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Tablet Asus Transformer Book T100: specifications, reviews. Specifications and competitor comparison

The Asus Transformer Book T100TA is a reasonably priced 10-inch Windows 8 tablet that, thanks to its keyboard, can also function as a laptop. This isn't the first hybrid available - the Vivo Tab Smart ME400 is still popular, but it is best-in-class with its practical laptop-style hinge. The T100TA isn't a replacement for the latter as it uses a relatively low-powered Atom processor, but for £ 349 it's a flexible device with great value for money.

Design

While the closest relative of the Asus Transformer T100TA could be the ME400, since both run Windows, the design of the hybrid is much closer to the Transformer Android tablets that the manufacturer has released in recent years. An example is the Transformer Pad TF701T.

Instead of a wireless keyboard, the Asus T100TA uses laptop hinges. With the base attached, the hybrid can easily be mistaken for a small laptop. It's not something everyone wants, but a much more convincing cross between a tablet and a laptop than the older ME400, which used a wireless keyboard that was less magnetically attached.

Unlike the manufacturer's more expensive transformers running Android, the Asus T100TA is made of polycarbonate. Some metal is used inside the hinge to provide the necessary strength, but the tablet's main material is plastic.

The hybrid has an interesting finish. The back of the tablet is extremely glossy, the area around the keyboard is styled with brushed metal, and the bottom of the dock is slightly soft to the touch and is made of matte plastic. Three different finishes take away from the Asus Transformer T100TA's uniform design, but oddly enough it looks organic.

In addition to the keyboard keys, internal hinge and 3D screen, the device is painted in a slightly moody dark blue. It is this careful color matching that keeps the T100TA trim from looking bad. The Transformer looks pretty good, just slightly behind the shiny aluminum Transformer Pad. The Asus T100TA does not suffer from major build issues, despite the lower quality design. The glossy back is not exactly pleasant to the fingers, but the construction is solid and the Gorilla Glass screen provides good scratch resistance. However, like many transformers, the bezel is quite wide, which gives the hybrid a less modern look than the iPad Air or Google Nexus 7. But that doesn't seem like a big drawback here, as there are very few good looking Windows tablets available. ... And the product of Asus in this sense is a pretty clear example.

The hybrid's practical design focuses on affordability. The keyboard module and tablet each weigh 550 g and are 11-12 mm thick. Separated from each other, they do not stand out in anything remarkable. There are thinner and lighter 10-inch tablets available. The design of the keyboard is also not very remarkable. But together they make a great team.

The base unit does not have a second battery - only a keyboard, touchpad and one full-size USB 3.0 connector on the left. The keys feel squashed and low in a netbook style. The right Shift is small, the distance from the A key to the apostrophe is 188 mm versus 203 mm for a full-size keyboard, but you can type on it - the travel and tactile sensations are adequate. Users were able to print at a good speed within half an hour after unpacking the device.

True, according to the owners, the touch panel fell asleep several times, ignoring the gestures. To wake it up, you had to rub it intensively. After that, the touchpad worked smoothly, understanding standard navigation gestures and more complex ones like scrolling with two fingers. They are more convenient to use than a touch screen. But interruptions in the work of the panel are very depressing. A USB mouse functions well, but having to carry it around negates the benefits of a compact ultra-mobile hybrid.

With a total weight of 1.2 kg, the Asus T100TA 64Gb weighs no more than a light ultrabook. And like any normal laptop, the keyboard protects the screen when the hybrid is stowed in its case. That Asus has been making devices like this for years can be seen in the way its hinges are made. They are solid, elegant and not loose - just press the silver button on the inside to release the locking mechanism.

One of the limitations is the opening angle. The Asus Transformer Book T100TA 64Gb opens smoothly like a real laptop, but locks at 135 degrees to prevent the tablet from tipping back too easily. Since more weight is concentrated in the screen area than a normal laptop, the transformer will fall if you put it on your lap. However, the company has made an effort to balance it by making the base unit slightly heavier than the tablet, although it doesn't have its own battery.

Unlike some other hybrids, the keyboard doesn't boast multiple connectors. There is only one USB 3.0 port, which allows you to connect a mouse, external hard drive or other accessories.

The Asus Transformer Book T100TA tablet has a micro-MDMI video output, headphone jack, microSD card tray and microUSB port. Its configuration is simple, but it provides ease of use. According to user reviews, they like the fact that the microUSB connector is used for both data transfer and recharging. This means that you can use a charger from android phone (however, for fast recharging, a current of 2A is required).

There is only one equipment oddity. The OS logo on the front panel does not represent the Start button or home panel - it's just a logo. The present windows button - it's just a piece of plastic on the side, next to the volume rocker. Perhaps this makes the Asus Transformer T100TA tablet cheaper, but this placement is not as convenient as if the key was on the front panel.

Keyboard and trackpad

The Asus Transformer Book T100TA Dock is equipped with a full keyboard, which, compared to full-size input devices, lacks only a separate pad for numbers. The keys are smaller than normal, which will take some time for those accustomed to large sizes to use at full speed.

However, users liked it. Its quality is much better than most Bluetooth keyboards people buy for their tablets: the clicks are crisp and have sufficient travel given the small size of the keys.

The lack of a wireless connection eliminates the need for constant annoying battery recharging. Both parts of the hybrid are connected using good old metal connectors. The function keys also let you control things like screen volume and brightness, which third-party keyboards can't do.

However, the T100 input module is not ideal. Its trackpad is challenging. The tiny touch surface is due to the size of the keyboard module, but it is very cramped, and the quality of the buttons is rather mediocre. Although the line indicating their location is drawn at the bottom of the panel, in fact, their effect continues almost to the very top of the site, where there is a dead zone 2-3 cm wide.The buttons work a little awkward, and the line between the actions of the right and left zones is not quite clear. This is one of the weakest areas of the Asus T100TA.

Screen

The Asus T100TA has a 1366 x 768 pixel display measuring 10.1 inches diagonally. In the world of tablets, this is a rather low indicator - there are fewer dots here than in the significantly inferior Google Nexus 7. As a result, their density is 155 dpi, which is a frankly weak value.

As a result, close-up text looks a bit angular. Of course, this pixel density remains the norm in the laptop world. There is still a lot to pay for high resolution, and Windows tablets are lagging in all directions. It is because of operating system having to put up with a £ 349 hybrid of this quality.

The Asus Transformer T100TA 64GB offers good viewing angles compared to many budget touchscreen notebooks. Since the panel is of the IPS type, there is no contrast bias, as in TN-displays, when viewed from a large angle. This type of screen is very common in laptops, but luckily it has almost disappeared in tablets.

The picture quality is rather unremarkable among IPS counterparts. The color accuracy is completely wrong - almost every shade looks slightly darker than it should.

Software and performance

One of the advantages of the Asus T100Ta Docking Station is that it runs the full version of Windows 8.1, not the stripped-down RT. The latter does not allow installing applications other than those purchased from the Windows Store, which imposes significant restrictions on the user.

There's a reason for this - most low-budget tablets are really not powerful enough to make this leeway worth it. Like many of these computers, the Asus Transformer Book T100TA is equipped with an Intel Atom processor. It is much weaker than the Intel Core chips used in most mid-range and high-performance computers, but each new generation of this CPU model takes a big step forward, which has helped a lot to draw attention to the T100TA.

It uses a 1.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3740 Bay Trail generation. It is much faster than the equivalent Clover Trail chip from the previous year. The PC Mark test shows that the processor can compete even with previous generations of Intel Core i3. For an inexpensive laptop, the power level of the Core is just good, while for the Asus Transformer Book T100TA Intel Atom Z3740 tablet is very, very powerful. In the PC Mark 07 test, he received 2330 points. This is very close to the Intel Core i3, the processor in a "normal" laptop under £ 500. More practically, this means the T100TA is ideal for everyday use. It does not suffer from the laxity of some budget Windows tablets and can work with resource-intensive programs like Photoshop without delay. However, this is not a heavy-duty machine. Along with a fairly cheap processor, the T100TA only has 2GB random access memory - this is not enough for serious multitasking. As a result, programs take some time to load.

Hybrid comes pre-loaded installed package Microsoft Office Home and Student (usually not available on tablets). The Windows RT version of Office is standard, but the sticking point is the operating system, so this combination is rare.

