Manage updates with the Download AppAsus Zenbook UX31E-DH53
Manufacturer: Asus Part number: UX31E-DH53
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Asus Zenbook UX31E is an excellent-looking Windows Ultrabook laptop that matches the MacBook Air step for step with an even better price. Fans of great audio, high-resolution screens and lots of ports will be happy; keyboard/touch pad aficionados will be disappointed.
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CNET editors' review
Asus Zenbook UX31E-DH53 price range: $1,377.98
- Reviewed by: Scott Stein
- Reviewed on: 10/24/2011
The good: The Asus Zenbook UX31E boasts sleek, pristine design, excellent-sounding speakers, a higher-resolution screen than the MacBook Air, and a better price for nearly identical specs.
The bad: The keyboard and touch pad are weak points; there are equally thin laptops out there with better battery life.
The bottom line: The Asus Zenbook UX31E is an excellent-looking Windows Ultrabook laptop that matches the MacBook Air step for step with an even better price. Fans of great audio, high-resolution screens and lots of ports will be happy; keyboard/touch pad aficionados will be disappointed.
User reviews
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I Like, I Like A Lot!
by JamesGengler on March 17, 2012
Pros: 1)Screen is fantastic, excellent clarity with a max resolution 1600x900
2)Sound is fantastic for such small speakers
3)Video performance is good
4)Boot up is amazingly fast
5)Laptops design is top notch, metal finish is amazing, built very sturdilyCons: 1)It doesn't have a backlit keyboard
2)Network card is a bitslow. Very similar to the wifi card in tablets ( android/ipad)Summary: The Asus Zenbook UX31E is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing ultrabook/notebooks that I have ever come across. The entire notebook (with exception of the screen bezel and ...
Summary: The Asus Zenbook UX31E is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing ultrabook/notebooks that I have ever come across. The entire notebook (with exception of the screen bezel and keyboard) is machined from aluminum. The outside of the lid is a different color than the rest of the ultrabook, but it is an amazing titanium color that clearly shows the swirl marks of the machining process. The entire weight of the ultrabook is just under (3) three pounds, but feels slightly heavier (in my humble opinion).
The ultrabook comes with (1) one USB 2.0 port, (1) one USB 3.0 port, a Multimedia Card Secure Digital (MMC/SD) reader slot, one micro-HDMI, and a micro-VGA port that seems to be proprietary - meaning that the port is for a VGA adapter. Within the packaging, there is also a USB to Ethernet adapter in case there is a need to use an Ethernet cable. The packing also includes a nice sleeve for the Zenbook as well as the usual packing that comes with most other notebooks. If admiring packing is your thing, you will be impressed considering the packing is just as aesthetically pleasing as the Zenbook.
The power supply has a nice small footprint, but the shape of it can be rather cumbersome when it comes to plugging it into surge protectors or just a regular outlet for that matter. For many that are on the road, this can be a rather serious problem, and hopefully a third party vendor will come up with a better solution, or you can simply use a small extension cord. The keyboard is spaced well and has a nice clicking sound (not as bad as mechanical keyboards). Furthermore, the keys have a nice pressure associated with it, and unlike many other reviews, I have not noticed any keyboard malfunction. That said, there is one issue that may be concerning for some -- the power button is part of the keyboard and its location above the backspace button. For people that have larger fingers, they may accidently tap the power button, and depending on your environmental settings, can put the Zenbook to sleep.
The screen is fantastic and has excellent clarity with a max resolution 1600x900. Although I am not a fan of glossy screens, I do not seem to notice much or any glare (yet). The sound is fantastic for such small speakers, and in my humble opinion are some of the best speakers that I heard coming from notebooks and ultrabooks. The video performance is good; however, do not expect to be able to play demanding games and other applications that require a more powerful video card. It is important to note that this is by no means a desktop replacement.
