ASUS’s ExpertBook B2 is a powerful business laptop that is suitable for a range of business users who require a notebook PC for everyday office tasks and on-the-go productivity. Locally, ASUS is targeting public sector employees including government staff, educational sector employees, as well as workers in SMEs across South Africa. Note that the local release info (launch date and pricing) is not available as yet for this laptop (will update the review once these details become available).
To ensure that it can roll with life’s punches whether you are moving from room to room in search of the best Wi-Fi signal or quiet space while working from home, or hopping from Gautrain to Uber during your commute to the office, the laptop will absorb the knocks of the hybrid working life. It boasts US Military-grade construction — made to withstand knocks, drops, and frequent use in the office. Moreover, beyond this inherent toughness, you also get another ExpertBook benefit users will appreciate in a post-pandemic era, namely ASUS’ anti-bacterial guard, which is a chemical coating that will last for the device’s lifetime. The only negative design-wise is that it sports a typical enterprise laptop design that won’t have you easily identifying it from an enterprise notebook PC police line-up.
Luckily ASUS counters this boring form following function looks that are a little too unassuming with some attractive remote working functionality in the form of a two-way multi-array microphone that with AI Noise-Canceling Technology makes your virtual meetings speech quite clear and audible. Another one of these handy features is Wi-Fi Master which ensures the notebook PC is consistently connected to the fastest internet source.
Powering the Windows 11 running notebook PC (at least in the configuration we received) is a 12th generation Intel Core i7 clocked at 2.1 GHz coupled with 16 GB RAM and a 500 GB SSD. Performance is suitably brisk and snappy, while the 14″ 1,920 x 1,080 FHD display works well, and the keyboard and trackpad provide a good typing, clicking, and scrolling experience. All the input and port basis are also covered including USB 2.0 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C that supports power delivery, Thunderbolt 4 supports display/power delivery, HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, and a Smart card reader.
All in all, this is one fantastic enterprise-class notebook that is suitable for any employee in the public or private sector.