Battery life

Unlike other transformers, the keyboard of the Asus Book T100TA lacks its own battery, which could increase the operating time of the hybrid. Charging is done through the microUSB connector of the tablet, which means that you should not worry about losing the charger, since it can always be replaced with a telephone one.

Asus claims that the battery can last for 11 hours. The low-intensity PowerMark test showed that the device is capable of holding 12 hours and 8 minutes. That's great endurance for any tablet and is especially impressive in a Windows hybrid. This score is significantly better than any laptop with the same operating system and four hours more than the Surface Pro 2.

Sound

Another nice surprise is the presence of stereo speakers, which are hidden under tiny holes made in the glossy plastic on the back of the tablet. These are not the only sound output locations. Speakers are not isolated so they vibrate at high volumes back the tablet and leaking from the bottom connectors. This does not really matter, since the stereo effect does not suffer greatly from this, and the blocking of the holes does not lead to problems with the audibility of the device.

The sound quality is quite decent for a budget tablet, but it cannot be called outstanding. It's not too harsh or rattling, and stereo is perfect for watching movies. The maximum volume is decent, but lacks the bass and power of the best tablet speakers. This speaker appears to be the result of a major compromise.

Camera

An even more obvious sacrifice to the economy is the rear camera - it's missing at all.

There is only one front camera used for video chat. It is a 1.2 megapixel sensor that produces unremarkable images. Photos are full of noise and lack of detail, and there is a halo around bright light sources, which is a sign of poor camera sensor quality.

What is worth knowing

There are also some minor omissions in the hybrid's communication capabilities. There is Wi-Fi n and Bluetooth 4.0, but no NFC, 3G / 4G, and an IR transmitter. These are entry-level capabilities. True, the number of useful NFC applications for such a device can be counted on the fingers of one hand. And yet it is annoying. The hybrid is capable of running all Windows programs, is lightweight, inexpensive, lasts 11 hours non-stop for recharging via USB, supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, comes with MS Office preinstalled, and has a keyboard with trackpad. On the other hand, the tablet has only 2GB of system memory, an overly responsive touchpad, only 31GB of free SSD space, a smaller keyboard, and slow charging.

Should you buy the T100TA?

If it was a hybrid running Android OS, then it would be fair to say that its design is a little outdated. However, an inexpensive convertible is exactly what the Windows tablet market demands. The device seems to be a necessary stage in the maturation of budget hybrids. It's practical, quite powerful, has a decent screen, and its flexible design makes up for the lack of games and apps built for Windows 8 tablets.

The transformer is not ideal - there are obvious flaws that need improvement in the next generations, such as screen technology, trackpad, but it can really be used as a laptop for performing simple tasks. According to user reviews, they would rather have the T100TA than the Surface 2.

User verdict

The Asus Transformer T100TA is a tablet that leaves fancy features aside to take the Transformer into Windows orbit with little or no price increase. And what happened became a real hit. If a hybrid of a tablet and a laptop running a Microsoft OS is exactly what you need, then you should not look for a better deal. The T100TA was the natural successor to the netbook, avoiding the compatibility issues that plagued tablets running operating systems such as iOS, Android and Windows RT.

With its appearance, the hybrid has destroyed the last reason to buy tablets with Windows RT: without the price advantage and the exclusive opportunity to get MS Office, what's the point of limiting yourself to a dozen applications when you can have access to millions?

ASUS strikes another blow to the hybrid tablet market.

• Pros: Value for money hybrid | Connections | Working hours;
• Minuses: Low screen resolution | Bulky | Low productivity;

The updated big brother, the T200, retains everything that we loved about its predecessor with a full, but equipped with a large 11.6-inch screen, a fast processor, several additional ports and a convenient 2.5-inch keyboard dock.

Like the Transformer devices that came before it, the T200 is a tablet / laptop hybrid, which means you don't have to shell out for two separate devices. While that may sound good, it also means that the manufacturer cut corners during the hybrid development process. Fortunately, this is not too harsh on the T200, as it can claim to handle both form factors reasonably well.

Priced at around Rs 35,000, there are several other hybrids that offer similar performance characteristics. In fact, most other tablets in this price range ditch the included keyboard dock, which makes a big difference.

DesignASUSTransformerBookT200

At first glance, it may look like a netbook, but the ASUS Transformer Book T200 is a much more sophisticated device compared to the notebooks that were popular just a few years ago. With the lid closed, the T200 could be mistaken for ASUS 'premium ZenBook line, thanks to a similar concentric circular pattern that makes the tablet feel much nicer in the hand than smooth plastic or metal.

And while it can't be packed with the same performance, and it doesn't offer the same high quality metals / polycarbonate as its expensive cousins, the hybrid tablet will easily fit into a business meeting or any public place.

If you are concerned about the location of buttons and ports, the T200 puts the power, volume, and dedicated Windows key easily accessible on the top left side of the tablet - exactly where you would expect them to be. The tablet also comes with a Micro-SD card reader to expand onboard storage, as well as a micro HDMI connector so you can display videos on the big screen if needed. There is also a Micro USB connector which provides full USB functionality via an optional cable.

You'll also find two full-sized USB ports - one of which is USB 3.0 certified. There is also an RJ45 LAN port, this is a unique design that allows you to cut a few millimeters from the thickness of the tablet, relative to a full size design.

On the back of the tablet, you'll find a 5MP mid-range camera centered near the top of the tablet, while the front has a 2MP camera that's more than enough for video calling, but fails miserably in any other task - especially in poor lighting conditions. The stereo speakers are quite loud, but their position means you can sometimes cover them with your hands when using the tablet without a docking station.

The docking station has a useful full-size keyboard with island-style keys, which are a popular choice on laptops these days, while the touchpad remains comparatively expansive given the hybrid's overall size.

This is again a docking clasp, made in matte plastic, the only surprise is the additional compartment, which, in the review ASUS Transformer Book T200, hid a 500 GB hard drive. You will also not notice a noisy fan, which can distract from work - the almost silent rumbling of a hard disk and nothing more.

Beggar pixels

The ASUS Transformer Book T200 Hybrid Tablet features an 11.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, which returns us to a crushing 135 pixels per inch. And while this might have been good for laptops and tablets a few years ago, the lack of pixels becomes apparent when you put the Hybrid next to Full HD panels, such as the one on.

When using Windows 8.1 in the usual manner, the screen offers enough real estate to make the system usable, but if you put the hybrid side-by-side with small ultra-high-resolution tablets like the T200's screen is a complete disappointment. Of course, when you consider everything else that fits into the price tag of the ASUS hybrid tablet, this is not so surprising.

Since we're talking about an IPS panel, you can expect vibrant colors and great viewing angles, but the glossy bezel will make outdoor use problematic unless you crank up the brightness to maximum. The touchscreen remains accurate, responsive and truly useful for scrolling and fast navigation.

SpecificationsASUSTransformerBookT200

The tablet itself measures 205 x 194 x 11.95mm, which means it's not the slimmest hybrid compared to its Android and Apple counterparts, but let's not forget that you're getting a tightly folded tablet on a solid version of Windows while while competitors continue to use mobile operating systems.

Taking into account the hinge mechanism, the keyboard dock adds an additional 26mm, which increases the model's thickness to a shy 38mm. While it's not a huge hybrid compared to most "normal" laptops, it certainly feels thicker than any Apple MacBook Air or ASUS ZenBook UX305.

Specifications ASUS Transformer Book T200:

• Processor: 4-core Intel Core Bay Trail-T Z3775 1.46 GHz;
• Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics;
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR3;
• Display: 11-inch HD IPS display (16: 9) with a resolution of 1366 x 768;
• Built-in memory: 32GB eMMC with 500GB HDD;
• Ports (Tablet): 1x Micro HDMI, 1x Micro USB, 1x MicroSD;
• Ports (Dock): 1x microphone / headphone jack, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 1x RJ45, 1x Micro USB;
• Connection: Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth v4.0;
• Camera: 5 MP / 2 MP;
• Dimensions (Tablet): 305 x 194 x 11.95 (W x D x H)
• Dimensions (Dock): 305 x 200 x 26mm (W x D x H);

The tablet weighs 780 grams without the keyboard, so it remains reasonably light and comfortable, in part because it's heavy components like a hard drive are hidden in the keyboard. The keyboard itself weighs another 760 grams, and while in combination the device is inferior to the Acer TravelMate B115 and Dell Insirion 11 3000, the tablet still doesn't feel too heavy.

