “iPhone 7 Plus killer at half the price“. Its operating system aside, it offers hardware features that are similar or better than the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, but at less than half the price.
The ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom has just received a big boost in its capabilities with the new Android 7.1.1 Nougat update. This update weighs in at just over 1.2 GB and the installation takes about 15 minutes to complete, so make sure you use WiFi and the ZenFone 3 Zoom has at least 20% battery life. But you will love what the ZenFone 3 Zoom Nougat update offers!
In addition to Android operation system upgrades and improvements, this update also adds Portrait Mode and RAW image support to boost the ZenFone 3 Zoom’s photographic capabilities.
Portrait Mode uses the 25mm and 56mm lenses to create a shallow depth of field effect for photos, while the ability to take photos in RAW will allow greater flexibility and control in editing them. ZenFone 3 Zoom users will also be able to preview and organize all RAW files in their mobile gallery.[adrotate group=”2″]
The Android Nougat update also adds new features like multi-window view, notification-screen replies, and improved customization settings, to the ZenFone 3 Zoom. The new Android 7.1.1 Nougat features include:
Multi-Window View – Run two apps side by side
Quick App Switch – Switch between apps with a double tab
Notification Directly Reply – Reply to messages right inside the notification screen
72 New Emojis – Select new emoji genders and skin tones
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
At the prestigious The Edge of Beyond 2017 event, ASUS launched a stunning line-up of thin and light ASUS ZenBook and ASUS VivoBook laptops. Get the full details of the incredibly svelte 2017 ASUS ZenBook and VivoBook laptops, including their price and availability!
The 2017 ASUS ZenBook & VivoBook Laptops Revealed!
Thin and light is obviously the the motto of the day. Everything ASUS revealed was both thin and light. No exceptions.
The new ASUS ZenBook Flip S (UX370) is the world’s thinnest convertible laptop; while the ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490) is the world’s thinnest [1] 14″ laptop. Even the powerful ASUS ZenBook Pro (UX550) is the thinnest and lightest laptop in the professional-grade ultraportable series.
The ASUS VivoBook family also received the same treatment. The ASUS VivoBook S15 features a 15.6″ display in a 14″-class chassis; while the ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 packs a tremendous amount of computing and graphics power in a form factor that is less than 20 mm thick.
[1] As of 1st May, 2017 based on internal ASUS market analysis of 2-in-1 convertible laptops with the following key competitive criteria: Windows or OS X operating system; thickness measured at z-height; Intel Core processor; non-detachable keyboard.
[adrotate group=”1″]
Price & Availability
In this video, Leo Tseng, Country Manager of ASUS Malaysia, reveals the price and availability of the 2017 ASUS ZenBook and VivoBook laptops.
Here is a summary of the price and availability of the 2017 ASUS ZenBook and VivoBook laptops :
ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490) is available now with an SRP of RM 8,299 / ~US$ 1,969
ASUS ZenBook 3 Pro (UX550) is available now with an SRP of RM 7,299 / ~US$ 1,729
ASUS ZenBook Flip S (UX370) is available in early August with an SRP of RM 6,699 / ~US$ 1,589
ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 (N580) is available in early August with an SRP of RM 4,799 / ~US$ 1,139
ASUS VivoBook S15 (S510) is available in early July with an SRP of RM 3,699 / ~US$ 879 (Core i7) or RM 2,899 / ~US$ 689 (Core i5).
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The 2017 ASUS ZenBook & VivoBook Laptops
ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe (UX490)
SRP (+GST): RM 8,299 / ~US$ 1,969 Availability: Available now
The stunning all-aluminum ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe, winner of a Computex 2017 d&i Award, has a 12.9mm-thin and 1.1 kg-light 13-inch-class chassis that houses a gorgeous 14-inch NanoEdge ultranarrow-bezel display. ZenBook 3 Deluxe is the world’s thinnest 14″ laptop, providing users with the perfect balance between portability and productivity.
The ZenBook 3 Series is designed to deliver unprecedented performance, and ZenBook 3 Deluxe takes this to the next level with the latest 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor, 16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 RAM, and a blazingly-fast up 1 TB PCI Express SSD — one of the largest-capacity SSDs available.
Unrivalled expansion capabilities are provided by two USB Type-C ports that are Thunderbolt 3-enabled with support for 40Gbps data transfers, dual 4K UHD external displays and power delivery. ZenBook 3 Deluxe comes with Windows 10 and is also equipped with a fingerprint sensor for easy one-touch login with Windows Hello.
ASUS ZenBook Pro (UX550)
SRP (+GST): RM 7,299 / ~US$ 1,729 Availability: beginning of August 2017
ASUS ZenBook Pro is designed to entice with pure, unadulterated power. This redesigned model —winner of a Computex 2017 Best Choice Award — is the thinnest, lightest and most powerful ZenBook Pro ever, offering discerning professional users a winning combination of serious performance and supremely elegant design. Every part of ZenBook Pro has been crafted to make it faster, more powerful and more amazing than the previous generation.
Using the highest performance 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ quad-core processor for notebooks, gaming-grade NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics, a 512 GB PCIe x4 SSD and 16 GB DDR4 RAM, it delivers ultimate computing performance and unrivaled style, with day-long battery life of up to 14 hours.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro features a stunning 15.6″ FHD NanoEdge display for an expanded view and quad-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio, creating an incredible visual and audio experience. ZenBook Pro features Windows 10 and is also equipped with a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure one-touch login with Windows Hello.
Despite its astonishing performance, ZenBook Pro is incredibly compact, with a precision-crafted all-aluminum unibody that’s just 18.9 mm thin and 1.8 kg light. The NanoEdge display has a slim 7.3 mm bezel that enhances the beauty of ZenBook Pro while minimizing its overall dimensions. Every detail of ZenBook Pro is even more beautiful than before — including its iconic Zen-inspired spun-metal finish, diamond-cut silver edges, and illuminated lid logo.
ASUS ZenBook Flip S (UX370)
SRP (+GST): RM 6,699 / ~US$ 1,589 Availability: beginning of August 2017
ASUS ZenBook Flip S, winner of a Computex 2017 d&i Award, is the world’s thinnest1 convertible laptop, and also one of the lightest. Combining elegant sophistication with the convenience and versatility of a 360°-flippable display, this ultrathin convertible is only 10.9 mm thin and 1.1 kg light. The innovative 360° ErgoLift hinge has a dual-action mechanism that lifts and tilts the keyboard into the perfect typing position when the display is opened beyond 135°.
ZenBook Flip S features Windows 10 and is powered by 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor and an ultrafast 512 GB PCIe SSD, allowing users to sail through everyday computing tasks with ease. To keep ZenBook Flip S comfortably cool, ASUS engineers invented a brand-new cooling system using state-of-the-art components, including a liquid-crystal-polymer fan impeller that’s just 0.3mm thin.
The FHD multitouch NanoEdge display on ZenBook Flip S supports an active stylus, combining an amazing visual experience with the convenience of effortless and intuitive interactivity. ZenBook Flip S also includes one of our smallest-ever laptop fingerprint sensors — measuring just 16 x 3.6 mm — for instant one-touch login via Windows Hello in either laptop or tablet mode.
[adrotate group=”1″]
ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 (N580)
SRP (+GST): RM 4,799 / ~US$ 1,139 Availability: beginning of August 2017
ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 is a slim and lightweight 15.6-inch Windows 10 laptop powered by a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ quad-core processor with 4 GB DDR4 RAM and gaming-grade NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics. An intelligent dual-fan cooling system with a dual-copper thermal module and heat pipes ensures the system stays cool during intense gaming sessions or under heavy loads.
VivoBook Pro 15 has a FHD (1920 x 1080) display with wide-view technology and a wide 100 percent sRGB color gamut. It features Harman Kardon-certified audio, including twin speakers with large 8cc audio chambers and smart-amplifier technology for 3.2X louder volume. VivoBook Pro 15 features support for ASUS Pen (optional)
ASUS VivoBook S15 (S510)
SRP (+GST): RM 3,699 / ~US$ 879 (Core i7) or RM 2,899 / ~US$ 689 (Core i5) Availability: beginning of July 2017
ASUS VivoBook S15 is the latest and most premium model in the VivoBook Series. This 15.6″ slim and lightweight Windows 10 laptop is designed for those constantly on the go, with a 17.9mm profile and weighing just 1.5 kg.
It features an Icicle Gold finish for a quality feel, and a NanoEdge display with a slim 7.8 mm bezel that provides a larger display area for more immersive viewing.
This stylish laptop is powered by the latest 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor with 4GB DDR4 memory and NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ASUS is back again with its FREE Rocket League game bundle package, collaborating with NVIDIA this time round. Check out the great offer!
FREE Rocket League with ASUS GeForce GTX 1060 or 1050!
From now until the end of July 2017, you can get a FREE copy of theRocket League game with any purchase of the ASUS GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti or 1060 graphics card!
Performance results using in-game benchmarks show the GeForce GTX 1060 delivers the best performance in its class. The GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card is the heart of the recently launched NVIDIA BattleBox Essential PCs.
[adrotate group=”2″]
GeForce GTX 1050 & 1050 Ti for 1080p gaming
GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti deliver an amazing Rocket League experience at 1080p with ‘ultra ‘settings, delivering over 60 FPS. Now, you can turn your PC into a true gaming rig, powered by NVIDIA Pascal — the most advanced GPU architecture ever created.
They are loaded with innovative NVIDIA Game Ready technologies that let every gamer experience the latest titles in their full glory, and deliver a fantastic 1080p gaming experience in popular games such as OverWatch, DOTA2, Heroes of the Storm and more.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Kuala Lumpur, 4 January 2017 — ASUS today announced its complete 2017 lineup of ASUS Z270 motherboards designed to maximize the potential of 7th Generation Intel Core processors. The new range includes the highly-anticipated next-generation Republic of Gamers (ROG) Maximus IX gaming motherboards — with Maximus IX Apex having already secured its place in history by claiming eight world records and 13 global first places in some of the world’s toughest benchmarks.
Also included in the lineup are the latest ROG Strix gaming motherboards for style-conscious enthusiast, the all-new ASUS Prime series for everyday customization and tuning, and the latest ASUS TUF boards with 24/7 stability and newly-added overclocking abilities. The ASUS workstation motherboard series has also been updated for the Z270 revolution — and all boards are loaded with exclusive technologies to enable users to extract every ounce of performance from Intel’s latest CPUs.
