PRESS RELEASE
This year marks the most awards ASUS has ever received from iF International Forum Design for outstanding innovations
KEY POINTS
- ASUS won 22 prestigious iF Product Design Awards, including twelve for ROG products.
- Award winners include motherboards, notebooks, desktop PCs, monitors, routers, keyboards, healthcare devices, robots, components and accessories.
- The winning products stood out from a large field of 6,375 entries from 52 countries.
Taipei, Taiwan (March 22, 2019) — ASUS today announced wins of 22 prestigious iF Product Design awards, a new record for the company for the most winners in one year. Spanning five product categories, including Gaming Hardware/VR, Computer, Telecommunications, TV/Cameras and Medicine/Health, the award-winning products represent the ASUS commitment to design innovation and engineering excellence. The award-winning products were selected from a competitive field of 6,375 entries from 52 countries.
The winners in the Gaming Hardware/VR category are the ROG Strix SCAR II GL704, ROG Strix Hero II GL704, ROG Zephyrus S GX531, ROG Zephyrus GX701 and ROG Mothership GZ700 laptops; ROG Huracan G21 and ROG Strix GL12 desktops; ASUS Prime Z390-A and ROG Maximus XI Formula motherboards; ASUS CG32UQ and ROG Strix XG49VQ monitors; ROG Ryujin 360 CPU cooler; ROG Delta and new ROG headsets; ROG Strix Scope keyboard and ASUS FX EHD-A1T/A2T external hard drive.
In the Computer category, the award-winning products are the ZenBook Pro 15/14 (UX580/480) and ZenBook 13/14/15 (UX333/433/533) laptops and the Zenbo Junior robot. The ASUS Gimbal G3M smartphone stabiliser won in the TV/Cameras category, and the ASUS Lyra Voice won in the Telecommunication category. ASUS VivoWatch BP won in the Medicine/Health category.
IF International Forum Design GmbH, the world’s oldest independent design organisation, organises the iF Design Awards each year. The awards are recognised worldwide as a seal of quality for products that excel in specific criteria, including design quality, degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and more. An independent jury of 67 experts from countries around the world assesses products and selects winners.
2019 iF Design Award Winners – Gaming Hardware/VR category
Gaming Laptops
ROG Mothership GZ700
ROG has redefined the desktop replacement laptop category with ROG Mothership, moving from a design which traditionally sits flat to one that stands tall to draw more air into its advanced cooling system.
ROG Mothership is housed in an exquisitely machined aluminium chassis, built from solid slabs of aluminium using a precise CNC milling process involving 114 individual tooling stages and nearly 20 hours of precision carving. It features a jaw-dropping Full HD G-Sync display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms GTG response time and is powered by the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics and Intel® Core™ i9 processor. ROG Mothership also comes with Hyperdrive Extreme, which uses ASUS-exclusive technology to combine up to three NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs to provide the world’s fastest RAID 0 storage in a gaming laptop for ultrafast data-access and write speeds.
ROG Zephyrus GX701
Zephyrus S (GX701) is the most compact 17-inch gaming laptop at only18.7mm thin and the only gaming laptop on the market with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design graphics. This is an incredible achievement considering the Zephyrus S (GX701) also packs up to an 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, four DDR slots for up to 24GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD. Zephyrus S (GX701) comes with a super-fast 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms GTG response time that ensure a sharp and clear image during fast action. All this extreme power is kept cool with the ASUS-exclusive Active Aerodynamic System (AAS), which increases airflow spaces by 20%, reduces temperatures by 20% and improves overall system airflow by 32%. Zephyrus S (GX701) will also come with a bundled ROG Zephyrus External Camera (GC21), the world’s first Full HD USB external camera that can record smooth 1080p video at 60 FPS and takes up little space when folded shut with its 17mm thin design.
ROG Zephyrus S GX531
Clever design and expert craftsmanship are required to put high-end chips into the slimmest gaming laptop ever. The ROG Zephyrus S GX531 lowers its profile without scaling back on specifications. It features cutting-edge parts like the latest Intel® Core™ i7-8750H CPU and a GeForce RTX™ 2080 GPU, a premium 144Hz refresh rate display plus all the ROG essentials. That makes the smaller Zephyrus S a more focused alternative for people who prioritise portability above everything else.
ROG Strix SCAR II GL504/ROG Strix Hero II GL704
Built for the FPS side of the esports arena, ROG Strix SCAR II comes in 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch sizes available with the same 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. Both versions are draped in a shooter-inspired motif that uses splashes of camouflage to create a unique aesthetic fit for the battlefield.
