10.1-inch ASUS T100 Tablet with Windows 8.1 and Free Office 2013 (Hands-on)
ASUS Transformer Book T100 (ASUS T100 tablet) is 10.1-inch Windows 8.1 tablet with keyboard dock and powered by Intel Atom “Bay Trail†quad-core processor, bundled with free Microsoft Office 2013.
ASUS T100 tablet is the first device to use Intel Atom Z3740 ‘Bay Trail’ quad-core processor. It is also one of the first device that shipped with Windows 8.1.
Read also: Understanding Intel Bay Trail processor family
T100 10.1-inch IPS multi-touch display has 1366×768 pixels resolution. A keyboard dock is included. It has 11 battery life and 14 days standby time, says ASUS.
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Hands-on: ASUS T100 tablet
I spent a brief time with Asus Transformer Book T100 at an Intel event.
The tablet is lightweight, the included keyboard dock has a brushed metal look. The display is bright and clear, very responsive to touch gestures.
On the right, you found MicroSD card slot, micro USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI port and headset port. On the right are volume button and Windows button. Stereo speakers are at each side of the rear.
Glad to know that T100 runs latest Windows 8.1 and not Windows RT that only support modern apps. You can install all your Windows application on T100… Wait!
Sorry to tell you that T100 only has 32GB storage space, you probably left half space after installed Windows 8.1 and Office 2013. Ouch!
However, ASUS T100 comes with free Microsoft Office 2013. Unlike Office 365, it is a standalone version with no annual fee.
As part of Microsoft OEM partner program – Windows 8 Small Screen Touch – other manufactures’ Windows 8 tablets would includes free Office 2013 bundle, too.
When docked (laptop mode), T100 tab is becomes a lightweight (1.07KG) ultraportable laptop. The keyboard dock also adds a USB3.0 port at the left side.
Immediately, I noticed an issue. The dock weighs less than the tablet, thus does not feel balance. You would worry the tablet will tip over (it did not happen) when you poke the touchscreen or use on your laps. Good to know that the hinge is very firm.
ASUS T100 keyboard has small tile keys. The right “Shift†key is so small and squeezed by arrow keys… Typing on T100 keyboard feels “plastic†and my typing error rate is extremely high because I have used to full size keyboard.
When folded, ASUS Transformer Book T100 becomes bulk like a thick book, 2.3cm height – 5mm thicker than MacBook Pro retina.
Asus Transformer Book T100 Specs
- Operating system: Windows 8.1 (32-bit)
- Processor: Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core (1.33GHz)
- Graphics: Intel HD graphics
- Display: 10.1-inch (1366×768 pixels) IPS with capacitive multi-touch
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Camera: 1.2MP (front)
- Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.0, Micro-USB port, Micro-HDMI port, MicroSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone/mic; 1x USB3.0 port on dock
- Battery: 31Wh lithium polymer
- Dimensions: 263x171x10.5mm (tablet), 263x171x13.1mm (dock)
- Weight: 550g (tablet), 520g (dock)
Photo gallery
Price and Availability
ASUS Transformer Book T100 available in Malaysia from 18th October 2013. The recommended retail price is RM 1,299.
Thoughts
ASUS Transformer Book T100 powered by Intel Atom ‘Bay Trail’ processor allows the tablet to run Windows 8.1 while provides long battery life.
32GB storage space is not enough to install your giant Windows software. I would see it as temporary space for your work documents before you save them to cloud.
ASUS T100 is a more acceptable laptop choice – Windows 8.1 with MS Office – by mass when you compare it with Google Chromebook (Chrome OS, runs everything in browser).
Though I dislike the keyboard, I think T100 is worth to consider.
With a Android/iPad tablet price range, ultraportable laptop like ASUS Transformer Book T100 would be your better choice to be productivity on-the-go, and for your kids’ studies.
➤ ASUS Malaysia
