Lenovo Unveils Yoga Slim 7x 14 Gen 14 and ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 Notebooks Powered By Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

While we've been expecting the availability of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor to be around the middle of this year, Lenovo has announced two new 'AI-powered' notebooks for the Windows on Arm platform. Announced is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 14 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 both feature Qualcomm's latest 12-core Snapdragon X Elite processor, ushering in a new era for Microsoft's Windows on Arm platform. Lenovo aims to target content creators and business professionals with these new models.

Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite processor looks set to try to change the adoption of the Windows-on-Arm devices, with a critical focus on providing AI capability on device, which promises up to 45 TOPs of performance solely from the Hexagon NPU. Powered by the Oryon CPU cores, the Snapdragon X Elite is designed to deliver exceptional performance and efficiency, achieving up to 3.8GHz in all-core turbo in intensive workloads. The processor also includes the latest Hexagon NPU, offering 45 TOPS of performance for INT8 tasks, making it well-suited for handling complex AI tasks on devices such as Generative AI. 

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 14 Notebook for Windows on Arm

Starting with the slimmer of the two models, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is primarily tailored for creators. It is designed to be thin, lightweight, and portable and has a 70 Wh battery, making it ideal for creators on the go. The device is powered by the latest Snapdragon X Elite processor, featuring Qualcomm's integrated Hegaxon NPU designed to power GenAI-based text-to-image capabilities, sophisticated photo and video editing tools, and intelligent text creation and editing feedback.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 14 is just 12.9 mm thick.

For connectivity, it only uses Type-C, with three USB 4 Type-C ports for the fastest 40 Gbps-capable devices. It also has a single audio jack with an HDMI 2.1 video output. Built into the top bezel is a 1080 webcam with four microphones, and it also supports IP MIPI with an integrated privacy shutter. Additional features include Dolby Atmos audio, while it also comes with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity incorporated within the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. It weighs just 1.28 kg, with a slim 12.9 mm profile, making the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x perfectly light for users on the go.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 notebook

On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s is optimized primarily for business users. It is designed to deliver optimal performance and efficiency with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite 12-core processor. As with the Yoga Slim 7x, the ThinkPad T14s uses the integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU for graphics capabilities, and it powers the 14" display, which can come in 1920 x 1200 IPS or 2.8K with an OLED panel. The on-device Hexagon NPU primarily handles AI inferencing tasks on chips and ensures seamless integration with Microsoft 365 applications. This model is designed to provide robust device management, enhanced collaborations on the go, and integrated chip-to-cloud security for professional environments.

On the connectivity front, it has dual USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports and two USB 4 Type-C ports for the fastest 40 Gbps-capable devices. It also has a single audio jack with an HDMI 2.1 video output. Built into the top bezel is a 1080 webcam with dual microphones, and it also supports IP MIPI with an integrated privacy shutter. Additional features include a fingerprint reader within the power button and dTPM. Lenovo uses the integrated Wi-Fi 7 within the Snapdragon X Elite for wireless connectivity, providing Bluetooth 5.3 support.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14 Gen 9 and ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can support up to 1TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 storage, while memory capability depends on the model. The Yoga 7x 14 Gen 9, a slimmer model, is limited to 32 GB of LPDDR5X-8448 memory in a dual-channel configuration. At the same time, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can accommodate up to 64 GB of slightly faster LPDDR5X-8533 memory.

Additionally, Lenovo offers deployment services through its Lenovo TruScale platform to support the efficient management of next-generation AI PC devices such as these models. These services include customizable security features, tailored deployment processes, enhanced control over the deployment process, and services designed to align with specific business objectives.

Both the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 will be available starting June 2024, with the Yoga Slim 7x starting at $1,199 and the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 priced starting at $1,699.

Gallery: Lenovo Unveils Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 Powered By Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) Laptop Review: Mobile Ryzen 9 7945HX3D with 3D V-Cache Impresses

With all the success and esteem that AMD's 3D V-Cache on their desktop CPUs has garnered over the last year, it was only a matter of time before we saw a mobile-ready version hit the retail shelves. Last month AMD announced their first mobile processor using 3D V-Cache, the Zen 4 architecture Ryzen 9 7945HX3D, a 16 core chip with a combined 128 MB of L3 cache across both core complex dies (CCDs). Similar to other dual CCD Ryzen 7000 chips with the 3D V-Cache, such as the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, one of the CCDs comes with a large 96 MB of L3 cache, while the other CCD comes with the standard 32 MB.