Highlighted WASD keys further reinforce the SCAR’s roots and ensure that users can easily find the home row for FPS gaming.
The ROG Strix Hero II is optimised for MOBAs and ideal for gamers who want subtler styling. Its contrasting textures and cyber-text patterns are more restrained than the aggressive aesthetic of the SCAR II, making the Hero II more approachable for wider audiences. Instead of highlighting the WASD cluster, translucent key caps impart an extra glow to the QWER row. The Hero is available exclusively with GeForce RTX 2060 graphics that are more than up to the task of pushing high frame rates in MOBAs and other popular games. Like with the SCAR II, NVIDIA Optimus technology conserves power by only activating the discrete GPU when needed, ensuring longer battery life day to day and better gaming performance on demand.
Gaming Desktops
ROG Huracan G21
ROG Huracan G21 is unlike any other gaming desktop. Its aggressively-styled chassis has an asymmetric design, and there’s a folding magnetic side cover that, when opened, improves airflow into the system and enables a CPU and GPU performance boost. The extra airflow provides the cooling needed to unleash the full fury of its 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 graphics for extraordinary gaming experiences — so gamers can play the latest titles at their most extreme settings.
ROG Strix GL12
The newly re-engineered ROG Strix GL12CX further pushes the limits of extreme gaming performance and features a striking, unconventional design. This Windows 10 gaming desktop now boasts the latest 9th Generation Intel® Core™ i9-9900K processor (factory overclocked up to a top speed of 5.1GHz) and NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2080 Ti graphics for unrivaled gaming experiences. It features the ROG-exclusive DIMM.2 module with support for dual SSDs that can be configured in RAID, along with tool-free expansion bays and an esports-ready hot-swap SSD tray for easy upgrades. A transparent side panel and Aura Sync lighting effects let users customise the colours of ROG Strix GL12CX, inside and out..
Motherboards
ASUS Prime Z390-A
ASUS Prime Z390-A simplifies CPU overclocking with software and extensive tweaking options that give beginners and seasoned overclockers alike the tools to build well-tuned machines. ASUS AI Overclocking makes automatic tuning faster and smarter than ever before. Available in Windows or directly through the UEFI, it profiles the CPU and cooling to predict the optimal configuration for each individual system.
Besides ASUS AI Overclocking, Prime Z390-A also has the 5-Way Optimisation software that offers an alternate approach to one-click tuning that simulates a human overclocker by increasing clock speeds, tweaking voltages, and testing stability before pursuing higher frequencies. This technique gets the CPU extremely close to the maximum speed that can be attained with manual tuning, and connected fans can also be calibrated as part of the process.
ROG Maximus XI Formula
ROG Maximus XI Formula is a unique Z390 motherboard designed for PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts alike, making it one of the few capable of fully satisfying both audiences. As a liquid-cooled oriented ROG board, it provides the best-in-class cooling control system with seven fan headers, two pump headers, an ROG water cooling zone with two water temperature sensors and one flow sensor, as well as an integrated CrossChill EK III VRM water block specifically designed for the board, allowing it to easily handle the Intel® Core™ i9 processors and further guaranteeing its performance lead. ROG
Maximus XI Formula not only comes equipped with onboard 5G LAN, 802.11ac Wi-Fi support and Bluetooth 5 for speedy connections, but also has the upgraded 2-inch Live Dash OLED display that can show system information as well as play personalised animations.
Monitors
ASUS CG32UQ
The ASUS CG32UQ console gaming monitor was created for those less cavernous environments. Its 31.5-inch size is large without being overwhelming, and the 4K Ultra HD resolution is high enough to handle Enhanced Xbox and PlayStation games. FreeSync and DisplayHDR 600 compliance support further enhance gaming and entertainment across different platforms, while Halo Sync lighting adds reactive ambience for gaming that extends beyond the boundaries of the display. The monitor also functions as a peripheral and charging hub with four USB 3.0 ports on its base. Two are reserved for charging, so users can keep their gamepads charged or plug in their phone if it’s running low on battery, and the other two are downstream ports that let users connect peripherals and external storage devices.
ROG Strix XG49VQ
The curved ROG Strix XG49VQ stretches an ultra-ultra-wide 32:9 panel across an expansive 49-inch diagonal. The double-full-HD resolution extends to users’ peripheral vision for extra immersion, and FreeSync 2 HDR tech keeps the refresh rate synchronised with compatible Radeon graphics cards all the way up to 144Hz.
