Now is a tricky time for any computer maker to drop new gear, since Apple’s launch of fresh iPads grabs all the spotlight. Asus went ahead with a show in New York City, unveiling several Windows 8 laptops and tablet hybrids. Some were totally new, while others were updates, like tweaks to the Zenbook Ultrabook lineup. The coolest thing was the Taichi, a wild design with two HD screens—one on the inside like a normal laptop, and one on the outside that’s a touchscreen. When shut, it acts like a tablet with a built-in stylus. Open it up, and it’s a regular laptop with the main focus on the inner screen and keyboard. Asus came up with neat ways to use those two screens at once: both can show the same thing, or two different things side by side. For folks in business, one screen could face the presenter, the other the audience. At home, one could work inside while someone else watches a movie on the outside screen. This fresh take on Windows 8 notebooks makes for a cool gadget with flexible touchscreen views. The Taichi’s displays are both 11.6 inches, and it comes in three models with Intel Core i7 or i5 processors, 4GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 graphics, plus 128GB or 256GB SSD storage. Prices start at $1,299. Anyone craving cutting-edge tech and clever design will want to keep an eye on this—there’s plenty more to uncover.