Back at the dock, you'll notice that the hinge actually lifts the base up on the back, which means you get an extra angle. Whether it's a deliberate choice of designers or a limitation imposed by a hinge, the tilt creates a more comfortable typing position and keeps the T200 in balance when in laptop mode.

PerformanceASUSTransformerBookT200

Benchmarks:

• 3D Mark: Sky Diver: 527; Cloud Gate: 1424; Ice Storm Unlimited: 16722; Ice Storm Extreme: 10307;
• Cinebench 11.5 CPU: 1.31 (Multi-core); 0.23 (single core); Graphics: 7.04;
• PCMark 8 (Home Test): 1307;
• PCMark 8 (Battery): 10 hours 9 minutes;

The ASUS Transformer Book T200 comes with low power Atom BayTrail processors, the same processor family as the previous model, but the clock speed has increased from 1.33 GHz to 1.46 GHz. And while early iterations of this processor have already been seen in the range of laptop and tablet hybrids, this particular Atom seems to be limited only to the range of ASUS devices.

Other variants of this processor can be found from competitors such as, but with higher screen resolutions and other features, but they tend to have a higher clock speed.

That said, the processors of this generation are definitely faster than the Clover Trail processors that were previously, so you can expect decent performance with day-to-day applications and web browsing. The integrated Intel graphics chip doesn't offer enough power to handle powerful games, but the T200 is quite capable when it comes to gaming or playing high-quality video, along with programs in the background.

When running the 3D Mark benchmarks, some scores were better than we expected, with the Transformer Book T200 at 16722 and 10307 in Ice Storm Unlimited and Extreme, which is 10 percent better than the ASUS Transformer Book T100. More intense tests Cloud Gate and Sky Diver, however, found a lack of graphics power, with very low scores and frame rates across the board.

The 2GB RAM in the ASUS Transformer Book T200 we reviewed means somewhat limited multitasking, but it doesn't interfere with overall performance with multiple programs open. Other models are available with 4GB of RAM, which should be enough for some RAM-hungry applications.

With the energy efficiency of Intel's latest Atoms, it's no surprise that the T200 managed to outperform other low-cost laptops in the PC Mark benchmark, where the tablet lasted 10 hours before giving up.

Bundled software

Fortunately, ASUS didn't go a slippery slope with the preloaded software for the T200. There are some relatively useful applications like PhotoDirector and PowerDirector that perform basic image and video editing functions.

ASUS also offers the Zinio app, a kind of magazine that highlights content without having to visit multiple websites using a browser. Netflix, of course, the messaging app and Twitter app come preinstalled, along with a year of ASUS prepaid cloud storage, although pricing is subsequently higher than alternatives from Microsoft and Google.

The only thing missing are office applications, so most buyers will need additional funds for Microsoft Office licenses or other free equivalent.

Summing up results

The ASUS Transformer Book T200 offers a very useful tablet and laptop combination, along with an attractive design and a very reasonable price tag. While it may not be the best tablet available, or the most powerful laptop for the money, the T200 remains an attractive hybrid.

Even though the tablet is made of plastic with rounded edges, it doesn't necessarily feel cheap. As you would expect from ASUS, the tablet feels equally robust for both modes of use.

While the Windows 8.1 app store has yet to reach full maturity, the Windows tablet has its own hallmarks when it comes to using compatible programs, as well as the ability to run multiple programs at the same time.

The ASUS Transformer Book T200 hybrid tablet offers good value for money, users with deeper pockets might consider buying a powerful standalone laptop and a standalone tablet like.

We liked: Tablet-wise, the T200 is quiet, lightweight, well-built and responsive in normal day to day use. Battery life is excellent so you don't have to hunt for power outlets throughout the day.

"Smart" compartment for hard disk it promises tons of affordable storage, along with a 32GB fast SSD, and despite disappointing low resolutions, the IPS display at least offers high brightness and viewing angles.

It's nice to see the USB 3.0 connectivity and RK45 ports are an always welcome addition, and a reasonable amount of pre-loaded software fits nicely into the package.

We Disliked: While the ASUS Transformer Book T200 is an attractive all-around machine, the hybrid isn't perfect. The most noticeable drawback is the low resolution of the screen, which, despite the brightness and color dynamics, looks pixelated against the background of modern smartphones and most other tablets.

And while it's not the fattest hybrid, I couldn't stop thinking that the keyboard dock could be thinner to offer a slender combination. When placed next to most other tablets, the Book T200 is considerably thicker, closer to the shape of a laptop, and there are alternatives on the market that are less than half the thickness.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a Windows, laptop and tablet combo, the new ASUS Transformer Book T200 is a very attractive option, which will set you back a fair sum of money.

But personally, I would have liked to see a higher resolution screen and a thinner body, although these compromises were made in order to make a hybrid tablet affordable, much cheaper than a separate laptop and tablet.

As long as you don't plan on shooting quality video, photographing, editing music and are ready to survive the absence of the latest Crysis on your car, the new T200 offers enough power for a long time. autonomous workto cope with your tasks.

For those with extra tools, the Surface Pro 3 is a very attractive option that offers similar features in a slimmer form factor as well as extra power. Otherwise, if you're looking for something a little more, ASUS may offer its own 13-inch Transformer Book TX300, which is equipped with an i7 processor and Full HD panel.

This tablet was primarily interesting to me because of the platform - it uses a new generation Intel Atom Z with Silvermont architecture. Intel has greatly reworked the internal architecture () and managed to achieve a large performance increase - two to three times ().

But the most important thing is that on the new generation of the platform, Windows 8 has become very responsive, annoying slowdowns and freezes of the interface have disappeared. This largely predetermined a positive attitude towards the tablet - in comparison with the representatives of the previous generation.

The T100TA has two important features to mention before reviewing. Firstly, it is a relatively inexpensive solution aimed at undemanding users who are not ready to overpay. And who are therefore ready to put up with the peculiarities of cheap solutions - the appropriate appearance, the lack of some features, etc.

Secondly, the manufacturer proposes to perceive the T100TA not as a home entertainment tablet (which are any solutions on iOS or Android), but as an analogue of a netbook, that is, a universal Windows device capable of satisfying all simple scenarios of an undemanding home user. Why does the kit always include a dock with a keyboard, after installation in which the tablet touchingly resembles a good old netbook. In general, the T100TA is not planned as an addition to a home computer or laptop, but as a replacement. Fortunately, full-fledged Windows 8 on the Asus T100TA does not limit the user in any way.

Specifications and competitor comparison

Let's take a look at the technical specifications.

Optional: dock with keyboard, touchpad, one USB 3.0 port.

It is also worth noting that the tablet comes with a license for MS Office 2013 (for home and study). But the cellular modem is not even available as an option.

You can read more about the platform's specifications and features in our general overview.

* according to manufacturer's information

In general, according to most of the abstract technical characteristics, the tablet looks, to put it mildly, average. Another question is that the technical characteristics would be good to evaluate taking into account the price and the software platform.

Tablet: body, screen, ergonomics

Housing

For the T100TA, Asus chose a 10.1-inch screen diagonal - either to distinguish it among the more expensive and more functional tablets, which almost always have 11.6-inch screens, or in memory of netbooks. By the way, it is likely that due to this it turned out to be cheaper. The case for this diagonal is a little too big (you can see it by the thickness of the frames around the screen), but this is normal for inexpensive solutions. The case is not a champion in terms of thickness, but I would not pay much attention to this - it lies comfortably in my hands.

The body of the tablet is completely plastic, dark gray in metallic color (ie with sparkles). The shade of the panel is beautiful, I liked it (in the photo it is lightened a little to show the texture. In reality, the tablet is darker). On back cover Made the traditional Asus texture - frequent concentric circles diverging from the logo. But on top, the lid is filled with varnish, and the texture is almost invisible - only if you look closely under a bright light (or if a light source is reflected in it). The lacquer lid collects fingerprints, but with this color of the case, they are hardly noticeable. That the cover is smeared can be seen only if you look closely and only on the glare from the light source.

The front of the tablet is completely black and glossy - the entire front panel is covered with touchscreen glass. The T100TA has rather thick bezels - almost 2 cm at the top and bottom, slightly smaller on the sides.

The plastic case plays under the hands when squeezed. Doc is even worse in this regard. However, it is difficult to assess the reliability in this way: someone writes that the tablet survived hard falls without any problems, someone's screen cracked ... but each fall is purely individual.

