March 6, 2009 ASUS has unveiled its new U and UX Series range of notebooks which feature AI Light sensor technology to automatically adjust the brightness of the LED backlit screen, plus a newly adopted illuminated ‘chiclet’ keyboard that lets cave dwelling users type in the dark.
Details of the UX series are a little light on the ground with the inclusion of a slot-in optical drive and a choice of matte and gloss finishes the only specs on offer. The U series, however, features an illuminated touchpad to compliment the illuminated keyboard, which sends a trail of progressively fading lights to pinpoint the location of the users’ fingertips if for some reason you remove your hand while computing.
The units are powered by an Intel Core2 Duo processor and are equipped with a hard disk drive of up to 500GB. The energy-efficient 15.6-inch LED backlit display is powered by a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce G 105M with 512MB memory while Altec Lansing speakers equipped with SRS true surround sound provides high definition audio.
Seemingly aimed squarely at the fashion conscious, the new range sports slimline “contemporary styling and effortless elegance” according to one of the most over-the-top press releases we've seen in quite some time.
The light-up keyboard, while undoubtedly a useful function, is apparently "reminiscent of the streets of Paris with the evening fast approaching" – surely what every potential notebook buyer is looking for.
There’s no pricing or availability details available as yet, but anyone looking for that elusive late afternoon in Paris vibe can check out the new ASUS U and UX at the ASUS booth at CeBIT until Sunday March 8.
Darren Quick