Looking to put their best foot forward for this important mobile launch, AMD has sampled us with ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 (G733PYV), a premium and highly powerful desktop replacement-class (DTR) gaming notebook, and also the sole initial launch system for the new chip. Alongside the new Ryzen chip, the ROG Strix Scar 17 incorporates a 17-inch, 1440p@240Hz IPS display that's driven by NVIDIA's powerful RTX 4090 laptop graphics card, 1TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 storage, 32 GB of DDR5-4800 memory, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is a premium example of a DTR gaming laptop, and an understandable launch platform to showcase AMD's Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor to the market.

Designed as a complete desktop replacement for gamers looking for a little more flexibility in where they can game, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is a premium example and an understandable launch platform to showcase AMD's Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor to the market. We're taking a closer look at the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D with all the benefits of the 96 MB of 3D V-Cache on one of the CCDs and how it performs within ASUS's flagship ROG Scar 17 gaming notebook.

The Razer Blade 14 (2023) Laptop Review: Ryzen 9 7940HS Tested With GeForce RTX 4070 Graphics

Perhaps one of the most popular brands in the realm of gaming, if not the most popular, is Razer. Offering products across multiple categories, although primarily renowned for their peripherals, they officially threw their hat into the notebook arena in 2012 with the Razer Blade. Over the last eleven years, the Razer Blade has constantly evolved with many different variants available, with different screen sizes and form factors such as the Blade 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17; Razer also has the Blade Stealth and the Blade Pro series.

The latest Razer Blade 14 (2023) comes equipped with AMD's latest Ryzen 7040HS series processor, the Ryzen 9 7940HS, which has eight highly efficient yet potent Zen 4 cores and comes with one of two mobile graphics cards; NVIDIA's mobile-focused RTX 4060 or the RTX 4070 which drives the 14" 2560 x 1600p (16:10) IPS display. Available at launch in three configurations, today we'll be taking a look at the middle of the three Razer Blade 14's with 16 GB of DDR5-5600 memory, Ryzen 9 7940HS 8C/16T processor, and NVIDIA's RTX 4070 with 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM.

LG's 2023 Gram Style Series Laptops Are Now Available, Starting At $1,499

The latest Gram Style series laptops, which LG announced at CES, are available as of today at the company's website or select authorized retailers. The LG Gram Style series comes in 14-inch (14Z90RS) and 16-inch (16Z90RS) configurations, starting at $1,499 and $1,799, respectively. Renowned for their svelte and elegant exterior, LG's Gram laptops are among the best options for consumers who want a powerful and lightweight device they can carry around.

As the model name insinuates, LG's Gram Style laptops undoubtedly arrive in style. The manufacturer opted for a nano-magnesium alloy base and added flair to the keyboard and lid with Gorilla Glass 3, resulting in an iridescent finish. The disappearing touchpad is a nice touch as well. LG stuck to the same design philosophy with the Gram Style series as its previous Gram laptops. The 14-inch model has a footprint of 14 x 9.5 x 0.63 inches, whereas the larger 16-inch model checks in at 12.3 x 8.42 x 0.63 inches. Both variants weigh under 3 lbs; their dimensions and weight are comparable to the previous generation. LG only offers the Gram Style series with 16-inch and 14-inch displays, so there's no 17-inch option like prior models. The 16-inch Gram Style rocks a 16-inch panel with a 3K (3200 x 2000) resolution, while the smaller 14-inch model has a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution. Both devices employ OLED displays with a DCI-P3 100% color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification; however, only the 16-inch panel comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate.

In addition to the aesthetic makeover, LG brought the LG Gram Style's hardware up to date. While previous LG Gram devices were leveraging Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake chips, the Gram Style takes advantage of the newer Raptor Lake parts, specifically the Core i7-1360P. The Core i7-1360P is a 12-core processor with four P-cores, eight E-cores, and 18 MB of L3 cache. In addition, the chip flaunts a 5 GHz boost clock on the P-cores and a 3.7 GHz boost clock on the E-cores. The Core i7-1360P belongs to Intel's Raptor Lake-P family of processors designed for ultra-thin devices, making it the perfect fit for the LG Gram Style. In addition, the Core i7-1360P has a PBP of 28 W and an MTP of 64 W, so it's not over-demanding on the battery.

LG lets consumers pick between 16 GB and 32 GB of memory on the LG Gram Style. The laptop utilizes LPDDR5 memory clocked at 6,000 MHz, regardless of the model. Soldered memory means there's no option for expansion; therefore, buyers must pick wisely. The LG Gram Style only comes with 1 TB of storage via an unspecified PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD. The 14-inch model with 16 GB of memory has a 512 GB SSD.