The tablet weighs 570 grams. This is about 100 grams less than the first iPad (before the Air, which is noticeably lighter). For my taste, a tablet with such a weight is comfortable to hold in your hands even for a relatively long time.

In general, if we talk about the "level" of design, then yes, the T100TA looks more like a budget solution. The design and materials show that the tablet is inexpensive, but it looks good. I didn't like the glossy lid, but I don't like gloss at all. The tablet is easy to use.

Connectors

Let's look at management and expansion options.

The power button is located on the upper left side. As a rule, when you work, you hold the tablet with your left hand and it is from above (this way it tries to get out of hand less). This places the button under the index finger. It is very convenient to work with her.

There is a small diode next to the button. It is clearly visible if the tablet is in the dock with the lid closed, but you will not see it during operation - it shines up and back. The diode glows red when charging, white when the tablet is connected to the network and charged. When the tablet is not connected to the network, the diode does not light up.

On the left side there is a volume rocker, traditional for tablets, and under it there is another button. In almost all tablets, this button turns off the automatic screen rotation mode, but here, as it turned out, this is the Home button. It is impossible to guess, you can only find out experimentally. For everyone I asked to rate the tablet, finding the Home button was a big problem.

On the top right edge is the microSD slot. Moreover, compatibility with SDXC cards is also declared. The inserted card sticks out noticeably from the slot, and its sharp edge cuts the palm if you hold the tablet at this place. In general, keeping it there is always inconvenient. Also, sometimes there is a problem with playing movies from the card (slowing down), this is a consequence of incorrect collaboration of Windows updates. More details -.

Below is the Micro-USB connector through which the tablet is charged. But it can also work as an OTG, that is, you can connect an adapter to USB to it and connect any peripherals. You just need to remember that if the device has a large consumption (for example, a portable hard disk), then it may not start.

What they don't write about in reviews

The Asus T100 has an unpleasant feature: the tablet is normally charged only from the supplied power supply unit, despite the fact that the common Micro-USB port is used for charging. The crux of the problem is this: some manufacturers bridge the working lines in the PSU or cable so that the device can determine when it is connected to a charger and when to a computer. In the latter case, the tablet limits the charging current to 500 mA (like on a computer's USB ports). Accordingly, in the off state, it charges very, very slowly, and if the tablet works, then this energy is not enough for it, and it also begins to drain its own battery. This is done supposedly to ensure the protection of the device, but in reality they only expose their users: at best, they will have to carry a bunch of power supplies with them instead of one, at worst - they will be left alone with a discharged device and without charging. This should be taken into account and taken with the tablet "native" charging. Do not expect to find exercise at a party!

Below is a Micro-HDMI connector that allows you to output video to an external device. This can be useful both at work (by connecting a large monitor, you will get an almost full-fledged desktop), and at rest (display a movie on a TV via HDMI).

Finally, very close to the bottom edge of the panel is the headphone jack. There are also a lot of comments on it - for example, that when the headset is connected, the sound does not switch to it the first time (that is, it is necessary to pull it out and plug it in again), or the sound may disappear altogether before the tablet is rebooted.

So, most of the connectors are located on the bottom right. We usually hold the tablet in two ways. Or on the top left (if you need to work with the screen), but it is so inconvenient to hold it for a long time - it tries to twist out of the hand due to the emerging long lever. Or with both hands on the sides from below (and work with your thumbs) - but in this case, if at least one connector is occupied by a plug, then it is extremely inconvenient to hold it on the right, almost impossible. By the way, with the plugs inserted (especially the headphones), the tablet tries to wriggle out of the left hand especially actively. Therefore, manufacturers are trying to make the headphone jack either in the upper part of the side face, or on the upper face.

At the bottom there are two slots for guides of the hinge knot and a multi-functional connector for connecting a keyboard. Whether it is possible to charge through it - I do not know. I will assume that it is impossible. By the way, the proprietary Asus charger with a flat connector (used in the first Transformer tablets) is not suitable for it.

Screen

Screen technical parameters:

Most modern Windows tablets are 11.6 inches in size. In comparison, the T100TA seems to be noticeably smaller. The screen dimensions are somewhere equivalent to iPad (T100TA screen is about one and a half centimeters longer horizontally and shorter vertically), but the iPad has a square screen, and the difference is clearly visible.

The 16: 9 aspect ratio makes the tablet elongated, and it is not always convenient to hold it with one hand (this is especially noticeable on the larger 11-inch tablets). As an advantage, the ability to watch films without black bars at the top and bottom is always indicated. Windows 8.1 has another advantage: two applications in the new interface can stand side by side, and for this the wide screen looks much more convenient.

Analysis of the objective characteristics of the screen (author: Alexey Kudryavtsev)

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface, resistant to scratches. Judging by the reflection of objects, there is some kind of antiglare filter, which in terms of reducing the brightness of the reflection is worse than that of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) (hereinafter we compare it with it). The surface of the matrix itself under the glass is slightly dull, so the screen reflects both direct light sources (external surface) and scattered light (matrix surface), this reduces readability in conditions of strong external light. For clarity, we present photographs in which a white surface is reflected in the turned off screens of both tablets (Asus Transformer Book T100 is on the left, then they can be distinguished by their size):

The gray screen surface of the T100 versus the nearly black screen of the Nexus 7 confirms the above. In general, putting matte matrices into devices with external glass looks like a mockery of common sense and the user. The reflection in the screen is double, which suggests the presence of an air gap between the matrix surface and the outer glass. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (less effective than the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are easier to remove and appear at a slower rate than with regular glass.

With manual brightness control, its maximum value was about 220 cd / m² (but once we managed to fix 240 cd / m²), and the minimum was 9 cd / m². The maximum value is low, and given the poor antiglare properties and light haze of the matrix surface, the image on the screen will be hard to see in bright daylight. In complete darkness, the brightness can be lowered to a comfortable level. There is an automatic brightness control by the light sensor (located to the right of the front camera). In automatic mode, when the ambient light conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. This function depends on the brightness adjustment position. If it is 100%, then in complete darkness the auto brightness function reduces the brightness to 112 cd / m2 (it could have been lower), in an office illuminated with artificial light (about 400 lux) it sets to 220 cd / m2 (just right), in in a very bright environment (corresponds to illumination on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or slightly more) increases to a maximum, that is, to the same 220 cd / m². If it is at 50%, then the screen brightness for the three conditions above is 60, 190 and 190 cd / m². If the dimmer is set to 0 when auto dimming is on, the dimmer always remains at the minimum (9 cd / m²) value. As a result, the auto-brightness function somehow works, however, with such a low maximum brightness, there is still little sense from it, but at least in complete darkness, the brightness is automatically reduced, which saves energy and increases comfort. At brightness up to 50% (according to the slider, according to the sensor - about 110 cd / m2), there is no significant backlight modulation. At brightness 25% and below, the backlight modulation is present in the form of rectangular pulses with 100% amplitude and a frequency of 250 Hz. In principle, such modulation can already be noticed and it can somehow affect the comfort of working with this device, but there is nothing critical in this, since the typical brightness at which the device will be used will most likely be higher than that at which the modulation appears ...

AT this tablet uses an IPS matrix. The micrographs show the typical IPS sub-pixel structure:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of photomicrographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The screen has good viewing angles without inverting tints and without significant color shift, even with large gaze deviations from the perpendicular to the screen. For comparison, here are some pictures showing the same images on the screens of the Nexus 7 and the tested tablet, with the brightness of both screens set to about 200 cd / m². Test picture perpendicular to the screens:

It can be seen that the differences in color reproduction are small, but the image on the Asus (which is not the Nexus) is slightly less saturated (note, for example, the grapes and bananas), however, this is the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from the photograph. And a white box:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both tablets, but the Transformer Book has decreased brightness and contrast to a greater extent. Then a white box:

The brightness at an angle on both tablets has noticeably decreased (at least 5 times, based on the difference in exposure), but the T100 has a noticeably darker screen. The black field, when deviated along the diagonal, is lightened to an average degree and acquires a violet or red-violet tint. The photo from the Nexus 7 for comparison shows this (the brightness of the white areas in the perpendicular direction is the same for both tablets!):

And from a different angle:

When viewed from a perpendicular view, the uniformity of the black field is average, since there are several areas with increased black brightness along the edge:

The contrast (near the center of the screen) is good at around 960: 1. The response time for the transition black-white-black is 30 ms (15 ms on + 15 ms off). The transition between gray tones of 25% and 75% (by the numerical value of the color) and back takes 43 ms in total. The gamma curve, plotted using 32 points at equal intervals in terms of the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 1.91, which is lower than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve in places deviates from the power dependence:

Due to the aggressive and non-switchable (yes, the manufacturer knows better what the user needs, well at least Google in the case of the Nexus 7 2013 monitored the screen quality) dynamically adjusting the brightness of the backlight in accordance with the nature of the displayed image, the resulting dependence of brightness on the hue (gamma curve) does not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential output of shades of gray on the whole screen. For this reason, we carried out a number of tests - determining the contrast and response time, comparing black illumination at angles - when displaying special templates, and not single-color fields in full screen.

