MSI Backpack PC Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

MSI’s Backpack PC will let you VR anywhere.

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MSI believes you should be able to immerse yourself in VR anywhere you are, and here at Computex in Taipei, the company’s latest Backpack PC makes this ideology a reality.

Like the name suggests, the 5kg-ish (around 12lbs) Backpack PC is something you carry around like a normal backpack — but instead of a bag, you’re lugging around a computer. For the virtual reality part of the experience, MSI is using HTC’s Vive, though the company says the system is also compatible with other VR devices, such as the Oculus Rift.

The Backpack PC has a battery life of around one and a half hours if you’re using it for GPU-intensive VR games. If the processor load is light enough, the device should be able to last for five hours without a charge.

MSI says it plans to make the retail version under 5kg. It will likely also launch with the latest Nvidia GTX 1080. The demo unit, which also made an appearance at Intel’s press event, used a GTX 980.

Expect the MSI Backpack PC to release in the later half of this year, with prices yet to be announced. I’m personally not quite sold on the concept, having to use VR while carrying a 5kg load around isn’t my cup of tea, and I suspect I may not be the only one.

Be sure to check the rest of CNET’s Computex coverage here.

Key specs

• 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor
• Nvidia graphic card
• 16GB RAM
• SSD
• Launching second half of the year

Asus Transformer 3 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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Just ahead of Computex 2016’s official start, Asus has used its pre-show conference to reveal its new Transformer tablet series. While the focus was on its bigger Pro sibling, the Transformer 3 still has plenty to offer.

This Windows 2-in-1 PC is just 6.9mm (0.27 inches) thick and weighs 695g (1.5lbs), but offers 9 hours of battery life and still has the same 12.6-inch 3K 2,88 x1920-pixel display.

Specs

• 303 by 202 by 6.9mm (11.9 by 7.9 by 0.27 inches)
• 12.6-inch, 2,880×1,920-pixel resolution display with a 275ppi density
• 7th Generation Intel Core processors
• Up to 8GB ram
• Up to 512GB SSD storage
• Thunderbolt 3 Port

Much like how the Surface 3 was a slightly cut down version of the Surface Pro 3, the Transformer 3 is a less robust version of the Transformer 3 Pro, which offers more RAM and storage.

But there looks to be more similarities than differences — there’s even the same Harmon Kardon speaker system built in both models. But those differences make a big change in the pricing. The Transformer 3 starts at $799 (AUD $1,115 or 545) compared to the $999 (AUD$1,395 and 683) of the base model of the Pro.

We’ll get hands on impressions with the Transformer 3 as Computex continues.

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ROG XG Station 2 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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First announced back at CES in January, the Asus brand Republic of Gamers (better known at ROG to the party faithful) has used the Computex 2016 show to talk more about its XG Station 2 external graphics card dock.

Like Alienware and Razer, ROG clearly thinks there’s a market for this style of external GPU boost and its resurrected a device from 2007 to do it.

Like other external graphics enclosures, the ROG XG Station 2 is basically a powered box that lets you install a standard GPU and connect that to your laptop, getting you vastly improved graphics power when you’re gaming at home. Unplug it and you’ve got a portable laptop all over again.

The XG Station 2 has a a 680W power supply and support for the latest generation of GeForce GTX and AMD Radeon graphics cards. It uses a Thunderbolt 3 connection and what ROG describe as “an exclusive proprietary connector” that apparently delivers a further 15 percent graphics performance.

ROG is so confidant in the power level it says that the XG will offer VR-ready graphics processing for laptops. At the moment, only the gutsiest of desktop PCs are capable of running the high-end VR experiences.

Claire Reilly/CNET

It can be hot-swapped, meaning you can plug and uplug it while the laptop is running and it has four USB 3.0 ports and a LAN port.

Asus mentioned the XG at its launch of the new Transformer range, which gives you an idea of the company’s strategy for the product.

