The Four-eyed Journal » Asus

ASUS Padfone = smartphone + tablet device

jhay — Tue, 31 May 2011 03:59:59 +0000

Why not? I know some who are torn between getting a smartphone or tablet device because they want features that are found on both devices but not on a single one.

So here comes Asus, the company who created the netbook category and launched millions of small notebook PCs that were the craze a few years ago, daring to do what no one else has done, taking the smartphone and tablet and putting them together in an almost-single device – the aptly named Padfone.

Introduced at the Computex IT trade fair in Taipei Monday, the Padfone features a smartphone and tablet device combo that allows users to make the usual phone calls, send and receive messages using the 4.3-inch smartphone component, then allowing for mobile browsing and video consumption once the smartphone is docked with the 10.1-inch tablet dock.

The Padfone runs on Android but the final specs of the device has been kept secret by ASUS. They even said that the final dimensions have not been settled yet, so expect more things to come from ASUS with regards to this novel idea.

Question now is, would the Padfone set another trend as did the Asus Eee PC?

Aside: Who’s better at product unveiling theatrics? Steve Jobs or ASUS chairman Jonney Shih?

Asus S101 giveaway by Bo’s Coffee

jhay — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:41:45 +0000

A partnership between Bo’s Coffee and Asus Philippines will give chance to coffee lovers to win one of the five (5) Asus S101 netbook this summer.

A Php200 worth of purchases at Bo’s Coffee will earn you a raffle entry. This summer promo will run from March 15 – May 31, 2009.

Asus S101 netbook

The stylish netbook has the following specs:

Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
Intel 945GSE
10.2” wide active matrix LED-backlit TFT, WSVGA 1024 x 600
Genuine Windows XP Home/GNU Linux
WiFi 802.11n
Bluetooth 2.0
1 GB DDR2 RAM
16GB, 32GB & 64GB SSD
20GB Eee Storage
4-in-1 MMC, SD, Memory Stick and MS-PRO card reader
0.3 megapixel webcam

They also have a treat for Asus Eee PC users, just bring your Eee PC to any Bo’s Coffee and get a free upsize on your drinks.

Buy an Asus Eee PC 701 and win a trip to Disneyland

jhay — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:00:46 +0000

Asus is really revving up the competition with a new offer that will be very hard to resist. Enjoy a Disneyland Package for 3 days and 2 nights, inclusive of roundtrip tickets from Manila–Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific, hotel accommodations, a whole day Disney tour, and a half-day city tour for you and your family!

Get a chance to be one of eight (8) lucky families of four (4) vacationing in Hong Kong by simply purchasing an Eee PC 701 2g or 4g models between July 22 to August 15, 2008 and send the important details like name, address, signature, and contact information on a sheet of paper, along with a photocopy of the sales invoice, billing statement or delivery receipt and a cut out portion of the box where the serial number is indicated (Customers can only send in one entry per sales invoice, billing statement, or delivery receipt. 100 models on one receipt, for example, is considered to be one entry).

Place entries in an envelope and sending it to 14 United St., Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City, 1603 before the draw date of August 20, 2008.

If you want to know more about the promotion log on to www.asus.com.ph or call at telephone numbers 738-0398 or 631-4715.

Just what are you getting with the Asus Eee PC 701? Well, here are the specs:

Model Name
Eee PC 701 2G Surf
Operating System
GNU Linux
Display
7″ WVGA LCD Display (800×480)
Intel CPU & Chipset
Intel Mobile CPU & Chipset
Memory
512MB (DDR2)
S.S.D. Storage (Solid-State Disk)
2GB Solid State Disk
WLAN Built-in
802.11b/
Camera
N/A
Input / Output
3xUSB / VGA-out (D-Sub, 15pin) / earphone jack /mic / RJ45 10/100 Mbps
Audio
Hi-Definition audio
Stereo speaker
Microphone
Battery
4 Cells, 2.8hrs*

* Actual battery life will depend on actual operations and other settings.
Weight 0.92 kg

Quick Tips on Choosing a Laptop

jhay — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:31:54 +0000

Though I only have used a laptop for less than three weeks, the fact that I’m the resident “geek” at the Lasallian Community Development Center has led me to being asked by one of our faculty members:

“What laptop should I buy?”

Since, I’m no expert, I based my answer upon my years of tinkering, repairing and upgrading desktop PCs, the guides I’ve read all over the net, the advice given by my fellow geeks and common sense.

