Windows is all the same relatively new to the tablet marketplace, with the launch of Windows viii occurring just a little over a year ago. Only that doesn't mean the market place isn't filled with options for consumers, ranging from ARM-based Windows RT options such as the Microsoft Surface 2 and Nokia Lumia 2520, to full-diddled Windows 8.ane convertibles and hybrids.

Asus Transformer Pad T100 - $425

  • 10.one", 1366x768 IPS LCD (155 ppi)
  • Intel Bay Trail Z3740 SoC
  • ane.iii GHz quad-core CPU, Hard disk Graphics GPU, 2GB RAM
  • 32 GB internal storage, microSD carte du jour slot
  • Keyboard dock accessory included
  • Wi-Fi a/b/g/due north, Bluetooth 4.0, 31 Wh bombardment
  • Windows viii.ane + Microsoft Part
  • 550 grams, x.5mm thick

Loftier-end tablets tend to capture a lot of attending from the press thanks to their fancy features and pinnacle-tier hardware, simply sometimes the entry-level products can be the nigh interesting.

The device I'm looking at today is one such entry-level product, the Asus Transformer Book T100, which consists of a 10-inch tablet, Intel 'Bay Trail' internals, and a keyboard dock all for under $500. The Transformer line of products has typically been quite solid, so information technology'll be interesting to see how an affordable Windows-based model fares.

The 10-inch Windows convertible market is quite crowded, so how will the T100 stand out? Are the tablet'south merchandise-offs also much for the request price?

Design

Asus' typical tablet design is one time again harnessed for the Transformer Volume T100. To be honest, there's non a great bargain of things a company tin do to shake up the standard 10-inch tablet form, just at least Asus has managed to piece of work in a few signature touches. The round radial pattern on the back has returned, with prominent Asus branding, giving the device a dandy shine in the light.

However the design doesn't provide any texture, with Asus opting for a glossy, smooth plastic coating over the deep-grey dorsum. Other Asus tablets tend to employ matte plastic that preserves the gentle ribbed feel caused by the radial blueprint, which gives the tablet a nicer texture, just instead the T100 is smooth all over. That includes the drinking glass protecting the touchscreen, which is coated to assist fingers swiping across the display.

Despite a generally plastic structure, the T100 feels remarkably solid. There is a minor amount of flex in the back console when a large amount of force is applied, which is a by-production of using plastic rather than metal. It definitely doesn't feel like the tablet is going to snap in half, and a small rim effectually the screen should help slightly to protect the glass in the instance of a drop. Naturally, both the front end and back of this glossy device are huge fingerprint magnets, but they seem quite scratch-proof.

The front of the tablet is buttonless, ditching whatever sort of Windows button for a minimalist profile. Above the 10-inch display you'll find some branding to the left, plus an off-centre front end facing camera, and an ambient light sensor. Here we're dealing with your standard slate-style tablet; peradventure a tad wide due to the 16:ix display attribute ratio, but there's plenty bezel to hold the device comfortably.

The left edge sees both a volume rocker and the relocated Windows button, the latter of which definitely feels like a mandatory Microsoft-forced inclusion (it is) rather than a thought-out, ergonomic placement. Along the top y'all'll find the power button to the left, while the right hand side has all the ports. The T100 gives you a micro-USB port, micro-HDMI port, exposed microSD bill of fare slot and 3.5mm audio jack.

Along the bottom are the very visible dock connectors: two for hinges and one for data. They aren't specially aesthetically pleasing, and occasionally you'll experience them when holding the tablet in portrait orientation, but they facilitate the connection of a useful accessory. Stereo speakers are included on the dorsum of the tablet, which is fantastic for watching videos and playing games.

At 550 grams the tablet falls in the middle of tablet weights. In my usage I didn't feel much arm fatigue when using the device for lengthy periods. The T100's width of 10.5mm isn't amazing either, but the curved edges attempt to hide some of this fatness, especially when it's in your paw.

If I had to describe the T100'due south design in one word, it would be 'functional'. Asus didn't meant to shatter any design records, instead focusing their technology efforts into keeping the build affordable still strong.

Display

Don't expect anything too amazing from the Transformer Book T100's display. Here we're talking well-nigh a 1366 x 768 IPS LCD display sized at 10.1 inches, which is modest considering the standard now rests at 1920 x 1080. It's articulate that Asus has used this type of display to keep costs downwardly – after all this is a upkeep device – just the resolution in particular leaves much to be desired.

The 10.i-inch panel uses a 16:9 attribute ratio, which is a niggling bad-mannered when holding in mural mode compared to a 4:three iPad or sixteen:10 Nexus 10 with a like display size. But the attribute ratio does permit most Goggle box/flick content to be played in full screen with few (if any) letterboxing, making this sort of tablet well suited every bit a media role player. Having such a broad panel is besides adept for running two apps side-past-side using snapping in Windows 8.1.

Quality of the console itself is reasonable, every bit expected from an IPS TFT LCD screen. Like many displays Asus has used in the past, color accuracy is quite good, every bit are the viewing angles. Dissimilarity, blackness levels and general display vibrancy aren't as good on the T100 as I've experienced from other devices, but still very acceptable for a budget tablet.

Effulgence is average, if tending towards the low side when considering the reflective glossy protective blanket. The tablet does include a photodetector to automatically suit the brightness depending on the conditions, and information technology more often than not works quite well, but it can be difficult to read text on the brandish when outdoors in the sun.

The resolution is obviously the almost disappointing aspect of the Transformer Book T100's brandish with its 155 PPI. 768p has remained the 'default' resolution of sorts for generations of Windows laptops, still the market is shifting away from this relatively low resolution in favor of 1080p and higher. I great example of this is Microsoft'southward Surface, which ditched 768p in the Surface RT for 1080p in the Surface 2.

The T100 is missing the crispness and clarity of a loftier-density brandish like is included in the iPad Air, Nexus seven or Surface 2, and information technology's most noticeable in text-heavy applications like Twitter or Net Explorer. While you're less probable to discover when viewing images, you won't see every bit much particular equally a high-res panel.

It'south clear that the biggest trade-offs have been made in the display department to continue the T100 under $500. The tablet by no means includes a terrible display, but its low-resolution can't friction match other devices in the same cost subclass, which could terminate up existence a major weakness for some buyers.