The LG Gram Style isn't generous on connectivity, but the laptop has the necessary ports. Consumers receive one USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 port and two USB 4 Gen 3x2 Type-C ports. However, LG doesn't equip the Gram Style with a discrete graphics card. As a result, the Core i7-1360P's Iris Xe iGPU takes care of the graphics duties. The iGPU still features 96 EUs, but they boost to 1.5 GHz, 100 MHz higher than the previous variant. The LG Gram Style utilizes Intel's AX211 module to offer consumers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity. The 14-inch and 16-inch LG Gram Style sport 72 Wh and 80 Wh Li-ion batteries, respectively. According to LG-provided metrics, the former offer up to 15 hours of video playback, whereas the latter drops to 12.5 hours due to the higher-specced panel.

The 14Z90RS with 16 GB and 32 GB configurations retail for $1,499 and $1,799, respectively. On the other hand, the 16Z90RS 16 GB model sells for $1,799, and the 32 GB version will set consumers back $1,999. For a limited time, consumers can purchase the 32 GB variants with the same screen size for the price of a 16 GB model. The promotion runs from March 20 to April 16.

The MSI Titan GT77 Review: Desktop-Class Core i9-12900HX Tested

MSI is synonymous with gaming notebooks and the company’s Raider lineup is one of the top gaming platforms on the market. But, MSI has always kept a tiny bit back, reserving their most interesting ideas and most powerful configurations for their Titan lineup.

MSI’s Titan series always offers something special. Something different. Something unique. Look back to the insane MSI GT80 Titan from 2015 which featured a full desktop keyboard melded onto an 18.4-inch notebook computer. The MSI GT76 Titan packed in a full desktop Core i9-9900K processor into a more traditional 17-inch form factor.

Today we are looking at the latest iteration from MSI; the Titan GT77. Featuring a desktop-inspired Core i9-12900HX processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU, the GT77 is one of the most powerful notebooks on the market today.

The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED Review: For The Creator In All Of Us

ASUS has been building notebooks for the creator market for several years now, and today we are looking at the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. The name kind of gives away the special feature of this device but including a 15.6-inch OLED display adds a major punch to the offering. Although OLED has not taken over the PC industry like it has the smartphone world, there is really nothing like the stunning contrast ratio OLED provides, as well as the wider color gamut most OLED devices support.

Lenovo Announces The ThinkPad X13s Laptop, Powered By Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3

During the MWC 2022 trade show in Barcelona, Lenovo unveiled the first laptop powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip, the ThinkPad X13s. Using a passively-cooled design, Lenovo is claiming that the ThinkPad X13s has a long battery life with up to 28 hours of video playback, as well as boasting plenty of wireless connectivity, including support for 5G mmWave, Wi-Fi 6E, and is all housed in a 90% recycled magnesium chassis.

Over the last couple of months, we've dedicated a number of column inches to Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. It uses four Arm Cortex-X1 prime cores at 3.0 GHz, four smaller A78 efficiency cores operating at 2.4 GHz, and it also includes the company's latest Adreno graphics.

The biggest challenge for Qualcomm with the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and the Windows on Arm project has been application compatibility. Qualcomm has been working closely with Microsoft and software vendors to allow its Arm-based processors to work with x86 apps, and last year's launch of Windows 11 added x86-64 application compatibility as well. So these days it's less a matter of what will work on WoA laptops, and more about how quickly x86 applications will run.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 SoC Marketing from Snapdragon Tech Summit Dec 2021

For more details on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor, as well as our interviews with Qualcomm SVP Alex Katouzian and VP For Windows and Chrome PCs at Qualcomm, Miguel Nunes, check out the links below:

• Qualcomm's 8cx Gen 3 for Notebooks, Nuvia Core in 2022/2023
• Interview with Alex Katouzian, Qualcomm SVP: Talking Snapdragon, Microsoft, Nuvia, and Discrete Graphics
• AnandTech Interview with Miguel Nunes: VP For Windows and Chrome PCs, Qualcomm

Focusing on Lenovo's big announcement at MWC 2022, it has launched several new notebooks for 2022, but all eyes are on the ThinkPad X13s. Lenovo, of course, is a large and respected name in the productivity laptop space, so their willingness (or unwillingness) to adopt new CPUs/SoCs is often a good barometer of overall OEM interest in new chips.

Aside from being the first consumer-based notebook powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor, the ThinkPad X13s has a wide variety of features for users on the go, both focusing on productivity and longevity, all housed inside a 0.53-inch thick frame.

