Laptops
Review: Asus ROG Strix G (G531GU)
At this year’s Computex in Taipei, Taiwan, Asus announced a wide range of new gaming products from its ROG range at its annual affair for gamers and techies. Among the new products launched included the new Strix G series to the Strix family. Most notably, two new products were introduced – the 15-inch G531 and the 17-inch G731.
What we have today for review is the new ROG Strix G, specifically the G531GU. The gaming laptop is aimed at entry-level gamers and though it is part of the ROG family, it comes in at a very attractive price point of AED 6499. In terms of design cues, the new ROG Strix G does not stray away from the familiar design you see on most ROG devices.
The lid of the device comes with a brushed aluminum finish and a large ROG logo at the top right corner. However, we did notice that the placement of the ports and the vents on this one has changed. Most of the ports and vents are at the back of the device.
On the left of the device, you will find three USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, along with a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right edge, there is a cooling vent. At the rear of the device, you will find a LAN (RJ-45) port, an HDMI 2.0b port, a USB3.1 Gen2 Type-C port, and the power port with two cooling vents on either edge at the back.
The ROG G531GU weighs around 2.4-kgs and measures 360.3-by-275-by-24.9mm in dimensions. The gaming laptop also comes with a 66Whr battery and a 230W power adapter. Under the hood, the G531GU is powered by a 9th generation Intel i7 9750H processor running at 2.60GHz.
You also get 16GB of DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM (dual-channel), while the graphics is handled by an NVidia GeForce GTX1650 coming in with 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM. The overall design and build quality of the Asus ROG Strix G531GU is quite impressive. In terms of storage, you get a 256GB PCIe NVME M.2 SSD and 1TB HDD.
When you lift the lid of the laptop, you come face to face with a 15.6-inch screen that rocks a 120Hz refresh rate. Just below the keyboard area at the base of the laptop, you will find an RGB LED strip which lights up and looks awesome. You also get an RGB backlit keyboard with the “W,” “A,” “S,” and “D” keys being different as they have a transparent design to emphasise that the laptop is meant for first-person shooter games.
Another thing that impressed us is the trackpad. At first, it will look like any other trackpad. However, once you have toggled the numpad button, you get a virtual numpad on the trackpad, just like the one on the latest ROG Zephyrus S model. This functionality looks pretty neat.
Asus has collaborated with the BMW Designworks Group, to build a 3D Flow Zone into the Strix G to optimise cooling inside the machine. The Strix G comes with a self-cleaning thermal module that ejects dust to improve longevity. Dual N-Blade fans spin 83 blades to increase airflow, and ultra-thin fins expand the surface area for heat dissipation. You also get a separate Hyperfan button on the keyboard that lets you control the cooling functionality of the device.
The ROG Armoury Crate software seamlessly switches between operating modes to optimise performance and acoustics for the task. The Armoury Crate software lets you monitor and change settings such as the Game Profiles, the Win Key, the Touchpad, the ROG Key, Hyperfan Modes, CPU and GPU performance, AURA Sync and lots more.
Since the ROG G531GU’s display comes with 120Hz of refresh rate, you get to enjoy silky-smooth graphics at a high FPS. The laptop also comes with the Smart Amp technology that monitors the audio output and monitors and adjusts it on the go to offer less noise distortion, higher dynamic range, and more bass.
Inside the box, you get the ROG Strix G531GU laptop, along with a ROG backpack, a pair of ROG Cerberus VI gaming headphones, a ROG GC21 web camera, and a ROG Gladius II gaming mouse.
So, how’s the performance? Since the 9th-gen Intel Core i7 is married to the Nvidia GeForce GTX1650, you experience a high bump in the overall performance. This baby can run AAA games at 1080p at Ultra for 30fps with ease. In fact, 60fps, 1080p at High is also pretty much guaranteed.
We played a couple of graphics-intensive games such as Far Cry 6, The Division 2, Rise of the Tomb Raider, among others. What we experienced was a top-notch performance. On 3DMark: Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark, we clocked 8630 points, while on the Unigine Heaven 3.0 benchmark, we clocked 2731 points.
