The launch of the ASUS-VX2 Lamborghini Masterpiece Notebook reflects the company's development of a high-performance notebook with a distinctive design for stylish trendsetters.

At a price of Bt119,000 (excluding value-added tax), the ASUS-VX2 has been created based on the latest Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition and Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology with a design of Lamborghini's signature colours in yellow and black.

The VX2, made of aluminium-magnesium alloy and carbon fibre, is both lightweight and tough. The metallic keyboard and premium leather-bound palm rest refer to the luxurious décor of the Lamborghini.

Benson Lin, general manager of APAC_MEA Sales Group, ASUSTeK Computer, said the ASUS-VX2 targeted not just owners of the Italian super-car, but also anyone who demands the best performance notebook in the

world.

Lin said the creation of the ASUS-VX2 was based on a win-win collaboration between ASUSTek Computer of Taiwan and Lamborghini of Italy.

There are about 30 Lamborghini super-cars sold annually in Thailand.

"The launch of the ASUS-VX2 is crucial proof that we are in a strong position to develop and design this best performance notebook, fit for comparison with a Lamborghini," said Lin.

"We are among the few computer firms with our own factories and research and development facilities," he added. "We now operate two factories in Taiwan, three in Europe, one in Russia and two in China. We have over 5,000 engineers and over 100,000 people employed around the world."

Lin is in charge of 25 markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, 18 of which, including Thailand, have local operations.

"Technology development is our focal point. ASUS products are always a step ahead. We are also thoroughly proud of collaboration between ASUS Taiwan and Lamborghini Italy," said Lin.

He said that under the collaboration formed three years ago, Lamborghini wanted to extend its products to such high-end computers.

ASUSTek launched the first version - the ASUS-VX1 - last year and almost 5,000 units of this limited edition were sold out. At a price of Bt110,000, 30 ASUS-VX1 notebooks were sold in Thailand.

"We will sell between 5,000 to 10,000 units around the world, of which between 50 and 100 are targeted for Thailand," said Lin.

Formed in 1989, the Taiwan-based ASUSTek Computer achieved worldwide turnover of US$16 billion (Bt556 billion) last year. However, Taiwan contributed only 4 per cent of the business.

"We are now have a presence in more than 60 countries around the world. We are among the leaders in computer mainboards, VGA cards and broadband technology," said Lin.

He said ASUSTek was ranked eighth in the world in laptop computers and had the fastest-growing notebook brand, recording growth of 78 per cent last year - higher than the global industry rate of 24 per cent.

"We also expect 43-per-cent growth this year to $23 billion in turnover. We have already achieved $6 billion in sales in the first quarter," said Lin.

Lin said that ASUSTek Computer wanted to position itself as a technology-oriented company. It received 2,168 media reviews last year.

Pornthep WatcharaAm-nuai, managing director, ASUSTeK Computer (Thailand) said: "ASUS is interested in the high-end notebook market. Even though we are newcomers, we are truly confident in the capability of our R&D department. Our technology advancement is definitely second to none in the world."

Pornthep said that the demand for notebook computers was expected to grow 25 per cent this year to 650,000 units.

"We expect our sales of notebook computers to increase by 100 per cent this year and to increase our market share from currently between 6 per cent and 7 per cent to more than 10 per cent," said Pornthep, adding that in Thailand, ASUSTek Computer was the market leader in computer mainboards and VGA cards.

The company is ranked fourth in the Kingdom in notebook computers, after Acer, HP and Toshiba.

ASUSTek Computer (Thailand) generated sales of about Bt3 billion last year, of which 35 per cent was contributed by notebooks.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation