#IFA: Asus reveals raft of Windows 8 laptops

Company latest to commit to Microsoft's forthcoming operating system

Asus has used the IFA trade show in Berlin to flaunt its forthcoming range of Windows 8 powered Zenbooks and Transformer netbooks and ultrabooks.

The Zenbook U500VZ
The U500 (pictured above) follows the same pattern as Asus' previous Zenbooks, offering users a slim, travel friendly device, measuring in at just 19.7mm thick.

The U500 looks similar to the original Zenbook and its successor the Zenbook Prime, but inside however, it comes loaded with a more powerful, third-generation quad-core Intel Core i7 chip and Nvidia GT650M graphics engine.

The U500VZ also offers an option to splash out for a 128GB SSD and 500GB hard drive with dual SSD drives. The new Zenbook also packs a 15in full HD IPS display complete with anti-glare coating.

The Zenbook Prime UX21A
Asus also showed off the UX21A during its IFA opening talk. The UX21A is unique, being the first of Asus' Zenbook range to feature a touchscreen, letting it take full advantage of Microsoft's soon-to-be-released Window 8 operating system.

The UX21A will feature a full HD super IPS+ screen and 256GB SSD and be powered by an unnamed third-generation Intel Core processor.

Asus Taichi
The Asus Taichi was unveiled earlier in the year at Computex and has the unique selling point of being an Ultrabook loaded with two screens.

The first of the screens is designed for normal laptop and keyboard use while the second, which sits on the Taichi's outer lid, is made to be used like a tablet when the laptop is closed.

One of the Taichi's most interesting features is that both its screens can operate independently and simultaneously, meaning theoretically two people could use it at once.

Asus has remained tight-lipped over the specification, simply confirming the Taichi will come with third-generation Intel chips, SSD storage and the fast dual-band Wi-Fi N.

Asus Transformer Book
Asus claims the Transformer book is the world's first convertible notebook, being able to work both as a traditional laptop and tablet.

Despite running on Windows 8, the device features the same design seen in Asus' Android Transformer series of tablets, featuring a detachable tablet section that can be connected to a dedicated keyboard docking station.

Inside however the Transformer Book promises to be far more impressive than the Android device as Asus confirmed the new Transformer will run using an unspecified Intel chip rather than the low-power ARM-based components featured in previous Android Transformer devices.

There's currently no word on the price or release date of any of the devices, though they're expected to arrive around the same time as Windows 8's launch in late October.

Check back with V3 closer to the time for full reviews of Asus's new line.