So how does the UX50V fare in the value for money stakes? Not so well, as it happens. Take the recently-reviewed Dell Studio 15, for example. It packs a much faster Core 2 Duo P8600 CPU, has better graphics in the form of an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 and is roughly similar as far as portability goes. However, the real killer blow for Asus is that Dell is flogging the Studio 15 we reviewed for just £719 – almost £300 cheaper than the UX50V.
The price of fashion
Granted, the UX50V is around 10mm thinner than the Dell and far easier on the eye, but that’s not enough to justify its rather hefty price tag. With its slimline design and shiny wrist rest gleaming back at you, the Asus UX50V makes a great first impression. Dig a little deeper, though, and it starts to lose its gloss.
Verdict
Although attractive, we weren’t hugely impressed with the keyboard, while the design of the trackpad buttons is woeful. And despite its ability to switch to a discrete graphics chip, the Nvidia Geforce G105M isn’t up to much in terms of gaming. If you’re happy sacrificing power and a fair wedge of cash for style, the UX50V will probably appeal. But we think Asus has its work cut out in persuading customers to shell out £999 for its latest catwalk queen. ®
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Asus UX50V
COMMENTS
stand out from the crowd
"The UX50V is its latest attempt at creating a laptop for those who like to stand out from the crowd. "
Well my blue NC10 achieves that for under three hundred quid
All that glisters
I apologise in advance, but my mother was an English teacher. The expression is "all that glisters is not gold", not "all that glitters". It's from the Merchant of Venice, and I'm well aware what sort of a twat I am thankyouverymuch.
@Frank Bough
She's certainly overpriced for what you get so it's a possibility.
Give a decent keyboard
Gee I wonder why it is so difficult for these Eastern companies to give us a keyboard that stretches all the way to the left or right of the case and that feels good.
They took their time getting rid of the ridge around the LCD screen to give us a thin bevel. I think they need to do the same with the keyboard.
Please guys, ask a UK or European person off the street what they want in a laptop.
