Overview of the transformer ASUS Transformer Book T300LA

Today, a heavyweight transformer came to my review. And this is not a turn of speech, the device is really significant, but more on that below. However, the most remarkable thing about the T300LA is that, unlike most transformers, it doesn’t work on Android, but on Windows 8.

Specifications

The table presents the characteristics of the sample that participated in the review.

Processor :
Intel® Core ™ i7 4500U Processor
Intel® Core ™ i5 4200U Processor
Intel® Core ™ i3 4010U Processor
Operating System:
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8
RAM :
4 GB
8 GB
Display : 13.3 "16: 9 IPS FullHD (1920x1080)
Graphics : Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 4400
Storage : SSD
64 GB
128 GB
256 GB
Card reader : microSD
Camera :
Front-facing, 0.9 MP
Basic, 2.1 MP
Network :
Integrated 802.11 b / g / n or 802.11 a / b / g / n
Bluetooth ™ V4.0
10/100/1000 Base T
Cellular : no
Connectors :
1 x audio 2-in-1
1 x USB 3.0
1 x micro HDMI
Sound : built-in speakers with support for Sonic Master technology
Battery :
Tablet: fixed, 50 W * hour
Docking station: fixed, 610 mAh
Dimensions :
Tablet: 34.2 x 21.6 x 11.5 cm (Width x Height x Thickness)
Tablet: 34 x 21.6 x 11 cm (Width x Height x Thickness)
Weight :
Tablet: 1.1 kg
Tablet: 0.8 kg

Appearance

The tablet itself has a large thickness of 11.5 mm and a very impressive weight of 1.1 kg. Keeping it on weight, especially in one hand, is quite uncomfortable. The outside of the tablet is made of dark gray aluminum. Using one-sided grinding, its surface is given a pleasant noble texture. At the top edge is the main camera lens.



The front side of the tablet looks traditional and does not stand out. Above the screen is an inconspicuous “eye” of the front camera, and an indicator of its activity is located nearby.





The Windows logo located under the screen is not a decoration, but a valid “button” for accessing the main screen.

On the left side of the tablet are:
• USB 3.0 port
• Audio jack
• Power
port • Micro HDMI port
• Three ventilation holes
• Two-tone white-orange LED power indicator
• Rocking button for adjusting the sound volume



On the right side of the tablet there are only two speaker slots.



On the left on the upper edge is the power button, after which a series of ventilation holes stretches to the very middle. This is the best place to remove the hot air that is immediately diverted from the device.



In general, the management of the tablet is designed for the left hand.



On the bottom there is a microSD card reader and an extensive connector for connecting to the docking station. Alas, this arrangement of the card reader makes it impossible to use it when installing the tablet in the docking station.



Despite the large mass, the tablet turned out to be quite oversized, it does not strive to slip out of his hands. The main role in this is played not only by the dull surface of the outer side, but also by thick edges. Most tablets on the market have narrow edges, which visually makes them thinner. However, if the ASUS T300LA had a similar configuration of the case, then with its mass, you would constantly have to squeeze it in your hands so that it would not slip out.

Of course, the decent thickness of the faces of the T300LA is not due to concern for grasping. The reason lies in the use of high-performance processors of the Core family, requiring a rather powerful cooling system. To accommodate a large number of ventilation holes, it was necessary to increase the thickness of the faces, which also had a positive effect on its ergonomics.



The lower part of the dock is made of matte black plastic; large rubber legs are located in the corners. However, if you install the tablet, then as it opens, the support from the distant legs is transferred to the lower edge of the tablet, and the docking station is slightly raised towards the user. This adds convenience when working with the keyboard, but makes the entire design less resistant to tipping over.



The keypad is made of brushed aluminum, and the keys themselves are made of black plastic. The keyboard itself is slightly recessed inside the docking station, there are no complaints about its operation, the keys are pressed softly and quietly, the stroke is small. Large convenient touchpad, flush with the body and slightly offset to the left relative to the vertical axis. Its sensor is able to recognize a large number of gestures, thereby allowing the use of full-fledged "manual" control without the need to reach for the screen. A side effect is a less intense appearance of handprints.



In the upper left corner, above the Esc button, there is a Caps Lock indicator, a small dock slide switch and a two-color white-orange power indicator. The fact is that even when you install the tablet in the dock, its inclusion does not occur automatically. To do this, move the slider. At first glance, this seems strange, but this is due to the fact that the T300LA docking station connects to the tablet wirelessly. For the same reason, the mounting socket does not have any connectors, this is just a mechanical connection between the tablet and the dock, not more.



