Asus Announces Transformer Book Chi Line of x86 2-in-1s
by Ryan Smith on January 5, 2015 5:00 PM EST
With CES press conference Monday in full swing today, Asus has announced the latest generation of the company’s ongoing Transformer line of computers. Dubbed the Transformer Book Chi, Asus’s latest family of transformers are a collection of 2-in-1 detachable computers designed to bridge the gap between ultrabooks and tablets, allowing the conversion between the two by adding/removing a detachable keyboard from the main tablet body.
| Asus Transformer Book Chi | |||||
| T300 | T100 | T90 | |||
| Screen Size | 12.5" IPS 2560x1440 or 1920x1080 |
10.1" IPS 1920x1200 |
8.9" IPS 1280x800 |
||
| Processor | Intel Core M 5Y10/5Y71 | Intel Atom Z3775 | Intel ATom Z3775 | ||
| Dimensons (Tablet) | 317.8mm x 191.6mm x 7.6mm | 265mm x 174.5mm x 7.2mm | 241mm x 137.5mm x 7.5mm | ||
| Mass (Tablet) | 0.72Kg | 0.57Kg | 0.4Kg | ||
| Price | $699 (1080p) $799 (1440p) |
$399 | $299 | ||
Built around x86 and Windows, the Chi family will come in three sizes. The largest and flagship of the Chis is the T300, which at 12.5” sits between traditional ultrabooks and large format tablets. The T300 is based around Intel’s Core-M 5Y10 (or 5Y71) processor with either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD standard. Asus is using full-sRGB IPS panels throughout the entire Chi ineup, and the T300 will be available with either a 1080p or 1440p display.
Meanwhile the T100 brings the Chi down to 10.1”, and in terms of size trends closer to a 10” tablet with an attachable keyboard. Driving the T100 is an Atom Z3775, one of Intel’s quad-core Bay Trail parts. Paired up with the T100 is a 1920x1200 display – going from 16:9 on the T300 to 16:10 here – and like the rest of the Chi family is a full-sRGB IPS display. Rounding out the package is either 32GB or 64GB of eMMC NAND for storage.
Finally, the smallest member of the Chi family is the 8.9” T90, which is a smaller scale version of the T100. Besides trading in the T100’s larger display for a 1280x800 full-sRGB IPS display, the specifications between the T90 are largely similar. T90 is powered by the same Atom Z3775 and comes with either 32GB or 64GB of eMMC.
All the 2-in-1s are expected soon. The T300 will start at $699 for the 1080p version an $799 for the 1440p, while the T100 will start at $399, and the T90 at $299.
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ruthan - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
Would be nice see weight with keyboard in table.. And what about integrated 3g modem, without im not interested..North01 - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
T300 ChiTablet: 720 g
Dock: 725 g
Tablet + Dock: 1,445 g
stephenbrooks - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
In this case you (slightly perversely) want the dock to be heavy, otherwise it falls over in "laptop" mode. Pretty sure the Transformer Book T100's keyboard (which I have) actually has a metal plate in it to increase weight :-pstephenbrooks - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
Suddenly I realise why Microsoft used a kickstand.Lonyo - Tuesday, January 6, 2015 - link
Either you add dead weight (cheap) or functionality (e.g. HDD or battery) and make it more expensive.Ideally you would have various options.
cnccnc - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - link
The Dell Venue 11 Pro has a battery in the keyboard, which gives it some weight and excellent battery life.North01 - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
Here is a link to the ASUS press release: http://press.asus.com/PressReleases/p/ASUS-Announc...One thing worth noting is the Active Stylus Pen:
"The Active Stylus Pen allows users to write, draw or annotate items anywhere on the screen, and features a pencil-like feel and palm rejection that allows the user’s hand to touch the screen. With a rechargeable battery that lasts up to two months battery life on a single charge, it’s the perfect on-the-go productivity companion for Chi."
zodiacfml - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
nice, the t100 looks hot but no mention of ram sizes. I'm not buying without a 4gb ram. 4gb even is barely enough for me with 64 bit google chrome.Gigaplex - Tuesday, January 6, 2015 - link
If the keyboard and touchpad are serviceable, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Looking forward to a proper review.MrSpadge - Tuesday, January 6, 2015 - link
The T300 Chi looks quite nice, although I'd consider myself mad if I spent another 100$ for the higher resolution. If it's also got USB 3, SD card slot, display output and pen support it could be a perfect device.