For reference, the original used the ExpressCard port, had two USB 2.0 slots and could take the 8800 GTS card, the 8800 GTX was too long to fit inside.

At the moment, we’re waiting on more details and pricing.

Asus ROG Avalon Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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Computex is usually a great place to showcase new stuff, and apart from the Asus Zenbo robot that made its first steps today at enslaving the human race with cuteness, Asus here in Taipei has announced a new hybrid motherboard-chassis combo called Avalon that promises to change how you assemble your future DIY PC.

The idea behind the Avalon is simple. Instead of having to worry about how to squeeze your massive Nvidia GTX 1080 into the limited space in your chassis, by making the board part of the chassis, the Asus ROG Avalon lets you better manage the space by keeping things a lot neater.

If you’ve built your own PC before, you’ll know what a pain it is to properly plan how you want all the components properly installed, so you don’t end up trying to squeeze between the tight spaces to adjust something.

The Avalon does away with this by optimizing the layout with a plug-and-play style and doing away with cabling. Components are also easily accessible and slotted in instead of being buried behind other components like in a normal PC build.

However, there appears to be a drawback. If you ever want to upgrade your PC, you can switch all your parts except for the motherboard, since it’s built into the chassis. The Avalon uses last year’s Intel Z710 chipset, which should be good for a few more years, but after that, you’ll have to upgrade the chassis as well if you want to use a newer processor that’s likely not backward compatible.

With the Avalon being a proof-of-concept still at the moment, don’t expect pricing or shipping. If Asus does see demand though, we could probably see the Avalon hitting stores in the near future, though hopefully with a newer chipset.

Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The company’s most impressive looking flagship to date, the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe overpowers the ZenFone 3 and large-screened ZenFone 3 Ultra phones it was announced alongside at Computex in Taipei. It looks like it has the chops to match up with other flagship phones in the market, too.

Sporting a monster 6GB of RAM, the base 64GB model will cost $499 (£340, AU$695). The competitively priced phone will be available in Q3, sometime after July.

Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe impresses with metal…
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Own looks

Unlike the glass-clad ZenFone 3, the Deluxe model has a curved aluminium back, though it shares the same rear camera design and a fingerprint sensor on the back.

The phone is comfortable to hold and has a slightly larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display as compared to the ZenFone 3’s 5.5-inch screen. Some may have a little bit of trouble reaching over with their thumb due to the slightly wider screen, but for me each corner was reachable with a bit of a stretch.

Asus has also worked on removing antenna lines to give the phone a clean looking back. We’re told that the antenna is located around the sides of the phone instead. If you look closely, you’ll see little antenna bands on the small chamfered edges near the display. Asus’ engineers said the Deluxe won’t have the “grip of death”/Antennagate issue found on the iPhone 4, as the chamfered edges aren’t likely to be in contact with your hands while holding it.

If you look carefully, you should be able to see a small tiny white antenna banding on the chamfered edges.

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Top grade hardware

Like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Xiaomi Mi 5, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. Unlike those devices, it houses a whopping 6GB of RAM.

The Deluxe will come with different storage capacities that go all the way up to 256GB. It blows my mind that a smartphone will soon have more onboard storage than the laptop I’m using to write this right now.

Like the ZenFone 3, the Deluxe’s camera will have four-axis optical image stabilization, but it’s on a 23-megapixel camera instead of a 16-megapixel camera. Asus is using the Sony IMX318 sensor, which features a super quick 0.03s autofocus and three-axis electronic image stabilization for video. The phone can shoot 4K 3,840×2,160-pixel video, and there’s also two tone flash, a colour sensor and laser autofocus.

The fingerprint sensor is located at the back.

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Should you get it?

The ZenFone 3 Deluxe seems like great addition to Asus’ ZenFone line. I’m glad the company is finally budging its focus from budget and midrange handsets, which its ZenFone 2 line was largely comprised of, to make this high-specced device.