A big talking point surrounds the battery life of the ThinkPad X13s, with Lenovo claiming an impressive 28-hours of usage between charges. While this sounds impressive on paper, the onus is on the types of workloads being used, with Lenovo quoting video playback figures with its 49.5-Wh Li-ion Polymer battery. It has dimensions of 11.76 x 13 x 0.53-inches (WxDxH), is constructed from 90% certified recycled magnesium, and weighs just 2.35 lbs making it ultra-portable and lightweight.

Lenovo offers the ThinkPad X13s with three different display types: an IPS AG 300-nit panel, an IPS touch AG 300-nit panel, and a low-power IPS AG display with 400-nits of brightness. All three display types include a 13.3-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10 and an output resolution of 1920 x 1200p. 

Housing within the central section of the top bezel, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s can be equipped with two different webcams, one of which has 5MP RGB, while the other is a 5MP IR camera with support for Computer Vision presence detection. In terms of connectivity, the ThinkPad X13s has two USB 3.2 G2 Type-C ports, with one 3.5 mm audio jack and a SIM card slot. The SIM card slot allows users to access either 5G sub6 or 5G mmWave depending on the configuration. At the same time, Lenovo also offers users the choice of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E wireless networking.

Lenovo has stated that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 powered ThinkPad X13s will be available in May, with prices starting at $1099. It also states that in the US, the ThinkPad X13s will be available on carriers including AT&T and Verizon sometime in 2022.

Gallery: Lenovo Launches The ThinkPad X13s Laptop, Powered By Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3

Source: Lenovo

Related Reading

• Qualcomm's 8cx Gen 3 for Notebooks, Nuvia Core in 2022/2023
• Interview with Alex Katouzian, Qualcomm SVP: Talking Snapdragon, Microsoft, Nuvia, and Discrete Graphics
• AnandTech Interview with Miguel Nunes: VP For Windows and Chrome PCs, Qualcomm
• Qualcomm Shows Off Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows on Arm Development

How Privacy Has Come To the Forefront of Laptop Design At CES 2022

Over the last several years there has been a renewed push towards privacy features from the laptop industry. With the majority of PC sales being laptops, and battery life improving dramatically, use of laptops in public spaces for business use has increased accordingly. Quite a few business laptops now offer things like privacy shutters for the webcam, as an example, but much more can be done to protect business information from prying eyes in public.

Sure View Privacy Screen from HP

One of the recent solutions has been integrated privacy screens, which dramatically reduce the viewing angle of displays so that if someone attempts to glance over at your screen while you are working, they will see almost nothing. While a good solution, these privacy screens can impact the device usage as well to the detriment of the user experience, which is why, for example, HP’s Sure View integrated privacy screen can be toggled on and off.

A new solution has popped up this year at CES from several manufacturers, and that is to actively reject shoulder surfing by use IR cameras to detect unwanted eyes and then blur the display if they are detected. I remember first seeing Tobii Eye Tracking hardware and software at MSI’s booth at CES in, I believe, 2015. Tobii uses IR cameras to track eye movements, and at the time, was touted as a gaming feature. Tobii as a brand is still best known in the consumer space for their gaming efforts, but they are now partnering with MSI on their business lineup to provide Tobii Aware, which leverages the concepts of their gaming products for business privacy functionality.

With Tobii Aware, the laptop will be able to continuously provide authentication for the correct user, so if that user turns their head, the display will blur, then when they turn back, it will come back into focus. Presence detection is another feature that has become a focus, including in Windows itself, and the device can automatically lock itself if you step away. Tobii will also allow you to have either visual clues, or privacy screen activation or blurring if someone is trying to shoulder surf your work.

Lenovo ThinkPad Webcam

Tobii is not the only player in this space. Lenovo has partnered with Lattice Semiconductor to integrate FPGAs for Computer Vision into the new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 for presence detection, which will not only increase privacy and allow for more accurate screen unlocks – even with a mask on – but also is touted as a battery saving feature since the PC will only wake up when the right person walks up to it, and not just a pet walking by or someone else in the area. The ThinkPad X1 will also automatically dim the display when it is not being looked at, and as the display is the largest power draw in the entire system, it can further improve battery life. This is even more important for OLED displays which are becoming more common in the laptop space.

AMD is also in this game, partnering with a company called Eyeware to bring a downloadable application for Radeon users in the first half of 2022. The AMD/Eyeware solution is a little different, in that rather than using cameras to actively spot shoulder surfers, it's based around watching what the user is doing. Eyeware wants to use real-time eye tracking to determine what the user is looking at, and then blur/dim everything else, essentially fuctioning as a form of passive rejection of shoulder surfing.

