The two smaller models of Asus' latest ZenBook's now have trackpads that can be turned into illuminated number pads. — dpa
Versatile, ultra-thin and light: These are the three most prominent characteristics shared by new notebooks unveiled at the electronics trade show IFA in Berlin (Aug 31 - Sept 5). Let's take a look at what features Asus, Acer and Dell are pushing in their freshest designs.
Asus: Screen-to-body ratio
Asus' new ZenBooks come with 13-, 14- or 15-inch screens and are all about screen-to-body ratio, which, according to Asus, can be up to 95% depending on the model. The 15-inch model has a 4K resolution option, the two smaller models also have trackpads that can be turned into illuminated number pads.
The notebooks all have 8th generation Core i processors and will be available in blue or silver by the end of the year, with prices starting at US$899 (RM3,696) in the United States.
Asus has also maximized on screen size with their new ZenBook Flip convertible notebooks: The 13- or 15-inch displays can be flipped by 360° and turned into tablets. They also have both a normal webcam and a camera on the back – you can insert virtual 3D objects into photographs taken by the back camera, which can be used to create an augmented reality.
The ZenBook Flip trackpads are covered with glass, and the smaller model's pad can also turn into a number pad. Like the notebooks, the convertibles will go on sale before the end of the year and will cost upwards of US$899.
Acer: Ultra-light, ultra-thin and gold-hinged
Acer has unveiled a new 15-inch model in its Swift series: The Swift 5 weighs just 990g and is only 1.6cm thick at its widest point. This dark blue laptop with its gold hinges also comes with the latest Core i processors (Whiskey Lake).
The frame surrounding the full HD IPS touchscreen is only 6mm thick. The Swift 5 will be available at the end of the year for upwards of US$1,099 (RM4,518).
Acer also has something for those looking for more power and even better graphics: The Aspire 7 is powered by a rarely used processor called Kaby Lake-G that Intel has created with Core i7 or Core i5 CPUs. Despite its heavy-duty processing power, this 15-inch notebook is still fairly light at 1.5kg. Acer has not yet announced how much the Aspire 7 will cost or when it will become available.
Dell: Up to 4K resolution
Dell has unveiled a new generation of 13-, 15- and 17-inch convertibles from its Inspiron 7000 series at the IFA 2018. These notebooks have a more rounded look with a smaller bezel and the ventilation outlets are hidden behind the hinges.
The new Inspiron 7000s also use the latest Whiskey Lake processors and, depending on the display size, can have a resolution of up to 4K. The convertibles are already available, starting at roughly US$900 (RM3,700). – dpa
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