During our gaming sessions, the ROG Strix G531GU laptop was able to produce higher frame rates in real gameplay at a much lower fan noise than many high-end gaming machines we have reviewed in the past. The Asus ROG Strix G531GU is a capable gaming machine – it comes with the latest Intel processor, coupled with excellent graphics capability, along with the rest of the top-notch tech specs.
Price: AED 6499
Electric Scooters
Acer to Showcase Cutting-Edge Tech and AI at GITEX 2024
Acer Middle East returns to GITEX Global this October with a wide range of tech innovations and solutions that are sure to impress tech enthusiasts and visitors alike. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14th – 18th October 2024, visitors will be able to discover the latest in Artificial Intelligence, amongst other innovations from Acer’s diverse range of cutting-edge products for education, gaming, mobility, sustainability, business and more.
Acer is committed to creating an impact at GITEX as the event brings together the world’s brightest minds from across the tech industry from more than 170 countries. Through their participation in the event, Acer aims to continue to build and strengthen relationships with clients, while also showcasing their latest technologies and product ranges.
Commenting on the upcoming exhibition, Michele Montecchio, General Manager at Acer Middle East said: “We are excited to showcase our latest innovations, solutions and AI technologies alongside some of the largest tech giants that exist today.”
Visitors to GITEX will have the opportunity to experience Acer’s latest range of products through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences at the tech brand’s interactive stand. Showcasing something for everyone, products on display from Acer will include a wide selection of outstanding tech innovations across a variety of categories.
E-Mobility
The Predator Extreme PES017, a daring E Scooter with a bold design built for adventure and exploration.
AI Laptops
Acer’s new Swift AI Copilot+ PCs are available with a variety of processors, including Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2). These laptops utilize greater AI processing power and performance without compromise. Whether creating, working, or streaming – these Copilot+ PCs streamline daily tasks and workloads more efficiently and enable Acer’s on-device AI applications to help enhance users’ digital experiences.
Education and Business
The Chromebook Plus 515 is designed to empower productivity, efficiency, and multitasking. Featuring a powerful processor, a 1080p webcam, multiple connectivity ports, a fast-charging 10-hour-life battery, military-grade durability and built-in AI apps, this 15-inch Chromebook Plus is perfect for work and play, while withstanding daily wear and tear.
The new ultra-thin-and-light Acer TravelMate P614 AI laptop is designed and built purposefully for commercial organizations, offering exceptional performance, mobility and AI capabilities. With its long battery life, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and MIL-STD 810H durability, it’s ideal for professionals who work in a hybrid setting.
Gaming
The newly introduced Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is a powerful and portable handheld AI gaming device that delivers lightning-fast performance and efficiency for everyday gaming and entertainment on the go. Gamers can expect elevated efficiency and support for on-device AI-powered capabilities, real-time graphical upscaling and lag-free experiences. This handheld design allows users to easily slide the device into their bags or pockets for instant gaming wherever they are.
The Predator XB273K V5 Monitor has a crisp 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, a smooth 160 Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast response time of up to 0.5 ms (GTG). It’s sure to deliver flawless gameplay and stunning clarity.
Tech Innovations
The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes is a multifaceted and intuitive 3D camera suitable for business and lifestyle users alike. Featuring 8MP per eye resolution, a selfie mirror, and a weatherproof design, users can create 3D content, stream live, and join meetings in 3 Dimensions.
For connectivity needs, the Acer Wave 7 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router creates a robust and secure high-speed network connection designed for modern living. It is the fastest and most seamless solution to achieve uninterrupted streaming, gaming, and browsing from any corner of your home or workspace.
Visit Acer’s stand at GITEX Global, at Hall 3, STAND NO: H3-C20 from 14 – 18 October 2024 at The Dubai World Trade Centre.
Artificial Intelligence
Dell Launches AI PCs and Workstations for Everyday Workers and Power Users
Dell Technologies is making significant strides in the realm of AI by introducing the most comprehensive portfolio of AI PCs and workstations in the market. Setting a new benchmark for battery life, productivity, security, and performance, the PCs are tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses, prioritising customer choice and flexibility, and equipping them for a future powered by AI. The innovative solutions mark a significant step forward in Dell’s broader AI strategy, which aims to use its AI portfolio to support businesses from the desktop to the data centre to the cloud.