Built for performance: Multiple overclocking-friendly technologies
ASUS is the world’s foremost motherboard manufacturer. Our world-class research-and-development teams are devoted to providing the best performance to users, with exhaustive testing that exceeds industry standards, giving users the ability and confidence to overclock to 5.0GHz or even beyond — and all with a single click from the ready-made UEFI profile. ASUS Z270 motherboards have multiple features to aid overclockers in their endeavors.
ASUS-exclusive 5-Way Optimization dynamically optimizes essential aspects of the system based on real-time use, including the all-new Stress Test Distribution feature that allows users to adjust the proportion of CPU and DRAM stress for the best overclocking performance. As well, the latest-generation Fan Xpert 4 allows users to monitor the GPU temperature to ensure cooler usage scenarios when the graphics card is under heavy loads, such as during 3D content creation or when gaming.
ASUS Pro Clock technology has a dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator designed for 7th Generation Intel processors, enabling overclocked base-clock frequencies of up to 425MHz and beyond. It works in tandem with the ASUS TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control, and boosts performance up to 5.4GHz and beyond.
Third-generation ASUS T-Topology takes DDR4 memory overclocking to new heights — up to 4133MHz or even beyond. Refined manufacturing ensures ultra-consistent quality and minimal crosstalk between custom trace paths, so users can enjoy the thrill of overclocking DDR4 with time-aligned signaling for superior stability. And ASUS motherboards are tested for compatibility with industry-leading 790+ DDR4 memory modules — for great flexibility and reassurance.
Built for customization: Aura Sync and 3D-printable components
ASUS Aura Sync is the world’s first motherboard-RGB-synchronization technology, delivering distinctive light shows across Aura Sync-capable motherboards, graphics cards and peripherals for up to nine effects — all controlled via the simple and intuitive Aura app. The all-new Music mode is also able to pulse synchronized LEDs in time to the user’s favorite tunes. Users are able enhance their illumination still further, either via the integrated 4-pin/12V Aura RGB header or the included extension cable. Aura offers a brilliant spectrum of colors, and can even change shades to reflect the CPU temperature, providing valuable information at a glance.
ASUS has always strived to make it easier for users to customize the cosmetic appearance of their PC components, and now it has become the world’s first motherboard brand to support 3D-printed components — making it easy for users to print their own parts to customize the motherboard’s appearance, improve system performance or manage cables.
[adrotate banner=”4″]
Dedicated onboard 3D mounts that use the same screws as M.2 and standard motherboard mounting holes make fitting 3D-printed parts easy, so users can quickly add custom nameplates, cable covers, or even an M.2 fan holder to lower M.2 temperature by up to 30’C — preventing throttling. ASUS has also designed a series of 3D-printable accessories, including 2-way SLI bridge cover, fan grille, ROG-font letters and all sizes of cable combs, adding style to any build.
ASUS has also cooperated with Shapeways, the world’s largest 3D-printing service company, to launch the ASUS 3D Printing Store. This hosts the full selection of ASUS 3D-printable parts, enabling users to select the parts they want to print — replete with preferred materials and color — and order directly via Shapeways. For advanced customization, the original CAD files are available for download, allowing users to personalize them as much as they want before ordering parts via the Shapeways printing service or using their own 3D printers.
Record-breaking performance : Redefining limits for the 7th Gen era
The all-new ROG Maximus IX Apex motherboard is the latest ground breaking model in the ROG product family which brings players back to ROG’s roots, a one-of-kind community for world-class cutting-edge enthusiasts looking to reach the apex of gaming performance. With a performance-oriented layout, the Apex enables overclocking enthusiasts to go beyond the limits by using extreme cooling methods, including liquid nitrogen (LN2) or liquid helium (LHe)— and it’s already scored multiple world records (WRs) and global first places (GFPs), several being long-standing records.
These include the best Intel Core processors CPU frequency processors, with a record of 7.383GHz on a single core and one thread and 7.328GHz on four cores and eight threads using the Intel Core i7-7700K. It also set a reference clock (BCLK) at 584MHz and a memory frequency surpassing 5GHz, with 5041MHz. In total, the Maximus IX Apex has secured eight world records and 13 global first places, as detailed in the following table:
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ROG and ROG Strix : Defeat all challengers together with a new creed
The ROG motherboard lineup includes Maximus IX Extreme, Maximus IX Formula, Maximus IX Hero and two new models, the Maximus IX Code and Maximus IX Apex, plus a new series from ROG Strix — the latest recruit to the ROG fold. The new boards are all based on the latest Intel Z270 Chipset and engineered with leading innovations and ROG-exclusive technologies to deliver epic performance in every perspective.
The new ROG family provides the best gaming audio with the exclusive SupremeFX audio codec, best air- and water-cooling innovations, best auto-overclocking performance, plus many refined design choices and class-leading features. Also, Aura Sync and 3D-printing-friendly designs provide stylish customization for awesome gaming rigs.
Maximus IX Apex is engineered to provide the best overclocking experiences, and features a revolutionary DIMM.2 design that allows two M.2 drives to be vertically-mounted on a DDR4 interface. DIMM or case fans can then be mounted to prevent throttling, and to ensure the system never breaks a sweat. Built to surpass from the inside out, the Apex not only features a radical asymmetrical X-shaped circuit board, but more importantly, relies on the cutouts to allow the Aura Sync illumination to shine through, adding more appeal to style-conscious gaming enthusiasts. An aircraft-inspired heatsink design and illuminated custom nameplate completes Apex’s winning aesthetic.
Maximus IX Extreme is the world’s first motherboard with integrated monoblock — expertly manufactured by Bitspower. Maximus IX Extreme is packed with ROG innovations that refine traditional solutions: The monoblock detects the flow rate of the water coolant, and has dedicated circuitry to detect both the inlet and outlet temperatures and leakage. The monoblock also integrates the neighboring M.2 heatsink for unmatched heat-dissipation to eliminate throttling — therefore improving reliability and enabling greater performance.
Maximus IX Formula’s renowned hybrid heatsink is redesigned by the cooling masters at EKWB. The new thinner fins offer a 4°C cooling improvement over the previous design ¦” delivering efficient, quiet cooling.
All ROG motherboards offer a better water-cooling experience, with onboard headers that allow water flow and water temperature sensors to be easily monitored.
ROG Strix is the all-new gaming creed, with models crafted to appeal to every type of gamer: ROG Strix Z270E Gaming, ROG Strix Z270F Gaming, ROG Strix Z270H Gaming ATX, mATX ROG Strix Z270G Gaming and mini-ITX ROG Strix Z270I Gaming. ROG Strix Z270 gaming motherboards combine bold aesthetics with premier performance and incredible SupremeFX audio to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences and style.
Unique, angular patterns inspired by the slashes of a sword lend to ROG Strix series’ striking visual accents, and a reflective polychrome ROG logo emblazoned on a diamond-cut metal nameplate shines as a mark of gaming pride. Additionally, Aura Sync technology adds a burst of vibrancy as it syncs with Aura-enabled components for a system that glows in a nearly infinite spectrum of colors.
ASUS Prime : Primed to outclass
ASUS Prime is the next evolution of the ASUS motherboard, born of a pedigree that stretches all the way back to 1989. Our team of world-class engineers are passionate about empowering everyone to enjoy the benefits of customization and tuning, and the driving force behind the development of Prime is to make advanced enthusiast controls easily accessible — maximizing performance, stability and compatibility for the very best DIY PC experiences.
Prime features ASUS-exclusive 5-Way Optimization for one-click full-system tuning, with upgraded auto-tuning easily overclock up to 4.8GHz or beyond and an upgraded Fan Xpert 4 with the ability to monitor GPU temperatures for cooler gaming. Third-gen T-Topology pushes DDR4 to 3866MHz and beyond, with ultra-consistent quality and minimal crosstalk, while 5X Protection III offers multiple hardware safeguards include all-new SafeSlot core, featuring a fortified design that is anchored to the motherboard by a special hook, which provides 1.6x stronger retention and 1.3x greater shearing resistance than standard expansion slots.
[adrotate banner=”4″]
Prime series motherboards also include ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync with an integrated 4-pin RGB header to offer synchronized illumination with Aura Sync-capable hardware, plus a dedicated 3D mount for 3D-printing-friendly design. Prime series also refines audio experiences with the S1220A codec. Designed in close collaboration with Realtek, the codec improves performance to provide 120dB signal-to-noise ratio for the stereo line-out and 113dB SNR for the line-in, to capture pristine audio; and has an impedance-sensing circuit that automatically adjusts the gain to ensure the optimal volume range for headphones. Integrated DTS Headphone:X technology delivers immersive 3D surround sound for rich audio experiences.
Ultra-fast connectivity is also a key theme of the all-new Prime Z270 series, with up to dual M.2 slots to tap into 32Gbps of PCI Express (PCIe) bandwidth, and USB 3.1 Type-A and reversible Type-C. Most Prime series motherboards also supports Intel Optane memory. Prime Z270-A and Z270-AR also includes ASUS SLI HB Bridge (2-Way-M), a quick-to-fit expansion card that doubles the available transfer bandwidth to provide silky-smooth surround gaming, which compatible with NVIDIA Titan X, GeForce GTX 1080 and GeForce GTX 1070 graphics cards
ASUS TUF : Unconditionally tough with 24/7 reliability
TUF is where ambition for reliably brilliant performance meets reality. Some of the world’s most respected independent testing laboratories have certified TUF components as fit for military use. We are so confident of the reliability and durability of our products that each and every TUF motherboard is backed by a five-year warranty.
For the first time, TUF motherboards are made for overclocking. Implementing a new engineering-intensive DRAM layout, the third-generation ASUS T-Topology delivers new DDR4-overclocking dynamics to let users push memory frequencies further than ever — all the way up to 3866MHz if all memory slots are being utilized.
Pro Clock is the ASUS-exclusive base-clock generator that pushes base-clock frequencies up to 425MHz with 7th Generation Intel CPUs, taking TUF system performance to extreme heights. The boards also include Thermal Radar 2+ with TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) for efficient operation from precise voltage control and monitoring — all managed with a single click.
ASUS TUF engineers have forged TUF ICe, a dedicated processor that monitors onboard temperature sensors and fan speeds for ultra-accurate cooling, whether adjusting settings manually or using the automatic one-click optimization via Thermal Radar 2+ and TUF Detective 2. Thermal Radar 2+ lets users control fans on ASUS graphics cards as well as case fans. Multiple onboard sensors enable the monitoring of onboard temperatures as well as GPU temperatures while gaming and content-creating, for instant real-time cooling – with users able to make adjustments manually or optimize automatically, with a single click.