There have been many negative reviews as to the touch pad. Asus decided to use two different touchpad vendors resulting in poor performance. In addition, the end-user does not have the option to pick and choose what touchpad to purchase resulting in units being shipped with different touchpads. Mine came with the Elan touchpad. When I first started using the touchpad, I did notice some lag, but after updating the drivers, this was resolved.
Another issue that seems to be concerning to many users is the Atheros built in wireless adapter. Apparently, many are losing their wireless connection and/or getting a weak signal. I also noticed this problem and it was resolved with a driver update.
As many already know, PC vendors will install a lot of annoying bloatware. The Zenbook does come with its fair share of bloatware, and an easy way to resolve this is to download a free program called PC Decrapifier that will allow you to uninstall these programs much easier than going through programs and features.
The battery life is acceptable and it is safe to say that you should get a solid (4) four plus hours and even more depending on the individual preference of environmental settings. It is also important to note that the Zenbook Solid State Drive (SSD) comes in two different flavors - mine came with the SanDisk SSD U100. The other is the faster ADATA Sandforce. Furthermore, these are not your typical SATA SSD drives (such as the OCZ Vertex series), so do not expect the Input/Output Operations Per Seconds (IOPS) to be earth shattering. That said, it is much faster than 7,200 RPM SATA mechanical drives, and you will see a significant difference in performance in boot times (POST) as well as applications loading faster. In addition, I do not see a way to increase memory - there are no SO DIMM slots which can be concerning for some. That said, all this is necessary to keep the Zenbook's footprint to be equivalent to the Apple MacBook Air.
In conclusion, the Asus Zenbook is a fantastic ultrabook that is an eye opener for those that want the MacBook Air footprint, but do not want to be associated with MAC products and price. As you can see, there are more pros than cons, and the negatives such as the touchpad and wireless can be resolved with a driver update. For the price, I find this to be a nice solution for individuals that are looking for a portable solution for both business and entertainment that are in the $800.00-$1,200.00 enthusiast ultrabook/notebook range that want a powerful, but slim and compact solution.
PS: for best price of this ASUS Zenbook UX31E-DH53, if you're will buy it, I suggest you have to compare prices before you decide at: Prices-comparison.info/Zenbook-UX31E-DH53
Hope this review helpful.6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome, fast, light, thin, very portable
by rude44 on October 23, 2012
Pros: I have had this machine for 3 months now. I am an average user- (Office, internet, music, etc). It has never crashed, re-boots Windows 7 in 17 seconds (I have only re-booted it a few times). Restarts from standby instantly. No problems whatsoever.
Cons: None so far
Summary: Outstanding machine- best laptop I have owned. The build quality is excellent- I would definitely buy it again.
Summary: Outstanding machine- best laptop I have owned. The build quality is excellent- I would definitely buy it again.
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Very badly done ultrabook.
by foresth on May 27, 2012
Pros: Visually very pleasing, good screen and decent sound.
Cons: Horrible keyboard (bad for writing more than zero characters), almost as horrible touchpad (too sensitive one time, unsensitive the other time), it hangs up all the time probably because of the ssd.
Summary: I must say this notebook/ultrabook is a piece of ****. For the price I expect a decent usable machine but I got an unusable thing. The keys randomly (and very ...
Summary: I must say this notebook/ultrabook is a piece of ****. For the price I expect a decent usable machine but I got an unusable thing. The keys randomly (and very often) ignore you pressed them so it's unsuable for writing, programming etc. One time you just gently touch the touchpad and it makes a click, the other time you press it for click and it does nothing. The touchpad "buttons" are sensitive to move so it is very hard to make a click with them. Usually you just move the cursor and the button click is ignored. Horrible almost as much as the keyboard. But worst of all, the system hangs up all the time even with a fresh install. I guess it's the SSD. Every time the system does even a little bit demanding action - reading a big file etc., the cursor hangs, everything hangs for a few secs many times in a row. I have the latest drivers, no SSD firmware updates have been released so far.
