Microsoft
Surface Pro 3 Microsoft might not be the first company to break into 2-in-1 laptop,
but it's one of the few to get it right. The first Surface was a suave new
device that worked both as a laptop and tablet. Thanks to an ergonomic
kickstand and excellent magnetic keyboard, it easy to use whether you're at a
desk or even laying down. The Surface Pro 3 is thinner and lighter than the
previous two versions, despite having a larger 12-inch display and higher
screen resolution. A new kickstand makes it easier to set up and use, and the
keyboard cover remains a best-in-class example. The Surface Pro 3 is now
optimized for a digital pen, which is included.
Performance
Despite its remarkably slim and light frame, the Surface Pro 3
is a powerful machine. In benchmarks it's a match for pricey ultrabooks like
the Toshiba Kira. Its 1.9GHz Core i5 processor scores 5,532, more than Toshiba
(5,424) and the 2014 MacBook Air (5,401).
The MacBook and Surface Pro make an interesting
comparison here. Apple favours a slower processor, but a faster PCI-e SSD and
Intel's faster HD 5000 graphics. It's a trade-off that makes the MacBook very
snappy, but the Surface Pro 3 is no slouch either.
That faster processor gives it an edge in processor
intensive tasks, too. This is no workstation class processor, of course, but
anything you can throw at an ultrabook works fine on the Surface Pro 3. That
means any task or application you use in everyday work and life. It's an
efficient and effective replacement for a work laptop or ageing desktop.
It isn't noisy, either. If you're just watching video or
doing some other simple task, it's rare to even hear the fan spin up. Even when
it does it's an unobtrusive whir. You'll notice it in quiet surroundings, but
it's barely discernible over the hubbub of an office. It's another reminder of
the incredible industrial design in the Surface Pro 3.
But
That excellent keyboard cover is not included in the base price, and its
improved touchpad still doesn't measure up. The chassis lacks pen storage, and
even with tweaked kickstand and keyboard hinges, the Surface Pro 3 still
doesn't fit perfectly on the lap. The Bottom Line
While the new Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft's best PC to date, it's more
successful as a tablet than a laptop replacement. CPU: 1.9GHz Intel Core
i5-4300U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12-inch, 2160
x 1440 multi-touch display| Storage: 256GB SSD $649.99
VS
Asus Transformer Book T100
The
Asus Transformer Book T100 runs full Windows 8.1, comes with a keyboard, has
great battery life, and is a steal if you can find it for $350.The Asus Transformer
Book T100 is a fairly low-cost 10-inch Windows 8 tablet that can also function
as a laptop thanks to its keyboard segment.So, the T100 looks like a netbook,
and offers the same typing experience as a netbook. And it feels like one too:
With the tablet docked so that it's in clamshell mode, the whole thing weighs
2.4 pounds (the tablet itself comes in at 1.2 pounds). It's just about as heavy
as a netbook, and just as easy to carry in one hand, though it will still feel
heavy compared to a Surface 2 with a Touch Cover attached.There is an upshot to
the T100 only being able to handle average computing tasks - battery life. It
managed to keep going for 10 hours and 45 minutes on 3D Mark's Home Battery
test, which runs through a cycle of opening and closing applications and
playing HD video files until no battery life remains. It means that you no
longer have to plump lots of money for a Haswell-based laptop if battery life
is high on the agenda to get hold of the full Windows experience.The Transformer
Book T100 is a great value given the quality of the tablet and keyboard dock.
It is as full-featured a hybrid as you will find, at a decent price.
But, The cramped keyboard feels like
an old Netbook's used to; not as fast as zippier, larger, more expensive
Windows products; display not that vibrant.
The bottom line: The Asus
Transformer Book T100 revives the Netbook value proposition (and Netbook
usability issues) in a budget-price 10-inch laptop that doubles as a tablet.
You won’t love it, but for sheer bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat.
Specifications
Display type10.1 in
OSMicrosoft Windows 8.1
RAM2 GB
ProcessorIntel
Dimensions (WxDxH)10.4 in x 6.7 in x
0.93 in
Weight2.4 lbs
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