TUF Thermal Armor is a strong, futuristic shield with built-in Aura RGB illumination that adds eye-catching aesthetics to every TUF Z270 system. It looks great and offers another way to keep things cool. Users just need to connect an additional fan to boost airflow to the heat-sensitive voltage-regulator module — this reduces area temperatures by up to 18.9’C.
Similar to the Prime Series, TUF Z270 provides immersive 3D surround sound with Realtek S1220A and Crystal Sound 3, and DTS Headphone:X Technology.
TUF Z270 series is carefully engineered to work seamlessly with a wide range of high-performance workstation graphics cards. The ASUS promise of great compatibility is backed by our comprehensive Qualified Vendor List (QVL) that includes leading brands and products — so users can be certain of compatibility before buying that perfect graphics card.
ASUS Workstations : Engineered for professional performance
ASUS workstation motherboards have also been upgraded for the Z270 era. Z270-WS features ASUS 5-Way Optimization to dynamically optimize performance with a click — ensuring the whole system is tuned to its optimal potential based on real-time use.
Z270-WS has four PCI Express x16 slots, protected by reinforced ASUS SafeSlot technology, and able to carry up to four dual-slot graphic cards. Supporting NVIDIA GeForce SLI, NVIDIA Quadro SLI, and AMD CrossFireX, Z270-WS is an excellent choice for designers and other professionals that depend on powerful graphic — so it’s perfect for design and modeling, processing-intensive simulation, and 3D-rendering applications.
[adrotate banner=”4″]
Similar to the Prime Series, Z270-WS is fitted with Realtek S1220A and Crystal Sound 3. And with newly-added DTS Headphone:X Technology, the Z270-WS delivers flawless audio with immersive 3D surrounding sound.
Z270-WS also offers scalable high-speed storage and expandable connectivity, with dual M.2 and dual U.2 on demand — for up to 32Gbps of PCIe bandwidth. Z270-WS provides great backward compatibility with integrated USB 3.1 Type-A, plus future-proof connectivity in the shape of reversible USB 3.1 Type-C — all protected by the stainless-steel back I/O shield. In addition to up to 10Gbps transfer speeds, Z270-WS also supports ASUS Thunderbolt 3, a quick-to-fit expansion card for blistering transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. It also has built-in dual Intel Gigabit LAN, making connections to multiple networks both easy and convenient.
ASUS Z270 motherboards models available in Malaysia
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS Zenvolution 2016 launch event kicked off yesterday at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Malaysians have eagerly awaited the launch of the ASUS ZenFone 3 smartphones since they were announced at Computex 2016. Well, here they are!
ASUS also took the opportunity to launch two new ZenFone 3 models, as well as the ZenBook 3 notebook and two Transformer 3 tablets. Let’s check them out!
ASUS ZenFone 3 Revealed
ASUS APAC General Manager, Rex Lee, kicked off the ASUS Zenvolution 2016 revelations with the new ASUS ZenFone 3 smartphone.
ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe & ZenFone 3 Ultra Revealed
Next, ASUS Corporate Vice President, Eric Chen, revealed the details of the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe and ZenFone 3 Ultra smartphones.
ASUS ZenFone 3 Max & ZenFone 3 Laser Revealed
These are the two models that were not revealed at Computex 2016. The honour of revealing them was given to TH Cheng, the ASUS Senior Mobile Product Manager.
ASUS ZenBook 3, Transformer 3 Pro & Transformer 3 Revealed
Finally, ASUS Malaysia’s System Group Country Manager, Jimmy Lin, revealed the new ASUS ZenBook 3 ultraslim notebook, as well as the new Transformer 3 Pro and Transformer 3 tablets.
Price & Availability
The ASUS ZenFone 3 smartphone is available on launch day, with the ZenFone 3 Ultra available for pre-order with delivery next week. However, all smartphone, notebook and tablet models revealed at the ASUS Zenvolution 2016 event will be available in the month of August 2016.
Here are their recommended retail prices :
[adrotate banner=”4″]
ASUS ZenBook 3 (Royal Blue / Rose Gold / Quartz Grey) : RM 7,999 / ~US$ 1,999
ASUS Transformer 3 Pro : RM 6,999 / ~US$1,749
ASUS Transformer 3 : RM 3,199 / ~US$ 799
ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe : RM 2,599 / ~US$ 649
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra : RM 2,599 / ~US$ 649
ASUS ZenFone 3 Max : RM 799 / ~US$ 199
ASUS ZenFone 3 Laser : RM 999 / ~US$ 249
ASUS ZenFone 3 (5.5″) : RM 1,699 / ~US$ 424
ASUS ZenFone 3 (5.2″) : RM 1,499 / ~US$ 374
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
In reaching out to consumers’ needs for wide-range gadgetry of PC notebook, mobile and accessories, ASUS has partnered with DIRECTD to open its first exclusive ASUS Concept Store.
ASUS Concept Store
The ASUS Concept Store will be officially open on Friday @ 22nd July 2016. It is located in SS15, Subang Jaya.
In conjunction to this, DirectD will be having an exclusive 50% opening deals for its customers as follow:-
ZenFone Max from RM 799 to RM 399 first 5 customers!
ZenFone Go 4.5 (5MP cam) from RM 299 to RM 149 first 5 customers!
PadFone S Plus from RM 1,199 to RM 599 first 5 customers!
ZenPower (9600 mAh) from RM 79 to RM 39 first 50 customers!
Besides, there will be a Facebook contest held for participants to win prizes such as ZenFone Selfie, ZenFone Laser, and ZenFone Go 4.5.
During the opening, the first 10 DirectD member to wear blue color shirt get to redeem ASUS ZenPower.
Here are the concept store’s location:
DIRECTD RETAIL & WHOLESALE SDN BHD NO.79, SS15/4B, SUBANG JAYA, 47500 SELANGOR Opening ceremony starts at 11:00am
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
On the 25th of June, 2016, we were invited to the 2016 ROG Champions Cup (League of Legends) Finals. Held at the Sunway Pyramid Ice Rink, this inaugural esport gaming event organised by ASUS Malaysia saw two teams battle for the top position in League of Legends.
League of Legends cosplayers also came to pep up the crowd, before the event began. They looked amazing!
Eventually, about 1,500 ROG and League of Legends fans gathered to cheer on the two final teams – “Missing in Action” and “Raiding Squad“, as they took on each other in a best-of-5 challenge.
Pre-Finals Briefing
The event kicked off with presentations by the ROG Malaysia team – Jimmy Lin (Country Manager) and Frank Wang (Country Product Manager). Then the two teams were introduced to the gathered ROG and League of Legends fans. Check it out!
The 2016 ROG Champions Cup saw 149 teams from all over Malaysia go through a gruelling 2 months of qualifying rounds before the final top 2 teams emerged from the pack. They are Team “Missing in Action” from Kuala Lumpur (left) and Team “Raiding Squad” from Penang (right).
Team Missing in Action
Team Raiding Squad
Missing In Action Wins The 2016 ROG Champions Cup!
In the end, Team “Missing in Action” won the grand final with a leading score of 3 – 1! Everyone on that team walked away with the tournament grand prize – RM 5,000 cash and a ROG G752VT gaming laptop each!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
28 June 2016 — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced immediate availability of Strix GeForce GTX 1070 here in Malaysia, an all-new VR-ready gaming graphics card with ultra-fast gaming performance, advanced cooling and reliability, and personalized styling.
Powered by the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics processing unit (GPU), clocked at 1860MHz in OC mode, ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 delivers up to 7.1%-faster performance in 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme and 8.5%-faster gaming performance in Doom.
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 is packed with exclusive ASUS technologies, including DirectCU III with a patented triple wing-blade 0dB fan designed to deliver maximum airflow for 30%-cooler and three times (3X) quieter performance, and ASUS FanConnect, which features GPU-controlled fan headers to connect to system fans for targeted supplemental cooling. Industry-exclusive Auto-Extreme technology with Super Alloy Power II components ensures premium quality and reliability.
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 enables complete gaming system personalization with Aura RGB Lighting. A VR-friendly design with two HDMI ports lets gamers always keep a virtual reality device connected to their system for immersive gaming anytime. It also comes with GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster for intuitive performance tweaking and instant gameplay streaming.
ROG Strix Geforce GTX 1070
Ultimate cooling: DirectCU III technology with patented wing-blade fans and ASUS FanConnect
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 is equipped with ASUS DirectCU III cooling technology, which features direct-GPU-contact heatpipes that transport more heat away from the GPU, outperforming reference designs and achieving up to 30%-cooler gaming performance. DirectCU III technology includes triple 0dB fans, engineered with a patented wing-blade design that delivers maximum airflow and improves static pressure over the heatsink by 105%, while operating three times (3X) quieter than reference cards.
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 also comes with ASUS FanConnect technology. When gaming, the GPU often runs hotter than the CPU, but chassis fans usually only reference CPU temperatures, resulting in inefficient system cooling. ASUS FanConnect solves this issue with two 4-pin GPU-controlled headers that can be connected to system fans to provide targeted supplemental cooling for optimal thermal performance.
Premium quality and reliability: Auto-Extreme technology with Super Alloy Power II components
All ASUS graphics cards are now produced using Auto-Extreme technology, an industry-exclusive, 100%-automated production process that incorporates premium materials to set a new standard of quality. Auto-Extreme technology ensures consistent graphics card quality as well as improved performance and longevity. This new manufacturing process is also environmentally friendly, eliminating harsh chemicals and reducing power consumption by 50%.
Super Alloy Power II components enhance efficiency, reduce power loss, reduce component buzzing by 50% while under full load, and achieve thermal levels that are approximately 50% cooler than previous designs for enhanced quality and reliability.
Game your way: Aura RGB Lighting and VR-friendly HDMI ports
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 includes ASUS Aura RGB Lighting on both the shroud and backplate. This stunning illumination technology is capable of displaying millions of colors and six different effects for a totally personalized gaming system.
ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 also has a VR-friendly design with two HDMI ports that let gamers connect a VR device and display at the same time, so they can enjoy immersive virtual reality experiences anytime without having to swap cables.
Tweakable and intuitive: GPU Tweak II with XSplit Gamecaster
Redesigned with an intuitive user interface, GPU Tweak II makes gaming and overclocking easier than ever, while retaining advanced options for seasoned overclockers. With one click, the Gaming Booster function maximizes system performance by removing redundant processes and allocating all available resources automatically.
