Computex 2014 wrap-up: Intel and co. usher in the future of computing

For the last few years, we've travelled to Computex in Taiwan to see the latest flock of Ultrabooks, with the latest and greatest models providing the biggest news of the show. This year, though, the highlight of the show wasn't one particularly great notebook or even one company -- though ASUS did steal the show with its mile-long list of new products. Rather, it was a prototype from Intel that teased the next generation of ridiculously thin and light PCs.

You think your Ultrabook or iPad Air is thin, but you have to see Intel's reference design to grasp the skinniness of 2-in-1 devices powered by the Core M-series of processors. We'll start to see products integrating Intel's new line of chips later this year, but just imagine how much slimmer high-powered laptops will be a few Computexes down the line. At a certain point, devices will reach peak thinness, and then the focus will shift to improving battery life and performance in such a compact package -- and that's when everybody wins.

Intel's look at the future of mobile computing is probably the most significant announcement at a show that's traditionally all about PCs, but this year's Computex also shined the light on wearables. True, we didn't see any hardware that rivals Google Glass or Pebble in features or sophistication, but several prototypes from smaller companies boast clever designs for gadgets that live on your head or wrist. A flexible-battery manufacturer demonstrated a strap design that doubles the life of your smartwatch, offering a solution to one of the biggest complaints about the most popular models. E Ink's wraparound-display prototype is also an interesting approach to the next generation of wearables, giving you a ton of space to display info on your wrist.

Computex may not be the "CES of Asia" in terms of high-profile product announcements, and much of the new tech we saw here in Taipei was evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of cool stuff to see. We've made it easy for you by breaking down our coverage just below -- enjoy!

ACER

• Hands-on with the Liquid Leap: Acer's first wearable tries to be everything to everyone

• Acer claims the Liquid Jade is the world's 'most compact' 5-inch smartphone

• Acer shows off 'Extend' app allowing you to control your phone from your PC

• Acer claims its €79 Liquid Z200 is the cheapest branded Android phone

• With three SIM slots, Acer's Liquid E700 is a phone for frequent travelers

ASUS

• ASUS' PadFone X goes global: still a 5-inch to 8.9-inch transformer

• ASUS' Zenbook NX500 is a thin and light laptop with a 4K screen

• The ASUS MeMO Pad 8 is 'the world's lightest 8-inch LTE tablet'

• New Fonepads from ASUS offer 3G, extra processing power

• ASUS intros the Transformer Book T300 Chi, a super-thin hybrid laptop

• ASUS Transformer Book V is a Windows hybrid with a detachable Android phone

• Here's a semi-professional 32-inch 4K monitor from ASUS

• ASUS Transformer Pad refreshed with front speakers, lighter keyboard

• Hands-on with ASUS' Zenbook NX500: The MacBook Pro meets its match

• ASUS' 20-inch 'portable' all-in-one PC has gesture controls and a carrying handle

• There's no such thing as too many antennas for ASUS' high-end router

• ASUS' new Fonepads are solid tablets, but still awkward for making calls

• Up close with ASUS' quirky Windows laptop/Android phone hybrid

• ASUS has two Steam Machines and one is incredibly compact

• ASUS' Chromebook C300 is yet another well-made budget laptop

• ASUS crams 4K gaming into sleek and distinctive laptop

• ASUS introduces us to the 'world's largest' curved LED monitor

• ASUS' new external Blu-ray drive does 7.1 audio at a fair price

• ASUS shows off a 14-inch USB touchscreen monitor

• Asia's biggest tech show is ASUS' show

• Angry owl is angry: ASUS does a badass gaming headset

DELL

• Dell adds two budget Android tablets to Venue lineup, prices start at $160

• Dell's new Inspiron 20 is a giant tablet for work and play

• Dell aims for the mainstream with its two new Windows convertibles

HP

• HP's back-to-school lineup includes lots of convertibles (and Beats products, too)

• HP hedges its bets, unveils a 14-inch laptop running Android (updated)

• HP's Pro x2 612 laptop-tablet hybrid brings pen support, a sturdy keyboard

INTEL

• Intel doubles down on tablets, says it will power 130 models this year

• Intel launches Core M processors for even thinner 2-in-1 PCs

• Intel's Windows 8.1 Pro Broadwell tablet is thinner than the iPad Air

• Intel's super-thin 'Core M' tablets will be cheaper than you think

• Intel: Where we're going, we don't need cables

TOSHIBA

• With seven different use modes, Toshiba's Kirabook is a Lenovo Yoga on steroids

• Toshiba stuffs Windows into a 7-inch tablet, whether you want it or not

OTHER HANDS-ONS

• Watch strap batteries could double the life of your wearable

• An up close look at the giant gaming PC that's also a desk

• This $295 battery-powered unicycle could replace your Segway

• E Ink's working on a smartwatch with a full wraparound display

• The PhoneStation uses your smartphone as a head-mounted display