Aiming directly at the ThinkPad business market is the new Asus B23E ultraportable laptop, the B23E, served up in a rather splendidly austere, none-more-black finish.
Sporting a 12.5-inch, 1366 x 768 screen, the B23E is available in several configurations, from an Intel Core i3 with a 320GB hard drive right up to a Core i7 with 8GB of RAM, and a 750GB/7200rpm drive.
Around its magnesium-aluminum alloy case can be found a fairly comprehensive set of connectivity options, including USB 3.0, HDMI, Express Card, Bluetooth and an SD card reader.
There’s also a fingerprint scanner, 2-megapixel webcam, ASUS Xpress Charge (offers a quick charge to 90% capacity in 90 minutes), detachable docking station, and the ability to multitask on up to three displays.
The battery is a rather disappointing three-cell, 4,400mAh affair, while Asus say that their little laptop is a tough old fella, with reinforced metal hinges, an anti-shock hard drive and spill-proof keyboard.
There’s been no news on pricing yet, but we reckon you’ll be looking at £600 upwards (this is a wild guess, mind).
Specifications
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7 2640M Processor Intel® Core™ i5 2540M/2450M Processor Intel® Core™ i3 2350M/2330M Processor |
| Operating System | Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate Genuine Windows® 7 Professional Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium Genuine Windows® 7 Home Basic This version contains all product updates (SP1) |
| Chipset | Intel® QM67 Express Chipset |
| Memory | DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 2 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8 GB SDRAM |
| Display | 12.5″ 16:9 HD (1366×768) LED Backlight anti-glare |
| Graphic | Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 3000 |
| Storage | 2.5″ SATA 750GB 5400rpm/7200rpm 640GB 5400rpm 500GB 5400rpm/7200rpm 320GB 5400rpm |
| Card Reader | 5 -in-1 card reader ( SD/ MS/ MS Pro/ xD/ MMC) |
| Camera | 2 Mega Pixel web camera |
| Networking | Integrated 802.11 b/g/n Built-in Bluetooth™ V3.0+HS 10/100/1000 Base T |
| Interface | 1 x Microphone-in jack 1 x Headphone-out jack (SPDIF) 1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor 1 x USB 3.0 port(s) 1 x USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert 1 x HDMI 1 x E-SATA (USB2.0 Combo) Ports 1 x Express card 1 x Smart Card |
| Audio | Built-in Speakers And Microphone |
| Battery | 3Cells 4400 mAh 48 Whrs |
| Power Adapter | Output : 19 V DC, 3.95 A, 75 W Input : 100 -240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal |
| Dimensions | 30.5 x 20.6 x 2.8 cm (WxDxH) |
| Weight | 1.55 kg (with 3 cell battery) |
| Security | Kensington lock LoJack BIOS Booting User Password Protection HDD User Password Protection and Security Intel Anti-theft TPM (Trusted Platform Module) (Optional) |
[Asus]
