ASUS today announced the new ExpertBook B9450, an ultra-light laptop aimed at business users. With Comet Lake U-series processors and 1.9lbs (865 grams) of weight, it's pretty light, though it may be disappointing to some that it maxes out at four cores and eight threads.
To achieve its weight, ASUS changed the magnesium-aluminum alloy on the previous generation to a magnesium-lithium alloy, allowing the laptop to be 16% lighter. However, this new alloy is also stronger per unit of mass than steel or aluminum, so the shell is 38% stronger than its predecessor. ASUS says it thoroughly tested the durability of the laptop, saying it survived multiple MIL-STD-810G procedures.
It comes with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM and two M.2 slots for SSD storage, each of which capable of holding a 2TB SSD. The internal 33Wh battery can provide 10 hours of productivity, but ASUS will also sell an external 66Wh power source to keep you going for longer.
The 14-inch Full HD NanoEdge display has 4mm side bezels, and a thicker bezel at the top to hold the IR camera for Windows Hello, as well as a four-microphone array. The camera has a shutter if you want some privacy, and the microphones should be useful for Amazon's Alexa, which you can download from the Microsoft Store.
Like many ASUS laptops, the ExpertBook B9450 can't fit a number pad, but you can turn the touchpad into one with the click of a button, which should make input easier. There's also a fingerprint sensor for additional security. The laptop also uses ASUS' ErgoHinge design, so opening the laptop props up the base by 5 degrees to make typing more comfortable.
As for ports, there's a few of them here, including two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C ports that also serve as Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
If you need additional productivity on the go, ASUS also introduced the ZenScreen MB16ACE, a 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitor that weighs in at 1.56lbs and is just 8mm thick, making it the lightest 15.6-inch monitor on the market. The included Smart Case Lite is also 35% lighter than the previous generation, but it can still be used as both as case and an adjustable stand. If you don't want the case, there's still a pen loop so you can prop up the display with any pen you have lying around.
The ZenScreen MB16ACE has two buttons on the left side to adjust display settings, but ASUS' DisplayWidget software also lets you control these settings from your laptop, including per-app controls. The display has a single USB Type-C port for power and display. If your PC supports display over USB Type-C, you won't need anything else, but if you only have Type-A ports, you'll need a special DisplayLink driver and you have to use the included USB Type-C to Type-A adapter.
ASUS didn't provide pricing or availability details for the new products, but they should be available sometime this year.
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