ASUS announces the new TUF Gaming laptops – CES 2020

ASUS today announced a new family of TUF Gaming laptops with more performance and versatility than ever. The 15-inch TU15 Gaming A15 and F15, along with the 17-inch A17 and F17 laptops, offer an unprecedented experience for its price. With high performance and proven durability, the new line of TUF Gaming notebooks combines state-of-the-art hardware with fourth-generation AMD Ryzen ™ or Intel® tenth-generation processors, top-notch graphics with NVIDIA® Turing ™-based GPUs and options of display with an update frequency of up to 144 Hz, as well as a series of mobility functions to improve battery life, solid durability and a compact format.

AMD Ryzen

AMD’s latest Zen 2 CPU architecture now reaches laptops in a new line of 4th generation AMD Ryzen Mobile processors. The TUF Gaming A15 and A17 offer options ranging from AMD Ryzen Mobile fourth generation processors with 8 cores and 16 threads. The first-line chip doubles the power available in the previous generation, allowing users to do much more than play: its multi-threaded design is perfect for large workloads and high-power multitasking and the combination of architectural improvements and manufacturing in A cutting-edge 7nm process node resulted in exceptional energy efficiency. TUF Gaming A15 and A17 combine this operation with an especially fast DDR4-3200 RAM that can further improve performance for both productivity and games.

Later this year, the TUF Gaming F15 and F17 will be available with the next 10th generation Intel Core processors.

NVIDIA GeForce graphics and technology adaptive sync enhance high resolution screens

Regardless of the CPU, the graphics power comes from NVIDIA GeForce® GPUs based on the latest NVIDIA Turing architecture. The complete line of TUF Gaming Laptops can be configured with GeForce RTX ™ up to 2060, which uses a combination of CUDA, RT and Tensor cores to allow hybrid rendering with real-time ray tracing and AI acceleration. Turing also has an updated video encoder capable of capturing high quality material with minimal CPU usage, so that users can play and stream smoothly from the same machine.

Screen refresh rates of up to 144 Hz on 15-inch and 120 Hz models on 17-inch versions, take full advantage of the highest possible frame rates with the new TUF Gaming laptops. For the first time, the Radeon graphics integrated into the new Ryzen Mobile processors allow adaptive variable refresh rate sync technology to work with independent GeForce GPUs. Synchronizing the screen refresh rate with the system frame rate offers smoother, uninterrupted play, even when the SPF varies naturally over time. Try adaptive sync even once and you can see how this adaptive technology is better to play than traditional screens with fixed refresh rates.

IPS level screens come in sizes of 15 or 17 inches with wide viewing angles. The ultra-thin NanoEdge bezels surround the screens on three sides, a design that not only increases immersion, but also makes the chassis more portable. TUF Gaming laptops decrease the total volume of 15-inch models by 7% compared to their predecessors and reduce 17-inch versions by 8%. Each laptop includes a webcam for streaming games or videoconferencing located on the top edge of the screen, since a subtle bump on the bezel creates enough space for the camera inside the thin frame and also provides a comfortable edge to lift the lid .

Although the proportions are reduced, TUF Gaming laptops add a larger 90Wh battery option so users don’t have to worry about longevity when classes, work or life take them out of an outlet. The combination of efficient AMD and NVIDIA hardware inside the TUF Gaming A15 and A17 provides up to 8.7 hours of web browsing and 12.3 hours of video playback, so users can stay productive and entertained during more time.

Choose your rugged exterior with TUF Gaming

TUF Gaming designers understand that players with great power at their disposal do not always want to convey that fact to the world, so the next generation of TUF laptops offers two finishes. Fortress Gray has a metal lid that is sandblasted to obtain a fine texture in the material before it is finished in homonymous gray. The exposed concentric screws anchor the four corners and echo the robust DNA of the TUF family of games, and the smooth surface of the laser-engraved TUF logo contrasts subtly with the textured extension of the surrounding metal.