“From running complex AI workloads on workstations to using day-to-day AI-powered applications on laptops, the AI PC will be an important investment that pays dividends in productivity and paves the way to a smarter, more efficient future. Dell’s advantage starts with offering more AI PCs across the commercial portfolio from day one, catering to customers’ unique needs and giving them the ability to start future-proofing for AI today,” said Haidi Nossair, Sr. Director – Client Solutions Group – META, Dell Technologies.
The neural processing unit (NPU)–equipped AI PC will grow from nearly 50 million units in 2024 to more than 167 million in 2027, representing nearly 60% of all PC shipments worldwide. The NPU adds an AI acceleration engine that can take on more dedicated AI tasks, freeing up the CPU and GPU to do other things. This creates a more responsive experience and enhances performance, security, battery life and productivity.
Dell provides the world’s most intelligent, manageable and secure commercial PCs. With a new line-up of Latitude laptops and Precision mobile workstations, Dell will offer customers the broadest portfolio of commercial AI laptops and mobile workstations, from entry-level to ultra-premium laptops and workstation options. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with Intel vPro, Dell commercial PCs drive AI workloads and unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency.
For example, employees can now:
- Collaborate more effectively. Combining the benefits of the NPU to offload capabilities like auto-framing, background blur and eye-tracking with the power efficiency of Intel Core Ultra processors, gives workers up to 38% more battery life and valuable working time in a day packed with Zoom calls.
- Create content faster. By distributing AI processing across the CPU, GPU and now NPU, users can create generative AI images over five times faster with Stable Diffusion, a text-to-image model.
- Work more securely in a hybrid work environment. More ISVs will continue to build applications for the AI PC. For example, Dell is working with CrowdStrike and Intel to offload security functions onto the device via the NPU. This provides more comprehensive threat detection, helping customers swiftly detect malicious sites and security vulnerabilities with reduced latency compared to cloud-based solutions.
- Stay in the flow of work. The portfolio features Windows 11 and a Copilot key to make it even easier to get things done and stay in the flow of work. With the press of a key, you can have faster access to your everyday AI companion.
Building on years of industry leadership in proactive, predictive automation as well as expert advice and managed services, new Dell Services capabilities help customers:
- Maximize PC uptime and improve productivity with new self-healing capabilities through the ProSupport Suite for PCs. Customers who connect to Dell’s SupportAssist technology can leverage telemetry and AI to fix PC issues without human intervention. This lets IT activate Dell-authored scripts to autonomously correct blue screen errors, thermal issues and more across their entire fleet of PCs.
- Keep PC fleet refreshes on track and budget with Dell’s managed services. When customers need new AI devices, Dell provides detailed planning, forecasting and supply chain management to enable timely, targeted multi-vendor device rollouts.
- Adopt and maximize GenAI investments with Digital Employee Experience Services for Gen AI. These services equip employees with the tools and technology tailored to their diverse roles.
Dell’s most intelligent headset portfolio in its class includes five new headsets. The Dell Premier Wireless ANC Headset (WL7024) features AI-based noise-cancelling microphones that distinguish human speech signals from background noises from both the user and their audience and adjust the level of noise cancellation based on the user’s environment. The advanced smart sensor intelligently performs tasks like mute/unmute, and pause/play as long as the earcup is lifted, while intuitive touch controls tailor the audio experience.
The fully refreshed Latitude portfolio features updates across the 5000, 7000 and 9000 series. Latitude 5000 is Dell’s mainstream series of devices, offering flexibility, scalability, and security. The series is sustainable by design with materials ranging from recycled plastics to reclaimed carbon fibre, renewable materials and ocean-bound plastics.
The Latitude 7350/7450 Ultralights are the world’s lightest 13.3” and 14” premium commercial laptops. The Latitude 7455 is a premium AI laptop with up to 21 hours of battery life stacked with a stunning 14-inch QHD+ touch display, quad speakers with AI noise reduction, Qualcomm FastConnect Wi-Fi 7 and optional 5G for greater connectivity and collaboration. As Dell’s thinnest Latitude laptop ever, team members have the mobile form factor they need for productivity at the desk or on the go.
