Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 13 November 2008 11:59
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Previewed a while ago at trade shows, the largely (but not entirely)
bamboo clad Asus notebook doesn’t come cheap, but shows off your
environmental cred and ability to afford it. As a Core 2 Duo notebook,
it’s no mere netbook, and is guaranteed to get attention.
Bamboo – parts of which are the favourite food of panda bears and red pandas – has been previewed several times as an environmentally friendly casing for portable and desktop computers, and has finally arrived in Australia thanks to Asus.
Given that bamboo grows like a weed and is incredibly abundant, you might think that using bamboo would result in a cheaper computer, but given the AUD $3499 price of the Asus Bamoo U6V-2P048G notebook, this doesn’t appear to be the case – or at least, not yet.
After all, no other notebook available in Australia at least (that I’m aware of) comes with bamboo or looks as striking, and given that fashion and technology have been bedfellows especially in the 21st century thus far, those who want to look unique (until more bamboo clad models from competitors appear or they come across someone else with the same model) now have the opportunity before them.
Alternatively, Asus describes it as being “style conscious with a conscience, cleverly blending ecology and technology that is fashion friendly”.
They also say that you can “embrace the earth in pure digital harmony” with a matchless marvel that offers “uncompromised elegance”, “superior performance” and “enhances environmental awareness”.
Which goes to show just how important it is to have someone in marketing to match any technological and environmental prowess!
More cuddly panda-like marketing explains that the “distinctive Moso bamboo panelling evokes a charming warmth and a cybernetic closeness to nature”.
We’re told that the Bamboo is recyclable bamboo that is “light, durable and renewable”, and that “from foundation to finish, the Bamboo notebook blends customary and contemporary components.”
The almost Palin-esque cutesiness continues with the description that each Bamboo Series notebook is “a cutting edge creation that incorporates innate, ornate aesthetics” and is “organically unique, radiating a divine spirituality – providing powerhouse computing in a polished package, moving environline.”
And in a touch that would make Al Gore proud, Asus reminds us that “with the threat of climate change at the world’s doorstep, ASUS is turning the focus, cleverly blending ecology and technology that is fashion friendly – playing an important part as an active participant in the worldwide effort to protect the environment.”
Asus Bamboo Notebook - first of four photos
So, now that we know how spiritually satisfying, environmentally friendly and cosmically cool the Bamboo casing is and you will feel when buying one, what exactly is under the Bamboo’s fibrous hood?
All is revealed on page 2 where our divinely digital journey continues, and more Bamboo notebook photos await...