An included one-year XSplit Gamecaster premium license — a $99 value — lets gamers easily stream or record gameplay via a convenient, in-game overlay. The overlay also displays GPU clock speed, temperature, and VRM usage, and has GPU Tweak II controls, so gamers can choose a gaming profile and boost performance with just one click.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
10 June 2016 — Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced ROG Strix X99 Gaming from the latest ROG Strix Series line-up — the all-new ATX motherboards based on the Intel X99 chipset and loaded with exclusive technologies to maximize the potential of the latest LGA 2011-3 Intel Core i7 X-series processors.
Commenting on the new product line-up, Joe Hsieh, ASUS Corporate Vice President & General Manager of Motherboard Business Unit said: “Our X99 motherboards have won awards from many respected publications and editors around the world, with ASUS consistently praised as the number-one motherboard brand. We are keen to offer best-selling, easy-to-use, stable and trusted motherboards — that’s why we call them BEST. And we’re proud to introduce our all-new X99 motherboards allowing users to customize their experience and maximize performance in ways that simply aren’t possible with any other brand of motherboard.”
ROG Strix X99 Gaming Motherboard
Join the Republic, release your inner rebel
ROG Strix is the newest recruit into the Republic of Gamers — and ROG Strix X99 Gaming is the first ROG Strix motherboard. ROG Strix X99 Gaming delivers premier performance, innovation, and confident dynamism to release the gamer’s inner rebel, with a bold design and bright, customizable colors that channels the spirit of fierce individualism.
ROG Strix X99 Gaming has great gaming aesthetics that enables passionate gamers to illuminate their builds with multicolor magnificence. Ten LED effects can be customized with ASUS Aura, the intuitive lighting control software for the built-in RGB LEDs and attached RGB strips via the integrated 4-pin RGB -strip header, allowing easy custom illumination that can be perfectly synchronized. Included decals allow gamers to color-match lighting effects with their case design and decoration.
ROG Strix X99 Gaming is made for gaming with SupremeFX, Sonic Radar II, Intel Ethernet, and GameFirst technologies. Shielded SupremeFX delivers flawless high-fidelity audio with a remarkable 115dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), so only the very best is heard on gaming headsets or speakers. Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to on the battlefield, while tournament-level Intel Gigabit Ethernet has the serious double advantage of reducing CPU overhead and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput, significantly reducing the processor’s workload to free up power for the game. The all-new GameFirst IV optimizes network traffic for faster, lag-free online gaming — helping gamers dominate with epic speed and agility.
To maximize performance, ROG Strix X99 Gaming also has 5-Way Optimization for one-click auto tuning, including Fan Xpert 4 for ultimate cooling and control, plus OC Socket for maxed-out DDR4 and processor performance.
Gamer’s Guardian offers real-world protection for ROG Strix X99 builds, including the all-new ASUS SafeSlot and loads of brilliant defenses, highly-durable components and smart DIY features. ROG Strix X99 also delivers great data transfers, with onboard U.2, USB 3.1 Type-A and C, M.2, 2×2 Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO. Uniquely-intelligent RAMCache technology effectively caches an entire storage device to launch favorite games and apps at breakneck speeds.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Ultra-fast transfers: ThunderboltEX 3 add-on card drives blistering speeds of up to 40Gbps
The new ROG Strix X99 Gaming motherboard support ThunderboltEX 3, an Intel-certified Thunderbolt 3 card that enables breathtaking bi-directional speeds up to 40Gbps — four-times faster than other PC data-transfer cables with twice the video bandwidth for the latest 60Hz 4K UHD displays.
Thunderbolt 3 also supports daisy-chaining of up to six devices, and has a reversible USB Type-C connector for compatibility with the latest USB 3.1 Type-C devices. It also supports the USB Power Delivery specification for fast, high-power charging of up to 36W.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Taipei, 31st May, 2016 — ASUS today announced its outstanding Computex 2016 showcase, including the latest X99 Series and ASUS TUF Sabertooth motherboards, the impressive ASUS Swift PG258 gaming monitor and the ASUS Designo Curve MX34VQ curved display.
Other ASUS innovations on show at Booth 0410 in the Nangang Exhibition Hall include the stylish ASUS Designo, ASUS ProArt and ZenView Series monitors, ASUS mini and stick PCs, wireless solutions, and other accessories. ASUS also announced the Powered by ASUS program — a partnership program that features desktop PCs with award-winning ASUS hardware built by the company’s established PC partners. This program offers systems that cater to the varying needs of different users, while still giving them the very best performance and reliability.
All-new X99 Series and TUF motherboards, and ASUS Beyond VR Ready program
The latest ASUS X99 Series motherboards are ASUS Aura-ready, and feature onboard controllable RGB lighting and a 4-pin RGB header. 5-Way Optimization features the newly-upgraded Fan Xpert 4 that gives users even more customized cooling options. Users can control PWM/DC fans on all headers, utilize high-amperage fans and control water-cooling pumps via the UEFI BIOS or an intuitive software interface. 5-Way Optimization also features the ASUS Turbo Core app that lets users take advantage of the latest Intel Turbo Boost Technology and assign application priority according to processor-core performance ranking for optimum performance.
X99 Series motherboards feature ASUS SafeSlot — a manufacturing process that fuses a metal plate to the PCIe slot housing to strengthen and prevent damage to the slots, and helps keeps graphics cards firmly in place. Internal tests show that ASUS SafeSlot provides 1.6X the retention and 1.8X the shearing resistance over reference boards.
TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 features a printed circuit board with a gun-metal gray digital camouflage pattern and a quantum-dot LED (QLED) indicator. TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 delivers the very best component protection thanks to SafeSlot, while three-way RGB illumination and controls ensure the best lighting for customized builds.
In addition, ASUS is working closely with leading industry partners to ensure that a wide range of ASUS motherboards, including the latest X99 Series motherboards, work seamlessly with the new generation of fully-immersive VR headsets and accessories. The ASUS Beyond VR Ready program is a distinctive assurance of compatibility that gives confidence to consumers keen to gear up for the virtual-reality (VR) gaming revolution.
Make it your own: The ASUS 3D Printing Project
ASUS welcomes a new era of PC customization by being the first motherboard brand to support 3D-printable parts, an initiative that allows hobbyists, enthusiasts and modders to add unique modifications to their ROG Strix X99 Gaming and ROG Rampage V Edition 10 motherboards. These boards feature easily swappable parts, enabling passionate DIYers to design and 3D-print their own replacement name plates and logos in a variety of colors and materials to match their themed builds. This exciting development brings a whole new world of personalization to the DIY PC experience.
Visitors to the ROG motherboard zone at Computex will be able to view stunningly modded ROG Strix X99 Gaming, ROG Rampage V Edition 10, X99-DELUXE II and TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 motherboards, created by the ASUS Design Center. Designed to showcase the amazing possibilities presented by this innovative 3D printing project, these motherboards have been customized with parts printed on professional-grade 3D printers. To achieve an unbelievable quality of finish, these parts have then been carefully sandblasted and polished to perfection.
The four boards on display each have their own unique theme, and use a wide range of high-quality 3D-printed parts — personalized nameplates, sturdy GPU holders, chassis fan holders, DRAM fan covers, cable management kits and much more. For users who simply want an easy way to add their own unique touches to their build, there is a range of creative, colorful nameplates and logos that give them the freedom to express their unique personal style with a minimum of fuss.
ASUS will release the 3D design source files for the customized parts showcased at Computex. Users can download these files from the ROG website forum and have these parts 3D-printed for their very own builds.
Unique case mods created by enthusiasts
While most case modders go for strong, impactful looks, ASUS enthusiast Hsia takes a more subtle approach with her Girl’s Dream mod by adding a feminine touch to the X99-Deluxe II. Her elegant white and pink case mod features several 3D-printed accessories, floral motifs on the outside, additional floral and rocking horse elements on the inside, and pink LED inserts.
Modder Alexander Hede features Duplex TUF — two case mods that are based on the TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark I and the Sabertooth Z170 S motherboards. His black and white digital camouflage-liveried builds showcase the robustness of TUF boards, with each featuring half of the TUF shield logo. The white mod features white LEDs, while the black mod glows orange when lit. When placed side by side, both mods complete the shield to create an illuminated TUF logo.
Aura RGB lighting synchronization
The Aura RGB LED synchronization concept showcases synchronized LED effects across multiple devices including the latest ROG Rampage V Edition 10 motherboard, ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080, the 27-inch Aura-ready gaming monitor, ROG Claymore keyboard and Aura-ready RGB strips via the motherboard’s onboard 4-pin RGB header.
ASUS is at the forefront of the RGB revolution and is dedicated to taking it to the next level. As more and more products become Aura-ready, ASUS is looking into ways to consolidate Aura lighting control and synchronize its effects across multiple components and products to further elevate the PC experience as a cohesive whole, and not just individual parts.
ROG Swift PG258Q gaming monitor
ROG Swift PG258Q is a 24.5-inch gaming monitor that features a Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel with a native 240Hz refresh rate. Swift PG258Q has a 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time and built-in NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology to elim/inate lag and frame rate stutter for the smoothest, fastest, and most breathtaking gaming visuals imaginable. Its narrow bezel design makes it perfect for expansive multi-display setups.
Swift PG258Q has a revolutionary design finished in ROG’s new Armor Titanium and Plasma Copper color scheme, and has built-in ROG light effects on its stand to add ambience to gaming set-ups. In addition, Swift PG258Q features ASUS GamePlus in-game enhancements and ASUS GameVisual technology for optimized gaming visuals.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
ASUS Designo Curve MX34VQ is a 34-inch curved monitor with a frameless 1800R curvature 3440 x 1440 ultra-wide QHD panel. Every point on the 21:9 aspect ratio curved display is equidistant to the viewers’ eyes, making for an even more immersive viewing experience. In addition, MX34VQ features 8-Watt stereo speakers incorporating Harman Kardon and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, as well as a Qi wireless charging pad on its stand for Qi-enabled devices.
ASUS Designo MX27UC is an elegant 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) monitor with USB Type-C connectivity. The USB 3.1 Type-C port can be used for data transmission and power delivery, and functions as an alternate DisplayPort input. It has an in-plane switching (IPS) technology panel and a wide 100% sRGB color gamut for crisp, stunning images. It has classic lines, an ultra-slim 1.25cm profile, a stylish sundial-inspired stand, and a metallic Icicle Gold finish. ASUS SonicMaster audio, incorporating ICEpower®, Bang & Olufsen technology, gives Designo MX27UC crystal-clear sound.
