ASUS CEO talks tablets, smartbooks and Windows Phone 7 Series phones
By Joanna Stern 
posted March 3rd 2010 7:01PM
posted March 3rd 2010 7:01PM
Not able to roll the tape? Here's a Cliff Notes version.
On tablets...
Shen confirmed that they will be using a similar form factor to the Eee Pad that was on display at CES, but as a whole he feels software implementation is more important when it comes to this future "vertical" or "solution based" product, which is unlike a multi-purpose netbook. ASUS is working on the interface and an app store.
On smartbooks...
Despite the Snapdragon Eee PC that ASUS showed off last year, Shen isn't sold on putting ARM processors into clamshell form factors -- especially now that Intel has been able to close the price gap. He says ARM is best for this "one piece PC," and that x86 architecture provides a better experience in a netbook design.
On Windows Phone 7 Series...
"We think this is the first time Microsoft has really strong determination to win back the mobile phone." Enough said.
On ASUS having too many model numbers...
Shen seems to agree and implies that they are working on it.
On using Google Chrome...
Though we didn't tape Shen's response to our question on using Chrome on netbooks, he was adamant about not answering. He said it was a sore subject given their relationship with Microsoft.
He seems like a nice guy.
@bob e
He seems like the guy focused at the progress of his company rather than him or his company being in the spotlight
I like that humble attitude
@bob e
I guess I'll prefer Asus products over all other now
hell yea.. nice CEO right there. he knows where his priorities are at.. and I am proud to won ASUS products.. I have a ul30a laptop and my desktop is an ASUS motherboard.
@pavlindrom
I recently got into a job that deals with a lot of OEM manufacturers. Ever since I played around with a lot of ASUS products and compared it to others, I am convinced that they are definitely one of the top dogs in computer hardware design. I even recently got one of their CULV notebooks and an ASUS motherboard for my desktop at home with a Core i7. I love my setup, and I will never settle for anything less now.
@Drybones5 The economist did a pretty good piece on how Asians, particularly Japanese, CEOs are humble and will always let the product and service they represent be the star of the show rather than trying to be a celebrity. I think they might have advocated having more celebrity like qualities because it will make the good ones more powerful (IIRC), but in any case, not having an ego that gets in the way of progress (I'm thinking of two big-wigs that have said things like not wanting to put video on an iPod because it isn't what he wants and something about not incorporating multitouch and trying to use a line something akin to "I don't like it") is always a way to have a continuous improvement and open mind to the user-base you serve.
When will they make eeeCooking ?
When are netbooks gonna die out already?
@iLi3kTuttles
when are iLi3kTuttles gonna die out already
Waits for the closed caption version.
@xzor
I'm struggling to tune in to it as well.
@xzor Maybe you mean the YouTube auto-closed caption version. That'll clear things right up.
i'd love to see a handheld device topping ipod touch, and, of course, a wp7 phone topping an iphone
@(Unverified)
Its called the Zune HD...
@SlaterGS
is that a joke?..
i'm not into apple products at all but ipod touch is still way better than the Zune HD even though i do like Zune HD better...
just by comparing the specs you can already tell who wins..
@SlaterGS agreed. i love my zune hd. total zune integration in wp7? where do i sign up? these phones are gonna be beastly when they hit in october. (hopefully)
@(Unverified) that didn't make any sense at all. everyone i know who has used a Zune HD likes it better than the iPod Touch.
:D
I heard Asus made the demo phone used at MWC, which is very interesting.
Definitely a great, truly innovative company that is somehow successful without being a patent bully! Apparently it is possible.
@ScienceProUSAcom
Didnt they make the iPad as well?
@cwalters74
The Windows Phone 7 Series that was shown off during Mobile World Congress 2010 is made by Asus.
No wonder Asus makes such great products.. their CEO doesn't look like a frickin evil overlord.
@cherryboom
woah there! Your comment has little to do with the claim that "Asus has great products" or that "their CEO seems nice." So no need to yell @Eternity
@cherryboom
Okay, So maybe they over did it with the EEE brand but that doesn't mean they don't pump out some solid products. Also, remember how ridiculously expensive small form factor notebooks were before?
@extracheese
Cherry's one of our resident 14 year olds, just ignore him.
God knows the rest of us try to.
@cwalters74
IIRC, that phone that was at CES came from them. It wasn't a branded phone, but they were the ones that built it.