Designed for executives, salespeople and consultants, the Latitude 9450 2-in-1 provides a peek into the future of work from anywhere focused on ultra-premium design, collaboration & productivity. It boasts a haptic collaboration touchpad with support for Microsoft Teams and Zoom, a stunning QHD+ Infinity Edge display, top-firing speakers and a new HDR webcam. As new WiFi-7 capability rolls out throughout 2024, the Wi-Fi 7 capable wireless card on Latitude 9450 will expand throughput and connect us to our peers even faster. These enhancements paired with the ability to utilize AI to improve collaboration will deliver a premium new experience to end users.
Now featuring Intel Core Ultra processors Series 2, Dell’s thinnest XPS provides more power and efficiency to effortlessly tackle the most demanding tasks. This includes a dedicated NPU capable of up to 48 TOPS, enabling advanced AI capabilities such as text and image creation and faster photo or video editing. XPS 13 is the first laptop in the world to offer a tandem OLED display, allowing for higher brightness than a traditional OLED display and 26 hours of battery life while streaming on an FHD+ display.
Dell has also introduced new video conferencing monitors with upgraded convenience, a better camera and next-level multitasking features. These monitors are the world’s first 23.8-inch, 27-inch and 34-inch video conferencing monitors certified for both Microsoft Teams and Zoom7. These monitors include an integrated camera, speakers, and microphones to allow for a clean desk setup.
Gadgets
ASUS Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA (2024 Edition) Review: AI-Powered Excellence
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA stands out in the ultrabook landscape, offering a combination of premium design, innovative AI features, and exceptional performance.
Build Quality and Design
The Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA’s premium design is highlighted by its sleek lines, lightweight magnesium-aluminium alloy construction, and distinctive “Ceraluminum” finish. Its slim 13.9mm profile adds to its portability and aesthetic appeal.
The Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA features an industry-first ceramisation process that transforms aluminium into solid, scratch-resistant ceramic. Ceraluminum combines ceramic’s durability with metal’s lightweight properties, offering unmatched longevity.
The high-tech ceramic finish is available in nature-inspired colours, Zumaia Gray and Scandinavian White, which adds a touch of sophistication to the Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA’s design. The Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA’s premium CNC unibody construction measures just 1.1 cm thick and weighs a mere 1.2 kilograms, making it the smallest 14-inch laptop on the market.
AI Features
The Zenbook S 14’s standout feature is its integration of AI capabilities, powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake processors. These processors enhance the laptop’s performance in various ways, such as improving audio clarity through AI-driven noise cancellation and optimising battery life with AI-enhanced power management.
The Zenbook S 14’s integration of Windows Copilot offers a personalized AI assistant that streamlines tasks and boosts productivity. By learning user preferences, Windows Copilot provides tailored assistance for scheduling meetings, setting reminders, and finding files.
In addition to Windows Copilot, the Zenbook S 14 leverages AI-powered features within Windows itself. These include AI-driven search for more accurate results and AI-enhanced security for enhanced protection. AI also optimizes performance, ensuring smooth multitasking.
The ultrabook also comes packed with ASUS StoryCube, a powerful tool that lets you create and share captivating multimedia stories with ease. Leveraging AI, StoryCube automatically organises photos and videos into engaging narratives, adding music and transitions for a professional touch. It’s a great option for content creators and casual users alike, simplifying the process of producing high-quality content.
Hardware
Powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) with SoC design, it boasts a 27% smaller motherboard for improved cooling efficiency. The integrated LPDDR5X DRAM offers higher bandwidth and lower latency for enhanced performance and stability.
With up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe4.0 NVMe SSD, the Zenbook S 14 provides ample storage and memory. Its versatile connectivity options include Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2, and WiFi 7. The 72-watt-hour battery ensures long-lasting power for all-day productivity.