The 32-inch ASUS ProArt 5K UHD professional monitor provides stunning 5120 x 2880 resolution images through as single DisplayPort connection. Designed for graphics professionals, it has a wide color gamut with 100% Rec. 709, 99.5% Adobe RGB and 95% DCI-P3 color-space support. The ASUS ProArt PA27AQ monitor features a 2560 x 1440 WQHD panel with a 100% sRGB gamut. With a frameless design on all four sides, it is ideal for multi-display setups.
Both ProArt monitors feature the exclusive ASUS ProArt Calibration Technology, which includes color accuracy tuning and uniformity compensation for easy monitor calibration. It offers overall data mapping, correlation and calibration, and saves all color parameter profiles on the display’s internal scaler IC chip instead of the PC, so users do not have to recalibrate settings whenever the display is hooked up to different computers.
The new 15.6-inch ASUS ZenView portable monitor features its own foldable smart case. It can also be propped up by inserting a pen into the little hole in the corner of the monitor so that it becomes a stand. The case has a super-narrow frame design that does not intrude on the display, and is just 8mm thin.
Business networking with ASUS BRT-AC828/M2
ASUS BRT-AC828/M2 is an 802.11ac router designed for startups or small businesses, branch offices, or classrooms. It features a 4×4 MIMO antenna design and ASUS AiRadar beamforming to provide users with fast and stable Wi-Fi coverage. Dual wide-area network (WAN) ports provide ultimate speed and reliability with a combined data rate of up to 2Gbps and a backup connection. It features an M.2 SSD slot for fast data transfers and larger storage capacity for backing up files.
The BRT-AC828/M2’s Captive Portal function lets business owners customize their free Wi-Fi welcome page for customers; while the RADIUS server and Device Group features let administrators manage all devices on the network with ease.
ASUS Mini PCs and other devices
The ASUS VivoMini UN66 board is ASUS’s first 4 x 4in motherboard with the latest 6th-generation Intel Core ‘Skylake’ processor, and it can support two DDR4 RAM modules. This compact board can be specified with an optional multi-storage option that can accommodate up to three storage drives, and features two SATA ports and one M.2 socket for added storage flexibility. It has 4K UHD graphics support, and extensive connectivity thanks to VGA, HDMI and serial (COM) ports, as well as two custom connectors. This makes VivoMini UN66 ideal for a wide range of uses, including PCs, digital signage, intelligent vending machines, kiosks and POS systems.
The ASUS MiniPC 5 x 5in mini-STX board and kit utilizes the new Intel mini-STX motherboard and is powered by desktop-grade 6th-generation Intel Core ‘Skylake’ processors. It can accommodate two DDR4 2133MHz SO-DIMM RAM modules and features USB 3.0 Type-C, M.2, and SATA 6Gbps support.
The ASUS Travelair AC 2 is a palm-sized wireless flash drive with dual-band connectivity and power bank capabilities. It connects to a wide range of mobile devices to allow users to share large HD video files or images or backup their data easily. Travelair AC 2 has ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi to give users 3X the data speeds of other wireless storage devices. A built-in battery provides up to 12 hours of continuous use, and can also be used as a 3300mAh power bank to charge mobile devices.
ASUS ZenDrive U8M is a stylish ultra-slim DVD writer that can be hooked up to a smartphone via a cable connection. This lets users play audio CDs or backup data stored in their smartphones onto a CD or DVD.
ASUS Impresario SBW-S2 is a DVD writer that features 4K UHD Blu-Ray support, 2D to 3D DVD conversion and DVD upscaling. It provides true 7.1-channel surround sound, as well as virtual surround sound capabilities. A 114dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ensures high-definition audio, while an integrated 600-ohm headphone amplifier with two gain settings deliver optimized sound.
ASUS SmartHome
The award-winning ASUS SmartHome is a comprehensive range of smart home solutions that allows users to interact with the ASUS SmartHome Gateway and numerous home appliances via a user-friendly app on their mobile devices. Designed to create a safe and energy-efficient living space, users can access smart home features provided by ASUS SmartHome devices such as the Smart Appliance Dongle, Smart Door Lock, Open/Close Sensor, Motion Sensor and Siren, and the combined Meter Plug and Temperature/Humidity Sensor.
The Smart Appliance Dongle is compatible with appliances that comply with the Taiwan Smart Energy Industry Association (TaiSEIA) 101 standard. The dongle utilizes Zigbee wireless signals to let users control or interact with home appliances like air conditioners, humidifiers, refrigerators and washing machines via the ASUS SmartHome app. These compatible appliances can also be linked to other SmartHome sensors. The dongle additionally functions as a signal repeater to extend the range of the Zigbee signal.
Smart Door Lock features an exclusive and robust anti-tamper design, and works in tandem with the wide-angle Motion Sensor and Siren to let the resident know of any movement at the front door and alerts them when an intruder tries to tamper with the lock. The Main Switch function prevents all electronic access to Smart Door Lock and switches all connected sensors to their secure modes, and can only be unlocked by using a physical key. Smart Door Lock’s anti-tamper design and Main Switch functions are designed to keep homes secure and safe.
To save the environment and electricity bills, the Meter Plug and Temperature/Humidity Sensor lets users monitor household power consumption and set on/off schedules for various appliances, they can even turn the air conditioning on right before they come home.
ASUS SmartHome is also compatible with ASUS VivoBaby — a wearable sensor that monitors a baby’s body temperature and heart rate. Once connected to ASUS SmartHome, VivoBaby can trigger an alert and send a message to parents’ mobile phones if it senses a sudden rise in temperature or a drop in heart rate.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
When we covered the launch of the ASUS ZenFone Zoom, everyone clamoured to review it. It was literally the ultimate ZenFone smartphone – with its powerful Intel Atom processor, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal storage and a 13 MP camera with 3X optical zoom, laser auto-focus and optical image stabilisation!
Unfortunately, initial stocks were limited so ASUS sent us the 5.5″ smartphone model (ZE550KL) and the 6″ phablet model (ZE601KL) of their ZenFone 2 Laser series instead. We are ecstatic to report that ASUS recently passed us a special edition of the ASUS ZenFone Zoom (ZX551ML). So we present to you our definitive review of the ASUS ZenFone Zoom (ZX551ML) smartphone!
Updated @ 2016-05-09 : Added additional information to various sections, and expanding in particular, the section on its photographic capabilities.
ASUS ZenFone Zoom Specifications
Specifications
ASUS ZenFone Zoom (ZX551ML)
Operating System
Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with ASUS ZenUI 2.0
Display
5.5" IPS touchscreen
1080 x 1920 pixels (403 ppi pixel density)
Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection
Processor
Quad-core Intel Atom Z3590 (2.5 GHz)
Graphics Processor
PowerVR Rogue G6430 (640 MHz)
Memory
4 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
Storage
128 GB eMCP flash memory
microSD card slot (up to 128 GB)
5 GB lifetime ASUS WebStorage
Front Camera
5 MP sensor with f/2.0 wide-angle lens
Rear Camera
13 MP Panasonic SmartFSI MN34130 sensor
Hoya 28-84 mm f/2.7-4.8 lens (10-element periscope design)
3X optical zoom + 4X digital zoom
4 stops Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
Dual-LED, dual-tone flash
Laser auto-focus system (0.03 seconds focusing, up to 50 cm)
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth v4.0 + EDR
NFC, micro-USB 2.0
GPS
GPS / GLONASS / QZSS / SBAS / BDS
Battery
3000 mAh lithium polymer (non-removable)
Fingerprint Sensor
No
Other Sensors
Accelerator, E-Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light, Hall sensor
Dimensions
78.8 mm wide x 158.9 mm tall x 11.95 mm thick
3.10" wide x 6.26" tall x 0.47" thick
Weight
185 g / 6.53 oz (with battery)
Available Colours
Pure Black / Ceramic White
Unboxing The ZenFone Zoom
Our ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] came in a special edition box set, so it’s much larger than what you would see in a retail store. When you open up the box, you will find a welcome note printed on heavy cardboard. Very classy. Underneath, you will find the actual ASUS ZenFone Zoom box, a box of Zencredible Photocards and a Zenny figurine nestled in foam cutouts.
[adrotate banner=”4″]When you unpack everything, you should find the following items :
One ASUS ZenFone Zoom (ZX551ML) smartphone wrapped in plastic
One ASUS ZenFone Zoom leather strap
One 18W ASUS fast charger with power plug adapter and micro-USB cable
One set of Zencredible Photocards – the ASUS’ version of Cards Against Humanity (Special Edition box set only)
One Zenny figurine (Special Edition box set only)
One pair of ASUS ZenEar earphones with four spare earbuds
One set of User Manual, Warranty Card and strip of 3 IMEI stickers
Note that the Special Edition box only come with two extra items – the Zenny figurine and the Zencredible Photocards.
In the next page, we are going to take a close look at the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Amazon] and set it up!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom (ZX551ML)
In this video, we will show you how to quickly unwrap the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] – just slide it out! And we will give you a quick tour of its key features :
The ASUS ZenFone 2 series is notable for their ambidextrous design. However, the ZenFone Zoom abandons it due to the periscopic lens arrangement, and its focus on photography. Instead of a central alignment, all of the ZenFone Zoom’s physical buttons are on the right side. There are not buttons on the left side.
First, you have the Volume rocker switch, which doubles as Zoom buttons. To zoom in, press the T (Telescopic) button. To zoom out, press the W (Wide) button. Right next to them is Power button. On the far end, you will find the Record Video button (small circular button with a red dot) and a dedicated Shutter button. Like on a digital camera, you can half-press the Shutter button to focus on an object before taking the shot.
The earphone port is located at the top, together with a microphone port. There is a second microphone port located at the bottom, next to the micro-USB port. Note the groove which allows you to remove the back cover, and the single speaker grille next to it.
At the lower left corner is a strap hole. It allows you to attach the leather strap, so you can loop it around your wrist. This will prevent the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] from hitting the ground should it slip out of your hand.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Premium Finish
At first sight, you can tell that the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is a bespoke device. It has a certain heft that imparts confidence in its build, with a beautiful anodised aluminium frame that terminates in a brilliant ring around the Gorilla Glass-protected display.
The frame is carved from a single block of aerospace-grade aluminium alloy and then polished, sand-blasted and anodised – in an elaborate 201-step process. ASUS certainly spared no expense in this model.
To give it the ultimate feel of luxury, the back cover uses the finest (literally) ox leather. Only 38% of the hide with the thinnest and toughest cut is used. It is then finished with traditional Italian tailoring. The leather cover not only feels great, it gives you a better grip.
