ASUS Announces Transformer Book Trio - Windows 8 and Android 4.2 Hybrid
by Jarred Walton on September 4, 2013 1:01 PM EST
Going along with their other IFA announcements and taking more than a few elements from the Transformer tablets, up next from ASUS is the Transformer Book Trio. The idea is pretty simple: take all the stuff that people like with the Transformer, and pair it up with a full Windows platform. In the process, the display gets bumped to 11.6” and you add Windows 8 as a second OS option (with the ability to switch between Windows 8 and Android 4.2 at the press of a button). If you’re not ready to abandon Windows yet but want a tablet and laptop hybrid device, the Transformer Book Trio may be just what you’re after.
To support the two OSes, rather than relying on what many feel is an underpowered SoC, ASUS equips the Trio with two CPUs: for Windows 8 there’s a 4th Generation Intel Core CPU (up to Core i7), while the Android side gets an Atom Z2760 (1.6GHz). The Android CPU resides in the tablet, so when undocked you only get the Android experience, while the keyboard dock houses the CPU and additional RAM, storage, etc. The display is a 1080p 11.6” IPS panel with 10-point capacitive multitouch, and it has the typical 5MP rear-facing and 720p front-facing cameras.
The tablet half of the Trio comes with 2GB LP DDR2-1066 RAM and 16/32/64GB onboard storage. It also includes 2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, micro-USB 2.0, a 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack, and a microSD slot. Those specs are relatively tame, but ASUS makes up for some disappointments on the PC dock side of things. The PC Station includes 4GB DDR3-1600 RAM and up to a 1TB HDD, with dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, mini-DisplayPort, micro-HDMI 1.4, and a second 3.5mm headphone/microphone plug.
The tablet includes a 19Wh lithium polymer battery while the dock houses a 33Wh lithium polymer battery. Not surprisingly, which OS you run will have a pretty big impact on battery life. ASUS rates the expected battery life for the Trio at up to 13 hours in Android mode and up to 5 hours in Windows 8 mode.
With the added performance and larger size, the Trio isn’t quite as svelte as the TF701T. The tablet measures 304.9mm x 193.8xmm x 9.7mm and weighs 700g, so quite a bit more than the TF701T. The PC Station measures 304.9mm x 193.8xmm x 13.4mm and weighs 1kg. Combined then we’re looking at a laptop hybrid that’s a bit thicker than an Ultrabook and weighs as much as most 13.3” Ultrabooks, but it has a lot of extra functionality to help compensate. ASUS hasn’t finalized pricing or availability yet, so stay tuned.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
18 Comments
View All Comments
mort65 - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
It has an Atom Z2760. From my experience, running Windows 8 on it is great for the kinds of things I do on a device that doesn't have a physical mouse and keyboard. I would definitely rather have Windows 8 running on the Atom than Android especially on anything with screen larger than 5".I also agree that an 11.6" is awkward to use on a tablet. I even have some issues with a 10.1" screen.
Disorganise - Wednesday, September 4, 2013 - link
previous comment meant to be a reply to Ktracho - for some reason 'reply' isn't really a replyDutchie1 - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
Again a NO GO, how is it possible that they can not think like a user. I would like both OS perfectly integrated using files on both OS if required. (send a photo in android via LINE or attached it in a windows document if in windows). For example, When I am in Android on my tablet and then I want to go to windows 8 looking for my keyboard to be able to switch or nothing. crazy!! Haswell, 8 gigs total, sim slot for 3G of course! ssd 258 and ssd slot. Voila. Is that so difficult?kuritan - Friday, September 6, 2013 - link
Sounds greatepobirs - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
I already have Android running on my x86 laptop. It's called Blue Stacks. I mainly use it to play the addictive Simpsons Tapped Out, a parody of SimCity-type games. I haven't seen it running on something like a Surface Pro but I suspect I'd like that combination better for the price.kineticarl - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
I thought that the Windows OS is kept on the drive in the base station. That way, when you detach the tablet display, the base station can still be attached to an external monitor and you can keep using Windows 8. If that were the case, you'd probably have to buy an additional RT license to use the tablet in RT mode simultaneously. Also, can Windows 8 seamlessly sync with an RT tablet?I guess what I'm getting at is can Windows even support the functionality that everyone here seems to be asking for?
imi2003 - Thursday, September 5, 2013 - link
The dock is basically using the tablet part as a monitor, its such a waste of CPU's i suspect this will be priced the same if not higher than two separate similar spec-ed devices.JonsConspiracy - Thursday, September 19, 2013 - link
A lot of hate in the comments, but as someone who once owned the Transformer Infinity, I can say that once you put the tablet in the dock, you rarely take it out. It adds so little to the weight and size, and adds so much battery life and functionality.I think this is a genius compromise. I would probably only ever use Windows with the dock since I would generally only use windows for Office programs. However, Android has the better touch apps that you don't need a keyboard for.
I don't know if I'll buy this, but I'm tempted.