While laptop privacy has certainly been an active development feature for several manufacturers over the last few years, there is little doubt that the current working environment, with the dramatic shift to remote work over the last two years, has pushed the idea of protecting business information further along than perhaps would have happened organically. With the data now being accessed out of the office with a much higher frequency, containing that data from curious eyes is most certainly something that all businesses would want. The new upcoming hardware and software combinations from several players should help to alleviate some of the concern, although of course the protection of business data is still, even with these protections, something that workers will need to be trained on.

CES 2022: ASUS Announces TUF Dash F15 Laptop, Alder Lake with TB4 Connectivity

It has been a busy CES 2022 for laptop and notebook manufacturers, with many new Intel and AMD mobile processors being announced and NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 30 series mobile graphics cards. ASUS has updated a number of its ranges for 2022, including its TUF Gaming series. One of these is the TUF Dash 15, with a 15.6-inch screen available with either a 2560 x 1440p 165 Hz or 1920 x 1080p 300 Hz panel, the latest Intel Alder Lake mobile processor, NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 30 series graphics, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Refreshed for 2022, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 has been upgraded with new features. Users have the choice between two different designs, off black or in moonlight white. ASUS claims that the touchpad is 27% bigger than the 2021 version while boasting a new and improved cooling system. The TUF Dash F15 uses ASUS's new 84-blade Arc Flow fans that ASUS claims improve airflow by up to 13%.

The ASUS TUF Dash F15 features a 15.6-inch display and can be had with either a 165 Hz 2560 x 1440p or fast 300 Hz 1920 x 1080p screen, with both including support for Adaptive Sync and featuring a 3 ms response time. Powering the display is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 laptop graphics card while computing power is handled by an Intel Core i7-12650H Alder Lake mobile processor.

There's also support for up to 16 GB of DDR5-4800 memory, up to and including two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 NVMe storage drives, and it comes with a 76 Wh battery with support for Type-C charging. ASUS also includes a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, but ASUS hasn't unveiled a complete list of specifications or configurations at the time of writing.

ASUS hasn't informed us when the TUF Dash F15 (2022) will be available or how much it will retail for.

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: ASUS Announces Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition

During CES 2022, ASUS unveiled its Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition notebook. Built around the Zenbook 14 OLED series of compact yet high-performance laptops, the Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition takes things to the next level. Some of its features include a 3.5" OLED ZenVision screen on the top panel, support for up to an Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900H processor, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, as well as a 2800 x 1800 OLED HDR display.

Designed and built around the premise that it's usable in orbit, the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition is US Space Systems Command certified (SMC-S-016A), as well as US Department of Defence (MIL-STD 810H) certified. ASUS states that this includes rigorous testing, including low and high-temperature testing, and at Attitude, high humidity, and drop testing; we don't advise users to try doing any of these for obvious reasons.

The chassis comes in a unique Zero-G titanium finish, a slimline 15.9 mm depth, and weighs around 2.87 lbs. In terms of battery life, the Space Edition comes with a 63 Wh lithium polymer battery, while the screen is a 14" OLED touchscreen display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, with a 90 Hz refresh rate, and includes a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The panel is also Pantone validated, with HDR 500 validation, and up to 550 nits of brightness. Integrated into the lid is an ASUS ZenVision 3.5" OLED display which supports 256 x 64 resolution with 150 nits of brightness.

Looking at the finer specifications, the Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition supports up to an Intel Core i9-12900H (Alder Lake Mobile) processor, with Intel's Iris Xe integrated graphics. The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition can also support up to 1 TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 storage, with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and comes with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity included as standard. Along the top bezel of the screen is an integrated webcam, while the precision trackpad also doubles up as a Numpad.

Touching on some of the advertised features, ASUS uses its dual-fan IceCool thermal technology with two fans featuring 87 fan blades, four heat pipes (two 6 mm and two 8 mm), and support for up to 45 W TDP when in performance mode. On the IO, ASUS includes a MicroSD card reader, an HDMI 2.0 video output, two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, a single 3.5 mm audio combo jack, and a single USB 3.2 G2 Type-A port.

ASUS has informed us that the Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition will be available sometime in Q2 2022.