Color gamut narrower than sRGB:

Apparently, the matrix filters mix the components with each other and / or the illumination spectrum is poorly differentiated by regions. The spectra confirm this:

This technique allows you to increase the brightness of the screen with the same energy consumption for the backlight. As a result, the colors of images - drawings, photographs and films - oriented to the sRGB space (and the vast majority of them) have a slightly reduced saturation. The balance of shades on the gray scale is not ideal, since the color temperature is close to the standard 6500 K, but the deviation from the spectrum of the absolute black body (ΔE) is greater than 10, which is considered not a very good indicator even for a consumer device. However, in this case, the color temperature and ΔE do not change much from hue to hue, which is good for the visual assessment of the color balance. (The dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since the color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

The maximum brightness of this screen is low, the surface of the matrix is \u200b\u200bslightly matte and the antiglare properties are weak, as a result, the comfort of use on a clear day outdoors will be very low. There is an automatic brightness control, which even somehow works, and in principle can save the user from having to manually adjust the brightness. The advantages include the absence of screen flickering at least in the main operating range of brightness, a fairly high contrast and - in visual assessment - a good color balance. Significant disadvantages (except for low brightness) are the following: low uniformity of the black field and narrow color gamut. The screen is of average quality.

Note that the tablet is equipped with a Micro-HDMI connector, which allows you to output an image to an external device. The modes are traditional for Windows: copy (clone), desktop extension (normal, not tiled), only to the tablet screen or only to an external device. This connector is miniature (narrower than Micro-USB), but has 19 pins. HDMI cables for such a connector are usually quite stiff, which, during use, often causes a skewed plug in the socket and a failure in image transmission. In general, the performance characteristics of this method of connecting to an external screen are extremely low. The use of the Micro-HDMI connector is somehow justified in the case of miniature devices such as phones, but in tablets it is necessary to use more reliable options such as Mini-HDMI or even a full-size HDMI option.

Subjective impressions of the screen (Sergey Korogod)

The relative disadvantages of the screen include a low maximum brightness (230 nits). On the street, especially on a bright day, you will not see anything, and even for a room brightly lit by the summer sun, the brightness may not be enough (especially in films). But if you use a laptop in an apartment, then you most likely will never encounter this drawback (most home laptops until 2012 had the same maximum brightness level - and nothing). However, on devices with high screen brightness, it has to be lowered to work indoors. However, the T100TA has automatic brightness control.

The main point that I would like to focus on is permission. Formally, 1366 × 768 doesn't seem cool today, and many reviewers accustomed to top-end products and top-end screens blame the tablet for this.

Indeed, a high resolution on the tablet screen allows you to get a more pleasant and comfortable picture for the eyes, first of all - clearer and more rounded fonts without "ladders". But even if we leave out of brackets the fact that this is not a top-end tablet at all, as well as technical issues (such as the fact that screens with higher resolutions consume more energy and load more graphics), then the question of image scaling remains.

The new Windows interface has no problem with this. But applications for the old interface (traditional desktop) often work well only at 100% or close scale. And then the interface elements begin to disperse, or fonts with hard-coded parameters do not scale and become too small. In this situation, the lower the resolution, the less chance of unpleasant surprises. In addition, larger interface elements make the interface easier to manage.

In general, because of the low resolution, small fonts look less neat - with stepped edges and a little blurry (although only those who have high-end smartphones and tablets of "Retina" level will notice this) outlines. But this is a relative disadvantage, forgivable for an inexpensive device. But there will be no difficulties with scaling the traditional Windows interface, which for me, for example, is more important.

Sound

Sound is seen as one of the essential strengths of the Asus T100TA. And deservedly so - the sound is relatively loud and not bad in terms of parameters for a portable device. You can talk over the Internet or watch a movie without any problems.

Dock station

One of the important features of the T100TA is the docking station. It comes in a set and you won't be able to refuse it. On the other hand, the T100TA with a dock is cheaper than most Windows tablets without a dock.

The most important thing about a docking station is its very presence. As we have already said, if without a dock a tablet is "lying on the couch in the evening, surfing the Internet, watching a movie", then with it it is "a full-fledged laptop, only a small one with a not very fast processor." But ... how not fast? The speed is about the same or even faster than any laptop with a diagonal of 15.6 inches and costing up to 20-22 thousand rubles that you could buy a couple of years ago.

Design

The dock is quite expectedly made of plastic, although the keyboard panel is decorated with textured aluminum, also dark gray. The dock has both a keyboard and a touchpad, which is relatively large for such a case (we will talk about them in detail below).

Finally, the large swivel assembly stands out. Docking the tablet is easy - just roughly align its edges with the edges of the dock, and it will follow the guides. The tablet snaps into place automatically to release it by pressing the eject button - no fiddling with sliders.

Pros and cons

Docking the tablet into the dock gives you a cute little laptop that brings back the nostalgic memories of Asus netbooks. The dock also protects the screen when closed - this can be useful in a packed suitcase, for example. By the way, on the forums there are often complaints that the tablet can wake up even with the lid closed, in which case the battery will run out. I faced this problem personally.

You need to understand that the combination of a tablet + a dock will always weigh more than a laptop of similar characteristics. Here the tablet weighs about 580 grams, the dock - about 530, which gives us almost 1.1 kg. I think a similar laptop would weigh 800-850 grams. However, in reality, the difference is absolutely uncritical, especially since you will probably only hold a tablet in your hands. Occasionally, the tablet loses its connection to the dock (keyboard and touchpad stop working).

In many similar devices, the tablet turns out to be the heaviest element and outweighs the entire structure to the back. In this regard, the Asus T100TA is doing great - the construction is very stable on the table. This is due to the design of the pivot assembly - when opened, its back goes down and raises the back of the dock up. True, the swivel unit has a big drawback: the screen opens at a very small angle, 100-110 degrees, no more. Because of this, very often (if the table is low relative to the chair) you will look down at the screen, which is not always pleasant. Holding the tablet in the dock on your lap makes the situation even worse.

There is a controversial opinion that it would be better if there was a second battery in the dock. On the one hand - it, of course, does not pull the pocket. But on the other hand, the dock would become significantly heavier and cost significantly more. And the T100TA already works for 8-9 hours, this is almost guaranteed to be enough for a full day (if you do not sit with the tablet constantly), and at night there is enough time to restore the charge. So the second battery is kind of not needed.

What I would like is the ability to connect the charger to the dock, then it could be kept on the table all the time, and the tablet could be put into it for charging or if you need to print something. It's much more convenient than sticking a charger into a tablet every time.

What they don't write about in reviews - 2

In nature, there are two docking options for the Asus T100TA - the usual one that came with us, and also another option, which has an installed 500 GB hard drive. This gives a lot of interesting possibilities: organizing backups, storing a home collection of photos and videos (considering that the internal storage is small, this is important). With the additional drive, the T100TA is much more convenient to use as a versatile laptop. Unfortunately, in our version of the dock, the disc cannot be installed.

Another notable drawback of the dock is that it only has one USB 3.0 connector. Let's even say this: it has only one connector, and this is USB 3.0. That is, you can connect a hard drive, USB flash drive or mouse - and that's it. No video output, no charging, no at least two USB ports ... By the way, the mouse will come in handy. Let's talk about this.

Keyboard and touchpad

The biggest disappointment with the T100TA is the disgusting keyboard and mouse on the dock. In my opinion, it would not have been possible to do even worse on purpose. I couldn't get used to them, and judging by the reviews, I'm not alone. Against this background, by the way, the positive-neutral reaction of many reviewers is surprising.