Really, as much as I don't like saying this, DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT. -
Nice computer, terrible touch pad and service
by DanielBrooks100 on April 25, 2012
Pros: All the bells and whistles, decent battery, nice screen.
Cons: Touch pad difficult to use, text jumps around and the font keeps changing sizes.
Customer service worthless in helping me replace a lost charger.
Basically this computer is absolutely no fund.Summary: The touch pad is driving me up the wall. And if I rest my hand on the computer the text starts jumping around like this:
My names ing me crazy ...Summary: The touch pad is driving me up the wall. And if I rest my hand on the computer the text starts jumping around like this:
My names ing me crazy drivis is computer Joe and thei.
See? As I was typing the words I typed jumped back into the text Id originally written. Have to hold my hands above the computer body and not touch the computer while typing. Of course I keep forgetting.
Customer service is a complete disaster. I lost the charging unit and could not find a replacement to save my life.
Will put this machine on the market as soon as I can. The vendor probably won't take it back... -
Don't buy. You will be returning it.
by Igasthem on April 13, 2012
Pros: Beautiful. Sexy. No keyboard problems nor touch pad problems.
Cons: 1st one crashed by turning on and off 15 times in a row. Tech Support finally suggested System Recovery. Still crashed. Took it back to Best Buy and they gave me another one. Second one turned on and off 12 times. Took it back and got money back.
Summary: I will wait for the Dell XPS-31 to be available through Best Buy. They are the best since they will exchange/refund with no problem. To have 2 new in ...
Summary: I will wait for the Dell XPS-31 to be available through Best Buy. They are the best since they will exchange/refund with no problem. To have 2 new in box computers from 2 different stores have the same problems means that there is a problem with the product. Probably the board. All I did was install Office Office and Home (new). I am not a tech guy and haven't the time to go through all sorts of problem solving. When I brought the second one back to Best Buy they had one of their Geeks (their name, not mine) take it into the back room and he immediately had the same problem and they gave me my money back.
I want a computer with these physical specs very badly but I will wait for the Dell. Right now Dell is only selling mail order and I have no patience trying to return something that malfunctions to a tech support guy in another country. -
Trackpad is a deal breaker
by mcsue on March 28, 2012
Pros: Nice size, attractive design, fairly good battery life
Cons: Unresponsive, jumpy, stiff, often uncontrollable trackpad
Summary: I love the size and, at least compared to my 4 year old Gateway, I'm very pleased with the battery life. The keys are stiff and noisy, but even ...
Summary: I love the size and, at least compared to my 4 year old Gateway, I'm very pleased with the battery life. The keys are stiff and noisy, but even that was an adjustment I could make. But there is no solution for the bad trackpad, even with driver uploads. There just doesn't seem to be defined control with it -- anything can happen. I've tried infinite adjustments within the control panel, nothing makes it better, lots of changes make it even worse.
I work on the computer 5-10 hours a day with documents and graphics and normally only use a trackpad; if anybody's fingers can adjust and deal with a trackpad, it would be mine.I am completely worthless with this one. I added a wireless mouse, an addition I find annoying because I move around too much to drag a mouse everywhere. Constantly find myself without the mouse and having to use the mediocre trackpad. After awhile my fingers almost hurt from how hard I have to work them to use this trackpad. It's a big disappointment in an otherwise very successful machine.
I will have to pass this along to another employee who only uses it as a desktop computer with a mouse. You can bet that next time I will spend a long time in the store testing trackpad responsiveness before I buy the next computer.Didin't even think of it because it's never been an issue before.
I have to give it only 2 stars because even though I like many things about the computer, bottom line is whether it functions well. The trackpad essentially ruins all the other good things about it. -
No service from Asus.
by Coyote1616 on February 14, 2012
Pros: Very nicely build. Aluminum case. Feels high quality.
Very thin and small for 13.3.
Fast boot and stable OS (Win7/64).
Great display.Cons: No service from Asus.
