The ASUS R1F is equipped with a 13.3?LCD matrix that has a native resolution of 1280x800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10 (WXGA). The display has a glare-free matte coating. The notebook being designed in Tablet PC form-factor, which implies the use of a stylus on the screen, the matrix surface has a special protective layer.
The notebook also features ASUS Splendid Video Enhancement technology. It allows adjusting the onscreen image by means of preset modes (selectable with the Fn+C combination; the current mode can be seen in the onscreen menu (OSD)).
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The R1F offers 16 grades of screen brightness, but it is virtually impossible to see anything in the screen at the lowest grades.
We measured the brightness and contrast of the notebook’s display using a Pantone ColorVision Spyder with OptiCAL version 3.7.8 software. We selected the highest brightness setting before this test.
ASUS?power-saving technologies did not reduce brightness in the battery mode, probably due to the new Windows Vista OS. The contrast ratio is lower in the battery mode, though.
AC power source:
- 86.0cd/sq.m brightness, 109:1 contrast ratio
DC power source:
- 85.0cd/sq.m brightness, 80:1 contrast ratio
The ASUS R1F is equipped with an 87-key black keyboard. Some of the keys are reduced in size due to the small form-factor of the notebook, making it less convenient to use them. The Enter button is shaped classically like the letter L. The movement keys are on the same level with the keyboard’s baseline, so there’s a higher risk of your pressing them accidentally. The Fn button is located in the bottom left corner, which may prove inconvenient for people who are used to Control-involving shortcuts. Numeric buttons and two Windows keys are available: the Context Menu key is placed over one key to the right of the spacebar; the Windows Logo key is over two keys to the left of the spacebar. The functional keys are smaller than others. Home, PgUp, PgDn and End make up a column above the Arrow Right button. Print Scrn, Pause, Insert and Del end the row of functional keys. The letters are painted white, the functional keys are painted blue (you should press them in combination with Fn to access their additional functions).
The rest of system indicators are placed above the keyboard on the right together with a WLAN On/Off slider and a button to launch ASUS?exclusive Power4 Gear+ utility. The latter offers several power modes that vary in such parameters as CPU frequency, screen brightness, Windows power management scheme, etc. Three Power4 Gear+ modes are available when the notebook is connected to the wall socket and seven when it works on its battery.
A change of the position of the WLAN slider is indicated on the screen in the following manner:
The second group of indicators includes:
- Email indicators (blinking when you’ve got new letters in your inbox; this feature requires software setup and is only compatible with Microsoft’s email clients)
- Num Lock
- Caps Lock
- Scroll Lock
Stereo speakers are built into the left and right corners of the notebook above the keyboard. They are blocked by the display in the tablet mode.
The volume level is adjusted by pressing Fn together with F10, F11 and F12, which is indicated on the screen as follows:
The touchpad matches the size of the notebook. It merges into its surroundings with its color and texture and is visually outlined with small grooves around the touch-sensitive panel and the two buttons that replace the ordinary mouse’s left and right buttons. The touchpad lacks a dedicated scrolling zone or a scrolling joystick.
If you are using an external mouse and want to avoid the touchpad reacting to an accidental touch, you may want to block the latter by pressing Fn+F9.
