TechRadar Verdict
A very well made laptop with a lot to endear it to uses alongside its Lamborghini branding
Pros
- +
High build quality
- +
Powerful performance
- +
Great screen
- +
Impressive battery life
Cons
- -
Pricey
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Now in its third generation, the relationship between Asus and Lamborghini shows no sign of slowing down, as the launch of the Asus VX3 (£1829 inc. VAT) can attest to. Unlike earlier machines, the branding is rather muted and doesn't dominate the look.
This is the smallest and lightest machine to sport the Lamborghini branding and, as with previous models, you can choose from either a black or yellow finish.
Quality build
Weighing 1.7kg, it's a perfectly portable machine that is slim enough to pack away in a standard carry case. The lid of the machine has the same lacquer finish as you'll find on Lamborghini cars, with a similar attention to detail on the inside.
For instance, there is stitched-leather detailing on the palm rests and the overall feel is one of quality. That said, we'd like to see a little more protection on the base, particularly beneath the optical drive.
The screen is a 12.1-inch Super-TFT panel that uses LED technology which is slim, power-efficient and highly usable. We found it initially dimmed a little too much when first running it on battery power, but
Asus's Power4Gear eXtreme technology is fitted, so you can set your own power settings at the press of a button.
Twin batteries
When it comes to battery life, Asus ships this module with two batteries, a standard 3-cell and a larger 9-cell that adds to the bulk of the machine, but offers a better battery life.
The keyboard spans the full width of the 302mm body, with the result being near-full-sized keys. Asus has added a hint of sparkle to the plastic keys, which proved a good size and are certainly comfortable to use.
You'll find a biometric fingerprint scanner between the mouse buttons that can be used to add an extra layer of security. For the businessperson who needs to stay in touch with the office, there is an HSDPA module built into the base of the unit. Asus hasn't tied in with any one network provider, so you'll be able to choose one that best suits your needs.
Impressive performance
When it comes to performance, you won't find this machine lacking. Packing in an Intel Centrino 2 package, you'll find a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which is a fast, mid-level processor.
Supported by 4096MB of memory, you'll find applications load quickly and run smoothly. We found the VX3 to be perfect for anyone looking to use their laptop as their sole machine, and the use of a dedicated graphics card helps it to pack in plenty of power without sacrificing its portable nature.
The built-in 3G module means you can work anywhere, while the battery life and usability help to make the VX3 an impressive laptop.