So how did this happen and what is the problem? In an attempt to save space on the keyboard panel, Asus has reduced the vertical size of the keys. If you are already used to typing on other keyboards, then you probably have developed a reflex, at what vertical distance the keys are relative to each other. Therefore, on the Asus T100TA keyboard, you are guaranteed to miss the keys. Why they did this is a mystery to me. A similar tablet from Asus, but on Android, has a completely different keyboard unit, and there these problems are not.

However, these are not all claims. The keyboard has an indistinct and "rubbery" pressure, and in addition the keyboard is also stiff. And for dessert, the entire surface of the dock under the keyboard bounces when typing (by the way, they note that a dock with a hard drive is devoid of this drawback). In general, it is inconvenient and unpleasant to type. Therefore, if you plan to type a lot, then you should definitely not rely on the built-in keyboard.

The situation with the touchpad is no better. It doesn't work very well by itself, but the worst thing is its buttons. It's just beyond good and evil. It's hard to press the button until you press it, you need to press it deeply (after all, we press on the surface of the touchpad, it almost rises like a hump), pressing it with a terrible hard click. Also, when you click, you will certainly move the cursor, so it is unlikely that you will be able to click the mouse where you need it the first time. And for dessert, the top of the touchpad can come off and rise up ...

In general, the dock is a good thing in theory, and in some situations it seriously adds convenience. However, its implementation in this case is poor. The built-in keyboard and touchpad are unsatisfactory and are only suitable for completely undemanding users who type very rarely and a little (one letter a day or an address in a browser). But you will have to use an external mouse, because the touchpad is a mockery. So the only USB port came in handy.

Work and productivity

An idea of \u200b\u200bthe performance of the Bay Trail platform (Silvermont architecture) in synthetic tests, which were carried out on this tablet, can be drawn from the data of the general review.

In this post, we are conducting research on gaming performance.

Researching performance in PC games (Sergey Pakhomov)

Unfortunately, evaluating the performance of the Asus T100TA hybrid tablet according to our iXBT Notebook Benchmark v.1.0 method was impossible. Most of the applications of the technique are 64-bit and require a 64-bit version of the Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 operating system to run. Therefore, we have given up using our iXBT Notebook Benchmark v.1.0.

At the same time, the method of evaluating the performance in games iXBT Game Benchmark v.1.0 does not necessarily require a 64-bit OS version, so we ran the game tests on the tablet.

Of course, even without tests it is clear that the performance of the graphics core of the Asus TransformerBook T100 tablet (Intel Atom Z3740 processor) is definitely not enough for modern PC games. So with this testing, we just wanted to confirm this fact.

So, the results of testing the Asus TransformerBook T100 in games with a screen resolution of 1366 × 768 are presented in the table:

This table is missing two games that we use in testing laptops - Grid 2 and Hitman: Absolution. Alas, although these games are installed, they do not start even with the settings for the minimum quality.

As you can see from the test results, even when the games are set to the minimum quality, the Asus TransformerBook T100 does not allow you to comfortably play any game. Well, in the setting mode for maximum quality, the playback of game tests is more like a slide show.

For comparison, the results of the Toshiba Portege Z30, which we just tested. It has a highly integrated version of the Intel Core i5-4200U processor, which uses Intel HD Graphics 4400. But it should be borne in mind that due to the different Turbo Boost algorithms, it is difficult to draw any conclusion about the frequencies at which the 4200U operates in games. ...

In total, the Asus tablet in games is about twice as slow as the Intel HD Graphics 4400, but even on a Toshiba laptop, the only game from our list, World of Tanks, can be played more or less normally. Most likely, tablet users will have to turn to older and simpler games.

Subjective Performance Notes (Sergey Korogod)

However, this does not mean at all that "Asus T100 is inapplicable for games." Powerful modern PC games will really not work well on it. But for PC, there are a huge number of relatively simple and undemanding casual games. There are old PC games for which its performance is sufficient. Finally, there are games for the new Windows interface that are optimized for low-performance devices, and the T100 can handle them just fine. So you shouldn't write it off completely.

If we go back to the performance assessment in general, the tablet's operating speed is sufficient for undemanding home users. The system does not slow down, the responsiveness is at a good level. Cinema shouldn't be a problem since the new Atom has support for hardware decoders, including Intel Qsync. A Full HD movie with the included hardware decoder runs smoothly, the processor load is low (10-20%, no more). And that's probably all it should be used for. You just don't need to consider this tablet as a video editing tool or for complex calculations. Or it is worthwhile to come to terms with low performance in these specific tasks in advance.

This caveat is caused by a surprisingly common assumption that devices based on the new Atom will not be suitable for anyone, because the platform is slow. For whom is it slow? Its performance is somewhere on the same level as that of the top ARM systems, Snapdragon 800 and Tegra 4 (the specific ratio depends on the tasks). Moreover, home users simply do not use those tasks where its relatively low performance will somehow be noticeable.

In general, the performance of this platform is good for the level of tasks for which it is intended. It should not be confused with the previous generation.

Autonomy

The situation is about the same with autonomy. We measured it in the previous material, and these figures should be enough for comparison with classmates. Settings: adaptive power scheme, the screen always works at maximum brightness, otherwise - standard settings. The wireless interfaces are disabled (except for the network test). During testing, the laptop restarts, all utilities installed by the manufacturer are launched (except for the anti-virus program, it is uninstalled before testing).

• Reading mode (minimum consumption, only the battery monitoring utility starts)
• Video view mode (starts AVI file (H.264) in MPC-HC player).

In our tests, battery life is very good.

If we speak subjectively, then I will write this: the T100TA battery can work 8-9 hours on average. There are two main factors affecting autonomy: the load on the platform and the brightness level of the screen. In games and at maximum brightness, it can work less than 7 hours, in economy mode or with reduced brightness - more than 10. You should focus on these numbers.

Well, it's worth remembering that hardly anyone will watch a movie for 8 hours continuously. Rather, there will be a mixed scenario: cinema / internet / reading, etc. And on average it will turn out exactly between 8 and 9 hours.

Charging time is relatively long - 5-6 hours from the supplied power supply. Although this is practically the case with all modern tablets.

Also in this section, it should be noted that many users noted problems with assessing the health of the battery - for some reason the system incorrectly calculates its wear and does not allow the battery to charge to full capacity. As far as I understand, there is no fix for this yet.

So, let's summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the Asus T100TA.

pros

• Low price for such opportunities. Having paid 18,000 rubles, you get a tablet and a docking station, that is, with a certain skill - a full-fledged home laptop.
• Not a bad level of performance for a home device, good responsiveness of the system in everyday tasks.
• Good battery life.
• Full Windows 8 with desktop applications.
• Microsoft Office 2013 license as a nice bonus.

Minuses

• Very bad keyboard and touchpad.
• Very long charging time, not every PSU is suitable.

I did not write down the screen as a minus, since for a budget device such parameters as his are acceptable. Nevertheless, it should be assessed as "could have been better."

And I would also like to make a reservation about the 3G modem. On the one hand, yes, you want to take a small convenient tablet with you on the road, while retaining the advantages of access to the network. But, firstly, the T100 is still more of a home tablet. And secondly, 3G / LTE significantly adds value to devices, which is wrong for a budget device.

To summarize my personal impressions, first of all I liked the performance of the new platform - the tablet looks fast and responsive at work. Difficulties or some kind of negative when working with a tablet (specifically in the role of a tablet) I did not have. Unfortunately, because of the bad keyboard and touchpad, it was on the desktop that I could not work with it, so here I have no particular impressions. And it's very nice that in case of any difficulties with the new interface, in the absence of software, etc. - there is always a good old desktop on which you can do whatever you want.

Subjective opinion: Asus T100 - the story of one purchase (Vitaly Kazunov)

I needed a new laptop on a modern platform to replace the old, completely worn out one. The requirements were simple. Small in size, about 10 inches to be thrown in a bag. The same applies to weight - the less the better. I was interested in the appearance in the last place, I needed a typewriter, which I do not mind. But I really wanted to get at the same time a good screen at the level of modern tablets (that is, a touchscreen, IPS), a long battery life (at least 8 hours), as well as a fast processor so that you can work comfortably in office applications. Price, of course, also matters.

For the Windows platform, it turned out to be the Asus Transformer Book T100. Not just a laptop, but a hybrid! With a "flick of the hand" it turns into a tablet, and if you connect it to a monitor (via the Micro-HDMI port), a keyboard and a mouse (via USB), you will get a pretty good office PC.