Laptops are getting cheap nowadays and there are various ways of getting one, legally I mean. But that’s another story altogether, to help answer the question, I asked her another set of questions:

“What are you going to use the laptop for?”

As with desktop computers, the answer to this question will greatly influence your choice of which laptop computer to buy. If you’re going to use it for office or paper works, as the faculty who asked me would, then an entry-level to mid-level laptop would suffice. These laptops would be running on Celeron/Centrino/ Pentium M processors with 1GB of RAM, 60-120GB of hard drive space, shared video memories plus the standard compliment of both wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired LAN adaptors, dial-up modem, USB ports etc.

Most major brands* like HP-Compaq (Presario C573, C702TU, V3120, C765TU), Asus (A3A, A8H, X51R), Acer (ASPIRE 3624NWXCI, TRAVELMATE 2423N, TRAVELMATE 2428 NOTEBOOK, ASPIRE 3683NWXMI, TRAVELMATE 2441NWXCI) have these kind of laptops for under Php30,000.00

If you’re a “power user” doing heavy graphics manipulation, audio/video editing and gaming, going up to the level of laptops that run on dual core Pentiums and their AMD counterparts, 120GB hard drive space should be standard with 2GB of RAM is the way to go. Of course a dedicated graphics card is a must.

However, be prepared to shell out not less than Php30,000.00 on these notebooks.

“How big do you want your laptop to be?”

Gadgets are getting lighter, smaller and more compact with each new generation. So laptops with screens bigger than 17 inches is HUGE. Common nowadays, as I’ve observed, are 12-14 incher’s. Of course there’s the latest craze of UMPCs or ultra portable notebooks with screens as small as 7 inches, yes it’s the original Asus Eee PC 701 with all of its newest bigger sisters like the Eee PC 900 and from the competitors of Asus. However, these UMPCs are designed to be “secondary” or backup notebooks not really for everyday work.

Size does matter because lugging around a huge, bulky and heavy laptop is no different from dragging your desktop computer complete with table and chair where ever you go.

“How much is your budget?”

This is ultimately, the deciding factor when it comes to buying a laptop, or any other gadget out there for that matter. Especially in these hard-pressed times of rising costs of living (fuel, food, electricity etc), getting the most value out of your hard earned money is a must. Unless you really could afford it. Why not go for a MacBook?

If you don’t have cash, you could always use your credit card or as I’m seeing to be getting quite common nowadays, ask a friend of yours to card it for you. Just make sure you’ll not run away with it, else you could face some lawsuits.

Others who have relatives outside the country ask them to buy the laptop instead and just ship it over or hand-carry it when they return home. It’s much cheaper compared to buying one locally plus they have a wider selection of brands and models abroad.

Other factors

Additional questions like, “brand new or second/third-hand?” also comes to mind. Nothing beats a shiny brand new laptop so be extra careful when choosing to buy a second/third-hand notebook. Getting it cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth it. Worse, when the thing proves to be in a bad shape, you end up spending more for repairs plus the hours of frustration and disrupted productivity. That’s if you don’t get scammed in the first place.

Another question would be, “a MacBook or not?” Of course the question, “Can I afford it?” immediately comes to mind. I admit that MacBooks are cool and sexy, heck I drool for one. These machines are also top of the line. But besides the price factor, you also have to consider switching to a new working environment, because it’s stupid to replace OS X with any version of Windows just so you can power it up and start working on it right away. Because 99% of the time, just like my elder faculty friend, you grew up in a Windows world where everything literally starts with the Start button.

Linux as your OS would be a good alternative, and nothing else could beat that FREE price tag. Ubuntu and its flavors are getting hugely popular nowadays and it will continue to do so. However, just like opting for a MacBook, or once your budget allows it, switching from a Windows-based environment to a completely different one, though it has its own set of unique rewards and advantages, could really take its toll on you and your workflow. So really think about it.

In the end, each of us would have our own set of reasons, needs and preferences which will guide our choice of which laptop to go for. Whatever it is that rings your bell, I hope I have helped in any way to fine tune that bell so that you’ll end up with the laptop that will meet most of your needs, satisfy your wants and not really punch a hole in your wallets or empty your bank accounts.

*Units cited were based on available models for sale in the Philippines via PC Corner.