Keyboard: you need to punch the CENTER of every key in order to get it responsive.(it is an issue). Normally I get mistype every few words. In the Asus every second word has a missing letter.
Thouchpad: Well its not Lenovo.Summary: So, If you work with your laptop get Lenovo T or X series.
Asus Zenbook ( i7 and 256 SSD) is very responsive laptop but as a full day working tool ? ...Summary: So, If you work with your laptop get Lenovo T or X series.
Asus Zenbook ( i7 and 256 SSD) is very responsive laptop but as a full day working tool ? Its NOT stand up for the task.
If you need service ? Look elsewhere.
As a coffee-shop Laptop, the Zenbook is OK. (same as Apple Air). -
Fantastic ultrabook
by lisbeth28 on January 13, 2012
Pros: If you are looking for a thin and light laptop with power, speed, performance and good looks then the Zenbook is definitely worth checking out. I wanted to be able to run Windows natively and chose this over the MBA
Cons: As soon as you get it out of the box you have to update almost every single driver. Yes the trackpad is that bad before the update and it still needs work. Battery life is meh
Summary: If you are looking for a laptop that wont break your back figuratively and literately the Zenbook is a great choice. My old laptop was sending me to the Chiropracter, ...
Summary: If you are looking for a laptop that wont break your back figuratively and literately the Zenbook is a great choice. My old laptop was sending me to the Chiropracter, I sometimes check my bag to make sure I didnt leave the Zenbook behind (it is that light) I was torn between the Zenbook and a Macbook Air and I chose the Zenbook because I wanted to run Windows natively and the specs were awesome. Now that I have the Zenbook would I buy it again? Good question I have to say Asus did a CRAPPY job releasing the Zenbook it is so buggy out of the box it is ALMOST unusable be prepared to spend the first hour after you take it out of the box upgrading and updating every driver, device etc on the laptop. The trackpad was barely functional before I updated the driver. It is better after the update but it still needs a lot of work. Battery life is not great you will need to keep this plugged in. The Zenbook produces very little heat so if you want a lap warmer during the winter season stick with a laptop. I recommend this laptop for anyone who travels frequently, wants Windows and wants a less bulky machine.
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Tech-sexy-cool and powerful enough for most users.
by jeffreyjhardy on December 16, 2011
Pros: Feels very solid (important on ultrabooks). Crazy thin and portable (most people think that I have a sleeve over an iPad, but it is my Zenbook). The Bang & Olufsen speakers are the best I have heard on a laptop, bar none. The screen res is great.
Cons: You HAVE to update the driver first thing. There are a few anoying trackpad, keyboard, and networking issues if you don't. The mini-VGA and micro-HDMI ports are too close together. They battery-saver powers down too much.
Summary: Also, the machine is available with i3, i5, and i7 processors. Not all i7s are the same and, on the Zenbook, you do not get the extra valus on the ...
Summary: Also, the machine is available with i3, i5, and i7 processors. Not all i7s are the same and, on the Zenbook, you do not get the extra valus on the i7 for the added cost (in my opinion). Save a few bucks and go with the i5 version. REad more on that here: http://jeffreyjhardy.com/?p=100
But overall, I really like this laptop. The keyboard is very slick too. Some people do not like it, but the brushed metal keys with short throw really works for me. Two thumbs up. -
STYLISH AND POWERFUL
by mclevit on November 19, 2011
Pros: VERY EASY TO TRANSPORT.YOU GETTING EVERYTHING IN JUST ONE LITTLE COMPUTER.I HAVE USED THIS WITH MY PRO TOOLS 10 AND THE AVID MEDIA COMPOSER 6..JUST TOO PERFECT.
Cons: NO BACK LIGHTS
Summary: THE REVIEW HERE IS NOT FAIR.I HAVE USED IT AND HAVE TAKEN MY TIME TO SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT IT.I HAVE CHECKED OTHER REVIEWS FROM YOUTUBE ...