The Asus T100's specs are more than attractive. The next generation Intel Atom platform provided excellent performance. Judging by the reviews, two gigabytes of RAM did not negatively affect the speed of the system, if you did not load it with heavy applications. 10 hours of battery life were guaranteed, the battery was charged via the Micro-USB port, and the touch screen was made using IPS technology (not the best quality, but much better than TN displays installed in budget laptops).

Windows 8.1 was preinstalled as the operating system, and as a bonus Asus added a license for Microsoft Office 2013 Home & Student. In the US, a similar device costs about $ 400. In Europe, this amount increased to $ 500.

Since the laptop was not available on the Russian market at the time of purchase, I had to buy it from my neighbors in Poland. Took a modification with 32 GB of internal flash memory and a 500 GB hard drive integrated into the keyboard dock.

Since I have been using Asus T100 for several months, I will immediately note the pitfalls.

The basic BIOS of the laptop must be flashed to a new one as soon as possible, otherwise the device will constantly freeze in the sleep state (only a reboot saves - long-term holding of the power button). The firmware procedure is simple, it is performed through the pre-installed Asus WinFlash utility. However, the preinstalled Asus LiveUpdate application itself will remind you to update the BIOS.

As promised, the bundled laptop comes with a code for the licensed version of Office 2013 Home & Student. But since I bought the device abroad, Office lacked support for the Russian language, so I had to buy it separately (this pleasure costs about $ 20).

Charging via Micro-USB port… There is a trick here. The complete Asus charger does an excellent job, the device charges quickly enough. It is difficult to name a specific time, since I usually carry the T100 with me all day, and I have enough energy for work, and I put it on for refueling at night. At the same time, Asus charging did not fit any other device in the house, and the attempt to charge a working laptop with charging from a smartphone failed - energy was consumed faster than it accumulated. But if you turn off the T100 and connect it to a standard charger, then 12 hours is enough to fully restore the battery charge.

The microSD card slot is unfortunately shallow. The card sticks out of the case and snaps off if pressed accidentally. That is, using an SD card to expand the flash memory will not work. Therefore, I recommend that you think about the T100 version with 64 GB of flash memory before buying. On my 32GB device, the operating system ate up 22GB, leaving me just 10GB.

I'm not a big fan of the Windows 8.1 tiled interface. I consider it useless, and the interface of the "tiled" programs - inconvenient, especially when compared with their counterparts on Android or iOS. In tablet mode, as the smiling people do in Microsoft commercials, I don't use the T100 at all. However, in "standard" Windows mode, I found the touchscreen and hybrid nature of the device quite useful.

For example, the need for a touchpad has almost disappeared. It is faster to point your finger at the desired link, icon, or drag the page down than to try to hover the cursor in the right place. For this reason, editing documents has become easier. When the text is ready, you can unfasten the screen from the docking station and go to a cozy place in order to take your time to reread everything carefully, making small edits using the electronic keyboard. When traveling, it's also easier to leave the dock in your bag and watch movies or read books from your tablet screen. Well, the 500 GB hard drive is a nice addition. It is always possible to dump a large amount of information on it.

The performance of the T100 was a pleasant surprise. The quad-core Intel Atom Z3740 handles most tasks perfectly. There is not even a hint of brakes in the Internet browser when viewing several heavy windows. Office programs (I'll say right away, I haven't worked with heavy Excel tables) - excellent. Easy picture editing in Photoshop - no problem. Surprisingly, games with simple 3D graphics (League of Legends, DOTA 2, World of Tanks, Counter-Strike 1.6, GTA: San Andreas, Halo: Spartan Assault, World of Warcraft, Torchlight, The Walking Dead) run at a consistently high frame rate. That is, on the road you can occupy yourself not only with movies, books and social networks.

As for the criticism of the keyboard from the side of observers, I have to disagree. The keys are clearly legible and typing on the T100 is far more comfortable than on my previous netbook. Although here, perhaps, the principle of least evil affects.

It should be noted that, apparently, docking stations with an installed hard drive are different from docking stations without it. In my case, there is not even a hint of flexing under the fingers, the body is hard, not elastic. I was very pleased with the screen fastening mechanism. On the one hand, the screen can be easily removed and docked, and on the other, the docking station hangs on it like a glove if you lift the laptop by the screen and shake it.

Output

You shouldn't think of the T100 as a tablet - if only because of the flawed "tiled" interface and Windows 8.1 applications. First of all, Asus T100 is a laptop with a pleasant bonus in the form of the ability to unfasten the screen, and the Windows 8.1 operating system allows you to work with normal versions of programs, and not with their "stubs" for Android and iOS.

Like a laptop, the Asus T100 will have no competition for a long time in terms of value for money. Light weight (the version with a 500 GB hard drive weighs 1170 g), compact size (fits into a case for a 10-inch tablet), sturdy body, good touch IPS-screen, loud speakers, satisfactory performance (for a processor named Intel Atom - so generally amazing), low cost, very long battery life, charging (with reservations) via the Micro-USB port. The version with the hard drive installed in the docking station provides an additional 500 GB of data storage. Finally, licensed Microsoft Office 2013 Home & Students is a bonus.

In my opinion, this device demonstrates where the evolution of notebooks should move. Ultrabooks are a dead end, an unreasonably high price hinders their distribution. But such compact, inexpensive hybrids on the new energy-efficient processors from Intel can give an impetus to the growth of the personal computer market. This is the golden mean: a tablet, a laptop, and an operating system designed not only for pampering, but also for work.

P. S. Many users write that when the BIOS is updated by standard means, the tablet stops turning on.

Netbooks initially did not have a very good reputation. When the first models of these devices appeared on the market, consumers were very skeptical about them. Today, opinion about them has changed due to their availability and portability, as well as different technical characteristics.

Taiwan-based Asus was one of the first to launch a Linux (and later Windows) netbook in the Eee PC line in 2007, so it's no surprise that the new Asus Transformer Book T100 looks impressive.

The new 10.1-inch T100 netbook tablet is portable, runs on the new version of Windows 8.1, allowing the user to install old programs on the desktop along with application shortcuts from windows Store from Microsoft. The device transforms from a tablet to a mini-laptop when the included keyboard is connected.

Like all other transformer devices, the T100 simultaneously provides the user's needs for two gadgets, eliminating the need for a second device.

Key Features

The Asus Transformer Book T100 features low power consumption and is powered by Intel's high-performance Atom platform. In terms of its technical characteristics, the gadget is able to compete with such 8-inch tablets as the 8.1 HP Omni 10, Toshiba Encore and Dell Venue Pro 8. At the same time, it cannot enter into fierce competition with 10-inch devices, including with remotely similar Lenovo ThinkPads, and even Microsoft Pro 2, since the processor of the described device has such a configuration, thanks to which it has a very high level of performance, ahead of many devices of the latest generation, for example, Acer Iconia W3 and Envy x2 HP.

However, you won't be shocked by the price of this device. The Asus Transformer Book T100 is in the same price range as the 8-inch tablets. It costs about $ 300, but having a keyboard means this gadget is better - it will come in handy for a lot more tasks. Also, don't let yourself be compared to other netbooks - the T100 is not only a tablet, but also an attractive device with a glossy plastic cover, which in its appearance resembles the premium ZENBOOK line of Asus ultrabooks. At the same time, unlike the above-mentioned devices, the T100 looks much more modest, so you will not feel uncomfortable taking the netbook out of your bag on the train or at a business meeting.

Appearance

Final conclusions

The Asus Transformer Book T100 is an impressive attempt to combine some of the more attractive aspects of netbooks with the versatility of today's tablets. This device does not aspire to be the leader in the category of mini-laptops or tablets, but this combination of two devices into one will not go unnoticed.

The fact that the body parts are made of plastic, and the hinges for connecting the components are of a different material, visually seems strange. This does not make the Asus Transformer Book T100 Red (as well as other modifications) worse than other gadgets, it just looks a little different. Its 10.1-inch screen works well in both mini laptop mode and tablet mode. If you like the specifics of working in Windows 8.1, this device may be fully suitable for you.

Nevertheless, if you already have a separate laptop for work and are currently choosing a high-quality portable gadget, it is better to pay attention to full-fledged tablets. For example, Google would be a smart solution if you don't want to buy two-in-one devices.

