Asus Unveils New Windows 8 Computers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) - In a large, splashy show on Tuesday Asus introduced its first line of Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8 devices - a dazzling array of touchscreen laptops, Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets, touchscreen ultrabooks, a unique, all-in-one PC and a dual-screened portable.

Asus Chairman Jonnney Shih proudly unveiled the new devices, along with some of the pricing and availability details:

VivoBook: Asus' new line of ultraportables. The S200 has an 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen and the S400 has a 14-inch touch display. Both have third-generation Intel (INTC) Core processors, a choice of traditional or solid-state drives and run the new, full version of Windows 8. Prices start at $500 for a unit with an i3 processor.

VivoTab: Three new tablets. There's the VivoTab model with an 11.6-inch screen running on the full Windows 8 and the VivoTab RT version with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and ARM (ARMH) processor. There's also the VivoTab Smart, which combines the smaller, 10.1-inch screen with the full Windows 8, plus an optional wireless keyboard/color-coordinated cover.

Zenbook: Asus' popular ultra-lightweight ultrabook now comes with Windows 8, screen choices from 11.6 inches to 15.6 inches (some of which are touchscreens), Intel i3, i5 or i7 processors, from 4 GB to 10 GB of memory and solid-state storage choices. Prices range from $700 to $2,000.

Transformer Book: Think in terms of a super-thin, Asus Android Transformer multi-touch tablet with an Intel i7 processor and switch the operating system to Windows 8. There are a number of configurations available. Battery life should be exceptional. No pricing announced.

All-In-One PC: Think top-of-the-line desktop with a unique 24-inch articulating double-hinged touch-screen which lets you use it as a normal desktop display or as a very large tablet. Add features such as Thunderbolt (super speed connectivity), four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI inputs, WiDi (wireless display technology) and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with subwoofer and you're describing a pretty amazing sounding computer. Prices start at $999.

Taichi: Asus' special weapon - a Windows 8 ultrabook with dual, back-to-back, high-definition 11.6-inch touchscreens. One can only imagine the possibilities. Prices range from $1,300 for the Intel i5 model with 128 GB of storage to $1,600 for the 256 GB i7. Asus says a Taichi with 13-inch screens is also in the works.

--Written by Gary Krakow in New York.

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Gary Krakow is TheStreet's senior technology correspondent.