Asus has launched its new ExpertBook P3 business laptop for Southeast Asia, promising improved durability for corporate users who have to bring their portable PCs on travels, whether between meeting rooms or across countries.
The new machine, shown off at a media event in Kuala Lumpur this week, seeks to appeal to users who want a professional and understated device. For companies buying laptops in bulk, the Asus ExpertBook P3 is meant to offer an alternative to rivals such as Lenovo, HP and Acer, which are more entrenched in that segment.
Folks who are familiar with Asus’ top-end Zenbook ultraportables will find some clear differences in the ExpertBook P3. The corporate-focused machine presents a distinctly executive appearance, going by our hands-on experience this week.
It features a metal plaque on the lid and “ExpertBook” engraved along the laptop’s spine. Its brushed grey finish has a clean, minimalist aesthetic, contrasting with the more artistic style of the consumer-centric Asus Zenbook.
The laptop offers two USB-A ports for standard peripherals, two USB Type-C ports for rapid data transfer – ideal for external solid state drives (SSDs) – and a full-sized HDMI port to support external displays or projectors during presentations.
For users who value a reliable network connection, the inclusion of a built-in RJ45 Ethernet port is useful. This eliminates the need for a USB-C dongle and helps reduce cable clutter.
This new model is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with Radeon graphics, which promises strong performance tailored for mobile professionals. Asus paired that with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB solid SSD. The laptop can be easily upgraded with dual-SSD expandability and upgradeable DDR5 memory, allowing users to enhance storage and performance.
Asus has simplified component upgrades by designing the chassis to be opened with a standard screwdriver, secured by just four screws at the corners. To protect against unauthorised access, a light sensor-based Chassis Intrusion Detection system records any tampering in the BIOS log and alerts the user upon the next startup.
The initial experience with the laptop is favourable, with responsive performance observed in everyday Web browsing and office applications. We’d be working on a more in-depth review, including detailed benchmark testing.
Another selling point of the ExpertBook is the close integration between the laptop and Asus’ AI services. Here, the app AI ExpertMeet promises to capture better audio and visual details during a meeting and produce translation services and summaries for review, all without relying on an Internet link to keep data private.
Despite having better software for video conferencing, some hardware choices for the laptop could mar an otherwise good impression. Asus only provides Full HD resolution for the front-facing camera, for one; Plus, the lack of a non-touch display is a bit disappointing.
The laptop I have features a 14.0-inch WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 pixel), 16:10 IPS display that delivers a surprisingly sharp image despite its modest resolution. However, with a brightness of 300 nits, the screen can be challenging to clearly in very bright sunlight.
The keyboard size is consistent with previous Asus models, providing a familiar typing experience. The 6-inch trackpad is also large, making cursor control more effective when using a mouse is not an option.
Another standout feature of the ExpertBook is its durability. It passed a series of demanding stress tests, such as a 50 kg weight pressure trial, a 1.20-metre drop, a dumbbell hanging from the RJ45 port, pens squeezed between the screen and keyboard, and simulated water spills.
These demonstrations confirm the ExpertBook is built to endure the typical accidents frequently encountered in office environments.
Speaking of that, how long does this laptop last? The internal 70Wh, 4-cell Li-Polymer battery provides up to 18.5 hours of use, according to Asus.
The laptop can also be conveniently charged using standard 5V to 20V power banks or the USB charging ports commonly available in aeroplanes, hotels and airports. The charging speed will be slow so bringing along a fast-charging powerbank is still recommended.
If you need a laptop powerful enough for business applications and durable enough to handle the demands of corporate life, such as the occasional drops and spills, the Asus ExpertBook P3 is worth considering.
Then again, at 1.48 kg, it is not as light as regular ultraportable device, so those seeking a lighter option may want to explore other models. Prices for the Asus ExpertBook T5 start from S$2,199 and it is available through authorised Asus dealers.
