ASUS Launches Windows 8 Compatible Notebooks, Tablets and AIOs (Updated with Taichi and Transformer Book)
ASUS Windows 8 Tablets and Hybrids
ASUS Transformer Book
The ASUS Transformer Book is a hybrid Ultrabook-tablet with a detachable touchscreen display and keyboard dock. Overseas, three different screen sizes (11-inch, 13.3-inch and 14-inch) are available, however, in Singapore only the 13.3-inch will be available.
Design-wise, the Transformer Book is quite similar in style to ASUS' Zenbook series, with a sleek tapered, aluminum body design. The Transformer Book features a full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution IPS panel multi-touch display. Hardware components have not been confirmed at this time, but it is expected to have standard Ultrabook components. We do know that it will include full SSD storage.
Unfortunately, pricing and unavailability is currently unknown.
ASUS VivoTab RT
ASUS isn't content with just building Android tablets as it today launched the VivoTab RT, which is one of the first tablets powered by Windows RT and Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview. Formerly known as the Tablet 600, it was first revealed at Computex 2012 with great fanfare. Apart from the name change, nothing has changed with the VivoTab RT.
Bearing a striking resemblance to its Transformer line of Android slates, the VivoTab RT sports a refined, metallic design that measures a mere 8.3mm thin and weighs just 525g. This makes the VivoTab RT one of the thinnest and lightest Windows RT tablets in the market.
Similar to the Transformer Pad TF300 / Pad Prime, the VivoTab RT is equipped with NIVIDA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera and comes along with a mobile keyboard dock that transforms it into a netbook for increased productivity and longer battery mileage.
The VivoTab RT sports a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, which is reinforced with the scratch-resistant Corning Fit Glass and incorporates Super IPS+ technology for better viewing outdoors. Here's a quick video demonstration of it when it was known as the Tablet 600:-
During our hands-on with the VivoTab RT, we were impressed by its stellar build quality and lightweight form factor which are comparable to the Transformer Pad Prime (the world's first quad-core tablet). We had no issues holding the tablet in one hand. Its 10.1-inch display is one of the best we've seen so far, as it offers wide viewing angles and great clarity.
The mobile keyboard dock features a new "hidden hinge" design to accommodate the slim design of the VivoTab RT, which is in contrast to the protruding hinge of the Transformer Pad tablets. Keyboard warriors will like the chiclet keyboard as it is comfortable to type on. More importantly, the VivoTab RT aims to be the ultimate productivity machine as the mobile dock extends the battery life of the tablet up to 16 hours.
The ASUS VivoTab RT will come in two variants: Wi-Fi version and 3G version. Available from 26th October, the ASUS VivoTab RT (Wi-Fi) will retail for S$949. The 3G model will be available in Singapore at a later date. Full pricing and availability details will be released nearer to the availability period.
Here's a quick look at how the ASUS VivoTab RT fares against the Surface for Windows RT and Samsung Ativ Tab (Windows RT): -
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