ASUS A52F-EX911V laptop review

Also-ran or a genuine step forward for ASUS laptops? We check out the extravagantly (read: complexly) named ASUS A52F-EX911V.

What we like best

The ASUS A52F-EX911V distinguishes itself from most of the other laptops out there mainly through its design and its visual prowess. The laptop’s lid couldn’t be glossier if it came in magazine form and had six-page Chanel ads, and the fire truck red will enable users to check the location of their device if not from space, then definitely from a few dozen yards.

When opened, the ASUS A52F-EX911V reveals a matte keyboard encased in the same shiny red material as the lid, and a similarly glossy 15.6 inch screen. The latter is probably the laptop’s strongest feature – its 1366 x 768 resolution might not sound like much, but images are displayed crisply and clearly, with just the right amount of brightness.

The multi-card reader is a useful if unspectacular add-on, but the multiple in- and outputs really make this a very connectable device. There are three USB 2.0 ports, as well as VGA and HDMI outputs to hook your laptop up to your TV.Tthe DVD drive is a very welcome option, too – watching films on the ASUS A52F-EX911V is a rewarding experience.

It is powered by the Intel Core i3-330M processor (pretty much the industry standard these days), meaning multitasking is a breeze up to a certain point, beyond which it can be like trying to pedal cement.

The laptop is pretty resistant to over-heating too – you’ll be able to use it intensely before you need to put a cushion on your lap.

What we like least

One of the reasons why the ASUS A52F-EX911V is unlikely to get hot is that its unimpressive battery life restricts the time you can actually work on it.

Also, the keyboard sits a bit too deeply in the casing, creating a slightly uncomfortable angle for users’ wrists, and the keys’ action is pretty soft: You’ll have to apply more than average pressure for a keystroke.