ASUS Announces Transformer Book Trio 3-in-1 Ultraportable

ASUS-Transformer-Book-Trio_01-LR
Image credit: ASUS
ASUS-Transformer-Book-Trio_01-LR
Image credit: ASUS

ASUS continues to experiment with new form factors, with its latest effort being the Transformer Book Trio – a new breed of ultraportable that is part tablet, notebook and desktop PC. The Transformer Book Trio also has the unique ability to switch between Windows 8 and Android at a press of a button. Unmatched flexibility.

The Transformer Book Trio’s chameleon-like prowess is possible thanks to the latest 4th Generation Core “Haswell” processor (i7 or i5 configurations) and a separate dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 “Bay Trail”* CloverTrail+”  processor rated at 1.6Ghz for Android tablet mode.

Whether for work or play, the device can detach from the ‘PC Station’ keyboard dock for use as a multi-touch Android tablet, or work as a notebook in Windows 8 mode. The device can then transform into a desktop PC by docking with the PC Station and attached to an external display via Mini DisplayPort or micro-HDMI.

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Image credit: ASUS

The 11.6-inch Full HD IPS LCD is vibrant and displays accurate colour with wide 178-degree viewing angles. The display features 10-point capacitative multitouch.

The Transformer Book Trio comes built-in with stereo speakers and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology in both PC Station and tablet form.

Also included as standard is Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity in the PC Station, and 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity in tablet configuration.

In terms of battery life, ASUS quotes 13 hours of battery life in Android mode, and five hours in Windows 8 mode.

Specifications at a glance

  • OS PC Station: Windows 8; Tablet: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • Processor: PC Station: 4th Generation Intel Core i7 or Core i5; Tablet: Intel Atom Z2560 (1.6Ghz)
  • Graphics: PC Station: Intel HD 4400
  • Display: 11-6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS with capacitative 10-point multitouch
  • Memory: PC Station: 4GB DDR3; Tablet: 2GB LP DDR2
  • Storage: PC Statiom: 500GB HDD; Tablet: 16GB MMC
  • Camera: 5MP, autofocus, 1080p video recording
  • Connectivity: PC Station: 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, 2x USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, micro-HDMI, 3.5mm headphone/mic jack; Tablet: 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0, micro-USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone/mic jack, microSD card slot
  • Size & weight: PC Station: 304.9 x 193.8 x 13.4mm, 1kg; Tablet: 304.9 x193.8 x 9.7mm, 700g

Availability and pricing
The ASUS Transformer Book Trio is available at local IT retails stores by end of this week. Pricing as below:

  • TX201LA – CQ003H (Core i7 processor) = RM4,099 (SRP)
  • TX201LA – CQ004H (Core i5 processor) = RM3,799 (SRP) 

Initial thoughts
The concept seems slightly oddball, fusing two different hardware platforms into one device. A tad wasteful, in my opinion, although I get the ‘flexibility’ standpoint that ASUS is attempting to market as a value proposition. You can’t fault ASUS for experimenting and trying new things though, as the popularity of its Transformer series of hybrid/convertibles have proven. I personally thought the recently launched Windows 8-based 2-in-1 Transformer Book T100 was good. If anything, I commend ASUS for being ballsy enough to be different. I’ll reserve further comment until I’ve touched and tested the device.

*Corrected: Thanks to reader Alex, for pointing out the error.

Vernon
Vernon is the founder and chief editor of Vernonchan.com. A graphic designer by profession, he has a deep love for technology, cars, gadgets, food, and travel. He tweets too much and is also known as a caffeine bacterium ("life's too short for bad coffee"). Bleeds Blue (go Chelsea FC!) and considers BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo cars to have in the garage--hallmarks of a true petrolhead.