Bonfire Black brings multiple textures to a more ambitious look designed for outgoing players. The large trapezoidal cuts in the center of the lid evoke the hexagonal pattern used throughout the chassis, and attract attention to the TUF Gaming logo. This central region gets a brushed finish, while the sides are engraved with a mesh pattern that has more grip. A fiery red band runs along the edges, offering a bold indication of the power inside.

Both designs are strong enough for everyday life. TUF Gaming laptops are certified to meet MIL-STD-810H standards for vibration and drops, as well as extreme temperatures and humidity.

Clean cooling and simple updates inside

Gaming laptops need abundant air flow to help internal components perform at their best for hours, so a new custom cooling design works in conjunction with the new chassis for better cooling of powerful hardware. A honeycomb pattern at the bottom doubles as an expansive set of intake grilles for fans and heatsinks inside, wrapping the rear exhaust outlets to protect the heatsink fins without obstructing the air flow.

A self-cleaning cooling system directs waste to the dust tunnels before they accumulate in the fan blades and heat sink fins and reduce their effectiveness over time. The air flow that moves through these channels naturally removes dust from the system, keeping the performance of laptops at their best in the long term.

The latest TUF Gaming laptops are ready to grow with the needs of users. To facilitate access, the bottom is secured with standard Phillips screws, together with a special automatic opening screw that helps to separate the panel without using a tool. Inside, two SO-DIMM slots can accommodate up to 32 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for heavy multitasking and even for content creation. Dual M.2 slots provide an upgrade path for a library of constantly expanding games and digital files. Configurations are available with up to 1 TB of NVMe SSD with very fast load times and overall performance with responsiveness. The second slot is prepared for greater solid-state storage linked to the same high-speed PCI Express interface.

Customize your keyboard tested for battle

The keyboard is an essential part of the arsenal of any gaming laptop, and soft switches or a crowded layout are the last things players want to deal with in the heat of battle. That’s why the latest TUF Gaming laptops use a full-size desktop design. The function key row is spaced as if it were a desktop keyboard, a full numeric keypad is located on the right edge to speed up the processing of the numbers, and the key block with the scroll arrows uses a comfortable and traditional arrangement in inverted T. The space bar also extends slightly to provide a larger goal for the thumbs while playing.

Each key uses Overstroke technology to improve response and overall feeling. The underlying switches are activated at a higher height in the race for a faster drive, which also leaves more travel before bouncing off the base. They are classified to support 20 million keystrokes, ensuring a long service life according to the name of TUF.

The translucent WASD keys offer an unmistakable visual signal, while the global RGB backlight makes each key especially easy to detect and also allows users to customize colors and effects according to their tastes. The customization extends to the Stage Profiles, which can automatically change the lighting based on the preferences of individual games and applications.

Connect anything, anywhere

The new TUF Gaming laptops have extensive connectivity for gaming peripherals and more. On the left side of the laptop, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C ports. The latter is compatible with G-SYNC monitors through its alternative DisplayPort 1.4 mode, and an HDMI 2.0b port It allows users to connect a projector, an additional monitor or a large screen TV. On the right, another USB port provides additional connectivity.

Gigabit Ethernet feeds a high-speed LAN port with low latency for multiplayer gaming. TUF Gaming A15 and A17 can also connect wirelessly with a Wi-Fi 5 adapter (802.11ac) that includes support for Bluetooth. The F15 and F17 are updated to Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig +), which increases the bandwidth of the wireless interface by up to 2.4 Gbps when connected to compatible routers. Also known as 802.11ax, the next-generation standard improves the efficiency of saturated networks, reduces the delay of multiplayer gaming and increases the bandwidth of live streaming.

The combined audio jack offers virtual surround sound for stereo headphones through DTS: X® Ultra. There are several audio presets for different types of games and media, plus an equalizer for fine adjustments. The perfected speakers, with more room to breathe, emit a sound with a louder volume and deeper bass than previous generations.

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