Fast Charger
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with a fast charger that delivers up to 18 W of power (2 amps of current at 9 V). You can recharge the ZenFone Zoom with any other charger, even use a micro-USB connected to a computer’s USB port. However, you won’t be able to charge as fast as you would with this fast charger (see our test results).
It is made up of two parts – the AC/DC converter, and a power plug that varies according to region. This modular design allows ASUS to manufacture the same fast charger for the entire world, and adapt them to local requirements using the modular plug heads.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Inside The ZenFone Zoom
Now, let’s take a look INSIDE the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price]. We will show you how to carefully remove the premium leather back cover to gain access to the SIM slot and the microSD card slot. Unlike other ZenFone 2 models, the 3,000 mAh battery is not user-removable.
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] uses the Intel XMM 7262 modem which has dual SIM, dual standby capability. However, ASUS only chose to include a single micro SIM card slot, so if you must have dual SIM capability, you are out of luck.
There is also a microSD card slot which allows for an additional 128 GB of storage. It may seem superfluous since the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with 128 GB of internal flash storage. But if you are going on an extended trip, 256 GB of storage can buy you peace of mind.
Mono Speaker & ZenEar
Interestingly, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with a single speaker. However, ASUS appears to have put in quite a lot of work into this speaker.
ASUS engineers used a 5-magnet construction with a metal voice coil, which delivers a much higher volume with lower bass distortion. They also added a dedicated sound chamber for maximum audio expansion.
For the best audio experience, ASUS even threw in a pair of ASUS ZenEar earphones. They have a frequency response of 20-20,000 Hz with a maximum power output of 107 dB/mW. They also come with four spare earbuds.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Setting Up The ZenFone Zoom
This video will show you the initial setup process. It will take you no more than 5 minutes to set up the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] as a new device.
Once you finish setting it up and it loads the home screen, you will be amazed at how bright and sharp the IPS display is. The display is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4. This makes it twice as hard to break in a drop, compared to Gorilla Glass 3 used in the flagship ZenFone 2 model. Gorilla Glass 4 has, so far, been limited to higher-end smartphones and phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note5.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Available Memory & Storage
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with 4 GB of LPDDR3 memory, which is fantastic because it has quite a bit more bloat than the 5.5″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) and the 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) we reviewed earlier. Even so, you have at least 2.2 GB of free memory to use – more than what many smartphones (like the honor 5X) come with!
Out of the box, the ZenFone Zoom comes with 128 GB of internal flash storage. Once you deduct about 16.5 GB for the Android 5.0 operating system and 1.1 GB for the ASUS apps, you still have a whooping 111 GB of free space left to use!
That’s more than enough to store 30,000 pictures or 670 minutes of 1080p video. It is unlikely you will find the need to add additional storage space using a microSD card.
Camera Capabilities
The raison d’etre for the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is its special 13 MP PixelMaster 2.0 camera, which boasts a 3X optical zoom capability. While optical zoom is not a new capability in smartphones, it is exceedingly rare… especially without a telescopic mechanism.
In this regard, ASUS has achieved an amazing feat – delivering optical zoom capability without a protruding or telescoping lens. The ZenFone Zoom looks, works and feels like a smartphone. And they did this using an ingenious periscopic lens design created by HOYA.
The 10-element periscopic lens arrangement with dual high-precision stepper motors allow the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] to deliver a focal length range of 28 mm to 84 mm. This 3X optical zoom can be further extended digitally for a total zoom length of 12X. This design has some drawbacks though.
Even at its widest, it isn’t very fast with an aperture of just f/2.7. Top smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Note5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge sport much larger apertures of f/1.9 to f/1.7. When you zoom out all the way to 84 mm, the lens stops down to f/4.8. To compensate for the lower light input, the 13 MP camera is optically-stabilised for up to 4 stops.
Fortunately, ASUS chose to use the Panasonic SmartFSI MN34130 sensor in the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price]. Now, this is hardly the best 13 MP sensor they could have used (say, the Sony IMX214 or IMX 258), but it is way better than the dismal Toshiba T4K37 sensor used in the other ZenFone 2 models.
To round up the rear camera’s photographic capability, ASUS also threw in a laser auto-focusing system and a dual-tone LED flash. The laser focusing system is designed to accurately measure distance for close-up photography, while the dual-tone LED flash produces flash photographs with more realistic skin tones.
If you are into selfies though, the ZenFone Zoom only offers a 5 MP sensor with no flash, but the wide-angle lens is fast at f/2.0.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Camera Options
Both the front and rear cameras use a 4:3 ratio for maximum resolution, with small crop sizes available in the settings menu. The main camera can record videos in full 1080p resolution, albeit only with electronic video stabilisation turned off.
The main camera also comes with a bunch of built-in software features like a HDR mode and a low light option that extends the camera’s ability to capture poorly-lit scenes by combining light from multiple pixels. You can also apply some filters or convert your pictures into GIF animation.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Camera Performance – Image Quality
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] uses the Panasonic SmartFSI MN34130 sensor, instead of the Toshiba T4K37 sensor used in the rest of the ASUS ZenFone 2 series. The pictures were distinctly superior all around.
Take the example of the elevator and the signboards. If you blow them up to 100%, the edges are no longer blurred with noise, with only some noticeable noise in the darker areas. Even those are greatly improved over the photos taken by the 5.5″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) and the 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) we reviewed earlier.
The following photos of the bubblegum balls and assorted fruits show how much better the ZenFone Zoom is at taking photos. The photos are not just much sharper (when blown up to 100%), they show a much better control of the exposure.
Generally, this camera performs best in well-lit scenes. Its zoom lens is not the very fast when wide (f/2.7 at 28 mm) and quite slow (f/4.8) when fully zoomed to 84 mm. In dim or pooly-lit scenes, you need to rely on its 4-stop OIS to reduce handshake.
It uses a laser diode to shoot laser beams at near objects to instantly determine their distances. This allows for faster and more accurate focusing than can be achieved using contrast detection or phase detection auto-focusing techniques. We tested its laser focusing capabilities using a neat little app that ships with the ZenFone Zoom – a laser ruler.
The laser focusing system is especially useful in low or poor lighting conditions. However, the laser diode has a low power output, for safety reasons. You can only use it to measure distances of up to 50 cm. Anything beyond that won’t return a reading.
As you can surmise by now, 50 cm is also the range for the ZenFone Zoom’s laser auto-focusing feature. If it fails to detect any object in range, it will fall back to the original contrast detection auto-focus method. Even with the range limitation, it’s very useful if your subject is in range… especially if there are subjects nearby that may interfere with the auto-focus.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Camera Performance – Zoom
You might be wondering – just how useful is the 3X optical zoom? Take a look at these comparison photos we took of various sceneries :
The 3X optical zoom really makes A LOT of difference. It allows you to reach out and take photos from a distance, even past the shoulders of people standing in front of you.
Of course, you can do digital zoom on all smartphones, but optical zoom offers the best image quality. The optical zoom also extends the total zoom capability of the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] to a whooping 12X – 3 times further than what you can accomplish with only digital zoom.
You may also be wondering if the 3X optical zoom will allow you to deliver better bokeh in portrait shorts. Sadly, at maximum zoom, the aperture is only f/4.8. So there is a significant depth of field and poor background separation.
While portraits and indoor shots may not be its cup of tea, the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] works great with scenery and architectural shots, where there is plenty of light and the depth of field is useful.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Camera Performance – Video Recording
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is capable of recording 1080p videos, albeit without any electronic image stabilisation. The good news is it supports optical image stabilisation, which works better than electronic image stabilisation.
The ZenFone Zoom’s optical zoom also comes in handy, giving you much greater flexibility and creativity when you record videos. Check out these three examples. The first is of chickens at a pet farm, the second of a gamelan (traditional Malay music) band, and finally, a piano performance by Mr. Yang I-Deun.
Thanks to the Panasonic SmartFSI sensor, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is much better at controlling the exposure of the bright areas. They were only a little overexposed.
In the piano scene, it seemed to have some trouble focusing on Mr. Yang as we zoomed in. This was not seen in the first two videos which were brightly lit outdoor scenes, so it is probably a problem only in dim conditions. We hope ASUS will look into correcting this in the next firmware update.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Work Performance : PCMark
We tested the ZenFone Zoom’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
ASUS ZenFone Zoom
honor 5X
Samsung Galaxy S6
Work Performance Score
(Average)
5829
3898
5078
Web Browsing
5751
3756
6788
Video Playback
4536
4325
3091
Writing
5270
4085
5918
Photo Editing
8400
2614
5357
The honor 5X (Lowest Price) may use the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor, but it is clearly no match for the quad-core Intel Atom Z3590 processor. The Snapdragon 616 has four A53 cores running at 1.65 GHz, with another four A53 cores running at 1.11 GHz. The Intel Atom Z3590, on the other hand, has four cores running at 2.5 GHz.
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] also beat the Samsung Galaxy S6, which is itself a very fast smartphone. It was particularly fast in photo editing and video playback.
Battery Life : PCMark
We then tested the ZenFone Zoom’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
Now we can see the Intel Atom Z3590’s processing power comes at the expense of battery life. The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] uses the same 3,000 mAh lithium polymer battery as all other ASUS ZenFone 2 models, but only lasts just over 6.5 hours.
In comparison, the 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) lasted just under 8 hours, while the 5.5″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) lasted over 12 hours on the same test. The honor 5X (Lowest Price), which uses a similar 3,000 mAh battery, lasted 8.5 hours. With such a short battery life, you will want to pack a power bank if you are going on a long trip.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Battery Recharging Speed
Like the 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL), the ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with Fast Charging capability, and a corresponding 18 W fast charger. Then we tested to see how fast it recharges from 20% to 100%.
As the chart shows, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] recharged from 20% to 100% in just 86 minutes (1 hour 26 minutes). It actually hit 90% in just 61 minutes (1 hour 1 minute). In other words, the ZenFone Zoom recharges its battery about 32% faster than the 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) [Lowest Price] and 2.4X faster than the 5.5″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL).
This is really amazing performance. From our logs, we can see that it recharged the first 20% in just 9 minutes. So if you are short on power, even a short recharge can give you a significant boost in battery life.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Overall Performance : AnTuTu Benchmark
AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.
