November 29, 2013
I’ve been waiting and watching for some 10-inch Bay Trail Windows tablets to roll out. These are iPad-sized tablets that promise access to a full desktop copy of Outlook, something often needed when using the MYN e-mail and task productivity system. Such tablets give you a full version of Windows, not the limited Windows RT version like on the Surface 2 (non-Pro). And recall, Bay Trail devices run just as fast as many laptops, but with a smaller tablet size and very long battery life.
One such tablet that has been out almost a month now is the Asus Transformer Book T100. It was recently the number-one best-selling laptop on Amazon. The 64GB version lists for $399 with keyboard and Microsoft Office (Home and Student) included, which is an incredible price. Amazon also lists it for $399, but periodically sells it between $349 and $379 (see this link). Microsoft lists it for $299 on its store, but it’s been sold out for a while.
Why This Tablet
While this is not my ultimate Windows tablet (for example there’s no pen and it’s not super thin), the reason I am emphasizing it now is that you get a lot for the money. I mentioned the included keyboard and Office software. Also, it weighs only 1.2 pounds (without keyboard), which is as light as any 10-inch Windows tablet currently gets. Light weight is a big deal for tablets because you should be able to easily hold them with one hand when reading. Lot’s of so-called tablets are 1.5 pounds or heavier, and that starts to get too heavy for such use.
Also, this tablet gives 11 hours of battery life. Long battery life is the second most important specification for a tablet since you usually don’t keep these plugged in during the day while you carry them about.
Clamshell Keyboard Dock
Another cool thing about this tablet is the way it docks to its keyboard. The juncture is basically a laptop hinge, which means when docked it operates like a clamshell laptop. This has lots of advantages: you don’t need a stand or prop to keep the tablet up; you can put it on your lap and type with it; you can set the tilt at nearly any angle; and when closed it protects the screen–no cover needed.
All About Price
Competitors? Microsoft’s 64GB Surface 2 (non-Pro), which does not run a full copy of Windows, will cost you about $650 with its keyboard. For a full copy of Windows, jump to about $1000 for the much heavier Surface 2 Pro with keyboard. Of course these Surfaces are premium-build packages with different processors.
Fairer is to compare prices with other Bay Trail tablets, but there’s not many 10 or 11-inch Bay Trails out yet. The main competitor is probably the base-model Dell Venue 11, which sells for about $630 once you add its comparable keyboard. That’s nearly twice what I just paid for the Asus tablet at Amazon (link above). And it’s a bit heavier and it offers somewhat shorter battery life. The HP Omni 10 might get there eventually, but as of this writing it’s preorder only and it only offers 32 GB for $399, without keyboard. And like the Dell, it’s a bit heavier (1.4 lbs) and it offers shorter battery life (8.5 hrs) than the Asus.
Intel says other light, thin, low-cost Bay Trail tablets should be out soon at prices similar to the Asus T100, which will be great if and when it happens. But they are late; few others are even announced yet. In the meantime, the T100 I just ordered will be here soon and I’ll write it up for you when it arrives. Before that, here are some reviews you can study now:
For a quick overview, see this CNET article: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-transformer-book-t100/4505-3126_7-35827544.html
Medium length, more detailed review: http://www.trustedreviews.com/asus-transformer-book-t100_Tablet_review
And here is a very in-depth technical review: http://techreport.com/review/25537/asus-transformer-book-t100-convertible-notebook-reviewed
Michael Linenberger