When Slashgear did their YouTube video with the "hands-on" they say who did it.
This guy is exactly like my colleague from our Chinese office...very friendly and smiling...my colleague is probably one of my favorite humans in the world!
ASUS is the best
These kinds of attitudes - HTC, Acer, several other overseas big manufacturers (Maybe excluding Samsung and LG), these attitudes are what helps keep these companies grounded in reality and consumer respect.
Instead of trying to pretend you're taking over the world and you're perfect, admit that there are problems but that you are constantly improving your products. Don't talk about your products as if they will solve everyone's problems, just make a good, decently priced product that people will want to buy because it fits their lifestyle, not because they want to look cool. Show humility and respect to consumers. THAT'S how you build brand loyalty.
@tamayoduck
Some CEOs want customers, others want acolytes.
I thought Asus weren't interested in tablets?
I want an effing smartbook! Does anyone know of any petitions I can sign to show manufactures that there are people out there that don't care if their netbooks can't run Windows?? I mean they are netbooks... they are not supposed to run Photoshop (thats what desktops are for)
I am just pissed off that by the end of the year there will be 25 different types of tablets, 50 different types of e-readers, and 1 type of smartbook, the Skylight. Priced at $500 and with a measly 4GB of storage and 512mb RAM....
I just hope Chrome OS will generate some interest.
@HawtDawg
Well thats you....and you.....thats it. Very few people(read non-tech/non-geek peeps) are comfortable using linux based OSes.....guess why ASUS failed selling netbooks running ubuntu.
There are ofcourse a few of us who would like to use laptops like skylight....but our number is not significant enough for a company to start designing and manufacturing them.
@HawtDawg I saw an article on engadget recently about a smartbook for something like $85. It's made by some company that is known for making microwaves and blenders and stuff. It runs win ce.
May not be your cup of tea but it's an option. I wish I could remember the name of the company :-(
@njsrikar
It just makes me cry being a person who doesn't even use Windows on my netbook (HP 2140) getting 3h battery life and not being able to watch any video except for the lowest res youtube.
The thing is, if software compatibility wasn't an issue, Intel would not be able to sell a single Atom. The ARM based netbook/smartbook would be far superior in every way.
Yea I know Linux isn't good enough for the average consumer, but I do have a lot of faith in Chrome OS.
@synthesis777 its coby
@njsrikar coby also makes some decent mp3 players and stuff...google or lookup amazon.
@HawtDawg well yeah....am looking forward to chrome as well....will replace the mobile while at home, sitting on a couch watching a movie :D
and google, I think, has the power to penetrate into every household, and thus paint chrome everywhere.
@synthesis777
Yea I saw that, a nice machine for $85. It would have been good competition for 1st gen eee pc's. But I am looking for a smartbook that can compete with current generation 10 and 11 incher's.
@synthesis777
It was Coby.
i have been an ASUS fan when I started assembling PCs around 2002 .....though I havent tried any of their lappys and stuff....i can definitely vouch for their rock solid mobos...especially the ones with nvidia chipset. This video has increased my loyalty even more.
I just want to know....where the HELL is the UL30jt?!?!
@Joseph9307
seriously right!? Talk about the perfect laptop....
ASUS has impressed me enough with their products and their attitude that I think I'll be sticking with them for a long time.
@cwalters74
I thought the hardware and carrier partners where just for the launch. There could be other partners not listed since they will miss the launch window.
Asus: give me a convertible netbook tablet using the nvidia ion graphics, 10.1 pixel qi screen, intel atom processor N470 or Z550 for $600 and i'll take it.
Well the Asus EEEPC 1000HE is my first Asus product and its has been surprisingly good, though through my own fault it fell off the bed, and piece of the plastic bezel broke off. Non the less, Windows 7 continues to make my computing a dream, and I am eager to swap my touch and G1 for the zune windows phone 7 series
These guys are sharp as tacks. They know what they are doing and they don't get all caught up on themselves. They work hard to get results and attain goals.
I was equally impressed with HTC CEO Peter Chou's keynote at MWC last month.
haha. i love asus products, they make great quality stuff, but it's true about the model numbers. i mean even they come out with a great phone in the near future, i can't imagine people saying : "hey !! check my new 24521B31AA874 !!".
Oh, so this is the face I should associate with that poor excuse for a motherboard (Striker II Extreme) which cost me data loss and hundreds of dollars in losses. Good to know.