What you will not find on the Infinity is a
slot for microSD expansion, so you will have to choose carefully between the
32GB and 64GB models. But as the 2 Padfone, Asus offers 50GB of cloud storage,
free for 2 years. Additionally, there's always the handy, but less elegant USB
OTG for storage expansion via flash drives.
In principle, the hardware here is more
similar to the Padfone 2 than the original Padfone: the phone docks vertically
into an exposed bay on the back of a 10.1-inch tablet module aka the PadFone
Station. Unlike the first Padfone, there's still no docking keyboard with
built-in battery, so you cannot use the Infinity as a laptop. In particular,
regarding the latest models, ASUS Corporate Vice President Benson Lin doesn't
think the laptop form factor is a feature that would help his company ship 1
million phones this year. According to him, Asus needs to keep the combined
weight of the phone and tablet module to a minimum - at least no more than the
weight of the iPad with Retina display for the competition.
The
combined weight of the PadFone Infinity and its Station is 677g, which is 28g
heavier than the PadFone 2 and its Station.
At the moment, this can only be achieved by
trimming as much weight as possible on the Padfone Station, hence the lack of a
docking socket and circuitry for a docking keyboard this time around. Of
course, this is not a bug, but the lesser package may be difficult to convince
those who prefer the original Padfone concept. On the other hand, the lighter
and simpler package can help win over more users. Compared with 4G iPad, which
weighs 662g, the PadFone Infinity's combined weight of 677g (145g plus 532g) is
still very competitive, and it's not too far off from the 649g of Padfone 2.
For those who do miss the laptop form-factor from the original Padfone, there
is always Folder or TranSleeve casing, allowing you to prop up the Padfone
Station and connect the device with a Bluetooth keyboard. You can also connect
a USB keyboard via an optional adapter.
The new Padfone Station comes with the same
5000mAh battery (manufactured by Sanyo) as its familiar predecessor, which in
theory means it can charge the docked phone twice in battery pack (power pack)
mode, or you can keep your phone charged - either matching the module's battery
level or prioritized, depending on your setup - while using it as a tablet.
Now, because of this new Padfone Station comes with a more demanding 1,920 x
1,200 IPS panel (from Panasonic), the battery will not last as long as it did
with the previously 1280x800 screen, but the quality upgrade is well worth the
small sacrifice. In addition, there are mechanisms on the software side to
optimize battery life.
As before, you'll also find a good speaker,
a microphone and micro-USB port on the Padfone Station, but they were
relocated. Speaker, powered by an 18mm driver, has effectively swapped
positions with microphone, so it's now behind your right hand and well away
from the tablet's volume rocker and power button on the left. On the micro-USB
port, it has been moved from the bottom to the right side, meaning you can
finally plug a USB peripheral into the tablet while it's propped up by its
case. The 1MP front-facing camera (with Azureware's sensor) is in the usual
position - in the middle of the top edge of the screen bezel, but it's no match
for its 2-megapixel counterpart on the phone.
The
Infinity's Padfone Station uses docking-retention system includes 4 serrated
silicone rubber grips
As the Padfone 2, the Infinity's Padfone
Station uses docking-retention system includes 4 serrated silicone rubber
grips, which hold onto the two vertical sides of the phone. In summary, this
cleverly design keeps the phone securely docked even when shaken upside down,
while also allowing users to gently pull the phone out. It is best illustrated
by the chart above (courtesy of Asus), which shows how the required push and
pull forces are carefully calibrated across different phases during docking.
However, we cannot help but notice a light rattle when we gently shook our
docked Infinity module. It's not that we've managed to shake the Infinity out
of the tablet (actually, we tried really hard), but of course we have never met
such a nuisance with the Padfone 2.
The
four rubber pads secure the PadFone Infinity firmly in place, so you do not
have to worry about the phone slipping out of the Station.
We brought the offending mass-production
devices to ASUS' office and tried our phone with another PadFone Station. The
result? A lighter rattle this time, but eventually we found an engineering
sample module that kept the phone very still, ironically. When you look
closely, it appears that this sample's docking bay had a slightly thicker
padding than our two previous modules. Obviously there are problems with the
consistency of build quality, but the light rattle would only be annoying to
some people, rather than having the potential to cause damage.
Other than that annoyance, we do not have
any problems in holding the Padfone Station either portrait or landscape. While
the majority of the tablet module is 10.6mm thick (the thickness is about 15mm
to 16mm on the docking tray), the tapered edges on the left, right and bottom
sides give a nice fit in our hands. The matte, but smooth, rubbery finish
certainly helps, too. The Padfone Station is available on one of three colors
to match your phone, but you will slip a pink phone comfortably into a gold
tablet if that's the way you want.
