ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi
Years ago ASUS pursues a clear objective in the segment of subnotebooks: beat your contenders in the field of thickness. They have in many cases with this new model, thanks essentially to those returning to 16.95 mm impact on an increasingly important for manufacturers section.
However, this ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi that we play and seek to complement this value with other charts, we’ve had it in our hands, and touches check whether the bet for 2 in 1 format this manufacturer is consolidated with enough quality in this Ultrabook.
Design: One thing is the thickness and other weight
It begins well with the general lines of design Chi: I am of the opinion that a convertible Ultrabook should try to facilitate use in both scenarios (laptop or tablet). 13.3 – inch models make use of the screen in tablet mode becomes uncomfortable, but here ASUS provides two key aspects.
The first is the screen tablet, which is completely disengaged. That makes it much less cumbersome to use without a keyboard, and will not have to go to hinges that make turning 360 degrees the keyboard count with that function, in addition to the discomfort and confusion that have a keyboard underneath, making set heavier.
The second factor is that we have before us a screen of 12.5 inches, which although still decent in tablet mode is more manageable than those diagonal of 13.3 inches that seem somewhat excessive. Here we have 16:9 formats versus other models that use formats 3:2 that many consider more appropriate for this type of scenario, but still, the bet is adequate.
Those first impressions of speaking are overshadowed by the weight of the Transformer Book T300 Chi, which is 760 grams in tablet mode and 1.43 kg in portable mode. The team is small and thin, but certainly is not light and that makes the end result is lower, because the bet hardware, as discussed below, is not so remarkable.
The problem in part is that the weight is superior to the teams with the same vocation, but that does not mean anything especially useful contribution. All relevant equipment components are placed on the screen (where we find the battery and processor), while the keyboard that connects via Bluetooth to this screen, is a dead weight. Inside even we find auxiliary batteries, which have been superbly to extend the autonomy of the team.
The thing is compounded when we see how in the decision to seek the greatest possible thinness are victims of this commitment: the lack of USB ports full size is especially noteworthy, and although ASUS offers USB to Micro USB to connect a device (or better, a USB Hub), the solution is rather cumbersome, especially when many other teams with these dimensions and weight do offer this type of ports.
The keyboard does not help much in that paragraph and found only one more connector micro USB, Micro HDMI port that is added to a MicroSD slot in the bottom of the screen and a USB 3.0 Micro-B. Beware the latter, since it is slightly different USB 3.0 Micro-A on compatibility with those formats.
We also have the headphone jack and the power socket found on both sides of the screen, plus volume controls and the Windows button (for tablet mode) under such control. The on-off button is located on the top edge of the screen while at the bottom there are two metallic projections that allow coupling the keyboard with the screen solid. That hinge is really solid (and also guilty of the final weight), and allows different opening angles, but the maximum angle is not particularly remarkable and is around 110 degrees. The solid aluminum construction is both sight and touch, and even as we say the design is adequate, weight and the keyboard that could have given more of him harm this first assessment.
Specifications: Core M remains unconvinced
ASUS was one of the first to give clues of an Ultrabook with Core M inside, and at that moment, everything seemed rosy for these future devices that efficiency would not be incompatible with power. The reality has been another, as we gradually become clear over and over again, and we fear that the commitment to the Intel Core M in this first generation leaves more questions than answers.
We start therefore with that first handicap in this team analyzed configuration features an Intel Core M-5Y10c; a micro dual-core 800MHz also integrates a GPU Intel HD Graphics 5300. With him, yes, 8 GB RAM DDR3 1600 MHz memory and a 128GB SSD. The great advantage of the decision to integrate the Core M is, of course, the absence of active fans, allowing the equipment to be completely silent. Still, by forcing the equipment in demanding tasks there a logical side effect of heat generated, although properly dissipates it makes part of the surface is substantially portable hot.
In this configuration also, it highlights the screen as indicated above has a diagonal of 12.5 inches and has a resolution 1080p. There is a higher version with 1440p resolution also integrates a Core M-5Y71 and an SSD of 256 GB, all elements that undoubtedly improve the user experience for those with more demands.
| ASUS TRANSFORMER BOOK T300 CHI | |
| Screen | 12.5” IPS (1080p) Touch 10 points |
| Processor | Intel Core M-5Y10 800 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB (DDR3 1600 Mhz) |
| Graphics | Intel HD 5300 |
| Storage | 128/256 GB SSD |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac WiFi + BT 4.0 |
| Battery | 32 Wh (4120 mAh) |
| Ports | Micro 1 HDMI, 1 USB 3.0 Micro-B, 1 Micro USB, Earphone, 1 MicroSD reader, outlet |
| Cameras | 720p Front |
| Others | Backlight keyboard |
| Dimensions | 317.8 x 191.6 x 16.95 mm |
| Weight | 1.43 kg |
The 12.5-inch screen has a glossy finish, something that makes it awkward to use outdoors where reflections multiply. However even in the analyzed model with full HD resolution, we have a fantastic brightness and contrast. The colors are vibrant and the viewing angles are equally outstanding thanks to the IPS panel. Not only that: the digitizer panel that integrates can recognize up to 256 levels of pressure that make the touch interaction is excellent, which is also noticeable when using a pointer to draw in tablet mode, one of those capabilities that can have fun from the first time with the inclusion of traditional Fresh Paint utility.
