Hands-on: ASUS Transformer AiO all-in-one PC/tablet running Windows 8 and Jelly Bean [VIDEO]
ASUS really has been gunning for the crown of “convertible king,” pumping out loads of devices with multiple functionality. I’m sure you’re all well acquainted with their work on the ASUS Transformer or Padfone 2, Android devices that can transform before your eyes to add increased functionality, different from your typical one trick pony.
Unveiled many moons ago at Computex 2012 and making another appearance here at CES, the ASUS Transformer AiO is just such a device. Combining the functionality of a full fledged Windows 8 PC and an Android tablet, it sounds crazy, I know. Bt this is exactly what ASUS is best at. When docked, the Transformer AiO is fully functional Windows 8 PC, featuring an 18.4-inch 1080p full HD capacitive IPS display, coming in either Core i5 or i7 configurations, up to 8GB of RAM, a plethora of ports, and an optical drive.
For the Android fan, the display can be switched to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the fly by the press of a button, or when completely removing it from its dock (essentially the Windows guts of the device). A pull-out stand on the back of the display/tablet allows you to position it at an optimal viewing angle on a table, or it can simply lay flat in your lap making it the world’s largest Android tab.
The display packs an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and 1GB of RAM and in our brief hands-on with the display, was much lighter than expected from a tab this large. In fact, it’s a good thing there wasn’t a camera on the back, otherwise we’d most likely see a whole of unnecessary bathroom selfies with this thing. The keyboard was also built with Android in mind, featuring keys for “Home” and so forth. The mouse was a joy to use, with a small touch pad wheel for quickly scrolling/swiping between homescreens, complete with haptic feedback.
You can see the ASUS Transformer AiO in an action for yourself via our video below.
The ASUS rep we spoke with told us to expect the Transformer AiO to arrive around March in the US for around $1,200. ASUS also adds that Windows 8 desktop streaming to the display-only portion of the device will hopefully arrive in time for its launch. “How big is too big” discussions aside, any of our readers thinking they might make this their next desktop PC/tablet? Seems ASUS may have finally solved the dilemma of Android fans looking for an Android desktop, but not wanting to sacrifice the functionality of a full desktop OS for a mobile one.