ASUS unveils Lamborghini laptop, mobile phone

Entering the high-end market, ASUS Technology Pvt. Ltd., a part of the Taiwan-based ASUSTeK Computer, launched the two niche products in India. And with Lamborghini's unbeatable designing and styling, the notebook and the phone are quite a catch.

Benson Lin, General Manager, ASUS for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, said that, "The launch of the Lamborghini ZX1 PDA Phone and the VX3 notebook, marks ASUS' entry into the ultra premium segment in India. We're most pleased to be associated with a world class brand like Lamborghini and offer such exquisite products to the people. The consumer mindset and taste is rapidly changing in India and we're confident that we'll find the right kind of audience for these products in India."

Francis Kao, Product Manager of notebooks division, India, spoke upon the motive and the potential buyers the products will attract.

Kao said, "For most, it's enough to live in luxury but for the Lamborghini VX3 owner, luxury is nothing if it isn't driven by passion farther, faster and fiercer than anything else, in the very finest fashion. No compromise on style and no mediocrity on performance. Every detail, regardless of size, is born out of this spirit, built to be beautiful, for those who are beautiful. VX3 is truly a living, breathing machine impassioned by the Lamborghini's soul of fearsome power and luxury."

Targeting the high-profile business executives, the limited edition Asus Lamborghini VX3 skillfully combines the aesthetics and performance of a Lamborghini race car with the top-notch features of Asus.

Crafted out of exquisite materials like sapphire crystal, titanium alloy and genuine leather the VX3 notebooks are available in the signature colors of Lamborghini i.e., glossy yellow and black. It has a built-in high-resolution camera on top of the screen which resembles a sapphire crystal panel of a Lamborghini car. This is further accentuated by the titanium alloy hinge backbone. The notebook also features a leather-bound palm rest. Reflecting many of Lamborghini's patent designs the notebook lets the user have the feel of the car.

The limited edition ASUS Lamborghini VX3 Notebook comes with a 12.1 inch wide screen and is based on Intel's next generation Penryn-based Core 2 Duo processor. VX3 has been manufactured using the 45-nanometer process which enables it to yield better performance with an extended battery life.

The notebook with dimensions of 8.66 inches width and 1.22 inches thickness and weighing just 3.6 pounds, is very light and easy to carry around.

Powered by Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, the VX3 includes nVidia GeForce 9300, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 320GB hard drive and a built-in DVD burner. Further, it also comes with a HSDPA modem, Bluetooth, 4 USB ports and HDMI port.

Other exclusive features include security maintenance with the in-built finger print reader, a sapphire crystal camera, a pair of batteries with one 3-cell and one 9-cell. The notebook is even compatible with Windows Vista operating system.

The ASUS Lamborghini VX3 notebook bears a price tag of Rs.2 lakh and will be available nationwide by June 2008.

With that even the ASUS Lamborghini ZX1, the luxurious PDA phone was also revealed. A 3.5 G PDA phone, ZX1 boasts of a 2.8 inches touch screen, a 9-way navigation and a racing user interface that can be modified by the user, for business or lifestyle complete with engine noises.

Sumeet Gugnani, Director Mobile Communication Business, Microsoft India said, "ASUS ZX1 PDA phone is a luxury brand that's designed for the sophisticated and passionate mobile device user, one who stands out with his or her penchant for cutting edge style. Embedded with windows mobile this phone has a rich dynamic design and very high end features. The powerful functionality and performance delivered by the Windows Mobile 6.1 platform will make the Asus ZX1 PDA not only a much desired product, but also a truly unmatched performer. Windows mobile has received an overwhelming response from the Indian market and I am confident that this launch will give the users a rich mobility experience."

Edward Wang, Business Head, Mobile Communication Business, ASUS, India, somewhat voiced the same, "ASUS ZX1 is the 1st co-branded PDA phone from ASUS and is targeted towards a very niche segment, for people who have a penchant for style. PDA phones are increasingly becoming fashion gadgets and the ASUS ZX1 gives the user the ultimate ownership experience."

Wang further added, "We wanted the end user to actually feel as if they are engaging in an experience of driving a Lamborghini car. All the elements of style and design of the car major are seamlessly incorporated in the ZX1 at every level. Manufacturers are releasing many such co-branded products but ASUS chose Lamborghini as our co-branding partner in the PDA phone segment as we share the same position in PDA phones as Lamborghini does in the automobile industry."

The ZX1 has a chassis-inspired aerodynamic flow with high-defined and distinctive edges. The "beehive" textured air intake covers beside the front grille of the car sit stylishly on the top of the phone. The highly-maneuverable 9-way navigational key of the phone has been inspired by the steering wheel of a Lamborghini car. Even the hood flaunts a shiny surface, complete with the Lamborghini crest.

The back panel is covered with lightweight but strong and durable carbon fiber that is twice as tough as aluminum and five times stronger than steel.

The phone is equipped with a 2.8 inch TFT LCD Screen with 65,000 color and QVGA 240x320 pixels resolution. It also boasts of Bluetooth v2.0+EDR, USB2.0 compatibility, wireless 802.11b+g and Global Positioning System (GPS) and USB2.0 compatibility. The ZX1 also includes a 3MP camera, 256 MB Flash, 128 MB SDRAM and Micro-SD card slot supporting SDHC.

The company claims that it is the first luxury PDA Phone that runs on Windows Mobile i.e., Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional.

In the list of business features of the ZX1, the handset supports Voice Notes, File Explorer, MS Office (Word/Excel/Power Point), MSN etc. These features are further expanded with Asus' business applications such as Business Card Recognition and Meeting Time Planner.

Moreover, the phone also integrates multimedia applications from ASUS such as Anytime Launcher, EziMusic, EziPhoto, MultiHome, NewStation, Backup, ASUS Zip, Ur Time, Remote Presenter, Voice Commander, GPS Catcher, Call filter, ASUS Status, ClearVue PDF Viewer, Network Auto Configuration and Youtube / Flickr Uploader.

The ZX1 comes with a two years local warranty which includes a onetime free replacement of the outer body case in case of any damage to the phone during the warranty period.

Initially, ASUS plans to make its products available in Delhi and Mumbai and soon they will be launched in other metros and cities. ASUS will distribute through its channel partners and also through some retail chains.

There will be a limited number of phones sold around the country. The first shipment is expected to arrive at the end of June bringing in 100 such phones. The ZX1 has been set to be priced at Rs.47,777 in the Indian market.