CPU Coolers
ROG Ryujin 360
ROG Ryujin is the flagship all-in-one liquid cooler for high-end builds designed to deliver the best thermal performance. Featuring Noctua IndustrialPPC fans for cooler and quieter operation, plus an embedded fan in the pump housing for additional cooling to the VRM and M.2, ROG Ryujin keeps systems running their absolute best. Coupled with a LiveDash OLED that displays system stats or custom graphics and Aura Sync RGB lighting, ROG Ryujin is the ultimate thermal solution designed to become a vital part of any gaming rig.
Headsets
ROG Delta
ROG Delta is the first gaming headset in the industry to feature an industry-leading, Hi-Res ESS ES9218 Quad DAC for extremely clear, true-to-life gaming audio that gives gamers a better ability to pinpoint in-game opponents. The headset also features an airtight chamber and exclusive ASUS Essence drivers with audio signal diversion technology design to provide clear highs and punchy bass. ROG Delta is a gaming headset with circular-rainbow RGB lighting effects for unique gaming style. The headset features a lightweight, D-shaped ear cup design for improved comfort, making it ideal for long intervals of use. A USB-C™ connector and an included USB-C to USB 2.0 adaptor make the headset perfect for PC, PS4 and mobile gaming.
Gaming Keyboard
ROG Strix Scope
The ROG Strix Scope mechanical keyboard is equipped with world-renowned German Cherry MX RGB switches to give gamers that preferred crisp feel and solid tactile feedback demanded in a keyboard as well as the Xccurate design which makes the Ctrl key two times wider to benefit first-person-shooter (FPS) gamers. Besides the premium ROG slash design on the aluminium top plate and Aura-sync compatibility for synchronising LED lighting effects, ROG added a new Stealth key, which enables gamers to instantly hide all apps and mute any sound immediately, and the quick-toggle switch to quickly switch between functions and media inputs. The keyboard also comes with four additional sliver-hued WASD keycaps for customisation as well as a keycap puller tool for easy keycap removal.
External Hard Drive
ASUS FX (EHD-A1T/A2T)
ASUS FX HDD is the world's first 2.5-inch external hard drive featuring Aura Sync RGB lighting technology, which provides a brilliant, personalised look with more than 16 million colour options and works with other Aura-enabled products, enabling gamers to create a system with synchronised lighting harmony. Available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, ASUS FX HDD provides ample space for storing large files and data backups, and USB 3.1 Gen1 connectivity ensures fast data transfers. Optional 256-bit AES encryption lets users easily protect private data and access it with a personalised password. Additionally, ASUS engineers performed stringent 24/7 stress testing on the hard drive to ensure reliability and data integrity.
2019 iF Design Award Winners – Computer category
Laptops
ZenBook Pro 15/14 (UX580/480)
ZenBook Pro 15 is a professional powerhouse with up to 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i9 processor, GeForce® GTX 1050Ti GPU, 1TB PCIe x4 SSD, gigabit-class Wi-Fi and Thunderbolt™ 3 ports. Enjoy immersive multimedia on its 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge PANTONE® validated display with 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut, ∆E (Delta-E) < 2.0 colour accuracy and powerful Harmon Kardon certified audio system. ZenBook Pro 14 is also packed with state-of-the-art components for unrivaled performance with up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 MAX-Q graphics, and also has a 14-inch FHD NanoEdge display, an infrared camera for facial recognition and built-in support for Amazon Alexa voice-powered services. Both models come with the iconic spun-metal finish in Deep Dive Blue and Rose Gold colours exemplifying the ZenBook design spirit of elegance, sophistication and precision craftsmanship. ZenBook Pro 15 (UX580) and ZenBook Pro 14 (UX480) come with the brand new ScreenPad, which offers a revolutionary new way to work with a laptop. ScreenPad has helpful functions that can intelligently adapt to match whatever the user is doing, making it easier and quicker to multitask and get things done.
ZenBook 13/14/15 (UX333/433/533)
ZenBook 13, 14 and 15 introduce the stunning new frameless ASUS NanoEdge display, with ultraslim bezels on all four sides for an unrivaled up to 95% screen-to-body ratio and a near-borderless viewing experience. The ultra-compact design, which incorporates the unique ErgoLift hinge mechanism that tilts the keyboard for comfortable typing, gives each of these laptops the world's smallest footprint in its class.
ZenBook 13 and 14 also introduce include the exclusive new NumberPad, an innovative LED-illuminated numeric keypad built into the touchpad. The new models feature a full complement of high-performance components including the latest 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processor with integrated dual-band gigabit-class Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Max-Q graphics.