Display
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 features a 16:10 14-inch OLED HDR NanoEdge display with 2880-by-1800 resolution, providing you with a sharp visual experience. The OLED display of the ASUS Zenbook S 14 supports a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, up to 500-nits peak brightness, and 0.0005 nits of deep black brightness, providing creators with a brighter and more detailed viewing. Along with an ultrawide colour gamut of 100% DCI-P3 and HDR content support, the display is also certified VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black, Dolby Vision and is Pantone Validated, assuring accurate colour and high dynamic contrast.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard of the Zenbook S 14 achieves a 19.5 mm pitch (the distance between the middle of a key to the middle of an adjacent key) and offers many commonly used function keys, enabling users to type comfortably. The keyboard is backlit for convenient typing in dark environments such as flights.
In addition, the keys of the ASUS Zenbook S 14 series feature a subtle 0.1 mm dish-shaped indentation and 1.1 mm key travel — the longest of its class of laptops. The dish-shaped indentation subtly guides fingers onto the keys and the long key travel provides better feedback. Together, these features improve typing accuracy and replicate the comfort of using a desktop PC keyboard.
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 features a new ergonomic touchpad measuring 127.0-by-79.17 mm. This touchpad includes a hydrophobic coating and a high-end PVD anti-fingerprint coating, providing users with smooth feedback for every scrolling movement and ensuring excellent resistance to wear and tear. Even after more than 10,000 slides, the touchpad remains as smooth as new.
Additionally, the touchpad has an optimal click depth of 0.23 mm, offering a great feel with natural feedback. This design also significantly reduces unintended activations. The ErgoSense touchpad supports multitouch gestures in Windows, so you can use three- or four-finger shortcuts to launch frequently-used applications or functions, enabling users to quickly access commonly used settings and apps.
Cooling Features
The Zenbook S 14 is incredibly thin at just 1.1 centimetres, half the thickness of a typical 28W ultraportable. Despite its slim design, the Zenbook S 14 does not compromise on cooling. It features an advanced cooling system that efficiently dissipates heat, ensuring the laptop remains cool even during intensive tasks.
This system includes dual fans, a 0.7 mm ultra-slim vapour chamber, and a geometric grille design. These components work together to ensure the laptop reaches an optimal 28-watt TDP without throttling. The ambient cooling technology helps maintain whisper-quiet operation, keeping noise levels below 25 dB during light workloads.
WiFi 7
Connectivity is another strong suit of the Zenbook S 14, thanks to its support for WiFi 7. This latest wireless standard provides faster speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability compared to previous generations. The benefit of the Wi-Fi 7 is a potential maximum data rate of almost 5.8 Gbps.
This is 4.8X faster than the Gbps-level Wi-Fi 6/6E and could easily enable high-quality 8K video streaming or reduce a massive 15 GB file download to roughly 25 seconds vs. the one minute it would take with the best legacy Wi-Fi technology. It also has an ASUS-exclusive WiFi SmartConnect feature, which provides greater distance, stability, and seamless wireless network experiences for users.
AiSense Camera
The AiSense camera is designed to enhance video conferencing experiences. It features AI-driven enhancements such as background blurring, auto-framing, and lighting adjustments, ensuring you always look your best during calls. The camera also supports facial recognition for secure and convenient login.
Performance
Our review unit of the Zenbook S 14 was powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V processor, paired with 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB SSD. This configuration delivered excellent performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some light gaming. The integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics provide a boost for graphics-intensive applications, making it a versatile machine for both work and play.
Verdict
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA is a well-rounded ultrabook that excels in multiple areas. Its premium build quality, innovative AI features, and robust performance make it a compelling choice for professionals and casual users alike. The advanced cooling system, stunning OLED display, and support for WiFi 7 further enhance its appeal.
While it comes with a premium price tag, the features and performance justify the investment. If you’re in the market for a high-end ultrabook that combines style, functionality, and cutting-edge technology, the Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA is worth considering.
Price: AED 7999
ASUS Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA (2024 Edition)
AED 7999
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Final Rating
Summary
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 UX5406SA is a well-rounded ultrabook that excels in multiple areas. Its premium build quality, innovative AI features, and robust performance make it a compelling choice for professionals and casual users alike.
User Review
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