NEW ASUS BEASTS

ASUS is going to release two new gaming desktop and one ultraportable gaming laptop.

The new desktops go big despite their compact small form factor designs, with a new look that eschews the boxy towers usually seen on gaming desktops.

Asus is also introducing its first gaming ultraportable laptop, with a slim machine that goes anywhere. While specifics on pricing and availability have not been announced, we suspect all three products will be available later this year.

GAMING DESKTOP (Asus ROG G20):

First up is the new Asus ROG G20 gaming desktop, a potent desktop PC that blends angular lines,detailed design, and a small form-factor chassis to pack a lot of gaming power into a tiny package. The black and red color scheme looks very cool, and the chassis avoids the boxy look that so many other desktops share. The small chassis keeps it exhaust vents hidden, using a thermal design that keeps things cool while remaining quiet. Asus has announced that the G20 desktop will be outfitted with Intel Core i7 processors and Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 graphics.

CONSOLE  GAMING PC(ROG GR8):

The next offering from Asus is also pretty compact, the Asus ROG GR8 console gaming PC. By packing a full gaming PC into a box the size of a gaming console, Asus invites users to make this gaming machine a part of their home entertainment setup. Like the G20 small form-factor desktop, the GR8 console gaming PC has a black and red color scheme, with an angular design that uses simple planes and surfaces to achieve a distinctive look.

The slim PC is equipped with Intel Core i7 processors, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 750Ti graphics processor, and promises compatibility with SteamOS and the Steam Controller when Valve's new OS arrives in 2015. The console-sized PC features 4K and UHD display output, Miracast support for streaming media to an HDTV, SupremeFX audio output, and Gigabit Ethernet.

ULTRAPORTABLE LAPTOP(ASUS ROG GX500):

Finally, the Asus ROG GX500 adds an ultraportable to the Republic of Gamers family. The new laptop measures just "0.75" inches thick, and weighs only "4.85 pounds", putting it firmly into the ultraportable category, and making it ideal for gamers on the go. The GX500 boasts Intel Core i7 processors, Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics, and an impressive 3,840-by-2,160-pixel display. The new display also features Visual Master display technology, which promises 100 percent NTSC color gamut for better clarity. The laptop chassis is black metal with red highlights, fitting in perfectly with the rest of the Republic of Gamers offerings.

windows 10 features

1. Start Menu Makes A Comeback

October 01, 2014

Microsoft has been demonstrating the new Start menu for quite some time, but the company has finally made it official with Windows 10.

The menu features a search bar and customisable space for pinning app shortcuts and live tiles. It looks very similar to the traditional Start menu that Microsoft discontinued with the Windows 8. On non-touch devices, it will replace the Start screen.

2. Everything Runs In Windows

October 01, 2014

Modern UI apps from the Windows Store now also open in the same format that desktop apps do and can be resized and moved around.

Just like Windows 8.1, these apps have title bars at the top that allow users to maximize, minimize, and close with a click.

3. Snap Enhancements

October 01, 2014

Users can now have up to four apps snapped on the same screen with what Microsoft calls a new quadrant layout.

Windows 10 will also show other apps and programmes running for additional snapping and will make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.

4. Multiple Desktops, New Task View

October 01, 2014

With Windows 10, users can create virtual desktops for different purposes and projects and switch between desktops and pick up where they left on each desktop, similar to OS X's Spaces.

There is a new task view that displays all open windows and desktops. This is also very similar to the Expose feature of Apple's OS X.

5. One Windows Version Across Devices, Continuum

October 01, 2014

Windows 10 will run on all devices across form factors, including phones, tablets, 2-in-1s and PCs.

The OS will come with a feature called Continuum which will detect when you remove a keyboard from a 2-in-1 and switch to a touch-optimised UI with big tiles. It will also have a universal app marketplace.

6. Enterprise Features

October 01, 2014

Windows 10 will come with a number of features for enterprise, including a customised store and corporate data protection. Administrators will be able to use Mobile Device Management for all devices.

7. Universal Search

October 01, 2014

The Windows 10 Start menu will also feature a universal search box similar to Apple OS X's Spotlight feature and offers web results in addition to results obtained by searching across files, apps and settings.

8. Updated Command Prompt

October 01, 2014

Microsoft has pleased power users with some improvements in the command prompt interface. The command prompt now supports copy and paste keyboard shortcuts so you'll be able to use Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V commands easily.

Xiaomi one of the largest smartphone vendors in its homeland - China - and it's one of the most popular Asian mobile brands. It has given the world the popular user-friendly MIUI for Android. But the crown jewel, of course, is their current flagship phone - the Xiaomi Mi 3.

The Xiaomi Mi 3 is the company's best-selling phone to date packing top-notch technology and blazing-fast Android experience. The MIUI launcher feels at home on a Xiaomi phone delivering amazing performance. It is very easy to use and yet hides some powerful functions and services for advanced users.

The Mi 3 has it all - a wonderful unibody design made out of polycarbonate, a 5" IPS display of 1080p resolution, a top-notch Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM, a capable 13MP camera with Full HD video recording, and a massive 3,050 mAh battery for long-lasting smartphone experience.

Sounds great, right? Here comes the complete feature list.

Key features

• 5" IPS 1080p capacitive touchscreen with 441pi pixel density; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• Android 4.4.2 KitKat with MIUI v.5
• 2.3GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU; 2GB of RAM; Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset
• 13MP camera with dual-LED flash, 1080p video capture
• 2MP front-facing camera with BSI sensor; wide-angle f/2.0 lens; HDR; 1080p video recording
• 16/64 GB of built-in memory
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
• 3,050mAh battery

Main disadvantages

• No LTE
• No 4K video recording
• Non user-replaceable battery
• No wired TV-out connectivity option
• No microSD card slot
• Sold exclusively online

The implementation of a unibody shell has required some sacrifices though, as in the inability to replace your battery being the most major. The lack of microSD card slot is surely a bummer for some, but this trend seems to be spreading among lots of popular manufacturers lately. The lack of 4K video isn't something we would hold against it, if it wasn't for its flagship status.