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: GIGABYTE Revamps Aorus 17 Gaming Laptop With 12th Gen Intel & RTX 30 Series

GIGABYTE has unveiled its latest 17-inch gaming laptop, the Aorus 17 YE5. Updated for 2022 with the latest Intel 12th generation mobile processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics, the Aorus 17 YE5 boasts a new 360 Hz 1080p display, with support for the latest DDR5 memory, as well as incorporating thinner bezels for a sleeker yet powerful gaming solution for gamers on the go.

With Intel announcing its latest Alder Lake-H series of mobile processors, many vendors have announced its latest gaming laptop ranges during CES 2022. One of these is the GIGABYTE Aorus 17 YE5, with an Intel Core i7-12700H 12-core (6P + 8E cores) processor, as well as boasting NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 3080 Ti mobile graphics with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory, a boost clock of up 1395 MHz, and a maximum graphics power output of 130 W. GIGABYTE also lists space for two DDR5-4800 16 GB memory sticks and room for two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, but the full configuration is likely to be region-specific.

Updated for 2022 with a host of new design characteristics and features, the GIGABYTE Aorus 17 YE5 includes a 17.3-inch IPS display with an anti-glare coating, 72% NTSC color gamut, and a blisteringly fast 360 Hz refresh rate at 1920 x 1080p resolutions. Due to thinner bezels around the screen, GIGABYTE claims a 90% screen-to-body ratio, with a 13% smaller footprint over last year's model, and also manages to fit an HD webcam on the top bezel. The Aorus 17 YE5 has dimensions of 398 x 254 x 270 mm (WxDxH) with a weight of 2.7 KG and includes a 99 Wh lithium polymer battery and 240 W adapter for charging. GIGABYTE also claims that this is the world's first Microsoft Azure AI notebook.

Looking at IO support, GIGABYTE includes a single Thunderbolt 4 Type-C and two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports. There is a mini-DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 video output pairing for external displays, with an unspecified Ethernet port and a single 3.5 mm audio jack. The Aorus 17 YE5 also includes an Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E interface that features support for BT 5.2 devices.

At the time of writing, GIGABYTE hasn't specified when the Aorus 17 YE5 will be available to purchase or how much it might cost.

Gallery: CES 2022: GIGABYTE Revamps Aorus 17 Gaming Laptop For 2022, 12th Gen Intel & RTX 30 Series

Source: GIGABYTE

CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED With Latest AMD Barcelo APU

With a wide variety of laptops, notebooks, and gaming-focused solutions expected to be announced during CES 2022, ASUS has unveiled that it has updated its Zenbook 14 OLED series for 2022. The AMD version (UM3402) has various features, including AMD's latest 5000U series 'Barcelo' APU, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X memory, Wi-Fi 6E, 1 TB of PCIe 3.0 x4 storage, and a 14-inch 90 Hz OLED display.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) is designed around the core design of the previous series but has been invigorated for 2022 with updates to the core specifications. ASUS includes a 14-inch 16:10 OLED touchscreen display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution and a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The panel itself has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut which is Pantone validated, is VESA HDR 500 certified, and has a fast 90 Hz refresh rate. Along the top bezel is a webcam, but ASUS hasn't provided specifications of it at this time. 

Some of the finer specifications include AMD's latest Ryzen 7 5825U APU with 8-cores and 16-threads and support for up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X 4266 MT/s memory, with a 1 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD and Wi-Fi 6E/BT 5.2 connectivity. One of the main design aspects of the Zenbook 14 OLED is a 180° ErgoLift hinge, which allows it to be laid out flat while providing power is a 75 Wh lithium-polymer battery.

The dimensions measure 313.6 x 220.6 x 16.9 mm (WxHxD) and weighs around 2.87 lb, making it a lightweight and slimline option for users on the go.

While ASUS offers multiple designs of its Zenbook 14 OLED, the AMD variant (UM3402) is only available in Jade Black. In terms of IO, the Zenbook 14 OLED includes two USB 3.2 G2 Type-C and one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A port, with one 3.5 mm audio combo jack, one HDMI 2.0 video output, and a microSD card reader. ASUS also includes a full-size ErgoSense keyboard with an integrated ErgoSense touchpad, which doubles up as a Numpad.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) will be available in Q2 2022, but ASUS hasn't provided us with pricing at this time.

