Gadgets Weekly: Asus ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower desktop and more

Technology companies Asus, Lenovo, Sony, Vivo and others launched smartphones, tablet, computers, accessories, and more this week (March 17-23, 2025).

DH's Gadgets Weekly edition lists the latest personal technology products to keep you abreast of everything happening in consumer electronics.

Asus ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop PC

Asus ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop.

It boasts of Asus Tower Air Cooler with cutting-edge and custom design with high-efficiency cooling and rapid heat dissipation with a large fan and heat sink for smooth, silent and long-term reliable operation.

The P500MV offers optimized power usage with up to 34 per cent savings through Intel Core i7 processors, 80 PLUS Platinum PSU, and Smart Fan PSU.

with Intel Core i7 13620H processor, it can offer up to 95W TDP (Thermal Design Power) thanks to a custom thermal design, DDR5 memory, and M.2 Gen 4 SSD for sustained high performance and improved energy efficiency like never observed on a Traditional Mini Tower 15-litre desktop.

It supports up to 64GB of fast DDR5 RAM, supports dual SSD’s up to 2TB along with space for a 3.5-inch SATA HDD, ODD, SD Card reader and Powerful graphics with optional configuration of up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics(6GB) desktop graphics card.

It also comes with ExpertGuardian features including TPM 2.0, NIST SP 800-155 compliant BIOS, and a 1-year McAfee+ Premium membership.

It supports tools such as ASUS AI ExpertMeet, offering on-device AI processing for conference transcription and meeting-minutes summarization, and Microsoft Copilot for enhanced everyday video-conference experiences for easier connections and smarter work.

"At ASUS, we are committed to empowering businesses with innovative and reliable technology. The launch of the ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV Mini Tower desktop is a game-changing step, bringing together much greater performance, power efficiency, security and durability in a compact, enterprise-ready form factor. Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses, it offers a powerful yet energy-efficient solution with up to Intel Core i7 processors, industry-leading ASUS motherboards with 100% solid capacitors, military-grade durability and AI-powered productivity tools like ASUS AI ExpertMeet that enhance productivity without compromising on security or reliability. It is equipped with enterprise-grade security features and energy-efficient components like the 80 PLUS Platinum PSU, where businesses can ensure long-term reliability while being energy efficient. The tool-free expandability and advanced cooling solutions further reinforce its future-proof design, making it the ideal choice for organizations looking to scale efficiently," said Dinesh Sharma, Vice President, Commercial PC and Smartphone, System Business Group, ASUS India.

The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower is now available with DOS, Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro options at a starting price of Rs 26,990 plus taxes.

Vivo Y19e series

Vivo Y19e series.

It sports a 6.74-inch HD+ (1600 × 720p) LCD screen with 90Hz refresh rate and comes with IP64 water-and-dust rating and MIL -STD-810H military-grade durability certification.

It also features triple slots (two for nano SIMs and one microSD), a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a type-C USB port.

It houses a 12nm class UniSoC T7225 octa-core processor, 650MHz ARM Mali-G572 GPU, Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14, 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC 5.1 storage (expandable up to 2TB), dual-camera module-- main 13MP (f/2.2) + 0.08MP (f/3.0) secondary camera with LED flash on the back, 5MP (f/2.2) front camera and a 5,500mAh battery with 15W charger.

It comes in two colours-- majestic green and titanium silver-- Rs 7,999.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro.

It sports a 12.7-inch LTPS (2944 x1840p) LCD screen with 144Hz refresh rate, 273PPI, and 400 nits peak brightness.

It also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB-C port, JBL quad speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos and microSD card slot.

It houses 4nm class MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset with Mali-G615 GPU, Android 14-baed ZUI 16 (two years of Android OS and four years of security updates), 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 1TB), 13MP autofocus camera with LED flash, 8MP front camera (fixed focus) and a 10,200mAh battery with 45W charger.

It comes in one colour-lunar grey and will be available in two configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 27,999 and Rs 30,999, respectively.

Acer TravelLite (TL15-53M) series

Acer TravelLite TL15-53M series PC.

The new TravelLite TL15-53M series laptop comes with MIL-STD 810H certification. It has a sleek metal body, an ultra-slim design, and a 180-degree hinge for enhanced versatility.

The company offers multiple 13th Gen Refresh Intel Core CPU options including Core 3 100U, Core 5 120U, and Core 7 150U-- with Intel Iris Xe or Intel UHD Graphics cards and operating systems-- Windows 11 Home, Windows® 11 Pro, and Linux.

It supports USB 3.2 Type-A and 2 Type-C 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.0, an audio combo jack, and an optional fingerprint reader on the touchpad for enhanced security. It also boasts of discrete TPM 2.0, a Kensington lock slot. The built-in copilot button enhances the productivity of the professional.

It houses a 55.2 Whr battery and supports a fast-charging battery that provides up to 12 hours of usage. The price of the TravelLite series starts at Rs 39,990.

HMD Barbie Phone

HMD Barbie Phone and accessories.

