Not to sound like a curmudgeon but back when I was still in school, about 30 years ago, when I asked for a notebook, all I got from my parents were these things made of paper and a pen. But with classrooms now being more virtual, laptops or notebooks are invaluable and almost essential tools to help children get the most out of their education. However, with kids being kids, accidents and a little rough-housing is to be expected, which could mean damaged gadgets. So for parents who want a laptop that can withstand a few bumps, drops and spills, ASUS’ BR1102 series is designed to be the perfect companion for K-12 (kindergarten to 12th grade (1-12) / form 6 (MY) / junior college (SG) students.
The BR1102C may have a traditional clamshell design but it has a 180-degree lay-flat display.
The BR1102F on the other hand, features a 360-degree-flippable multitouch display.
The BR1102 series is available in two form factors, the traditional clamshell (BR1102C) and a convertible design that flips 360 degrees to become a versatile multitouch tablet (BR1102F). Besides that notable difference, both models feature a compact design with an 11.6-inch HD IPS display with a 1,366 x 768 resolution and a brightness level of up to 250nits. The displays of both models are also certified by TÜV Rheinland for low blue-light emissions, which help to reduce eye strain and damage. Both models weigh just about 1.47kg, making them highly portable and will not add too much weight to your child’s backpack.
What is most important with the BR1102 series though is the fact that these laptops meet the MIL-STD-810H standard for military-grade durability. All four exterior edges and corners are protected by a tough rubber bumper, which reduces impact from physical shocks to the critical components of the laptop. There is also a rubber bar on the base that provides sturdy support and makes it easier to grip. Even the display hinge and I/O ports have also been exhaustively tested to ensure they are able to endure daily use. On top of that, the keyboard is also spill-resistant and is able to cope with up to 400cc of water. The keys are designed to resist tampering, which means they cannot be easily pried out and have a smooth, fingerprint-resistant coating.
If your child has a creative streak, the BR1102F can be used with the ASUS Pen.
Taking things one step further, ASUS have also protected the keyboard, touchpad and palm rest with their very own Antimicrobial Guard technology. This technology is internationally recognised and meets the ISO 22196 standard, meaning it helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria by over 99% over 24 hours. The ASUS Antimicrobial Guard can also withstand alcohol-based cleaning products so that you can keep the laptops’ surface clean and sanitary.
Performance-wise, the ASUS BR1102 laptops are powered by the Intel Processor N100 and can be paired with up to 16GB of DDR4 3,200MHz RAM and a storage configuration of up to 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage and up to 1TB PCIe Gen 3 SSD. Both laptops also benefit from Windows 11 Pro, which means your kids will have access to popular apps and software. During their breaks, the laptop can even handle older and indie games. Both laptops are equipped with a 50Whr battery that is said to deliver up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is good for a full day of classes (with no gaming in between). However, with a full-function USB-C port, not only will the laptop have fast charging but also fast file transfers.
Both laptops also feature a bright Good-to-Go LED indicator on the top cover to help you easily identify if it is facing connectivity or power problems.
To ensure your child has the smoothest online class and lessons, the ASUS BR1102 laptops are equipped with WiFi 5 technology that delivers fast and stable speeds. Furthermore, these laptops come with a 13MP webcam that supports 720HD videos and features the innovative ASUS AI noise-cancellation technology that is able to isolate unwanted noise from human speech. For added privacy, there is a one-touch microphone switch and a physical webcam shield that can be activated with just a push and swipe.
Another added advantage of the ASUS BR1102 laptops is that they both feature a modular design that makes it easy for technicians or even someone with a little bit of know-how to easily maintain and upgrade the laptop. And with access to MyASUS, you will get easily get all the services and support such as the latest updates, one-click diagnosis and the ability to contact ASUS support for assistance when it comes to troubleshooting.
Finally, when it comes to availability and pricing, the ASUS BR1102C is only available in Malaysia and is priced at MYR2,099, while the BR1102F is available in both Malaysia and Singapore and is priced at MYR2,399/SGD799. Both laptops come with a complimentary 1-year on-site service coverage for reduced downtime.
