In the event you’re something like me, your laptop computer is virtually an extension of your self, a relentless companion that follows you from espresso retailers to consumer assembly; late-night modifying classes to inspiration-fuelled travels. It is not only a software; it is the canvas the place our concepts take form, the engine that powers our artistic processes, and sometimes, the face we current to shoppers. It is also our window into the world, the place we expertise all the pieces from leisure to world occasions.
So, I do not assume it’s a must to be a nerd to care in regards to the design of your laptop computer. Like a chair or desk, you want it to be each practical and delightful. But, for years, you’ve got needed to compromise between the 2.
Contemplate, for instance, my MacBook Air M1. Sure, it is modern, sure, it is attractive. Sadly, it is so ultrathin that there isn’t any room for ports, which signifies that at any time when I would like to attach it to one thing like a monitor or TV, I am left clumsily juggling docks and dongles. Laptops with extra ports, although, sometimes aren’t as light-weight and will not look nearly as good.
As soon as, you’d have anticipated Apple to work on a radical new design that squared this circle. However latest historical past means that today, they’re extra all for iterating very steadily, and probably not innovating across the bodily design of current merchandise.
This, although, leaves the sector broad open for opponents to pursue new design concepts that basically reinvent the laptop computer. And from the place I am standing, the corporate making the most important strides right here proper now’s the Taiwanese model ASUS. So after they invited me to see their new merchandise at Milan Design Week, I jumped on the likelihood.
Whereas their fundamental launch to the general public, the Zenbook A14, is spectacular, it was the as-yet-unreleased Signature Version Zenbook vary that actually grabbed my consideration. I will be trustworthy: I can not bear in mind after I’ve been this entranced by the bodily design of a laptop computer.
Ceraluminum: the fabric making all of it doable
What’s so totally different about these laptops, basically, is what they’re manufactured from. ASUS has developed a proprietary materials known as Ceraluminum—basically a strategy of ceramising aluminium that makes it 30% lighter and 3 times stronger than conventional anodised aluminium.
Laptops made out of this may be thick sufficient to incorporate the ports you want (most notably, an HDMI slot) whereas nonetheless remaining super-light and operating cool. As ASUS sees it, it is the perfect of each worlds: the premium really feel and sturdiness of ceramic with the lightness of aluminium.
Additionally they declare that the manufacturing course of is remarkably eco-friendly. Whereas conventional aluminium anodisation depends on acids and produces hazardous waste, Ceraluminum manufacturing makes use of pure water and excessive voltage, leading to a 100% recyclable materials with no natural compounds, VOCs, or heavy metals within the wastewater.
That is essential to ASUS as a result of their elementary design philosophy is to convey the appear and feel of nature into tech, to create “design you possibly can really feel”.
Nature-inspired design
Whereas many corporations pay lip service to that method of their PR and advertising and marketing, it is not at all times that apparent within the precise merchandise. That definitely cannot be stated for the 4 limited-edition Signature Version Zenbooks that ASUS unveiled at Milan Design Week.
Every incorporates a chassis made solely from Ceraluminum, and so they are available in 4 nature-inspired finishes, every representing totally different dramatic landscapes. This provides them a feel and look that is completely totally different from the monocoloured chassis I am used to seeing on laptops.
What’s fascinating is that these finishes aren’t achieved with added pigments; the distinct colors and textures are exactly managed by way of electrical present, voltage and mineral formulation in the course of the ceramisation course of. So it is not like a laptop computer with a decal caught to it; these gadgets look extra like bespoke, individually made artwork objects.
Every has a singular tactile high quality, too—easy but someway natural—that begs to be touched. Fortunately, although, they look like solely smudge-free.
Geldingadalir, Iceland
Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Pamukkale, Turkey
After all, these aren’t simply fairly faces. Inside, they’re powered by the most recent AI-enabled Intel Core Extremely processors, function ASUS Lumina OLED shows, and have devoted Home windows Copilot keys.
I can not get extra particular than that: ASUS remains to be engaged on the main points and hasn’t even dedicated to releasing these laptops. They plan to assemble suggestions first after which have a assume. However among the many journalists right here, a minimum of, suggestions was very constructive. Apparently, there was one thing of a gender break up, with me and different males typically preferring the black slate-like ‘Iceland-Geldingadalir’ designs, whereas this was the least favoured among the many girls (though this was hardly a scientific pattern, in fact).
Design you possibly can really feel
ASUS did not simply drop these stunning gadgets on a pedestal and name it a day. This was Milan Design Week, in spite of everything, a world occasion the place each model value its salt creates an artwork set up to precise its design philosophy. Therefore, ASUS hosts its personal ‘Design You Can Really feel’ exhibition on the Galleria Meravigli, making a full sensory expertise across the ideas of materiality, craftsmanship, and AI.
The spotlight was a specifically commissioned set up by Studio INI. This experimental design and analysis studio created a kinetic, biomimetic sculpture that reacted to guests’ presence. As you walked up and down on it, like a mannequin on a catwalk, its fronds opened and closed, and your movement knowledge was used to create AI-generated visualisations.
This was numerous enjoyable for friends, but it surely additionally had a severe level: evoking the tactile high quality of Ceraluminum (which was used to make it) whereas demonstrating how AI can improve artistic expression.
Elsewhere within the exhibition, playful interactive displays instructed the design tales behind varied ASUS merchandise, together with its ProArt, Adol, Vivobook and ROG gadgets. From a laptop computer that emits totally different fragrances (an actual product, presently solely accessible in China) to weighing scales that balanced laptops with chess items, there was one thing delightfully tangible and enjoyable about the entire expertise. A refreshing change from the customarily sterile tech showcases us journalists are used to.
Need one now? Meet the Zenbook A14
Whereas the Signature Version Zenbooks stole the present, they don’t seem to be fairly prepared for shopper palms but. Nonetheless, a lot of their qualities can already be discovered within the new Zenbook A14 (UX3407)—the primary ASUS laptop computer to function an all-ceraluminum construct.
Weighing underneath 2.5 lbs, the A14 is the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC available on the market and is available in Iceland Grey or Zabriskie Beige. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Sequence processor, which allows a powerful 32 hours of battery life on a single cost—real multi-day utilization that artistic professionals on the go will recognize.
The A14 additionally showcases ASUS’s dedication to balancing magnificence and performance. It has a wholesome complement of ports (two USB 4.0 Kind-C, one USB 3.2 Kind-A, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack), an ASUS Lumina OLED show, and superior AI options courtesy of Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPU. All in all, it is an intriguing different for creatives who would possibly historically default to MacBooks.
A brand new period for artistic instruments?
I will be trustworthy; my expectations for this present weren’t that prime. Lots of manufacturers stumble into Milan Design Week with nice intentions however have not actually thought issues by way of. So that they find yourself with a nice-looking artwork set up, however the connection to the product appears fairly weak, and you discover the advertising and marketing waffle has to do numerous heavy lifting to tie it collectively.
In distinction, ASUS’s exhibition made me enthusiastic about laptop computer design for the primary time in years. As soon as launched, the Signature Version Zenbook Sequence may very nicely characterize a brand new watermark for laptop computer design, the place know-how and artwork kind a brand new path ahead. Within the meantime, I am trying ahead to getting my palms on a Zenbook A14.
Essentially, it looks like ASUS is the laptop computer model most all for pushing ahead bodily design proper now. Who is aware of, perhaps they may even steal Apple’s crown because the go-to for creatives. There is a lengthy highway forward, in fact, and given the burgeoning commerce wars, all this will likely turn into moot. However all different issues being equal, I believe ASUS is certainly a challenger model to observe.