If you’re due for a smartphone upgrade, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe is a device to keep your eyes on.

Key specs

• 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, full HD resolution (1,920×1,080-pixels)
• 3,000mAh battery
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor
• Five magnet speaker and NXT amp
• Three colours: Grey, Silver and Gold.

Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Taiwanese electronics maker Asus has a fascination with big phones, which explains why the ZenFone 3 Ultra emerges with an absolutely enormous 6.8-inch screen. Two years ago, I tried out Asus’ FonePad 8, an 8-inch tablet phone that felt silly-big. Compared to that, this slightly smaller 6.8-incher is at least somewhat bearable.

That said, I’m not sold. I think any handset above 6 inches is just way too much phone to use, but perhaps Asus is banking on its customers buying this as a hybrid device — one that gives you some of the large-screen benefits of a tablet without the cost of buying both tablet and phone. Anyhow, while the Ultra shares the same branding as the ZenFone 3, it’s a totally different beast.

The Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra is a huge 6.8-inch…
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Same name, different phone

Apart from its “ZenFone 3” prefix, the Ultra doesn’t share the same design as the other two ZenFone 3-branded phones. The rear camera mount is square instead of round and located on the left side instead of the center. Asus also put the fingerprint scanner on the front where the home button is, rather than on the back panel, where it might be harder to reach because of the phone’s size.

Of the three ZenFone 3 phones announced by Asus, the Ultra is the biggest and it shows.

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Hardware for entertainment

The large 6.8-inch display has 1080p full-HD resolution, which understandably doesn’t look as sharp as it does on smaller screens. But in terms of density, the Ultra’s display comes in at around 324 pixels per inch. This is still sharp enough to view content without making out individual pixels — unless you bury your face deep into the display.

If you’re watching videos, nothing is more annoying than watching your image break up while trying to keep up with a panning video. Luckily for you, Asus has included a 4K TV processor inside the phone. I’ve seen the demo of this in action and I’m impressed with just how much smoother panning video becomes when it’s turned on.

Other entertainment-centric features in the phone include two superloud five-magnet speakers, as well as DTS 7.1 headphone audio which can enhance your movie-watching experience.

The Ultra was just way too big to fit in my pocket. The iPhone 6S Plus in my pocket looked small in comparison.

Aloysius Low/CNET

Other key specs

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor
• 4GB RAM, up to 128GB of onboard storage
• 4,600mAh battery
• 23-megapixel rear camera with four-axis OIS
• Three colors: Grey, Silver and Pink

Yay or nay?

Despite the impressive entertainment features built into the phone, my first impression is that the 6.8 monster here is simply too big to comfortably use. Right now, I happily use “smaller” phones from other manufacturers in the range of five inches in screen size. Still, it will be interesting to compare the pros and cons of all of the ZenFone 3 models when the final units come in for review.

The ZenFone 3 Ultra will be available in mid-June in Taiwan, Asia Pacific, the EU and China. There’s no word on US availability for now. It will cost $479 (converting to around £330, AU$670) for the 4GB RAM, 64GB onboard storage model, with prices increasing for models with more storage.

Canon EOS Rebel T6/EOS 1300D review – CNET

The Good The Canon EOS Rebel T6’s photo and video quality are definitely better than those of a point-and-shoot.

The Bad Its feature set is beyond minimal and it’s slow for a family camera.

The Bottom Line The Canon EOS Rebel T6 (aka the EOS 1300D) hits the basics for a low price, but that’s about it.

Why are you considering a cheap dSLR? Think it through before forking over the money for the Canon EOS Rebel T6, aka the EOS 1300D.

At $500 for the kit with an 18-55mm lens (£385, AU$650), it’s really inexpensive for a model with a press release dated 2016. But newer is not always better. Much of the camera is based on a higher-end model from 2013 that’s still available, the EOS Rebel T5i (EOS 700D), but with features stripped out and Wi-Fi added. And that model was only a minor update over its predecessor from 2012, the T4i (EOS 650D).

