ASUS Transformerbook T100TA - Windows 8.1 Tablet - Review

[d3sl91]

 

Introduction:

 

I recently purchased this T100 from Best Buy. It was somewhat of an impulse buy, and also bought knowing I can return it in 30 days, when potentially better items enter the market (see Conclusion below). I needed to know if I wanted a Windows-Based tablet, as I already own an iPad and an older ASUS Transformer Android tablet, as well as an Android Phone. This device, at the time of writing, is a mere $230, including 1 year of office 365 and the keyboard at Best Buy. 

 

I am doing this review, partially out of boredom, and partially out of a realization that I really do have the opportunity to use devices in real-world scenarios, not just in my house. I realise this is a device from 2013, but when you look at the newest items out these days, you will see they are JUST NOW starting to replace these items (See Conclusion). 

 

Specifications:

• Cost: $230
• Windows 8.1 (Full x86, 32-bit)
• CPU: Atom Z3740 1.33GHz
• RAM: 1GB DDR3
• 10.1" 1366x768 IPS LED (And gorilla glass)
• 32GB Storage, with MicroSD
• 1xMicroUSB for Charging and OTG
• 1xMicro HDMI
• 1xFull-Size USB 3.0 (on keyboard dock).
• ~11 Hour Battery Life
• Crappy Webcam

My Usage Type:

 

I work for an e-Learning company, and am the primary client services/get stuff done guy for their automotive training solutions. I answer upwards of 100 emails a day, run web trainings, fix problems, and help with the development and deployment of new versions and features. I also work from home. Home = my home office, the local coffee shop, or in my car up some mountain roads, as long as I still get 4G. This past weekend, it was from the small town of Moscow, Idaho. 

 

 

I currently have a Powerful desktop, running 4 monitors, all of which are used constantly. I also have a company-provided Macbook Pro Retina. This device is meant to replace the macbook as my "carry with me everywhere just in case I need to work" system. 

 

Day-To-Day Use:

 

I used this system from home, my local panera bread, and from a hotel. I used it for some minor emailing over the weekend, watching some movies, general web browsing for fun and work. 

 

Skype worked well, and I skyped my Fiance' for awhile with no major issues. My video seemed a tad laggy, so that is one thing to consider. Obviously, with 1GB ram, and a low-end camera from 2013, you cannot expect miracles. 

 

I used it to preview some RAW pictures, using an SD card reader plugged into the keyboard's USB 3.0 port. They all pulled up quickly, but I had to use programs other than windows default. 

 

Plex streaming worked fine, and when I watched a couple episodes of The Blacklist, I had no complaints on playback. Now, I was only streaming 720p. 

 

 

While in the hotel this past weekend, this was my primary source of entertainment. I watched some LTT videos, browsed the forums with no major issues. On average, I had 5 chrome tabs open, and the unit was at 80% RAM usage. 

 

Actual work on the unit was a bit different. Typing on the smaller keyboard was a bit troublesome, but after a bit, it was easier to manage. The unit is not my i7/16GB/Watercooled desktop for sure. Having a half dozen windows open on chrome didn't kill the machine, but it wasnt perfect either. The worst was the trackpad. But to be honest, I hate all by my macbook pro's trackpad, and would end up using a small bluetooth mouse anyway. 

 

 

But, working from this small unit, versus my 15" Macbook pro was much nicer, and I felt less awkward carrying it around with me and using it. 

 

At the end of 4 days, my battery is finally down to 10%, and is being charged. ASUS was not lying about battery usage. Any other review puts this little guy at the top of many lists for battery life. 

 

Pros:

• Battery Life
• Cost
• General size
• Full-Size USB port and Windows 8.1 = a very productive unit.

 

Cons:

• Screen Resolution (This is a meh point for me on a 10" screen, but its still pretty low res)
• 1GB Ram. There are 2GB versions available, but not at Best Buy, and not for $230
• Bulky. I like the keyboard implementation of the Surface line much better. You are often left with "wait, where do I put this keyboard and hinge now?"
• Not the fastest. This is probably due to the RAM capacity more than anything else.

 

Conclusion:

 

This is NOT a bad little unit. For $220, you get a very usable unit running full windows with a great battery life and a keyboard. In the last day, Asus has released their new version, their T100 Chi. This is a similar unit, with some appropriate upgrades. Better screen Res, Form factor, and 2GB Ram are now standard. But so is a $400 pricetag. Same for the new Surface 3. I am so tempted to buy one, but with the $630 pricetag for a 2GB unit and a keyboard, I cannot justify that cost. 

 

For under $250, you really cannot beat this guy when it comes to "name brand products". You can find the 2GB versions for around $250-260 on sale, and with the release of newer items, that will probably be seen more often. 

 

 

For me? I will hang on to this until my return period is up. Best Buy has never argued with me returning a unit "just because I didn't like it and want something better". I guess that's one plus of having "elite status" with them - less stupid questions from them. But, I am still in search for a ~$300 Windows tablet with keyboard. It has to have a keyboard, last 9+ hours, and have a dedicated MicroUSB or Full size USB port, hopefully with 2GB+ Ram this time. 


Let me know what you thought of the review, any recommendations are welcome. This is my first review, but hope it was helpful.

[Face2Face]

Nice presentation; well done.

[Techteen14]

Nicely done.

[Brughc]

Nice review. I was actually looking at this model too last week since I want an tablet/2-in-1 next to my laptop. For some writing and media consumption this looks pretty nice. But 2gigs would be nicer .

[Sauron]

Are you sure it's from 2013? I'm pretty sure 2014 is when this came out

[d3sl91]

Are you sure it's from 2013? I'm pretty sure 2014 is when this came out

I See a few reviews from Dec 2013. I think it was released in the UK earlier than the US. And then of course, you have all kinds of "editions" and Revisions. 

 

I think it was more widely available in 2014 though, for sure. 

[d3sl91]

Nice review. I was actually looking at this model too last week since I want an tablet/2-in-1 next to my laptop. For some writing and media consumption this looks pretty nice. But 2gigs would be nicer .

No Problem!

 

I would wait and see what the new surface and new Asus tablets do to prices, and get one then. At the very least, amazon has the 32gb/2g version of this for... $250 ish, and this version I got recently went back to a $300 pricetag at best buy...

[Brughc]

No Problem!

 

I would wait and see what the new surface and new Asus tablets do to prices, and get one then. At the very least, amazon has the 32gb/2g version of this for... $250 ish, and this version I got recently went back to a $300 pricetag at best buy...

 

Well, since the new surface 3 is gonna cost 600 euros without cover where I live its a no go for me. And since I also don't have a creditcard amazon is also no option (why don't they just accept paypal...) . Guess I'll keep on looking but thanks for the reply.

[han_han08]

i guess they improved build quality on the t100TAM...

 

try the acer switch 10 and 11 for a good measure..

 

im buying the Redfox wizpad scribe sold here locally with lte/4g connection..surface 3 if I had the budget