ASUS Announces Transformer Book T300 - Windows 8 Detachable Tablet
by Jarred Walton on September 4, 2013 2:37 PM EST
Earlier today (sorry – I’m writing these up as fast as my fingers will go!), ASUS announced their new Transformer Book Trio, a hybrid Android + Windows 8 tablet/laptop. We’re busy covering a bunch of their IFA announcements, but some of the first comments on the Trio are, “Why can’t ASUS just give us a Windows 8 tablet and forget Android?” The Transformer Book T300 does exactly that, though you can expect battery life to take a hit relative to the Android mode of the Trio, and the screen is a somewhat large for a tablet 13.3”.
The good news is that other than size, you get a rather potent tablet/hybrid computer. The CPU options consist of the i3-4010U (1.7GHz), i5-4200U (1.6-2.6GHz), and the i7-4500U (1.8-3.0GHz), with Intel’s HD Graphics 4400 handling graphics duties. Even better, the display is a 13.3” 1080p IPS panel with 10-point capacitive multitouch. ASUS also notes that their display senses a 6mm contact point instead of 9mm, providing greater precision. Memory is listed as “up to 8GB”, which likely means there will be a low-end Core i3 model with 4GB and the higher end models will come with 8GB soldered onboard. Storage is pure SSD, using the NGFF/M.2 standard and supporting 64/128/256GB options.
Other features include a rear 1080p camera and front 720p camera – and I can’t wait to see someone trying to record video or take pictures with a 13.3” tablet! (Seriously, other than children, does anyone use the rear-facing camera on their 10” and larger tablets? I know I don’t.) Connectivity consists of 802.11n (ASUS doesn’t mention whether it’s dual-band or not, so I’m guessing not), USB 3.0, micro-HDMI 1.4, microSD, and 3.5mm headphone/mic. The dock adds an additional micro-USB 3.0 port.
Interestingly, it appears the T300 dock does not include any additional battery capacity. ASUS rates the battery life at up to 8 hours with the included 6710 mAh lithium polymer battery, but there’s no comment on additional battery life when docked, which is a shame. The dock does include backlit keys and a large multitouch touchpad, however, with full size keys. The tablet half of the T300 measures 342mm x 216mm x 11.5mm and weighs 1.1kg, and the keyboard dock measures 340mm x 216mm x 11mm and adds 800g. Combined, you get something that’s nearly an Ultrabook, with the option to detach and take the tablet with you as you see fit.
As is the case with all the other ASUS announcements today, pricing and availability have not been finalized, but I expect we’ll see all of these new devices in time for the holidays. I’d also expect something like the T300 with Core i5 and a 128GB SSD to come in closer to the $1000 price point, though I’d love to be surprised and see it below $800, as that’s where it becomes truly able to displace high-end Android and iOS devices.
Source: ASUS IFA Event
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p1esk - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
That's 4.2lbs total!Sony Vaio Pro 13 ultrabook weighs less (2.34lbs) than just the tablet part (2.42lbs) of this transformer.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
Making a tablet that will be durable and 13.3" likely requires more thickness/materials than the VAIO Pro 13. Sony has made some very interesting devices over the years, but personally I find that they're often very flexible and cheap feeling. I keep hoping we can get a VAIO Pro 13 or similar in for review, though, so I can actually get some hands on time with it.teiglin - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
I have a Vaio Pro 13 and I really love the absurdly low weight. That said, the materials are definitely in line with previous Vaios. The chassis has a ton of flex. I don't find it worrisome--it never feels like it's in danger of breaking--but it is bad enough that I can click the touchpad just by squeezing on either side of it (though Windows doesn't register the click if you don't have a finger on it, thankfully). They also didn't manage to make the laptop openable with one hand, which is annoying.Seems to me the problem is that you need most of that weight in the tablet part, so you need to balance that weight in the dock if you want the combination to be a remotely useful laptop, unless you go the Surface route (i.e. built-in stand).
Of course, that raises the obvious question of "who actually thinks a 13" tablet is a good idea?" I certainly don't.
JPForums - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
Me. I'd like to use a tablet/laptop convertible for note taking. So something roughly the size of a notebook is rather nice. A 14" would actually be closer, but the 13" should be close enough. On the laptop side of things, 13" is the minimum for a full size keyboard. Anything smaller than 13" is awkward for my hands and really takes away from the experience. A 7" is more portable and I can see a use for it as a dedicated tablet, but 10" is getting large enough that it really isn't much more portable than the 13". The major detractor for most people is weight, but that really doesn't effect me much. At this point, I'd rather add more weight for better battery life. This transformer is basically what I've been waiting for. However, if what Jarred said about no battery in the dock is true, I'll be sorely disappointed. It'll make the difference between buying one immediately upon availability and waiting to see if another manufacturer will give me what I want.
peterfares - Saturday, September 7, 2013 - link
I would have loved a detachable 13" tablet in college. I had a 12.5" Lenovo X230T convertible which is the kind where the screen swivels around and folds back down outwards. I used it in two modes: 1) laptop with touch screen for tapping and scrolling, and 2) notebook tablet.A 13" detachable would have served both purposes better than my X230T did, or at least just as good with added flexibility.
ImSpartacus - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
I know what you mean.It's funny how something can be proficiently durable, but can FEEL cheap.
blandge - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
It comes down to preference I suppose. I'd rather have a 4.2lb device with a solid chassis than a 2.3lb device that feels fragile. I am undecided between this and the sony duo 13 which manages to stay at about 3lbblandge - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
I'm most likely going to get one of these. The only thing that has me on the fence is that I was expecting additional storage and battery capacity in the docking keyboard, but I'm very glad they increased the RAM to 8GB.miahshodan - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
yeah, I just bought a Fujitsu stylistic q702 because I wanted at least a battery in the keyboard dock. even if you don't care about the storage and battery, you need some weight in the dock to keep it from falling over backward when touched or leaned back.The other problem is a 16:9 13" screen is ridiculous in portrait.
ellroy80 - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
Looks pretty good! The tablet part might be a bit too heavy, though. Still waiting for a Haswell Surface Pro 2, and might even hold out until Broadwell.