Gallery: CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED With Latest AMD Barcelo APU

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 For 2022, Ryzen 6000 Mobile with Radeon Graphics

Over the last couple of years since the emergence of AMD's Ryzen mobile and Radeon offerings, along with a significant uptick in performance over previous generations, some vendors have implemented complete AMD offerings to satisfy user demand. During CES 2022, ASUS unveiled its ROG Zephyrus G14 for 2022, which has the power of AMD's latest Ryzen 6000 series mobile processors and its Radeon RX 6000 series mobile graphics. It also comes with many other impressive design characteristics and features, making it one of the most attractive gaming laptops coming to market this year.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 series of gaming laptops have been revamped for 2022 with new features such as a 720p webcam with support for Windows Hello and ASUS's latest Nebula 14-inch display. Focusing on the IPS panel, it features support for 2560 x 1600 resolutions with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, an anti-glare display, a 120 Hz refresh rate, with a 3 ms response time. It's also Pantone validated, features a MUX switch for bypassing the integrated graphics for better overall performance, and supports Dolby Vision.

Focusing on the core specifications, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 features the latest AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, which has an 8-core and 16-thread design, with a TDP of 35 W and a turbo frequency of 4.70 GHz. For graphics, it's available with either an AMD Radeon RX 6800S or RX 6700S, with AMD's SmartShift technology providing up to 105 W of GPU power and ASUS's Vapor Chamber cooling cools both the CPU and GPU with Thermal Grizzly liquid metal TIM. configurations

Other hardware includes up to 32 GB of DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM memory, with a single 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 storage drive with the Windows 11 Home operating system preinstalled.

Looking at the design, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2022 (GA402RK/GA402RJ) is available in either Moonlight White or Eclipse Gray. Design improvements include a slimmer 18.5 mm thickness, with a weight of up to 1.72 KG depending on whether it has an AniME Matrix display or not. Some configurations feature ASUS's upgraded AniME Matrix panel integrated into the lid, which now has more perforations and more and brighter LEDs than previous generations.

In terms of I/O, the ROG Zephyrus G14 has two USB 3.2 G2 Type-C both with DisplayPort functionality, and one featuring power delivery support, as well as two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, one HDMI 2.0b video output, a microSD card reader, and a single 3.5 mm combined audio jack. Providing power is a 76 Wh 4-cell battery, with a 240 W AC adapter and 100 W Type-C charging support. ASUS also provides a ROG Sleeve in the accessories bundle and a ROG Chakram Core gaming mouse.

ASUS hasn't informed us on how much the ROG Zephyrus G14 will retail for, nor when it is expected to hit retail shelves.

Gallery: CES 2022: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 For 2022, Powered By AMD

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, A Gaming Tablet That's So Much More

During its CES 2022 ROG Launch Event, ASUS unveiled its latest gaming device, the ROG Flow Z13. Upon first look, it may resemble a gaming-themed version of Microsoft's Surface Pro, but with a mighty kicker. The ROG Flow Z13 features Intel's latest Alder Lake mobile processor, with up to and including NVIDIA's latest GeForce RTX 3050 Ti mobile graphics, as well as up to 32 GB of DDR5-5200 memory. It's also compatible with the ASUS ROG XG Mobile external graphics dock with high-level mobile graphics performance.

Perhaps one of the more exciting announcements from ASUS during CES 2022 is the ROG Flow Z13. It is essentially a powerful 13.4-inch gaming tablet with plenty of functionality and power underneath its hood. The 13.4-inch screen is available either with 1920 x 1080 (FHD) at 120 Hz or 3840 x 2160 (UHD) at 60 Hz with an aspect ratio of 16:10 across both. Some of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13's key specifications include support for up to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, with a choice of either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti mobile graphics card.

Other specifications of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 include support for up to 32 GB of LPDDR5-5200 memory, although these are soldered in and cannot be upgraded. Storage options consist of a single PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD, with up to 1 TB of capacities supported. The ROG Flow Z13 has a 56 Wh battery installed with Type-C sharing, a bigger battery than Microsoft's Surface Pro X offers. It also weighs in at just 1.1 KG and is 12 mm thick, and features a complete CNC aluminum chassis. 

Acting as both a tablet and a laptop, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 comes with an inclusive kickstand and comes with a detachable keyboard for users looking to use it as a regular laptop. It includes plenty of connectivity, including a Wi-Fi 6E CNVI for wireless and BT 5.2 support, as well as a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 port, one HDMI 2.1 video output, a single 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader.

The ASUS ROG XG Mobile eGPU from CES 2021

Much like the ASUS ROG Flow X13 convertible gaming notebook that we covered during CES 2021, the ROG Flow Z13 is also compatible with the ROG XG Mobile external graphics dock. Updated for 2022, the latest ASUS ROG XG Mobile can now support either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT over a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface which users more choice. Providing power to the graphics and charging functionality to the Flow Z13 is a built-in 330 W power supply. It also offers an additional four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 video output pairing, as well as one 2.5 GbE port.