Positive traits

As a tablet, the T100 is a great gadget and a great buying decision. Currently, the number of apps offered by the Windows Store is growing every month. Plus, the device has an excellent battery life, which means you can take it on the go and use it for most of the day without recharging. The ability to charge it via micro-USB is a bonus too, even if it takes longer. Thus, the car charger for the Asus Transformer Book T100 becomes available. The addition of a USB 3.0 port on the case gives the T100 more versatility and protects you from the hassle of a micro USB converter. And of course, 1TB of storage space on the cloud service is perhaps the biggest plus.

disadvantages

A big inconvenience is the keys, which are located very closely and are too small. Because of these features, you will have to change your typing style and working with the device, otherwise you risk getting tired very quickly. If you need a device for typing a large amount of text, then you will have to connect another keyboard that is not included in the kit.

The lack of a camera on the back is also annoying for most users, although not a very significant drawback. In addition, the T100 is considered a mid-range device that you can expect in this price segment, so you shouldn't expect much power and a lot of bonuses from it.

Since their inception, netbooks have made a great contribution to the development of technology - they were cheap, portable and easy to use. The tablets that appeared later could perform about the same range of tasks, but were limited by the capabilities of touch control. This was the main reason why the developers began to make significant efforts to release a device capable of combining the positive features of both a tablet and a netbook.

Since the developers have sought to revise the functionality of compact devices, however, tablet PCs continue to rapidly replace netbooks. was released in order to combine the best qualities of both devices - on the one hand, this is a small lightweight netbook with a ten-inch screen and a compact keyboard, on the other, you can use its removable half, turning the gadget into a tablet on Windows 8. And the cost of this device is pleasantly pleasing - only about $ 400.

Appearance and features

If, in your mind, netbooks seem like miniature devices with little performance, rest assured - there is nothing like this in this Asus model. In their own way appearance The Asus T100TA is not only surprisingly compact, but also visually attractive. The dark gray plastic, from which the base of the case is made, is effectively finished with a metal look. The glossy surface of the transformer lid is decorated with circular patterns that create an unusual effect of rotation around the Asus logo.

When used alone, the tablet weighs only 550 grams and is eleven millimeters thick. At the same time, it seems that the build quality is not very good, especially when comparing the device with Android competitors or with the iPad Air. This can be called a disadvantage that is not justified by the low price. Nevertheless, this impression appears only upon visual inspection of the device. In fact, the case is quite durable and resistant to external influences. The Asus Transformer Book T100TA tablet and keyboard are secured by two hinged locks that open when pressed all the way.

Functionality

Full support for Windows 8 (version for personal computers) running the new IntelAtom processors took place on earlier devices of the same price range, but the T100 is still different from them. First of all, it has the new BayTrailAtom processor, which is faster and offers much more power. In addition, the device offers good battery life, and its shape and design looks very nice. In other words, the transformer on the full version of Windows 8 stands out pleasantly from other market offers.

Of course, the physical keyboard is not much different from other models - the keys are compact and are too small. However, the touchpad is the same size as the surface of the device and is very responsive.

To detach the top half, you need to press the button located on the right above the keyboard, and then pull the mechanical latch. Subsequently, by similar actions, you can easily assemble the device back.

The Asus Transformer T100TA keyboard located on the bottom half has its own USB 3.0 port, the rest of the ports are located on the top half of the transformer.

Display and screen

The 1366 x 768 pixel resolution of the tablet's touchscreen display looks good, but not particularly bright. Regardless, it fits well with a ten-inch screen, and the IPS panel has wide viewing angles. Despite not being too bright, the contrast ratio is 889: 1, which guarantees crisp details in images and movies. The color rendition is also somewhat distorted - you can notice an excess of yellowish color, and some shades lack courage. But all these features cannot be called too significant, given the cost of the device.

As a tablet, the Asus T100TA looks great, but the device is thicker and larger than the iPad or the most famous Android devices. Sure, it's pretty portable, but it still doesn't feel like a completely standalone tablet. The device appears to be a laptop lid looking for its base. For simple home use, the gadget is quite suitable, but using it everywhere without a keyboard will not always work. In addition, the Home button is slightly unusual - instead of pressing the Windows icon located just below the display, you have to press the lower left button on the side of the tablet.

When assembled, the Asus Book T100TA weighs approximately 1.2 kg. This weight is perfectly acceptable for a 10.1 "netbook. The tablet alone weighs half the weight. It can be used with one hand, but it is not very convenient - it is preferable to work with both.

Another significant drawback of the Asus Transformer Book T100TA 64Gb is the lack of a camera on the back. You will not be able to take photos, except for selfies with avatars. The 1.3 megapixel front webcam is fine for this purpose, as well as for video calling.

Internal architecture

The new-generation BayTrailAtom Z3740 quad-core processor hides inside the device along with 2GB of RAM and storage space for a 64GB SSD. This is one of the first devices released on the new class of processors from Atom: previous tablets on Windows 8 were pretty decent gadgets, but had a number of limitations. They were good at solving everyday tasks, but could not work with "heavy" programs. In turn, the development of the Asus T100TA used the modern Silvermont microarchitecture. With this design, the quad-core processor delivers high power, as well as support for USB 3, DDR3 RAM and 64-bit operating system. Graphics performance is pleasantly surprising thanks to the Ivy Bridge-class GPU technology.

The frequency of the above processor is 1.33 GHz. In addition, it is capable of operating at burst frequencies up to 1.86 and can support up to 4GB of RAM (despite the fact that the base asus equipment Transformer Book T100TA 64Gb assumes 2 GB of RAM).

Performance

All these features give very good results in everyday use of the Asus T100TA 32Gb. Compared to Windows 8 running on previous generation devices (with the AtomCloverTrail processor), this Asus model is a real speed record. Apps load much more vigorously, web browsing is fast and smoother, and running multiple programs at the same time runs smoothly, right up to the point where 2GB of RAM starts to show.

Ports and connections

Tablet ports and slots for connection are present at a minimum, but they are functional: MicroUSB, MicroHDMI, microSD card slot, as well as a USB3.0 keyboard-based port. The Asus Transformer Book T100TA tablet has 802.11a / G / N Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.

Battery testing

The battery life remains as long as you'd expect from Atom devices. As testing shows, with a slight dimming of the screen brightness, Wi-Fi turned off and viewing only text documents and saved web pages, the gadget lasts a little over nine hours. Of course, this is less than the competition. For example, Dell Latitude 10 runs in this mode for 12 hours 35 minutes, but keep in mind that the T100 weighs much less, and this is a definite plus.

Integrated applications

Another undoubtedly attractive feature of the Asus T100TA is the software bundle pre-installed by default. Somehow, Asus managed to reach an agreement with the developers to provide the device with licensed Microsoft Office and Student 2013. For many people, this alone will be enough to consider the gadget as a planned must purchase.

operating system

However, initially you should think about what Windows 8 is for. This operating system is not very suitable for desktop computers or laptops without touch screens. And completely standalone tablets (no keyboards) on it can also have some difficulties to use. To control "Windows 8" requires the ability to work with both a touch screen and physical keys. Thus, the transformer is the only functional option for this operating system. In addition, the affordable Asus T100TA docking allows you to connect various devices, increasing the functionality of your mini laptop.

Verdict

While Microsoft is still trying to convince users that Windows RT devices are the best successor to a netbook, Intel has made good adjustments - ARM is not having a positive effect on Windows.

The new Atom platform delivers a massive boost in performance, enough power for casual gaming, and long battery life at a cost that allowed the company to sell the Asus Book T100TA 64gb for just $ 400. According to experts, this is very bad news for Windows RT.

As for the T100 itself, it offers all the features you'd expect from a transformer at a surprisingly low price. Despite some shortcomings, the device will surely become popular with users around the world.

What can you expect from this transformer? Again, the reviews say that the device is perfect for day-to-day basic work and will do it very well.

The T100 is both a laptop and a tablet. The device is able to function as both devices and the results are impressive. Spending only about $ 400, you get two gadgets with long battery life and a fully functional figure eight.

Positive features

As noted in user reviews, the clear plus is that the Asus Transformer Book T100 runs on Windows 8.1 and comes with a full keyboard, has a long battery life and is offered at a low cost.

disadvantages

The small size of the keys is reported by users to cause fatigue when typing. In addition, the brightness and color reproduction of the screen is somewhat limited and distorted. This becomes especially noticeable when watching movies.