Tailor-made for Windows 8, this
two-in-one offers power and class
Price: $2,250
Ratings: 5/5
Web: www.asus.com
The Asus Taichi is a drop-dead gorgeous
piece of tech that wouldn’t look out of place in a billionaire’s boardroom. The
chassis tapers to a razor-thin 3mm at its slimmest point, and weighs only
1.3kg.
The
Asus Taichi is a drop-dead gorgeous piece of tech that wouldn’t look out of
place in a billionaire’s boardroom
It’s no slouch when it comes to power
either. Tucked inside our review model was a top-of-the-line Intel Core i7
processor and 4GB of RAM, which is enough to keep multitaskers happy all day
long and, most importantly, keep Windows running smooth and lag-free. Graphics
are handled by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 4000 chip, which keeps on top of
HD video and image-heavy websites. You won’t be able to play Call of Duty,
but don’t let that put you off.
Even without intense gaming, multimedia is
impressive on. Both screens boast a Full HD 1080p resolution, with the choice
of a matte screen in laptop mode or a reflective screen in tablet mode.
Both
screens boast a Full HD 1080p resolution, with the choice of a matte screen in
laptop mode or a reflective screen in tablet mode.
Flip your lid
And here we come to the Taichi’s party
trick. Unlike an ordinary laptop, the Taichi has a second screen built into the
back of the lid, so you can close it and use it as a tablet. With Windows 8’s
touch-optimized Start screen, this works exceedingly well. Admittedly, the
Taichi is a bit heavier and bulkier than a conventional tablet, but we’re
willing to forgive it.
The
Taichi has a second screen built into the back of the lid, so you can close it
and use it as a tablet
Usability is first class, with a spacious
isolated keyboard and a large, centrally placed touchpad. The multi-touch
response on the touchscreen is very accurate and the sound reproduction is
excellent thanks to built-in speakers from audio experts, Bang & Olufsen.
Usability
is first class, with a spacious isolated keyboard and a large, centrally placed
touchpad.
There are drawbacks to the Asus Taichi. For
all its style and sex appeal, we can’t help but feel it’s a little on the
fragile side. Similarly, its small size limits connectivity and means you only
get two USB ports, a mini Display Port and micro HDMI.
Similarly,
its small size limits connectivity and means you only get two USB ports, a mini
Display Port and micro HDMI.
These are minor gripes though. The Asus
Taichi is an excellent hybrid and a real showcase for the Windows 8 operating
system.
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Specifications
§ Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 3517U
Processor; Intel® Core™ i5 3317U Processor
§ Operating System: Windows 8 Pro; Windows
8
§ Chipset: Intel® QS77 Express Chipset
§ Memory: DDR3 1600 MHz SDRAM, OnBoard
Memory 4 GB
§ Display: 11.6" 16:9 Full HD
(1920x1080)
§ Graphic: Integrated Intel® HD Graphics
4000
§ Storage: SATA III SSD; 128GB;
256GB
§ Camera: HD Web Camera
§ Networking: Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n;
Built-in Bluetooth™ V4.0
§ Interface: 1 x COMBO audio jack; 2
x USB 3.0 port(s); 1 x micro HDMI; 1 x Docking Connector; 1
x Mini VGA Port; 1 x Volume up/down; 1 x Screen switch
§ Audio: Bang & Olufsen ICEpower
§ Battery: 35 Whrs Polymer Battery
§ Power Adapter: Output: 19 V DC, A, 45
W; Input: 100 -240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
§ Dimensions: 33.92 x 22.8 x 17.4 cm
(WxDxH)
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