Connectivity is served through the 802.11ac Wi-Fi chip that provides good speeds on wireless data transfers, and the Bluetooth connectivity that is essential to use the keyboard / docking station adds. The latter features a switch that can disable or enable the connection to the screen, but it really is not necessary that either is physically united to work together.
In performance, more portable tablet that
The keyboard of this ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi is remarkable. The keys provide a small initial resistance, but this is easily overcome and travel is good, and so is the gap between the very correct and no big surprises keys and disposal. The space occupied by the Enter key on other computers it is smaller appreciated, and overall quality is remarkable.
Not so with the trackpad of this keyboard that ASUS integrates with the team. While sliding the pointer and click with a little touch is perfectly done, pressing the left and right buttons is a small torture. Click resistance is huge and select part of a text and then drag the pointer to the point of origin or destination is a surprisingly uncomfortable task that you just trying to avoid using other combinations as those offered by the keyboard or touch screen. The size of the trackpad is correct, but that detracts many integers paste one of the key points of any laptop.
The built – in display, battery of 32 Wh and 4120 mAh capacity provides an autonomy that exceeds 6 hours in our tests with a “conventional” use of the equipment in which the tasks of web browsing were protagonists but in the I also enjoyed the occasional multimedia content and also launched some applications and games for short periods. The impression in this regard is that the battery is rather short considering that we have a Core M theoretically super efficient, and certainly not a section in which the Chi stand in any way. The top model with a 1440p screen and a more powerful processor will be further harmed in this circumstance, which will have to consider if you are thinking of that jump to a higher setting potential.
In which we have tested was clear that Core M 800 MHz gave modest results in the tests that you have submitted. It is true that in some of these figures seem to compete for more ambitious (and pure) notebooks like the Dell XPS, but the overall experience is very different from the other factors. T300 Chi numbers it closer to powerful tablets or miniPCs with ambition teams SUV.
| HP STREAM X360 (INTEL HD GRAPHICS) | SURFACE 3 (ATOM X7) | ASUS TRANSFORMER BOOK T300 CHI (CORE M-5Y10) | DELL XPS 13 (CORE I5-5200U) | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm | 16,097 | 20,894 | 15,255 | 50,172 |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate | 1,272 | 2,112 | 3,222 | 5,180 |
| PCmark Home | nd | 1,667 | 2,287 | 2,216 |
| Creative PCmark | nd | 1,933 | 2,678 | 3,280 |
| CrystalDiskMark | nd | 111.1 / 34.56 MB / s | 486.5 / 357.1 MB / s | 465.9 / 243.6 MB / s |
| Geekbench 3.0 | nd / nd | 971 / 3,271 | 1,968 / 4,039 | 2,633 / 5,315 |
All these data reflect the orientation of these convertibles ASUS, that as in other cases difficult to convert into equipment that can meet all situations. If you are going to get all the juice to paragraph tablet price / performance ratio it is appropriate, but in other cases, we believe the weight and battery life do not help that something just to performance for those who need a plus in certain situations.
For that, there are convertibles with Core i5 teams that are hard to beat even with the values defended by ASUS. Core M, we fear, are not the right bet unless that zero noise at all times (the Ultrabooks with Core i5 only activate their own scenarios of intense use) is an absolutely essential factor.
Software ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi
ASUS team is based on Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro (depending on configuration), and of course, the operating system Microsoft is a perfect candidate for this type of convertible computers that the Metro interface is still a problem. The thing is somewhat different with Windows 10 we’ll see where that tactile relevance is, but it is clear that the ability to interact with the touch screen mode can provide many integers in various scenarios.
The proposed software ASUS course also invites it. Among the utilities included is the almost traditional FreshPaint although eye, no stylus to draw or paint in tablet form, that is an accessory optionally ASUS PhotoDirector addition, ASUS PowerDirector, the tool Zinio reading magazines in electronic form and some applications preinstalled as customers Twitter, Skype, LINE, Flipboard, or Music Maker Jam.
The software bet is in our view somewhat burdened by those tools that you do not expect to find in a newly acquired equipment, and that promotional offers such as Microsoft Office or add antivirus eternal suite, which in this case is McAfee LiveSafe Internet Security.
ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, opinion, and note
Convertible Ultrabooks have long been trying to attract the user community with that bet that combines these two types of use in both the tablet and the laptop can be very useful. The Intel Core M seemed a great candidate to reinforce that commitment, especially, by providing the ability to offer fanless- designs but the results are again and again bittersweet.
Does the Transformer Book T300 Chi, a team noted for its remarkable touch screen and excellent keyboard, one of the best we’ve found in your gamma- but is hindered by a moot trackpad, by excessive weight, and a battery life that is not consistent with this commitment to efficiency that seemed to carry the Intel Core associated range M.
The two available models try to offer more options, and although the base model has a 1080p display more decent autonomy, their potency can harm the user experience if looking for something more than a team for conventional office tasks and web browsing. Core M does not respond here that good balance between performance and efficiency and the top model probably subtract enough autonomy and that already would be worrying and all this we add weight too high for a team of 12.5 inches and hardware that proposal.