Can we all afford this Lamborghini?

Asus computers have just released its stunning new notebook called the Asus Lamborghini VX3. This unbelievable machine has received its name sake from the car manufacturer Lamborghini but after researching this beast it has taken away so much more from the super car other than its name.


The styling and design of the notebook has been made to appeal to those who love luxury and do not want to compromise on style so much so that Asus have worded the description of the notebook to make it sound like you are purchasing the most luxurious super car available to mankind. According to Asus, the notebook has been "crafted with exquisite materials like sapphire crystal, titanium alloy and genuine leather"* which really paints a picture in your mind that you are not just buying any notebook- but the super car of notebooks.

The Lamborghini VX3 notebook is available in a black or yellow high gloss paint finish and features the Lamborghini emblem which come together to resemble the hood of a car. Asus have also implemented a leather bound finish around the keyboard with yellow stitching to emulate the fashionable interior of a Lamborghini.


There are a few features which i have found to be unique to this notebook and that is the titanium alloy hinge bar which is designed to make the hinge area of the notebook stronger. In addition to this they have also encased the webcam in a sapphire crystal surface which has been touting as being the second hardest material behind the diamond.

Some reviews have commented on the lack of performance from the battery as well as the overall power of the notebook, which seems ironic as the notebook is designed after one of the world’s most famous super car brand. I believe this notebook is targeted at consumers who are after a notebook which is more about looks and style rather than high end power and performance.

At a price tag of AUD $4999 RRP, some of us may still have to wait for a more modest car branded notebook to hit the shelves!

Watch a video of the release of the Asus Lamborghini VX3 at this years' CEBIT technology conference in Hannover, Germany.


*Source- Asus Australia
*Images- Asus Australia

A Wii bit of Exercise

A recent study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that playing the Nintendo Wii can burn up to 50% more energy than traditional sit down games such as the Sony Playstation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360. The study shows that the Wii may be better for children than the sit down games, however are no substitute for real exercise or for fighting the child obesity epidemic.

According to the study, real boxing burned twice as much energy as opposed to the Wii version of boxing and real tennis burned up to 77% more calories than the Wii tennis. Compared to traditional games like the Playstation and Xbox, people playing the Nintendo Wii used roughly 2% more energy overall.

The British study found that the amount of activity brought on by playing the Nintendo Wii was not enough to be counted within a person's recommended daily exercise recommendations but more preferred over the traditional sit down games. Research has shown links with too much sitting leading to a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, so further studies would need to be completed to see the long term effects that these kind of interactive games would have on health.


Nintendo Australia's public relations manger Heather Murphy confirmed that the "Nintendo Wii was not a substitute for physical activity, however a great way for people to ease into exercise or to complement what they're already doing." * The report showed that the general consensus amongst parents and children is that playing interactive games should for now be treated as a game and not exercise.

Nintendo have introduced an interactive game called Wii Fit which is setting the bench mark for healthier interactive video games.


*Source - Sydney Morning Herald
*Images- Nintendo Australia

Facebook's Value Unknown

Last year Microsoft publicly valued Facebook at $15 billion, however according to a document made available to the public last week it has put into speculation that the value of Facebook may only be $3.75 billion.

The document was made public during the recent court case between Facebook and rival company ConnectU. ConnectU was suing Facebook as they believe the founder and former employee, Mark Zuckerberg, stole the Facebook concept from ConnectU.

The valuation was approved by Facebook's board of directors and was based on the fair value of the stock options that they give to employees which was required under United States Tax Law. ConnectU had signed a settlement for a number of stock options rather than a dollar figure from Facebook and as a result tried to to get out of their signed agreement at the last minute due to the lower value put on the stock options however they were not successful.

Microsoft bought shares which had special rights, such as the agreement that Facebook could not partner with Google, which in turn made their value higher. This would mean that the value of Facebook could be between $3.75-$15 billion, however the true value would not be known until the company was publicly listed or a takeover was initiated.

Apple iPhone is coming to Telstra

Image Source: http://www.telstra.com.au/nextgnetwork/iphone.htm?ti=TR-newhandsets-t.com-292x163

The Apple iPhone is due to be released in Australia on July 11, with Telstra being the third carrier to announce that it will be selling the phone.

Telstra is also the first carrier to release pricing details for the iPhone on their plans. Telstra customers can expect to pay $279.00 upfront for the 8GB model on a $30.00 per month plan, with the 16GB version priced at $399.00 upfront.

David Moffat, the consumer group managing director for Telstra said "The new iPhone would run on Telstra's NexT G network". "With iPhone 3G on the country's largest and fastest 3G network, providing coverage to 99 percent of the population, more Australians will enjoy the iPhone 3G experience in even more places," he said. *

Vodafone and Optus have already announced that they also will be selling the Apple iPhone.

*Source - Sydney Morning Herald