At the time of writing, ASUS hasn't informed us when the ROG Flow Z13 will be available to purchase or how much it might cost.

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, 17 Inch Foldable With Thunderbolt 4

At CES 2020, Intel showcased its Tiger Lake hardware with an interesting 'Horseshoe Bend' 17-inch foldable laptop. Fast forward two years and ASUS has taken the concept and run with it to create what it says is the "World's first 17.3" foldable OLED laptop. The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has a variety of features, including Intel's 'latest' processor, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 17.3" foldable OLED touchscreen display capable of supporting resolutions of up to 2560 x 1920 across two panels.

Although the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED isn't the first foldable laptop on the market, it's undoubtedly the largest of the bunch. This includes either as a laptop, a tablet, or book and extend, with a seamless foldable 180° hinge in the middle that splits the large 17.3" 4:3 2.5k pixel touchscreen panel into two 12.5" 3:2 1080p screens. The bottom panel also includes an on-screen keyboard meaning it can be used without the ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad. It offers a variety of different and usable modes.

The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED in 'Book' mode

Powering the 17 Fold OLED is a 75 Wh lithium-polymer battery. Focusing more on the screen, the 17.3" OLED panel has a full touchscreen display, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut with Pantone verification, and an HD IR 5 Megapixel webcam built-in. IO is on the light side, with just one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port that supports external displays and one 3.5 audio combo jack.

The rear panel of the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED

When folded, it has a footprint of 287.6 x 189.3 x 17.4 mm (HxWxD), while unfolded, it is even more slimline, with dimensions of 378.5 x 287.6 x 8.7 mm (HxWxD). The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED weighs just 3.75 lb without the ErgoSense keyboard and 4.39 lb when using it.

Looking at the specifications, ASUS hasn't stated which Intel Alder Lake mobile chip it will use, but it indicated that it'd be a Core i7 U-Series processor. The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED will include Wi-FI 6E and BT 5.2 connectivity, with four Harman Kardon certified speakers supported by Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience. For storage, there's 1TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, while there's support for up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory.

ASUS has said that the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED will be available sometime in Q2 2022, although it didn't provide any pricing information.

Gallery: CES 2022: ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, 17 Inch Foldable With Thunderbolt 4

Source: ASUS

CES 2022: ASUS Unveils Zenbook 14 OLED, Intel Evo Laptop with Alder Lake

As part of its desire to upgrade its existing laptop and notebook ranges with the latest and greatest hardware available, ASUS has announced during CES 2022 that it has refreshed and updated its Zenbook range for the upcoming year. This includes both Intel and AMD variants of its Zenbook 14 OLED series. The Intel version (UX3402) comes equipped with the latest 12th generation Alder Lake mobile processor, as well as a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, and a 14" 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen display.

As is customary when Intel and AMD launch a new generation of mobile processors, all the laptop and notebook manufacturers follow suit with a flood of new models and refreshes. Whether it's an entirely new design or just an update with the latest hardware, ASUS looks to modernize its range for 2022 with a mixture of both. This includes the ASUS Intelligent Performance Technology (AIPT) in tandem with Intel's latest Alder Lake 12th generation mobile processors, as well as a new monogram design on the lid with a variety of color options available.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) follows a similar layout to the Intel Version.

While we don't have official images at the time of writing of the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402), we know that it will be available in either Aqua Celadon or Ponder Blue, with a unique Japanese Kintsugi inspired design on the lid. Other notable features of the UX3402 include a webcam on the top bezel with upgraded MyASUS webcam filters and functionality. Keeping things powered up on the move is a 75 Wh lithium-polymer battery.

The main specifications include support for and up to an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 5200 MT/s memory and up to 1 TB of PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe storage. There's a 14-inch 16:10 OLED touchscreen panel that supports 2880 x 1800 resolution with a quick 90 Hz refresh rate and has a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The panel itself has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut which is Pantone validated, is VESA HDR 500 certified.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3402 has a thickness of 16.9 mm and weighs just 1.39 KG, making it an ultra-portable option, and it also conforms to Intel's Evo laptop platform. In regards to IO, it includes two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A port with one 3.5 mm audio combo jack, one HDMI 2.0 video output, and a microSD card reader. ASUS also includes a full-size ErgoSense keyboard with an integrated ErgoSense touchpad, which doubles up as a Numpad.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3402 with Alder Lake will be available sometime in Q2 2022, but ASUS hasn't provided us with pricing at this time.

Source: ASUS