ASUS readies Ares desktop, new notebooks

In addition to having announced a new Eee PC, ASUS has revealed several other computers at CeBIT. Among these is the Ares, a desktop system meant for high-end gaming. It operates on a Core 2 Extreme processor, and supports up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, as opposed to the more conventional DDR2. It can further be configured with up to 4TB of hard drive space, while graphics support includes NVIDIA's recent three-way SLI technology. The system's case, finally, features built-in liquid cooling. No prices or release dates have been published.

New notebooks include the Lamborghini VX3 (right), the latest in ASUS' series branded by the famous car maker. The 12.1-inch notebook makes the switch to Intel's new 45nm Penryn technology, and specifically uses a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo processor. Its 320GB hard drive comes loaded with Windows Vista Ultimate, and graphics are supplied by an 256MB GeForce 9300M. Other highlights include 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a LightScribe DVD burner and built-in support for 802.11n Wi-Fi and 3.5G cellular.

The R50 and R70 are 5.6- and 7-inch UMPCs, and share common features such as GPS and 3.5G broadband. The R50 has a TV tuner and SSD storage, while the R70 incorporates a touchscreen.

The C90, finally, is a notebook designed to be easily upgraded or repaired. It supports technologies such as 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.0 by default, and can be equipped with processors as fast as a 2.93GHz Core 2 Extreme.

Ares