Like most basic dSLRs in its class, the T6 is basically a point-and-shoot with a big sensor for better photo quality; though one of the attractions of a dSLR is the ability to swap lenses, most people stick with the one that comes with the kit.

Fine for stepping up

The photos look like they were shot with a dSLR or mirrorless camera with the same size sensor, so they’re definitely a step up from a phone or point-and-shoot. And they’re about as good as its direct competitors, like the Nikon D3300 and the Pentax K-S2. But its photo and video quality aren’t nearly as good as the Sony A6000’s, either.

Asus ZenBook 3 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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Asus isn’t shying away from a laptop battle with Apple, on Monday introducing its new ultra portable ZenBook 3. At the launch event at Computex here in Taipei, the company talked about how its new laptop was thinner, lighter and more powerful than Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Air ranges.

The aluminium bodied laptop sports a 12.-5 inch screen and will start at $999 (which converts to £685, AU$1,395) for the base model with 4GB RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor and 256GB of onboard storage. That puts it in a similar price range to Dell’s XPS 13 and the Razer Blade Stealth, two other strong Macbook alternatives.

Asus ZenBook 3 is slim, shiny and powerful
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The top of the line model will retail for $1,999 (£1,370, AU$2,790) and will feature an Intel Core i7 processor, a whopping 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM.

If you’re not a fan of the shiny metal on your devices, then perhaps the ZenBook 3 isn’t for you. But I liked the shininess of the ZenBook 3, especially the gold trim around the edges. It’s a bold statement and stands out in a sea of more mute-coloured notebooks.

I spent some time with the Zenbook 3 on the Computex show floor and came away impressed. The laptop was light, very portable and well constructed.

Are you a fan of shiny metal laptops, because the Asus ZenBook 3 will dazzle you.

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There was one issue though — the keyboard. I tried three units, and two of them had trouble registering my keypresses. It’d be a shame if the retail model is hampered by a lacklustre keyboard.

Asus has not yet revealed when the ZenBook 3 will be available.

Key specs

• 12.5-inch full-HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) display
• 11.9mm thick
• 910g
• USB Type-C
• Price starting from $999

Asus Transformer 3 Pro Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

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Slim, portable and packed with power. That’s the best way to sum up what Asus wants from the Transformer 3 Pro. And no, it’s not just the name that bears a resemblance to Microsoft’s Surface Pro range. There’s also the detachable keyboard, kickstand, pen and, well, the whole thing, really.

On the top of the range, an Intel Core i7 processor provides the power, you can get up to 16GB of RAM and an impressive 1TB of storage via an SSD drive, and there’s also a Thunderbolt 3 port for connectivity.

Specs

• 299 by 210 by 8.5mm thick and 795g (11.7 by 8.3 x 0.3 inches and 1.7lbs)
• 12.6-inch display with 2,880×1,920-pixel resolution display and a 275ppi pixel density
• Core i5/i7 processor
• Up to 16GB RAM
• Up to 1TB SSD storage
• Thunderbolt 3 port

Meet the family: Asus unveils 3 new Transformer…
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Gamers get a nod as well, with an external GPU option from Asus’ gaming arm ROG. The ROG XG Station 2 has the brand new GTX 1080 graphics card that’s currently wowing the gamer world. Asus even says that the 3 Pro will be ready to deliver high-end VR experiences, which until now has been the domain of the big and bulky desktop PCs.

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In the mere minutes of hands on time I had with the 3 Pro (after bullying my way passed the thronging photographers) I was impressed with the combination of durable design with low weight and thin profile. I was even more impressed, in a different way, with just how much it looks like a Surface, even down to the connectors on the keyboard. I get that there’s not much you can do with a 2-in-1 design by its sheer nature, but if it wasn’t for the Asus logo on the back you might not tell the difference at first.

