If it was just their MacBook Air-alike, we might have let it pass. But after we saw the ASUS Chairman's Computex presentation and "Behind the Scenes" video, it seems that ASUS is trying hard to be like Apple. Here is ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih revealing their one more thing at the Computex press conference:

At the end of the Asus press conference at Computex 2011, Chairman Jonney Shih waited until the very last minute to unveil the best product of the night: The Asus PadFone, a convergent device that docks a smartphone into the back of a slate so that they can be used together as a single device.


Note the staged phone call comes from "Steve". And here's their "behind the scenes" video, complete with interview with the designer:

The video ends:

padfone

There's nothing particularly wrong about trying, though they do come across as a Bizarro Apple.

Top Rated Comments

MBP13 Avatar
190 months ago
Well, that was awkward....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ridley182 Avatar
190 months ago
lol @ the "padfone" at the end. ASUS has a serious case of Apple envy alright.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kalsta Avatar
190 months ago
It happens more that you might think. I'm studying this at the minute. The tiger economies import the technology from innovators, break it down, work out how to do it cheaper, and then copy the ideas for a lower price.

Toyota had the same problem. It discovered a company called Cherry, who had taken one of their cars, torn it down and then recreated it to the exact specs with just larger headlights to differentiate.

As someone mentioned above, if you can't innovate; replicate.

I believe Toyota started out in the 1930's in much the same way, by copying Chrysler, Ford and GM. Heck, even Steve Jobs famously once said, 'We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.'

The challenge for any designer is to learn from what others are doing, and then add to it, innovate, make it better, put their own stamp on it — and then, sadly, step away and let the lawyers fight it out to see who owes who money when all the dust has settled!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Matthew Yohe Avatar
190 months ago
This does not sound very professional. Just because the Vietnamese couldn't copy Apple very well, that doesn't give you the right to mock them.
First, Asus is a Taiwanese company. Second, why are you bringing up nationality?

This is a blog that covers topics related to Apple, and any news from a competitor that might be relevant to discussion. Asus is aping Apple's look, themes and style (even down to using the same font, Myriad Pro) and all that this post is doing is pointing out the eerie similarities. It's not unprofessional at all.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
killjoys Avatar
190 months ago
Wait... Padfone?
Hilarity.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NorCal Explorer Avatar
190 months ago
Is this real?

Is this real? It looks like a comedy routine on SNL. This can not possibly be a real product and it must be a late April fools joke from MacRumors. :D
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iPhone Chips

Apple Clings to Samsung as RAM Prices Soar

Monday December 22, 2025 6:17 am PST by
Apple is significantly increasing its reliance on Samsung for iPhone memory as component prices surge, according to The Korea Economic Daily. Apple is said to be expanding the share of iPhone memory it sources from Samsung due to rapidly rising memory prices. The shift is expected to result in Samsung supplying roughly 60% to 70% of the low-power DRAM used in the iPhone 17, compared with a...