Summary: THE REVIEW HERE IS NOT FAIR.I HAVE USED IT AND HAVE TAKEN MY TIME TO SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT IT.I HAVE CHECKED OTHER REVIEWS FROM YOUTUBE AND OTHER WEBSITES.WITH AN I7 IN THIS LITTLE THING,YOU CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING.SO LETS FORGET ABOUT ALL THIS FAN BOY TALK AND FACE THE REAL ISSUES..
THE ZENBOOK IS BY FAR MORE BETTER THAN THE MACBOOK AIR PERIOD
EVEN THE TRACKPAD ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED.BATTERY LIFE IS BETTER TOO AND IN MANY OTHER ASPECTS.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/asus-zenbook-ux31-review/
YOUTUBE LINK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIGLYRMq_pc
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Asus
- Part number: UX31E-DH53
- Description: The ZENBOOK UX31E uses a precision-crafted design measuring only 3mm at the front and 9mm at the rear. The form features razor thin edges and a curved center section, which is both practical and attractive - while accommodating the powerful computing components within, this design also looks totally unique. It embodies beauty and strength in complete balance and harmony. Exclusive ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II with instant on enables 2-second resume of the notebook from sleep, with up to two weeks of standby time with open files and other pending data kept safe in memory. Plus, automatic data backup when the battery reaches 5% charge further helps secure your work. ASUS ZENBOOK UX31E keeps energy saving front and center with a dedicated Battery Saving Mode, which conserves power whenever possible to increase battery life by as much as 25%. You're also always in the know when it comes to the battery thanks to ASUS PowerWiz, a utility that shows exactly how much charge is left per application - web browsing, movie watching. ASUS ZENBOOK UX31E combines power, efficiency, smooth usage and user empowerment, all on in one sleek package. ASUS is proud to deliver the world's first ultrabook with SATA 6Gb/s solid state storage, making for an amazingly smooth and fast computing experience. Additionally, all ASUS ZENBOOK models ship with USB 3.0 as standard, multiplying the transfer rates of current USB 2.0 by as much as a factor of ten! Combined, SSD storage and USB 3.0 create incredible speed of data transfer rates.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- System Type Ultrabook
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- Notebook type Ultraportable (Under 4 lbs.)
Processor / Chipset
- CPU Intel 2nd Gen Core i5 i5-2557M,
2 1.7 GHz - Max Turbo Speed 2.7 GHz
- Number of Cores Dual-Core
- Cache L3 cache - 3 MB
- 64-bit Computing Yes
- Chipset Mobile Intel QS67 Express
- Features Intel vPro Technology,
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0,
Intel AES New Instructions (AES-NI) Memory
- RAM 4 GB,
( Provided memory is soldered ) - Technology DDR3 SDRAM
- Speed 1333 MHz / PC3-10600
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 256 GB,
SSD - Interface Serial ATA-600
- Storage Removable None
- Optical Drive None
- Hard drive type Solid state
Display
- Type 13.3 in
- LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight
- Max Resolution 1600 x 900 ( HD+ )
- Widescreen Yes
- Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
Audio & Video
- Graphics Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Memory Allocation Technology Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0
- Camera Yes
- Resolution 0.3 Megapixel
- Sound Microphone,
Stereo speakers - Compliant Standards High Definition Audio
- Audio Features ASUS SonicMaster,
ASUS Bang & Olufsen ICEpower Input
- Type Keyboard,
Touchpad
Communications
- Wireless 802.11n,
Bluetooth 4.0 Battery
- Technology Lithium polymer
- Capacity 50 Wh
- Run Time 7 hour(s)
AC Adapter
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
- Output 45 Watt , 19 V , 2.37 A
Connections & Expansion
- Slots Memory,
Memory card reader - Interfaces USB 2.0,
USB 3.0,
Headphone/microphone combo jack,
Mini-VGA,
Micro-HDMI - Interfaces 1 x USB 3.0 - USB 3.0,
1 x USB 2.0 - USB 2.0,
1 x Display / video - VGA,
1 x Micro HDMI,
1 x Microphone - Memory Card Reader 2 in 1 card reader ( SD Memory Card ),
( MultiMediaCard ) Software
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
- Microsoft Office Preloaded Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC.