In the same family is the Asus Transformer 3. That’s also using Intel’s 7th generation processors, offers up to 512GB of SSD storage and also has a Thunderbolt 3 port. Asus hyped the battery life of the Transformer 3, claiming a solid 9 hours.

The 3 drops thickness and weight down to just 6.9mm and 695g (0.27 inches and 1.5lbs) but still has the same screen size and resolution.

The third family member is the Transformer Mini. This ditches the Core processor for an Atom X5, but that in turn boosts the battery life

Both the Transformer 3 and the Pro have Harmon Kardon speakers for an improved sound experience despite the small form factor. Asus also offers an universal dock with an array of ports, including USB-C 3.1, USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA, RJ45 LAN, and a 3-in-1 SD card reader.

Pricing for the Transformer 3 Pro starts at $999 (that converts to AU$1,395 and £685) but you can be sure it’ll go up from there. The Transformer 3 is a little cheaper, starting at $799 (AU$1,115 or £545). There was no pricing immediately available on the Mini.

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Asus ZenFone 3 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

With the new ZenFone 3, Asus has come a long way in handset design. Where previous models sported plastic bodies, the newly revamped ZenFone 3 series of phones — which also includes the high-end ZenFone Deluxe and big screen ZenFone Ultra — comes packing premium materials such as glass and aluminum.

In particular, the midrange ZenFone 3 has a beautiful glass design that’s reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy S7, especially the rear camera, while sporting curves that are somewhat similar to the iPhone 6S. If anything, it seems that Asus has taken the best of both designs and combined them into what should be a relatively affordable device.

The Asus ZenFone 3 will have a starting price of $249 (around £170 or AU$350) for the 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage model. It seems very competitively priced and will be launched globally in Q3, so expect to see the phones in July or later.

Asus ZenFone 3 gets a beautiful new glass…
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Brand new hardware

The ZenFone 3 is the first device to sport Qualcomm’s new 14 nanometer Snapdragon 625 octa-core chip, and the one thing you need to know about this new chip is that it is a lot more power-efficient than the previous model, Asus says — by up to 35 percent due to a new manufacturing process.

That’s a good thing, and seeing how the previous Snapdragon 600 range of processors have usually held up well in terms of performance, the new 625 should do well too.

The ZenFone 3 doesn’t skimp on the other aspects of the hardware, either. It packs a full-HD 5.5-inch IPS display (1,920×1,080 pixels), up to 4GB and 64GB of onboard storage, a fingerprint sensor on the back and USB Type-C support.

The 16-megapixel rear camera of the ZenFone 3 sits just above the rear fingerprint sensor.

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Shooting capabilities

Midrange devices usually chuck in a pretty good camera and leave it at just that, but Asus couldn’t help but up the ante. The ZenFone 3 adds four-axis optical image stabilization to its 16-megapixel rear camera and it’s rare to see such a feature in this price category. It means that photos will be more in focus when there’s motion, like jittery hands or a strong breeze. On the front, you get an 8-megapixel shooter for selfies.

Key specs

• 5.5-inch display, full HD resolution (1,920×1,080 pixels)
• 3,000mAh battery
• Dual-SIM 4G support
• New Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor
• Five magnet speaker and NXT amp
• Four colors: Gold, Blue, Black and White

Asus has done a very good job in revamping its ZenFone line. From the looks of it, we won’t be plagued by a wide range of similar devices with just minor spec changes like with the ZenFone 2 lineup.

Instead, Asus told me that it will keep such variation low by injecting the higher-end Deluxe and larger Ultra. It’ll be interesting to see how these pricier phones will affect Asus’ marketshare in emerging markets hungry for cheaper handsets.

I can’t wait to get my hands on a review unit. I’m impressed with the ZenFone 3’s promise, and this new phone reassures me that Asus still has plenty of room to grow in the future.

The new Asus ZenFone 3 packs impressive features into its beautiful new glass body.

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