Asus Lamborghini VX7 review
Fantastic performance, in Windows and in games, but the VX7 can’t match other ultra-high-end laptops for build quality and battery life
Specifications
15.6 in 1,920×1,080 display, 3.8kg, 2GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM, 8.00GB RAM, 1,500GB disk, Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Asus has created some fairly unique Lamborghini-branded products, most notably the VX6 netbook, but the monstrous VX7 might actually deserve its supercar badge – the 15in laptop is a top-end multimedia and gaming powerhouse, with the price and bonkers styling to match.
Underneath the head-turning chassis there are equally impressive components providing heaps of performance, both on the desktop and in games. The Intel Core i7-2630QM processor might only run at 2GHz, but Turbo Boost can push it up to 2.9GHz for a welcome performance increase in lightly-threaded applications. It managed an overall score of 75, helped by a rapid 71 in the single-threaded image editing test. Two massive 750GB hard disks provide more than enough space for a huge multimedia collection, which you’ll be able to back up to Blu-ray using the BD-writer optical drive.
Graphics performance comes courtesy of Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 460M, which might not be cutting edge any more, but is definitely still capable of playing most games – in Dirt 3 it managed a smooth 39.3fps at our default settings of 1,280×720 pixels, High detail and 4x anti-aliasing. It even achieved a superb 38fps at the VX7’s native 1,920×1,080 resolution once we disabled anti-aliasing.
The laptop may have Nvidia’s Optimus technology, which switches display duties to the processor’s integrated graphics when you’re not playing games, but the laptop still scored poorly in our light-use test. Three and a half hours away from the mains essentially limits the VX7 to home use only, especially as the power brick weighs a kilogram – your bag will weigh almost 5kg with the laptop and its charger inside.
In everyday use, we soon noticed a few problems with build quality – the keyboard tray flexed dramatically under minimal pressure, the touchpad buttons would catch on their plastic surround unless we pressed them dead centre, and the carbon fibre-effect panels are made of cheap-feeling painted plastic. The power and display hotkeys also behaved oddly, sometimes triggering each other’s settings when pressed.
Basic Specifications | |
---|---|
Rating | *** |
Processor | Intel Core i7-2630QM |
Processor clock speed | 2GHz |
Memory | 8.00GB |
Memory slots | 2 |
Memory slots free | 0 |
Maximum memory | 16GB |
Size | 50x402x309mm |
Weight | 3.8kg |
Sound | Realtek HD Audio |
Pointing device | touchpad |
Display | |
Viewable size | 15.6 in |
Native resolution | 1,920×1,080 |
Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M |
Graphics/video ports | VGA, HDMI |
Graphics Memory | 3,072MB |
Storage | |
Total storage capacity | 1,500GB |
Optical drive type | BD-R + DVD+/-RW +/-DL, DVD+/-RW +/-DL |
Ports and Expansion | |
USB ports | 4 |
Bluetooth | yes |
Wired network ports | 1x 10/100/1000 |
Wireless networking support | 802.11n |
PC Card slots | none |
Supported memory cards | SDXC, Memory stick Pro/Duo, MMC |
Other ports | minijack audio output, minijack microphone input, 1x USB3 |
Miscellaneous | |
Carrying case | No |
Operating system | Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit |
Operating system restore option | restore partition |
Software included | Microsoft Office 2010 Starter edition |
Optional extras | none |
Buying Information | |
Warranty | Two years RTB |
Price | £1,839 |
Details | www.asus.com |
Supplier | http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk |