Joining the notebook hybrid bandwagon is
ASUS with its newly launched VivoTab, VivoTab RT and VivoTab Smart. The company
sent us the big brother of the lot, the ASUS VivoTab. So, the first question is
what is Vivo? That’s Latin for “to live”. So the next question is, can this
Windows 8 device live long enough to impress us? Quick, to the test labs!
Like
the Transformer series, the VivoTab comes with a tablet and a keyboard dock
Heritage laden
Carrying the similar form factor as its
Android cousin, the Transformer, you can think of VivoTab as the reincarnation
of the series for Windows 8 inside. Like the Transformer series, the VivoTab
comes with a tablet and a keyboard dock. However, an additional stylus is
included – a really good add-on if I may add. The silver brush effect at the
back of the tablet feels nice and I like how there is an overall weighty feel
to the device. The keyboard dock is the same as the tablet using the brushed
metal effect, so same praises must be given.
Pixel-less
I will give it to ASUS – the display for
the VivoTab is truly wonderful. Using a Super IPS+ screen, the colors are nice
and well-balanced. Although the white is slightly warm, it doesn’t seem to
bother me at all. However, it is a pity that the screen’s maximum resolution is
only 1366 x 768 pixels. This is just numbers to me after using the VivoTab for
a while. Again, let me stress: the display is fantastic.
The
display for the Vivotab is truly wonderful. Using a Super IPS+ screen, the
colors are nice and well-balanced.
All day long
Within the VivoTab is one of Intel’s newest
Atom processor. It handles multitasking nicely as there is very little lag
present even when games, videos, the image gallery and web browser are all
running at the same time. Multitasking aside, the battery life on this hybrid
is simply amazing. With the keyboard dock providing extra juice, I manage to
use the VivoTab for two days straight with still 20-percent of battery life
left. The only slight niggle I have with this is that the Wi-Fi receiver seems
weaker than usual. It could be the chassis design or placement of the
antenna-less system.
Within
the VivoTab is one of Intel’s newest Atom processor
With Windows 8 Pro
Unlike its younger brother, the VivoTab RT,
this notebook hybrid comes with Windows 8 Professional inside. That means any
Windows-based software can be installed on it. Hurray! As mentioned before, it
also comes with a stylus. Instead of just two types of interface – touch and
keyboard/trackpad – a third interface is present. I am no artist so I didn’t
use the stylus but those who do will appreciate it. The stylus is about the
size of a real pen so there is no need to relearn how to hold it.
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Specifications
§ Price:
$799
§ Dimensions:
294.2 x 188.8 x 8.7 mm
§ Weight:
675g
§ OS
system: Windows 8
§ CPU:
Intel Atom Z2760 Dual Core CPU @ 1.8GHz
§ RAM:
2GB
§ Storage:
64GB EMMC
§ Display:
11.6in, 1366 x 768 resolutions, LED Backlight screen with Super IPS+
§ Connectivity:
802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
§ Digitizer:
Wacom digitizer stylus
§ Interface:
2-in-1 Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in), 1 x Micro HDMI, 1 x Micro SD Card
Reader (SDHC)
§ Internal
Microphone: Quad-Speakers with SonicMaster Audio Technology
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