It comes with a classic clamp shell design with a Barbie doll-themed colourway and vintage 'shooting heart' pattern.

The company is offering customisation options including crystal stickers and Barbie-themed charms on a beaded phone strap.

It comes with a 2.8-inch internal display and a 1.77-inch cover screen. It runs S30+ O with a T107 processor, 128MB storage (expandable via microSD card), 64MB RAM, VGA camera with LED flash, and a 1,450mAh battery with up to nine hours of talk time.

It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm AV jack. It costs Rs 7,999.

HP EliteBook X G1i and HP EliteBook X Flip G1i series

HP EliteBook X G1i 14-inch Notebook & HP EliteBook X Flip G1i 14-inch Notebook.

Both devices come with a 14-inch high-resolution display. They will be available with Intel Core Ultra 5 and 7 processors with up to 48 TOPS of NPU performance. They promise to perform tasks like transcribing meetings and creating presentations.

Also, the HP Sure Sense AI enhances workflow efficiency and boosts productivity while optimizing battery life. A new fingerprint sensor built into the power key allows quick, secure logins with just a touch. Poly Camera Pro enhances collaboration with background adjustments and auto-framing, while four Poly Studio-tuned speakers ensure crystal-clear audio.

Robust security is provided by the built-in HP Endpoint Security Controller (ESC), protecting against quantum computing threats. Made with over 70% recycled materials, the EliteBook X G1i supports sustainability while reducing energy consumption.

The HP EliteBook X G1i 14-inch and HP EliteBook X Flip G1i 14 are priced at Rs 2,23,456 and Rs 2,58,989, respectively.

HP is also offering a new EliteBook X G1a 14-inch Next Gen AI PC with AMD Ryzen 7 PRO and 9 PRO processors. It can deliver up to 55 TOPS of NPU performance for demanding tasks like content creation and data analysis. It can support up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM. It costs Rs 2,21,723.

The company also launched HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14-inch Notebook Next Gen AI PC with Intel Core Ultra 5 and 7 (Series 2) options. Its price starts at Rs 2,67,223.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens.

Touteted to be Sony's first 800 mm super-telephoto zoom G Lens, it can cover a 400 mm to 800 mm super-telephoto range and can even be extended to a maximum focal length of 1600 mm with a 2x teleconverter.

With an inner-zoom mechanism, the length of the lens does not change, so the centre of gravity remains almost unchanged for stable handling and control. The lens features a smooth, easy zoom ring rotation for precise zooming, whilst careful design prevents any accidental focal length changes.

It boasts of 11-blade circular aperture that can help the user to create beautiful ball bokeh in a smooth, creamy background when shooting with a narrow depth of field. Six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements are capable of effectively controlling chromatic aberration, whilst flare and ghosting in backlit conditions are also thoroughly suppressed for beautiful photography.

Also, the new lens can be used handheld without shake-induced blur by the built-in Optical SteadyShot TM image stabilisation. Three focus hold buttons at 90-degree increments around the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS’ barrel allow easy access in any orientation and other functions can be assigned to the buttons as needed.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS costs Rs 2,64,990 in India.

Asus Bluetooth Silent Mouse MW10

Asus Bluetooth Silent Mouse MW10.

It boasts of compact and ambidextrous design with a symmetrical shape and smooth contours to ensure a natural grip for high comfort in either hand during prolonged use.

Whether the user is working late at home or studying in a library, the MW105 integrates seamlessly into any setting with its low-noise switches for near-silent clicks.

The advanced Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity offers low-latency performance and the ability to pair with up to three devices, all without the need to install any driver or additional software, making multitasking a breeze. Powered by a single AA battery, this mouse combines efficiency with ease—no drivers or software required, just pair and go.

It comes with adjustable DPI settings of 800, 1200, and 1600. This allows users to switch sensitivity on the go by simply pressing the DPI button on the bottom. This adaptability ensures precise tracking across various tasks. It costs Rs 899.

Women's Premier League 2025 gains huge traction on Google Search trends

Mumbai Indians' owner Nita Ambani and players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 final cricket match against Delhi Capitals, in Mumbai, Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Indian women's cricket is getting good attention from millions of people in India, according to the latest search trends data released by Google.

As the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 unfolded, Google Search once again saw cricket enthusiasts across the country seeking information and insights. Google Trends data reveals the dynamic flow of queries, showcasing how fans turned to Search to stay connected with the WPL action.

Fans sought information on their favourite players and their favourite teams.

The top WPL-related trending athlete queries were:

1) Nat Sciver-Brunt

2) Ashleigh Gardner

3) Amanjot Kaur

4) Shafali Verma

5) Kanika Ahuja

Google Search Trend during WPL 2025.

The top WPL-related trending match queries were:

1) Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians

2) Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians

3) Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians

4) Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz

5) Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals

Vivo's iQOO looking for Chief Gaming Officer with 10 Lakh Pay

iQOO is planning to hire Chief Gaming Officer.

