CES 2017: Asus showcases new networking devices, mini PCs, 4K monitors

ASUS today showcased its latest line-up of lifestyle innovations at CES 2017. The featured products include ProArt PA32U, the ‘world’s first 32-inch’ direct-lit LED 4K UHD high-dynamic-range (HDR) monitor; Designo Curve MX38VQ, a 37.5 inch ultra-wide QHD monitor with a 2300R curvature; and the ASUS HiveSpot and HiveDot Mesh Wi-Fi System for reliable, ultra-fast and secure whole-home wireless coverage.

Other ASUS products showcased include the latest mini PCs, such as the VivoMini UN65U, and the VivoMini VC66 and VM65 Series.

ProArt PA32U monitor

The 32-inch ASUS ProArt PA32U is the world’s first professional direct-lit LED 4K UHD HDR monitor, claims Asus. It has a full-array LED backlight with the ASUS LED-driving technology, featuring 384 LED zones and capable of a peak brightness of 1,000cd/m. ProArt PA32U has a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB 3.1 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort 1.2 support. These ports also enable display daisy-chaining, which allows users to connect two 4K UHD displays for increased productivity and more versatile viewing.

Also available is the 27-inch ASUS ProArt PA27AQ. Designed for creative professionals, it has a WQHD (2560 x 1440) panel with a 100% sRGB gamut. ProArt PA27AQ also incorporates Thunderbolt 3 for unbelievably fast 40Gbps data transfers.

Designo Curve MX38VQ monitor

Designo Curve MX Series includes the ASUS Designo Curve MX38VQ, a 37.5-inch curved monitor with a frameless 2300R curvature and an ultra-wide QHD (3840 x 1600) IPS panel. Every point on the curved 21:9 aspect ratio display is equidistant to the viewer’s eyes. In addition, MX38VQ features 8-watt stereo speakers incorporating Harman Kardon and ASUS SonicMaster audio technologies, as well as a Qi wireless charging pad on its stand for Qi-enabled devices.

VivoMini PC UN65U

VivoMini UN65U is powered by the latest 7th Generation Intel Core (‘Kaby Lake’) processors and comes with DDR4 RAM. This ultra-compact mini PC, in a 131 x 131 x 52mm chassis, features a dual-storage-bay design, which users can specify with up to a 1TB 2.5-inch hard disk drive (HDD), up to a 512GB M.2 solid-state drive (SSD), or a combination of both for added flexibility. M.2 support for a PCI Express SSD enables fast data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbit/s.

VivoMini is ideal for home theatre use and for connecting to a HDTV. It comes with an array of connectivity options, and two front panel USB ports for easy access and 2X-faster device charging. UN65U features ASUS Business Manager – a one-stop suite of apps and functions designed to help small businesses owners easily update apps, drivers and BIOS.

VivoMini PC VM65 Series

The higher-specification VivoMini VM65 is powered by up to a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 (‘Kaby Lake’) processor[1] and features NVIDIA GeForce 930M Optimus graphics, SonicMaster-enhanced audio and DDR4 memory. These mini PCs feature Vivo DualBay for flexible storage options. Users can choose 2.5-inch solid-state disks or hard disk drives to speed up the operating system. VivoMini VM65 Series also has connectivity options including USB 3.1 Gen 2[2] and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

VivoMini PC VC66 Series

Powered by desktop-grade 7th Generation Intel Core processors with DDR4 RAM, the VC66 Series mini PCs are designed for use in office.

VC66 Series utilize a 5x5in mini-STX motherboard design — the latest standard for ultra-compact form factor PCs — with support for up to three storage devices and optical drive configurations[3] for increased performance, productivity, and entertainment.

These mini PCs are compatible with any monitor, HDMI-equipped TV, or projector. There are full connectivity features including four USB 3.0 ports on the front panel for added convenience as well as HDMI, DisplayPort++ and DVI ports. They also come with ASUS-exclusive LANGuard protection, which employs advanced signal-coupling technology to protect the device against lightning strikes and static electricity discharges.

HiveSpot & HiveDot Mesh Wi-Fi System

The HiveSpot & HiveDot Mesh Wi-Fi System is a modular, high-speed wireless mesh-networking system for the home that eliminates Wi-Fi dead spots and dropped connections. With the compact, stylish and easy-to-use ASUS HiveSpot or ASUS HiveDot mesh networking nodes, users can enjoy a single-sign-on Wi-Fi network with seamless and secure whole-home coverage. ASUS HiveSpot is a tri-band AC2134 Wi-Fi device while ASUS HiveDot is a dual-band AC1300 device.

An ASUS HiveSpot & HiveDot Mesh Wi-Fi System requires a minimum of three nodes, and up to five nodes can be used if needed. Any unit can act as either a router or a slave node: typically, one unit will be configured as a router — connected to the internet via the gigabit WAN port — and the others as slave nodes located throughout the home. Alternatively, one of the nodes can be connected directly to an existing router via a wired gigabit LAN connection. The slave nodes intelligently organise and extend the wireless network for seamless high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the home, without the performance and reliability problems often encountered with traditional router/repeater configurations.

Mastufa is the editor of TechRadar India and is responsible for overseeing a team that covers technology news, analyses and features. He is a tech writer and an online content manager who has worked in New Delhi for PCQuest, BW Businessword and more. He is particularly interested in new tech solutions and devices and how people use them to simplify lives and how organisations gain advantage with these tech. Mastufa is an evangelist of data journalism and new media technologies. He is a Google fan.