StudioBook S (W700)
StudioBook S (W700) brings together the power of Intel® Core™ i7 and Xeon® processors with NVIDIA® Quadro graphics in a compact 15-inch chassis with a larger NanoEdge display that gives creators more room to work and provides better mobility. With PANTONE® validation and 97% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, the 16:10 display delivers better colour accuracy and meets cinematic standards. StudioBook S is the first entry in a brand-new laptop series tailor-made for creative professionals, such as designers, animators, architects and programmers who need outstanding performance to handle professional applications ranging from complex renderings to 3D blueprints.
Robots
Zenbo Junior
Zenbo Junior is a new AI-enabled robotics platform that allows developers, system integrators and business partners to create flexible and easily manageable robotics solutions to improve business operations and customer experiences. Built-in capabilities include computer vision, dialogue system, and ability to navigate independently and follow lines, avoid objects with programmable sonar and respond to touch interaction with different types of responses. Zenbo Junior provides comprehensive development tools, including the Zenbo SDK and Dialogue Development Editor, that offer APIs for multiple sensors and allows developers and system integrators to create specialised robotic applications faster and easier. For businesses, Zenbo Junior offers the Zenbo Management Console to make it easier to create and deploy robotic business solutions customised for various scenarios. For educational use, Zenbo Junior provides multiple programmable sensors and tools that enable students to develop a solid foundational understanding of robotics and AI concepts while creating fun, interactive projects. For students at a younger age, Zenbo Junior serves as an adorable entertainment playmate and inspires them to creatively explore different motions through our intuitive block-based programming software. For older children, they may start to apply complex code to create different applications used in various scenarios. Zenbo Junior intrigues children’s early interests in AI and future technology and ensures the best learning experience through edutainment.
2019 iF Design Award Winners – TV/Cameras category
Smartphone Stabiliser
ASUS Gimbal G3M
ASUS G3M is the first foldable gimbal stabiliser for smartphones that lets users capture smooth, professional-quality video of their precious moments anytime, anywhere. With 3-axis stabilisation technology, 360-degree horizontal pan and intuitive operation via integrated buttons or the companion smartphone app, ASUS Gimbal G3M provides exceptional control and ease of use. Its ultraportable, compact form factor and minimalist design offer the perfect combination of features, aesthetics and mobility for users who want to capture the best-quality video with their smartphone.
2019 iF Design Award Winners – Telecommunications category
Networking
Lyra Voice
Lyra Voice is an all-in-one 802.11ac mesh Wi-Fi router, Alexa built-in assistant and Bluetooth wireless speaker. Users can interact with Amazon Alexa simply by talking to Lyra Voice, enabling them to play music, hear the news, check the weather, control smart-home devices and more. Part of both the Lyra and AiMesh Wi-Fi systems, Lyra Voice is a tri-band, AC2200-class device that communicates with other connected AiMesh-compatible routers to provide whole-home coverage with no Wi-Fi dead zones. High-quality, DTS-certified stereo speakers deliver rich and powerful sound with deep bass and a wide frequency range for great-sounding music. Lyra Voice also ensures complete network security for all connected devices with AiProtection Pro powered by TrendMicro™ free for the life of the product.
2019 iF Design Award Winners – Medicine/Health category
Health Data Management
ASUS VivoWatch BP
ASUS VivoWatch BP is the world's first wearable health tracker to integrate a pair of medical-grade Electricalgraphy (ECG) and Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors as well as ASUS HealthAI technology, providing 24/7 health-trend tracking and data analysis as well as fitness-tracking and smartwatch functionality in a compact and lightweight device. Together with the ASUS HealthConnect app, users can manage their blood pressure and heart-rate data in an intuitive and easy way.
With 28-day battery life in normal use, VivoWatch BP is designed to be an everyday companion that offers personalised health advice and health-management tips to help users maintain a healthy lifestyle.
ASUS Global Press Room: http://press.asus.com
ASUS Global Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/asus
ASUS Global Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/asus
About ASUS
ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow’s smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR and IoT. ASUS employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and over 5,500 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,385 awards and earned approximately US$13.3 billion of revenue in 2016.
About the iF DESIGN AWARD
For 66 years, the iF DESIGN AWARD has been recognised as an arbiter of quality for exceptional design.
The iF label is renowned worldwide for outstanding design services, and the iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the most important design prizes in the world. Submissions are awarded in the following disciplines: Product, Packaging, Communication and Service Design/UX, Architecture and Interior Architecture as well as Professional Concept. All awarded entries are featured on the iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE, in the iF design app and are displayed at the iF design exhibition Hamburg.
