B&O Get In On Asus Action
Asus’s latest multimedia notebook has been crafted with input from designer David Lewis and incorporates technology co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower.
Asus’s latest multimedia notebook has been crafted with input from designer David Lewis and incorporates technology co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower.
It is a notebook that is claimed to be on a par with full surround systems in terms of audio quality, through the ASUS SonicMaster sound standard. It is also a style icon, designed to take centre stage in the home and add a touch of class to any décor.
The NX90’s technology has benefitted from the experience of award-winning designer Lewis, who took part in developing the new multimedia notebook. Lewis’ studio is known as one of the forces behind the hallmark Bang & Olufsen ‘look’. Eye-catching multimedia gear has been a staple of his studio for many years.
With the NX90, ASUS designers and Lewis have sought to change the perception that users have of notebooks, from mundane tools to symbols of craftsmanship and multimedia excellence. “Our aim was a piece of design and art that people could place in the centre of their home and take great joy in its appearance,” said Lewis. “To me, it’s not just a machine, the objective was to create a style to challenge the way people regard notebooks.”
NX90 marks a departure from conventional notebooks, bringing PCs into the realm of interior design. By placing speakers outside the chassis and alongside the screen, designers have ensured sound wraps around users and their surroundings.
Meanwhile, the interface itself has been refreshed, with dual touchpads that enable two-handed usability, creating a virtual mouse through the addition of a second touch surface. The oversized palm rests provide ample room for comfort even during prolonged sessions, one of the perks of a true multimedia, desktop replacement, portable PC.
The new SonicMaster sound standard is one of the key attractions of the NX90 and was developed by the ASUS Golden Ear team through cooperation with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. SonicMaster comprises harmonised hardware and software tuning, optimised to render high definition surround audio. The exacting standards implemented in SonicMaster offer crystal clear reproduction, deeper and richer bass, and an overall power upgrade that’s sure to impress anyone listening in for the first time.
Emphasis has been placed on recreating lifelike audio. This results in vocals and an overall feel very much akin to a live concert. The results attained by SonicMaster serve to augment not only music playback, but also gaming, movies and voice communication.
Due to its focus on multimedia, the NX90 also ships with the Rotation Desktop interface. This technology increases multimedia control, with new gesture input that’s intuitive for accessing and making the most of music and video content on the fly with two handed DJ-like controls. Photo zoom, web page and document scrolling are also a breeze with the Rotation Desktop.
