IFA 2019 unleashes Intel-powered laptop war

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New Delhi: The newly launched Asus VivoBook 14 X403 laptops on display, in New Delhi on Sep 4, 2019.

Berlin, The race for the crown of the world’s lightest and yet powerful laptop intensified on Wednesday as Taiwanese electronics and PC makers Acer and ASUS unveiled new products — a lot of them powered by 10th Gen Intel Core processors — at Europe’s premier cosumer electronics show IFA 2019.

While Acer claimed that its refreshed Swift 5 model, weighing 990 grams, maintains its position as the world’s lightest 14-inch notebook, ASUS just a couple of hours later unveiled a laptop weighing just 880 grams. ASUS, which also utilised the occasion to mark its 30th anniversary, cliams that its ASUSPRO B9 is the world’s lightest 14-inch “business” laptop.

Besides ASUSPRO B9 (B9450), the ZenBook Duo (UX481), ZenBook 13/14/15 (UX334/434/534) and ZenBook Flip 14/15 (UX463/563) all enjoy the benefits of the 10th Gen Intel Core processors, ASUS said, wile introducing its new laptop lineup.

Acer’s refreshed models in Swift notebook and Aspire all-in-one desktop ranges are also powered by the latest 10th Gen IntelACore processors. These new processors deliver better battery life and more advanced performance.

The latest Swift 5 model weighs just 990 grams with a new discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics option, or even less with newly updated integrated Intel IrisAPro graphics while measuring just 14.95 mm thin. The screen features a three-side narrow bezel with a high screen-to-body ratio of 86.4 per cent.

“We’re continuously challenging ourselves on how we can make the world’s lightest 14-inch notebook even better,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Product Business, Acer.

“With the new Swift 5, we’ve integrated a discrete graphics chip and the latest processors so mobile professionals no longer have to compromise between portability and performance,” Lin added.

“10th Gen Intel Core processors redefine what’s possible in a modern laptop by bringing broad-scale AI to the PC for the first time, an all-new graphics architecture for a leap in performance with Iris Plus graphics, and integrated best-in-class connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and Thunderbolt 3,” said Chris Walker, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Client Platforms in the Client Computing Group, Intel.

Acer also introduced a refershed Swift 3 notebook which has a 14-inch Full HD IPS screen and weighs 1.19 kg. The Swift 3 packs a lot of power into its 15.95 mm thin chassis with up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor with Intel Iris Plus graphics and an optional discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU.

The two PC makers — ASUS and Acer — also introduced several devices targeting the content creators — including YouTubers and bloggers — gamers and other professionals.