Screenpad, ZenBook Pro 15, a laptop that turns the touchpad into a screen

Asus launched a new premium computer with Intel Core i9 processor and 15.6-inch display.

Imagine turning your laptop’s touchpad into a touch screen from which you can manipulate some of the major applications you use on your computer while continuing to do other tasks on the home screen.

This is the Asus company’s big bet with the ZenBook Pro 15 UX 580, the new laptop of its premium line of computers that the Taiwanese company presented during Computex 2018, the most important technology fair of the Asian continent, which takes place from June 5 to 9 in Taipei (Taiwan).

With this screenpad (as Asus called it), which is a 5.5-inch IPS panel with HD resolution, the company expects to provide users with greater multitasking capabilities to increase productivity, navigation levels and performance.

The touch panel gives the possibility to configure several options, through the f6 key. By activating the screen extension mode, for example, you can drag an application from the main screen to the touchpad. You can then open YouTube while still checking your mail or changing the song in your music player while you continue to work on a document.

The screenpad mode, on the other hand, shows you a toolbar that includes a number of pre-determined applications such as PowerPoint, Excel, calendar, calculator or notepad. From there you can do different actions. In a text in Word, you will have the option to modify font types, colours and font size on the touchpad and see the changes directly on the screen.

This proposal can be considered as an evolved option of the Apple touchbar, the touch panel located at the top of the MacBook Pro keyboard. Without a doubt, the Taiwanese company’s goal is to offer a smarter, more interactive experience.

The ZenBook Pro 15 includes the Intel Core i9 processor (which promises 29 percent more efficiency than seventh generation chips), with 16GB of RAM and up to 1Tb of storage capacity. This CPU works at a base clock frequency of 3.30 GHz and can reach 4.30 GHz.

As for the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), it includes NVidia GTX 1050Ti graphics cards, which allow for an outstanding gaming visual experience.

This new laptop has a sleek, lightweight design, weighs less than two kilograms and has a metallic finish, while the 15.6-inch screen has a resolution of up to 4K UHD.

With two Thunderbolt 3.0 compatible C-type USB ports and SD reader, the device supports up to 14 hours of battery life. It also incorporates an advanced dual fan cooling system that promises to ensure maximum performance.

Asus has also decided to launch ZenBook Pro 14, a 14-inch version with an Intel Core i7 processor that also includes the screenpad.

Project Precog, the future

The Taiwanese company surprised attendees during its launch event at Computex by unveiling a new equipment that promises to change the trend in the computer market: a two-screen laptop without a keyboard that incorporates artificial intelligence features and allows the device to be used in different ways by joining the two panels together with a 360-degree hinge. You can use it in a traditional portable mode, where the bottom screen functions as a keyboard; a book mode; and finally as a flat screen.

The artificial intelligence system detects the user’s hands and draws a virtual keyboard, which adjusts to the user’s position depending on where he places his fingers. It also automatically switches to pen mode when you touch one of these on the lower screen.

The team, which also includes Microsoft’s Cortana Voice Assistant and Alexa’s Amazon Voice Assistant, becomes a customizable interactive interface.

Although Asus did not give details of the specifications of this new product, it said it expects to officially launch it on the market in 2019.