ASUS
ZenFone Zoom
honor 5X
Samsung
Galaxy S6
TOTAL SCORE
65914
36983
75222
3D SCORE
16839
2446
20579
– 3D (Garden)
6976
1492
8104
– 3D (Marooned)
9863
954
12475
UX SCORE
21371
16269
24065
– UX Data Secure
5896
4673
5507
– UX Data Process
4353
2438
4392
– UX Strategy Games
4118
2698
6948
– UX Image Process
2926
2599
3413
– UX I/O Performance
4078
3861
3805
CPU SCORE
23110
14031
25402
– CPU Mathematics
5196
2968
7823
– CPU Common Use
8699
4696
7585
– CPU Multi-Core
9215
6367
9994
RAM
4594
4237
5176
The Intel Atom Z3590 with its PowerVR G6430 graphics processor is definitely very fast. It was faster than the honor 5X(Lowest Price) in all aspects of this benchmark, even though the honor 5X was powered by an octa-core Snapdragon processor. The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is just a little slower than the Samsung Galaxy S6.
Gaming Performance : 3DMark
We tested the ZenFone Zoom’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
ASUS
ZenFone Zoom
honor 5X
Samsung
Galaxy S6
Gaming Score
21372
7879
21166
Graphics
21748
7695
23298
Physics
20152
8597
16031
Graphics Test 1
112.6 fps
39.6 fps
120.6 fps
Graphics Test 2
81.5 fps
28.9 fps
87.3 fps
Physics Test
64.0 fps
27.3 fps
50.9 fps
The Intel Atom Z3590 really showed its mettle in this test. While the PowerVR G6430 graphics processor held up well against the Galaxy S6’s Mali-T760 graphics processor, the Intel Atom Z3590 delivered much better physics processing capability than the Galaxy S6’s octa-core Exynos 7420 processor.
Our Verdict
When we first saw the ASUS ZenFone Zoom, we knew we had to review it. It is a remarkable combination of innovation and art. With its ox leather back, it looks like an ultra-premium version of the ASUS ZenFone 2 smartphones that came out in the past year or so.
Its killer feature is, no doubt, its 13 MP main camera with its unique and innovative periscopic lens design. This allows the ZenFone Zoom to deliver 3X optical zoom without a protruding or telescopic lens. It is capable of optical focal lengths of 28-84 mm while remaining a svelte smartphone no thicker than 12 mm. Amazing!
ASUS also threw in every photographic technology they had in their bag – laser auto-focus, dual-tone LED flash, and 4-stop optical image stabilisation (OIS). They even swapped out the dismal Toshiba T4K37 sensor for a much better Panasonic SmartFSI sensor. The result – the best photographic experience in the entire ASUS ZenFone 2 family.
The ZenFone Zoom’s image quality is significantly better than its ZenFone 2 brethren. Even its videos were much better – less grainy with better exposure control. The 3X optical zoom was very helpful in many situations, giving us greater reach and creative options. You will also appreciate the ZenFone Zoom’s 4-stop optical image stabilisation. It effectively cancels out your hand tremors, helping to deliver sharper images and videos.
While the Panasonic SmartFSI is a superior sensor, it is hardly the best sensor ASUS could have used. In a way, the ZenFone Zoom could have been better. It could have been the best camera smartphone in the market if ASUS paired it with top-of-the-line image sensor like the Sony IMX260 used in the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.
Intel may be languishing in the smartphone market but there is no doubt that their Atom processors are fast. The Intel Atom Z3590 used in the ZenFone Zoom is a quad-core processor. But backed by the PowerVR Rogue G6430 graphics processor, it trashed the octa-core Snapdragon 616 processor used in the honor 5X(Lowest Price) while coming close in performance to, or even beating in some aspects, the octa-core Exynos 7420 processor used in the Samsung Galaxy S6.
Of course, all that processing power comes at a price – battery life. The ZenFone Zoom could only lasted 6.5 hours in our battery stress test (from 100% down to 20%). The 6″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) and the 5.5″ ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL), in comparison, lasted just under 8 hours and over 12 hours respectively.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
The good news is the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] comes with fast charging capability. How fast? It recharges from 20% to 100% in under 1.5 hours! Even a quick 9 minute charge will give you a 20% boost in battery capacity. This is the best fast charging performance we have seen in the ZenFone 2 family.
The ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] is the ultimate smartphone of the ZenFone 2 family. It has the most powerful Intel Atom processor ever used in a smartphone, backed with 4 GB of RAM and a whooping 128 GB of internal storage. And it comes with a 13 MP camera with a 3X optical zoom, 4-stop image stabilisation, dual-tone LED flash and laser auto-focus. All in a sleek 5.5 smartphone form factor, wrapped in posh leather.
From what we understand, this is likely to be the last Intel Atom-powered smartphone to come out of the Intel-ASUS partnership. Of course, we hope that is just a rumour and the partnership will continue. But if it doesn’t, and you must have the best Intel Atom-powered smartphone ever made, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom is it.
We like it so much, we think the ASUS ZenFone Zoom [Lowest Price] deserves nothing less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Congratulations, ASUS!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
5th May 2016 — ASUS today announced ASUS Beyond VR Ready, a distinctive mark of compatibility and confidence for consumers keen to gear up for the virtual-reality (VR) gaming revolution. ASUS has worked closely with leading industry partners, to ensure a wide range of ASUS motherboards, graphics cards and systems work seamlessly with the new generation of fully-immersive VR headsets and accessories.
The testing and configuration program involved ASUS and partner engineers cooperating on the optimization of firmware and drivers for superior VR compatibility and performance — and the creation of the ASUS Beyond VR Ready logo indicates products tested to deliver a reliable and immersive VR experience.
The Beyond VR Ready badge will be applied to ASUS products already tested for compatibility with the Oculus Rift virtual-reality (VR) headset and will include other VR headsets like the HTC Vive once they arrive to market. The ASUS VR Ready website is live today, at www.asus.com/microsite/beyond-vr-ready and will be continually updated with the introduction of new products.
ASUS Beyond VR Ready
[adrotate banner=”4″]While it is easy for consumers to discover the minimum specifications necessary for building or buying a PC that could be capable of running the latest VR headsets and programs, confirming component compatibility and interoperability is a difficult job. ASUS Beyond VR starts with tested components or systems and the assurance that when everything is connected, powered on and the game or application is launched that a seamless, deep immersion into virtual reality is the consistent result.
With the Beyond VR Ready initiative, ASUS is publishing a list of components tested for compatibility with Oculus Rift and expanding to include VR products like the HTC Vive in the near future. The VR Ready model list will be updated regularly to account for the introduction of new ASUS products and VR gear and accessories from leading industry partners.
Consumers interested in building or buying a VR-compatible PC should visit the Beyond VR Ready website. A selection of recommended components for casual to the ultimate VR experien ce is included. Beyond VR Ready website also includes a list of ASUS PCs that are ready-made for an immersive VR experience.
Starting now, VR-capable ASUS products will carry a Beyond VR Ready logo — an at-a-glance recommendation that the product is suitable for VR based systems.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
During the launch of the ROG GX700 liquid-cooled gaming laptop, Republic of Gamers also unveiled the ROG GT51 gaming desktop. This Iron Man-inspired system is a winner of the 2016 CES Innovation Award, as well as the iF Design Award. But it’s not all beauty without brawn. Under the steely facade is an awesome gaming machine. Let’s take a look!
ROG GT51 – Inspired By Iron Man
Inspired by Iron Man, the ROG GT51 has an sharp-angled polygonal design with an Arc Reactor motive in the front. The “Arc Reactor” is actually a fully-functional turbine fan with pulse-width modulation (PWM) control that draws in fresh air. There is even a 4-zone LED lighting feature that supports up to 8 million colours, and a preset OC lighting mode that is activated when the system is overclocked.
Overclocked For Maximum Performance
The ROG GT51 gaming desktop is powered by a 6th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, that is cooled by the ROG-patented liquid-cooled Hydro Overclocking System. That allows you to overclock all cores to 4.6 GHz using the Turbo Gear one-click feature. Even its DDR4 memory is overclocked from 2133 MHz to 2800 MHz.
For UHD gaming at over 60 frames per second, the ROG GT51 supports up to two NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X graphics cards. And to ensure that everything loads at maximum speed, it features up to two 512 GB NVMe PCIe SSDs. When paired in a RAID 0 array, the SSDs deliver transfer rates of up to 400 MB/s – 6X faster than SATA SSDs.
To ensure that nothing overheats, even during marathon gaming sessions, the ROG GT51 boasts a multi-zone cooling design that lowers its internal temperature by up to 31%. In addition to the Hydro Overclocking System, there are dedicated air channels to draw cool air to cool the graphics cards. Even its power supply unit is isolated with its own dedicated airflow.
Raw performance isn’t its only goal. The ROG GT51 also boasts an ESS Sabre headphone DAC and amplifier that powers the front audio jacks. This gives the gamer audiophile-grade sound with high dynamic range, low noise and low distortion.
The ROG GT51 will come with the ROG Band. This is a NFC-enabled band that can be used to authenticate the user for quick access to Shadow Drive. Shadow Drive is a hidden and encrypted partition that provides safe storage of confidential data. The ROG Band can also be used to quickly activate the overclocking mode.
ROG GT51 Price & Availability
The ROG GT51 will be available in June 2016. As such, the local price has yet to be determined.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
14th April, 2016 — ASUS today announced support for the upcoming Intel Core i7 X-Series processors and Intel Xeon processors, with UEFI BIOS updates available immediately for all ASUS X99 Series motherboards.
With a choice of easy-to-use ways to update the ASUS BIOS supported by comprehensive and detailed online tutorials, owners of ASUS X99 Series motherboards can benefit immediately from quick, safe and smooth upgrades without any worries — allowing them to unleash the great performance of the latest high-performance Intel Core i7 X-Series processors in just a few simple steps.
Easy BIOS updates with ASUS USB BIOS Flashback and EZ Flash 2
ASUS X99 Series motherboards include the renowned ASUS USB BIOS Flashback feature, which enables users to apply UEFI BIOS updates with incredible ease. This innovative tool downloads the latest ASUS BIOS to a USB flash drive, enabling users to update the award-winning ASUS UEFI BIOS quickly and easily.
The motherboard does not even need to have a CPU or DRAM modules in place: users can simply connect the power supply, plug in their USB drive, press the USB BIOS Flashback or ROG Connect button and then sit back and wait — there’s nothing else to do.
Alternatively, users can apply the necessary UEFI BIOS update with the easy-to-use EZ Flash 2 utility — which is built into the UEFI BIOS — using a flash disk.
Users keen to take advantage of the power of Intel Core i7 X-Series processors and Intel Xeon processors can visit the ASUS website and download the relevant UEFI BIOS version today.
