Asus shows off slim super-powered Zenbook U500VZ

Asus shows off slim super-powered Zenbook U500VZ
Doesn't look all that different to the last batch...

The first Ultrabook out of the IFA 2012 gates is Asus' Zenbook U500VZ, a super-slim laptop that comes packing a punch.

With a third-generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor and Nvidia GT650M graphics engine, the U500VZ should be pretty nippy to use, and there's an option to go for a 128GB SSD and 500GB hard drive with dual SSD drives to boot.

The aluminium shell houses a 15-inch full HD display with IPS tech and anti-glare coating, as well as a full-size keyboard with separate numeric keypad.

All that sounds like a lot to squeeze into a chassis that is only 19.7mm thick at its deepest point; we're looking forward to seeing how well it fares in our hands on Asus Zenbook U500VZ review - coming soon!

Touchscreen

Also revealed at the tech mecca in Berlin, the Asus Zenbook Prime UX21A Touch is the first of Asus' Zenbook range to feature a touchscreen and is all set to rock and roll with touch-friendly Windows 8.

With a full HD super IPS+ screen and 256GB SSD, the laptop is kept chugging along by a 3rd gen Intel Core processor (although Asus hasn't yet clarified which).

Moving into the more physically minded product naming spectrum, the Asus Taichi is finally official with its dual-display sure to baffle us when we go hands on with the notebook-cum-tablet.

Also being shown off at IFA 2012 is the Asus Transformer Book, another notebook that can be converted into a tablet at will.

No word on release dates or pricing just yet, but we'd imagine release dates will coincide with Windows 8's official release in October.

News Editor (UK)

Former UK News Editor for TechRadar, it was a perpetual challenge among the TechRadar staff to send Kate (Twitter, Google+) a link to something interesting on the internet that she hasn't already seen. As TechRadar's News Editor (UK), she was constantly on the hunt for top news and intriguing stories to feed your gadget lust. Kate now enjoys life as a renowned music critic – her words can be found in the i Paper, Guardian, GQ, Metro, Evening Standard and Time Out, and she's also the author of 'Amy Winehouse', a biography of the soul star.