TAIPEI—Computex 2012 hasn't officially started yet, and many of the journalists and exhibitors who arrived early have spent much of their time escaping the humidity and the rain that have been blanketing the city as a side effect of Typhoon Ambo (which came as close as the Philippines, but has otherwise missed Taiwan). But already certain trends are starting to emerge that will define the rest of the trade show this week, and undoubtedly for months and years to come.
Take Two Tablets, and Call Me in the Morning
One of the biggest, albeit least surprising trends, is the increasing prevalence of tablets. Of the three major manufacturers' press conferences I've attended as of this writing, two have placed heavy emphasis on either the ultra-thin portable computers themselves or on the ways more traditional computers relate to them. Acer announced Iconia W-Series tablets, the 10.1-inch W510, and the 11.6-inch W700, and stressed the multimedia consumption features of both.
Asus actually made a four-pronged tablet attack, unveiling not just two official tablets (the Atom-based 11.6-inch Tablet 810 and the Tegra 3–powered, 10.1-inch Tablet 600), but also a laptop that converts into a tablet (the Transformer Book), a Windows 8 all-in-one that can also be used as an Android tablet (the Transformer AiO), and an ultraportable with a lid that can be used as a tablet at the same time its laptop-style display is in use (the Taichi).
Judging by the onlookers' reactions at the Asus event (company chairman Jonney Shih commented, "They say you save the best for last, but in this case I will leave it up to you to decide," and those assembled certainly seemed to), the Taichi is the unmitigated favorite of the day so far. And judging from just the paltry few moments I was able to spend with it after elbowing my way through the crowd, it's not hard to see why. It combines the sexy, shiny look of Asus's most striking Zenbook ultrabooks with new technology designed to bring people together rather than separate them. "Face-to-face presentation makes you a real professional," Shih said in his speech, and he's right, but beyond that it forces you to be human: Many mobile devices today are all about you and force you to interact with them alone, and this one practically invites you to bring other people in. Technology that increases intimacy and encourages familiarity is a good deal in my book.
But if Acer's designs for the most part weren't quite as innovative, they shouldn't be discounted. Slim and subtle, and with a general design aesthetic that recalls that of Apple's MacBook, they look quite good, with silver and black coloring that will fit into any personal or professional design scheme. I was most impressed, however, by the Acer Aspire 7600U, an all-in-one that behaves as a tablet even if it doesn't go quite as far as Asus's Transformer AiO. Measuring just 35mm thick, it has a 27-inch screen that can stand perpendicular to your desk, lay flat on it, or compromise at any angle in between; and its ability to swivel on all four sides means that several people can sit around it and all use it at the same time—again, uniting people. (It actually reminded me of the table-top video games you saw at bars and restaurants in the earliest of the 1980s, and I mean that in the best possible way.)
They Do Windows
All of these tablets, it should probably go without saying, not only run on Windows 8, but they also do so enthusiastically and unapologetically. If you've been following PCMag's coverage of the latest version of Microsoft's operating system, you're aware how different and touch-centric it is, and where the fault lines of controversy are most likely to be found with it. But even if you have some misgivings about the directions in which Microsoft is heading (as, admittedly, I do), companies like Acer and Asus would have a hard time being more on board with it.
In his introduction of the Tablet 810, Shih said Windows 8 "transforms your mobile and productivity expectations." And the speakers at the Acer press conference loaded on the superlatives even more: "This is a historical moment in the Windows ecosystem," "This is truly unique—no other competitor can match it," "Maybe it will take some time for users to really appreciate, but it's a huge breakthrough by Microsoft," and "I have never been so supportive of Microsoft."
It will be interesting to see whether consumer impressions are as positive as these, but in my not-so-humble opinion, Windows 8 looks good on tablets and is an even better performer; as an iOS and Android competitor, it is certainly striking in its visuals and robust in the depth of its functionality. The degree to which this will translate to more traditional PCs, of either the desktop or the laptop varieties, remains to be seen. But Microsoft is about ready to break into the touch market in a huge way—if Apple isn't ready, it could find itself an also-ran in no time.
Ultrabooks on the Rise
Something else the pre-Computex festivities made clear is that ultrabooks aren't going anywhere, either. In addition to the Taichi, which redefined what ultrabooks are capable of, the Acer Aspire S7 series made a grand show of packing big external appeal and features into small packages. (The company claims that the 13.3-inch model is thinnest on the market, and that the 11.6-inch model is the smallest.) With aluminum unibody designs and glass covers, Acer wants to remind you that thin isn't only in, but that it can—and should—also look good. S7 models even feature keyboards with dynamic backlights that change in intensity depending on the light in the room in which they're being used, something that's generally rare to find on thinner and lighter notebooks of any kind. (Acer also touted the Aspire S5's win of Computex's Best Choice Award.)
It was Intel's getting into the act that really signaled ultrabooks' being here to stay. Tucked in amid a number of other announcements and reminders in the company's Thunderbolt press conference was a description of the high-speed transfer protocol as being an "ultrabook 'amplifier.'" Chuckle if you want at that (I have to say I did), but Intel takes it seriously. And why not? Being able to drive large external displays, tons of hard drive storage, and a number of other devices from a jack considerably smaller than even a traditional USB port is potentially a huge boon for users of these svelte systems. Thunderbolt might nlot be able to provide absolutely everything you'd get from a portable PC with a more robust processor, for example, but it could bridge a lot of gaps. And if, as Intel's Jason Ziller claimed during his pep talk, prices on Thunderbolt cables do come down as expected this year, that could also spur adoption.
Interestingly, there was a moment of fascinating fusion between these two companies when Ziller mentioned that the Aspire S5 was the first ultraportable to use Thunderbolt. Will this catch on? It's impossible to say. But if it does, ultrabook owners might be shocked to discover how few limitations are on their computing after all.
Recognizing Innovation—and Inspiring More
Although the recipients of the Computex D&I Awards don't break down into categories quite as easily as the products listed above, they are in almost every case just as devoted to changing the way we think about technology and the role it plays in all aspects of our lives.
For proof of that, look at the slate of D&I Gold Award winners: the 11.6-inch Inhon InBook, the first ultrabook with a full carbon-fiber chassis and, at about 2.2 pounds, also one of the world's very lightest; the SI-38, an ultra-slim system with discrete graphics intended for digital signage applications; the HTC Portable Bluetooth Speaker; Thermaltake's Level 10 M mouse, which has an open and modular structure to improve its ventilation and appearance alike; and Innergie's Magic Cable Trio, which blends mini USB, micro USB, and Apple connectors in a single cable. It's tough to imagine a more diverse group than that.
The remaining 39 awards ran just as wide a gamut: from EnGenius' wireless home routers and access points to the HTC One X, S, and V smartphones; from PC power supplies (by both Cooler Master and High Power Electronic) to monitors (the Acer S235HL); and from tablet stands and docking stations to portable power packs and even desktop video cards.
Unfortunately, the chances are pretty good we'll never see most of these products in the United States. But the ones we will see, from big companies like Acer and Asus to smaller ventures we can't yet predict, will definitely have an impact and lead us to expect—and demand—just as much originality (if not more) when Computex 2013 rolls around.
Who knows, maybe ultrabooks, tablets, and Windows 8 will be completely forgotten next year at this time. (Okay, probably not Windows 8.) But even if they are, we'll still be feeling their effects on the industry and applying what we've learned from them to the Next Big Thing—whatever that might be. That's evolution in action, and, as has been the case for years, the overriding trend at Computex.