Availability
ASUS BIOS updates are available immediately worldwide.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
23rd March, 2016 — ASUS today announced Zoom to Wanda, an intriguing interactive hunt, featuring the new ZenFone Zoom (Amazon). ZenFone Zoom marks a new era in smartphone photography with the world’s thinnest optical zoom mechanism to enable both magnification of distant subjects and close-up shooting of small objects in incredible detail.
Using this as its inspiration, the enthralling Zoom to Wanda game invites participants to travel and explore the world in detail as an investigative journalist in search of the mysterious Wanda.
An open invitation to explore the world and all its impressive detail
Zoom to Wanda is a passport to explore the world, presented in gorgeous gigapixel images, while chasing down a true wanderluster – Wanda. The game is based on a character named Wanda. Who is armed with an adventurous spirit, insatiable curiosity, and her ASUS ZenFone Zoom (Amazon), is travelling the world and sharing her exotic travelling and dining experiences on her blog.
Zoom to Wanda instantly turns participants into investigative journalists tasked with following critical clues to chase down Wanda as she wanders through the most charming streets and indulges in the world’s best food. Tracking her down is a visually engaging experience, involving audiences zooming in on countries, cities and impressive monuments to uncover her trail.
Gigapixel glory: Explore the world’s incredible detail in in extreme resolution
Inspired by ZenFone Zoom’s incredible 12 X-magnification capabilities, ASUS has used gigapixel-photo technology to create the Zoom to Wanda experience, immersing participants in incredible experiences in India, Italy, Japan, and beyond. ZenFone Zoom fans can explore these beautiful cities from a bird’s eye view and then zoom down to street level — all made possible by extreme-resolution imagery.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Join in to win: 20 lucky participants will each win a ZenFone Zoom
The Zoom to Wanda contest run from March 21, 2016 until April 17, 2016 — and is open to players around the world. There is no charge for entry. Following the competition’s climax, the 20 participants with the highest scores will each be awarded a brand-new ZenFone Zoom. To take part, wanderlusters should visit www.asus.com/campaign/zoom-to-wanda today — and begin their hunt for Wanda.
Find the Instagrammers: More prizes to be won by hunting down Wanda’s Instafamous frieds
Wanda is not alone. She’s being helped by nine famous Instagrammers from Asia who are also hidden in the Zoom to Wanda game world. Some of Wanda’s Instafamous friends include: Simone Bramante (@brahimino) who joins Wanda for an adventure in Italy; Ritesh Uttamchandani (@riteshuttamchandani) who will provide audiences clues in India; and Takashi Yasui (@_tuck4), who can be found in Japan. More of Wanda’s friends can be discovered along the way too. Fans who find Wanda’s Instafamous friends will also be in the running for some great prizes, including ZenFone Zoom handsets.
About ZenFone Zoom: The world’s thinnest 3X optical-zoom smartphone ZenFone Zoom (Amazon) is the newest addition to the ASUS ZenFone family. It is the world’s thinnest 3X optical-zoom smartphone with an innovative 10-prism lens arrangement for up to 12X total magnification. It is powered by a 64-bit Intel Atom processor with 4GB RAM, has a fantastic 13MP resolution and lightning-fast laser auto-focus — ensuring no incredible moment is missed.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
22nd March, 2016 — ASUS today announced that the ZenFone Zoom (Amazon) is to star in a series of films created by filmmaker David Sandberg, the genius behind Kickstarter-funded film, Kung Fury.
With the ability to capture clear images like never before, the ZenFone Zoom (Amazon) is the world’s thinnest 3X optical-zoom smartphone, powered by an Intel Atom processor and offering an unprecedented ability to magnify subjects and see the world up close. David Sandberg has created five short films with his signature humor and attention to detail that show how ZenFone Zoom enables everyone to See the World Up Close.
ZenFone Zoom Brilliance Meets Film-Making Genius
“Kung Fury was celebrated for its homage to the 1980s’ police and martial-arts movie classics,” explained Erik Hermanson, Head of Marketing – Mobile Products, ASUS. “It’s the attention to detail in Kung Fury that makes it such a hilarious love letter to the ‘80s. David Sandberg is celebrated worldwide for his incredible gift as a special-effects master and his story-telling capabilities — this is why he’s a great fit to share the story of the ZenFone Zoom’s incredible photographic capabilities. With these films we’re able to See the World Up Close through David Sandberg’s eyes.”
Speaking of the films, Sandberg said, “When ASUS approached me to shoot five videos for ZenFone Zoom, I was excited about the zoom feature of the smartphone and the possibilities of how I could present it. ASUS gave me a blank canvas to work with — it’s rare for a client to be so open, and I really appreciate that. I am sure the end result will show how much fun we had working on this project.”
David’s iconic sense of humor and special effects mastery are evident in the films, each exploring ZenFone Zoom’s powerful optical-zoom capability. The campaign’s hero film, Round the Earth, also stars a cameo from Barbarianna (Eleni Young) of Kung Fury fame herself.
All-in-one (Main video)
Powerful Zoom
Ninjas
Big Head
T-Rex
ZenFone Zoom Specification
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Tom Clancy’s The Division is looking to be a big hit come March, promising to satiate gamers’ desire for shooting, looting, and levelling. The Division‘s open world recreation of New York City boasts plenty to see and do, and on PC that massive amount of content will appear more detailed, be rendered at up to 4K, and be enhanced by NVIDIA GameWorks HBAO+ and PCSS visual effects.
Enabling these and other effects at higher resolutions will require serious pixel-pushing prowess, so for many an upgrade will be in order. For the Beta and the official release of The Division, Ubisoft is recommending players use the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, which will provide the performance for high-detail, high framerate gameplay. NVIDIA have their own recommendations and testing available in the near future too.
Free Game With Every ASUS ROG Laptop
Whoever purchased or will be purchasing an ASUS ROG laptop from 17th February – 21 March 2016 will be entitled to a FREE downloadable copy of Tom Clancy’s The Division, which is launching on 8th March 2016!
Region: Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines
Model: ASUS ROG G751JT / G751JY / G752VY / G752VT / GX700VO powered by 970M above GPU
Purchase Duration: Feb 17 – March 21, 2016, while supply lasts
Code Expiration: April 30, 2016
Actual Game Launch: Mar 8, 2016
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (23rd February, 2016) — ASUS Malaysia today announced RT-AC5300, an ultra-high-performance AC5300-class tri-band wireless router, with Broadcom NitroQAM technology that delivers the world’s fastest combined Wi-Fi data rates of up to 5334Mbit/s.
Designed as the ultimate state-of-the-art router for enthusiasts and gamers, the futuristically-styled RT-AC5300 uses a 4×4 (4-transmit, 4-receive) MIMO antenna array on all three bands. Combined with AiRadar universal beamforming and Tri-Band Smart Connect, RT-AC5300 provides outstanding multi-device performance, with super-wide coverage.
For the smoothest-ever online gaming, RT-AC5300 includes an exclusive built-in game accelerator powered by Gamers Private Network (GPN) from WTFast, which significantly reduces ping times and latency for an unrivaled experience in virtually all competitive multi-player online games.
The stunning better-than-wired speeds of RT-AC5300 will be a boon to any gamer needing the freedom and convenience of Wi-Fi, with the reliability and performance normally associated with a wired network.
The world’s fastest Wi-Fi speeds, delivered to more devices!
Increasingly, the available wireless bandwidth in a household has to be shared between a large number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and smart home devices. To provide additional bandwidth for these multi-device households, RT-AC5300 uses a tri-band AC5300-class design, with two independent 5GHz frequency bands and one 2.4GHz frequency band.
Broadcom NitroQAM technology boosts the maximum speed of each 5GHz frequency band from the standard 1734Mbit/s to a blistering 2167Mbit/s, and on the 2.4GHz frequency band speeds are increased speeds from 800Mbit/s to 1000Mbit/s for a world-leading combined throughput of 5334Mbit/s — over five times (5X) the bandwidth of a wired Gigabit Ethernet connection.
This extreme bandwidth means that the advanced RT-AC5300 provides users with more than enough capacity to deliver low-latency online gaming, smooth streaming of 4K/UHD videos and ultra-fast file sharing to all connected devices.
Enhanced Coverage, For Every Device, Everywhere!
For outstanding multi-floor and multi-room coverage, ASUS RT-AC5300 uses eight detachable dual-band external antennas in a 4×4 MIMO array, with ASUS AiRadar universal beamforming providing unrivaled multi-device performance and wireless signal coverage. AiRadar focuses the Wi-Fi signal on a device to improve performance, stability and range.
Built-In Game Accelerator For Smooth, Fast Online Gaming
ASUS RT-AC5300 includes an exclusive built-in client and a free subscription to WTFast that gives users the very best online gaming experience — at no extra cost! WTFast uses GPN, a dedicated global private network, which automatically gives users the lowest ping times and reduced latency — critical network parameters in online games — for smooth, uninterrupted gameplay.
GPN can reduce average game ping times by 30-60%, lower average speed deviations by 70-90%, and cut bad router hops by 70-90%. By routing gaming data packets automatically via the most efficient internet route, packet loss is reduced, ensuring a responsive and frustration-free gaming experience. GPN supports virtually all competitive multi-player online games, and has optimized settings for many of the most popular titles.
The game accelerator is integrated into RT-AC5300’s easy-to-use ASUSWRT graphical user interface, so it consumes no system resources on the game device. This also means that the benefits can be experienced on any gaming platform — including Windows, Mac OS, Linux and game consoles — regardless of the manufacturer or operating system.
Advanced Technologies For Enhanced Speed, Reliability And Ease Of Use
ASUS RT-AC5300 features many state-of-the-art technologies to enhance performance and improve stability even on the busiest networks.
[adrotate banner=”4″]Tri-Band Smart Connect technology intelligently selects the optimum frequency band for each device, based on the device’s speed, its signal strength, and how busy each band is. This means users never have to decide which band to use, as RT-AC5300 does it all automatically. The result is better range and faster, more reliable connections — all the time!
For advanced users, Link Aggregation (802.3ad) support provides a way of combining two of the Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports into a single ultra-fast 2Gbit/s wired connection (using two network cables). This feature, normally only found on professional-grade network switches, will be of particular interest to users with high-speed network-attached storage (NAS) devices, which increasingly offer 802.3ad support. This means that users can fully exploit the capabilities of the latest NAS devices, for fast device backups and file sharing.
ASUS RT-AC5300 Price & Availability
The ASUS RT-AC5300 is available for purchase at the recommended retail price of RM 2,199 (~US$ 519), inclusive of GST.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
