ASUS gets busy

Darius Chang | Oct 20, 2006

It has been a busy week for the Taiwanese company which has refreshed two notebook models while launching its tablet PC and UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC).

The Lamborghini VX1 and W5F has been given a Core 2 Duo makeover. The latest dual-core processor from Intel claims to boost performance by 20 percent over its Core Duo predecessor while also adding 64-bit computing capability.

Adding to its lineup are the R1F tablet PC and R2H UMPC. The former is a convertible which sports a 13.3-inch display (which may be a first in tablet PCs) and keyboard. Using a Core 2 Duo processor, it seems to be targeting the business user with its fingerprint sensor, TPM (Trust Platform Module) security chip and hot-swappable optical drive.

The R2H, like the Samsung Q1, is a 7-inch portable PC with the form factor of a personal media player. It also shares other similarities like a Celeron processor and a built-in Webcam. Unique to this machine is an integrated GPS unit that allows it to act as a personal navigation device.