Smartphone gaming gaining huge traction among youth nationwide, iQOO, the subsidiary of Vivo is looking for Gen Z Chief Gaming Officer (CGO) for 2025, offering a Rs 10 lakh.

Gen Z CGO will collaborate with the brand to co-create the best gaming smartphones in India, lead iQOO’s eSports vision, and actively engage with India’s top eSports gamers.

iQOO opened the registrations for individuals aged 18-25 to apply for the role on its official website and registrations are open until March 30, 2025.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 series hits stores in India

Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 series.

The company is offering it in three variants--- a standard Galaxy Book5 360, Galaxy Book5 Pro, and Book5 Pro 360.

The Galaxy Book5 360 comes in a 15.6-inch full HD display. The Book5 Pro and Book5 Pro 360 come in 14-inch and 16-inch screens, respectively with 3K resolution.

The 360-series models come with a special rotatable display panel.

They feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X display panels, support 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and Vision Booster technology to enhance auto brightness when the laptop is out. They also come with quad speakers with Dolby Atmos to deliver clear audio output.

The new Samsung laptops boast Intel Core 5/7 Ultra processors (Series 2) with powerful NPUs, which can perform up to 47 TOPS (trillion operations per second).

It promises a 17 per cent increase in GPU for improved graphics performance and a 16 per cent increase in CPU single-core performance.

They also feature Intel AI Boost, to perform faster on-device generative Artificial Intelligence-based tasks such as AI Select and Photo Remaster. AI Select, a feature similar to Circle to Search with Google on Galaxy smartphones, enables instant search and extraction of information with a single click. Photo Remaster enhances images with AI-powered clarity and sharpness.

The Lunar Lake’s redesigned CPU-GPU setup, upgraded NPU and next-gen Battlemage GPU deliver a 3x boost in AI compute power and result in 40 per cent lower SoC (system-on-chip) power consumption compared to previous generations, enabling smarter workflows, seamless multitasking, and extended battery life.

Beside Galaxy AI features, they support Microsoft Copilot features too. The keyboard comes with a dedicated key to summon the Copilot assistant for various tasks, including writing, research, scheduling, and presentations.

The new Samsung laptops support a 2MP (full HD: 1080p) web camera, Windows 11 OS, and 16GB/32GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB storage options.

All three variants-- Galaxy Book5 Pro (63.1Wh), Book5 Pro 360 (76.1Wh) and Book5 360 (68.5Wh)-- can deliver up to 25 hours of battery life with super-fast charging. The Galaxy Book5 Pro support fast charging and is capable of reaching 41 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

The Galaxy Book5 Pro, Book5 Pro 360 and Book5 360 are priced at Rs 1,31,990, Rs 1,55,990 and Rs 1,14,990, respectively.

Meta and Department of Consumer Affairs collaborate to launch digital literacy among citizens

Left to Right - Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta and Prahlad Joshi, Minister for Consumer Affairs.

Lately, there has been a huge surge in online fraud through social media platforms and messenger apps.

To bring awareness about it among the people, Meta and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) have announced a new collaboration to empower consumers through digital literacy initiatives under the government’s flagship ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ program.

“We are pleased to partner with Meta on this crucial initiative to equip citizens with the knowledge and tools that will enable them to navigate the digital landscape and protect themselves online. Consumer awareness is key to a sustainable and secure digital experience. The campaign will strengthen consumer protection measures and reinforce our commitment to empowering Indian consumers," said Prahlad Joshi, Minister for Consumer Affairs.

The joint campaign ‘Be an Empowered Consumer’ seeks to educate Indians on recognizing online threats and promoting healthy online habits, including the use of strong passwords, verification of online information, and reporting suspicious activity.

“With technology progressing so quickly, it can be hard for people to stay up to date with the best ways to keep themselves safe online, which is why we’re pleased to work with the Department of Consumer Affairs and contribute to India’s digital consumer protection efforts. At Meta, we think AI can help people protect themselves and be informed online consumers. By making AI more accessible, we hope to improve consumer awareness, streamline redressal processes, and equip people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices online,” said Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta.

Samsung kicks off festive offers on Galaxy Wearables in India

Samsung festive offers on Galaxy Wearable devices.

The Galaxy Watch6 Classic will be available at a massive discount of up to Rs 20,000, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available with a discount of up to Rs 10,000.

The special price on the Galaxy Watch Ultra includes an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of Rs 10,000.

Similarly, consumers looking to purchase the Galaxy Buds3 Pro can avail an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 5,000. Additionally, there is a no-cost EMI option for up to 12 months.

The Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds FE are also available with a Rs 4,000 cash back or upgrade bonus discount.

Customers looking to purchase select Galaxy S and Z Series smartphones can pair up their purchase with the latest Galaxy Wearables with offers worth up to Rs 18,000.

Samsung will also host an exclusive live commerce event on Samsung.com starting today. Consumers purchasing the Galaxy Ring during the live commerce event will be eligible to receive a 45W Travel Adapter worth INR 3499 for free, along with a no-cost EMI option for up to 24 months.

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