New ASUS Ryzen, Intel-powered PCs, and a new monitor with a unique feature will be released early in 2021.
We talk a lot about new cameras and lenses, but we seldom discuss the importance of your editing rigs. With cameras becoming more powerful and file sizes becoming bigger, having a pretty beefy PC is important. Having color-accurate monitors is also vital if you want your work to look its best. CES 2021 is virtual this year, but it doesn’t stop us from looking at the new gear that will be arriving. ASUS is looking to continue helping photographers and creators with new PCs. There’s even a new monitor that should help speed up editing as well. Join us after the break for all the details.
CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) has been one we’ve looked forward to for years. However, due to Covid-19 and the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event is all digital. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the announcements. If your current PC isn’t cutting it anymore, or if you need a top of the line display, ASUS believes they have what you need. Indeed, a few of their new computers are squarely aimed at creators, and they look pretty tasty. Let’s take a closer look.
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ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED (UX582)
We have reviewed Zenbooks in the past. ASUS’s flagship laptops have come a long way since then, though. The new ZenBook Pro Duo 15 with a 15.6″ OLED display can be maxed out with a high-performance Intel Core i9 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 laptop GPU, and up to 32 GB RAM. With specs like this, the Zenbook Pro Duo 15 should make light work of demanding workflows. Throw in the 14-inch 4K UHD ScreenPad Plus, which has an improved brightness of 400 nits, and you get a creator’s dream machine. Both displays support the latest 4096-pressure-level devices, including the bundled ASUS Pen. You’re also going to get ultrafast storage with up to a 1 TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD. This is the first ZenBook Pro with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series laptop GPUs. These GPU’s offer acceleration for ray tracing, artificial intelligence, and video encoding. Available in April.
VivoBook 14/15 and ASUS Zen AiO 24
If you’re looking for a new PC that’s more affordable but still capable of doing a great job when it comes to photo editing, look at the VivoBook line. The new VivoBook 14 and VivoBook 15 both deliver enhanced productivity with Ryzen 5000 U-Series Mobile Processors. They can also come with up to 16 GB of DDR4 memory. Then there are dual-storage options with up to a 512 GB PCIe SSD and a 1 TB HDD. Finish it off with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6 for superb all-round performance. These VivoBook’s also feature a three-sided NanoEdge FHD display. This provides an 85% screen to body ratio for immersive viewing, with wide viewing angles and exceptional color reproduction for vivid visuals. Available from February.
There’s also a new 24″ ASUS Zen AiO. Powered by the latest Ryzen 5 processors, this desktop PC is for those who want a top-quality PC that stays in their office or studio. The new AiO Zen features an elegant new look. You’ll also find an off-center metal stand and fabric-covered front-firing speakers that are certified by Harman Kardon. A built-in HD camera (with a privacy shutter) and array microphone are included for seamless video calls. The 23.8-inch HD LCD NanoEdge display offers a 93% screen-to-body ratio for immersive visuals. Available in early 2021.
ASUS ProArt Display PA148CTV
The new ASUS ProArt Display (PA148CTV) is a 14-inch FHD IPS portable monitor with an anti-glare panel. This display features a capacitive 10-point multitouch panel. ASUS says the display has been designed for creators and that it features the ASUS Dial and Virtual Control Panel. Still, we’re not sure if this dial is a gimmick or if it will actually help speeds things up. These two features should provide productivity-enhancing shortcuts and programmable hotkeys that work with Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. The ASUS ProArt display is the world’s first Calman Verified portable monitor. It has a 100% sRGB and 100% Rec.709 color gamuts. It’s factory pre-calibrated with a Delta E < 2 color accuracy. This means you’ll be able to edit your images with confidence. The Virtual Control Panel offers an adjustment dial, sliders, buttons, wheels, as well as programmable hotkeys for more precise adjustments. Available in Q2.