Miscellaneous
- Color Silver aluminum
- Features Intel Anti-Theft Technology (iAT),
Intel Identity Protection Technology (Intel IPT),
Intel Rapid Start Technology,
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II - Included Accessories Sleeve
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 12.8 in
- Depth 0.71 in
- Height 8.8 in
- Weight 2.86 lbs
Product series
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Manufacturer: Asus
Specs: Intel 2nd Gen Core i5 i5-2467M,
1.6 GHz ( Dual-Core ),
4 GB,
128 GB,
- Serial ATA-600,
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium,
11.6 in,
TFT active matrix,
1366 x 768 ( HD ),
Intel HD Graphics 3000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0,
None,
2.43 lbs,
Silver aluminum -
Manufacturer: Asus
Specs: Intel 2nd Gen Core i5 i5-2557M,
1.7 GHz ( 2.7 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ),
4 GB,
128 GB,
- Serial ATA-600,
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium,
13.3 in,
TFT active matrix,
1600 x 900 ( HD+ ),
Intel HD Graphics 3000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0,
None,
2.86 lbs,
L3 cache,
3 MB,
Silver aluminum -
Manufacturer: Asus
Specs: Intel 2nd Gen Core i5 i5-2557M,
1.7 GHz ( 2.7 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ),
4 GB,
256 GB,
- Serial ATA-600,
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium,
13.3 in,
TFT active matrix,
1600 x 900 ( HD+ ),
Intel HD Graphics 3000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0,
None,
2.86 lbs,
L3 cache,
3 MB,
Silver aluminum -
Manufacturer: Asus
Specs: Intel 2nd Gen Core i7 i7-2677M,
1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ),
4 GB,
256 GB,
- Serial ATA-600,
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium,
13.3 in,
TFT active matrix,
1600 x 900 ( HD+ ),
Intel HD Graphics 3000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0,
None,
2.86 lbs,
Silver aluminum
Accessories
- Action Sport Drives Birdhouse SkateDrive Ptero - USB flash drive - 16 GB (35141986)17.99 - 19.99
- Action Sport Drives Birdhouse SkateDrive Ptero - USB flash drive - 8 GB (34933084)11.99 - 12.99
- Action Sport Drives Burton SnowDrive Feather 11 - USB flash drive - 4 GB (35074397)9.99
- ASUS BX700 mouse (33887535)20.99
- ASUS WX-Lamborghini mouse (34433827)56.63
- Cooler Master CM Storm Spawn mouse (34580173)27.97 - 44.99
- Cisco Linksys E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 router (35098697)149.99 - 216.92
- Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router (34200558)115.24 - 143.89
- ASUS RT-N12 B1 - wireless router - none - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (35025047)39.99 - 70.00
- ASUS WL-330N - wireless router - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (35224227)
- Belkin N300 Wireless N Router - wireless router - none - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (34859949)38.35 - 39.99
- Belkin N750 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router - wireless router - 802.11 a/b/g/n - desktop (35190485)99.09 - 149.66
- Belkin N900 Dual-Band Wireless Router - wireless router - 802.11n - desktop (35262637)195.99 - 299.34
- Cisco 881 Fast Ethernet Security Router supporting EVDO/1xRTT - router - cellular modem - 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.0) - desktop (35026157)886.99 - 907.99
- CradlePoint CBR400 Compact Broadband Router - wireless router - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (34846899)190.45 - 216.40
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Asus products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Asus
- Address:
44370 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA 94538 - Phone: +1-510-739-3777
- Email: tmd1@asus.com
- Fax: +1-510-608-4555