If the tablet has a round connector for the charger, then the docking station is equipped with only a microUSB connector. You have to charge the docking station from the tablet using the optional USB-microUSB cable. Alas, this is the only option, you can not charge the dock directly through the tablet connector. This inconvenience, as well as the almost complete absence on the docking station, for example, of USB connectors, is also due to the fact that it connects to the tablet wirelessly. This solution has both pros and cons: on the one hand, the docking station does not extend the working time of the tablet, but at the same time it does not need to take away the precious charge of the tablet battery.

The large weight of the tablet could make the process of connecting it to the dock very uncomfortable. However, the developers found a way out in this situation and equipped the connector with a rather powerful magnet. As a result, you don’t have to try to put a weighty device on the mounting rail, just bring it to the connector and the magnet will energetically pull it into position.

Screen

The transformer got a very decent FullHD-screen on an IPS-matrix with a diagonal of 13 inches. This combination of size and resolution allows you to achieve excellent clarity and smoothness of the image, not to mention high-quality color reproduction. Glossy protective glass has an oleophobic coating that slows down the appearance of fingerprints on the screen. However, the brightness margin of the screen is not very large. This was probably done to save battery power, which already has to “pull” the tablet on Windows 8.
The speed of response to touch is wonderful, there is not the slightest delay, the positioning is accurate.

Camera

Unfortunately, the quality of images from both cameras is very low. Moreover, the matter is not only in low resolution, but also in high noise. In this regard, it makes sense to use the main camera only for “technical” pictures and videos, when there is no more suitable device at hand.

Performance

3DMark 11:



3DMark 06:



Cinebench:





Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0:

• FPS: 4.8
• Score: 121
• Min FPS: 3.4
• Max FPS: 7.9

Settings:

• Render: Direct3D11
• Mode: 1920x1080 fullscreen
• Preset: Custom
• Quality: High
• Tessellation: Disabled

Features and benchmark of SSD-drive:





I have already mentioned the tablet cooling system. It turned out to be not only very effective, but also quiet: even with prolonged high load, the tablet heats up slightly, it is comfortable to hold it in your hands, and the fan runs very quietly, it rustles hardly audibly.

Duration of work

Watching FullHD movies (1920x1080) with an average screen brightness: 3 hours 55 minutes.
Surfing the Internet via Wi-Fi, with clicks on links approximately every 10-20 seconds, average screen brightness: without a docking station: 7 hours 50 minutes.

The full charge time of the tablet’s battery was 2 hours 50 minutes.

Conclusion

In general, the T300LA will be a good choice for those who would like to abandon the desktop computer, but are not ready to switch to another operating system. In fact, it is very tempting to keep the familiar work environment and your favorite applications, while still getting tablet freedom. You do not have to look for analog programs that may not always satisfy you for ease of use or functionality. However, you need to remember that playing on this Windows transformer will not work comfortably, its path is surfing, office applications, films and music. In terms of performance, this device is comparable to ultrabooks, but it has an important advantage over them: it can be used as a tablet, moreover, on a “full-fledged” operating system. True, such a tablet is more convenient to use at home or in the office, rather than traveling.

Using Windows and high-performance hardware allows T300LA to be used to solve a number of business problems, which is also facilitated by the strict design of the transformer. Perhaps this is one of the most versatile devices: thanks to the docking station and the "desktop" operating system, you will not have difficulties when working with various office and business applications. The tablet mode, large screen and powerful processor make the T300LA an excellent presentation tool. Do you have to work in different places with large amounts of data, the processing of which requires decent computing power? This transformer can become your mobile workstation, lighter, more compact and versatile than laptops.

Do not forget about such a feature of the T300LA as wirelessdock station. When working on a couch or in bed, you can unfasten the tablet, put it in a position convenient for you, for example, closer to your face, while continuing to work comfortably with the keyboard and touch pad. Or even by attaching a compact wireless mouse. In general, the complete independence of the tablet from the docking station and its wireless connection makes the T300LA more likely not a transformer, but a tablet with a connected external keyboard. Moreover, a tablet with a full-fledged “desktop” operating system.

Recommended retail price: 43,000 rubles.