ASUS Announces Transformer Book Duet TD300. (Specs, Video, Thoughts)

ASUS have just announced the Transformer Book Duet TD300. We’re analysing now and the press event is due to start in 5 minutes.

It does appear to be a standby-based dual-OS setup. Likely the Insyde solution. (More here.)

Update: Notes from the keynote and other sources.

• 4-second switch time was announced. (ASUS Instant Switch)
• Fastest Android tablet
• $599 start price (Core i3)
• Core i5 version: $699
• Core i3 low-end version might have 1366×768 screen. (Laptopmag)
• Tablet weight: 2.2pounds (1KG)

 Product page now available.

Initial thoughts from Chippy

It’s heavy, but well-priced although we don’t know what specs will be available for that price. 4-second switch is very usable but you will lose any ‘active standby’ for the OS that’s not running. Hopefuly Active standby works for the currently running OS (including a CS implementation on the Windows 8 OS.) 4GB RAM split between two systems (if it’s the Insyde BIOS it will have partitioned memory) might cause some limits to be reached on Windows.

Questions: Is there a fan inside? Is it a Y-Series Core CPU (likely) and why is there no mention of a battery in the base. 38Wh isn’t that much but at $599 it’s difficult to expect more.

From the press release:

Las Vegas, NV (January 6th, 2014) – ASUS today announced Transformer Book Duet (TD300), the world’s first quad-mode, dual-OS laptop and tablet convertible that allows users to switch between Windows and Android in either laptop or tablet modes with just a single push of the Instant Switch button or a virtual key on the tablet. With a powerful Intel® Core™ i7 processor at its heart, Transformer Book Duet runs up to twice as fast as existing tablets based on ARM® processors. ASUS SonicMaster technology and dual speakers ensure that Transformer Book Duet delivers incredible audio for immersive entertainment. 

Quad-mode, dual-OS laptop and tablet with Instant Switch
ASUS Transformer Book Duet (TD300) is an extremely capable device that is able to function as an Android or Windows 8.1 tablet or notebook. Users can simply switch operating systems with a single push of the Instant Switch button or a virtual key on the tablet.
By offering both operating systems, ASUS provides users the ability to run supported Android applications and a vast array of native Windows applications. Transformer Book Duet features a powerful Intel Core i7 processor with Intel HD graphics and 4G DDR3L 1600 RAM, giving it performance that’s up to twice as fast as existing tablets powered by ARM® processors.
The patented ASUS technology that powers Instant Switch offers many performance and productivity benefits over other dual-OS solutions, such as fast, smooth and seamless switching and the ability to resume each OS from where the user left off. As it does not use OS virtualization, Instant Switch also allows each OS to harness the full power of Intel’s latest processor technology.
Striking audio-visuals
ASUS Transformer Book Duet (TD300) delivers striking visuals on its 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS touchscreen display. This multi-touch display features sensitivity and responsiveness that exceeds Microsoft’s requirements for Windows 8.1. For audio, it comes with ASUS SonicMaster technology for true-to-life sound through the tablet’s dual speakers.
In addition, Transformer Book Duet has a front-facing HD camera with a built-in digital mic for video chats. The tablet display has 128GB of SSD storage that can be supplemented by a 64GB Micro SD card, while the keyboard dock houses up to a 1TB hard disk drive. The dock is also home to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, a LAN port, and HDMI 1.4 output with 1080p support. In terms of connectivity, ASUS Transformer Book T300 has 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 with EDR.
ASUS Transformer Book Duet sports the same stylish concentric-circle finish found in other ASUS offerings. The Transformer Book Duet has compact dimensions, with the tablet measuring 342.7 x 216.3 x 12.9mm; and the dock measuring 340.9 x 217.6 x 16mm. Together, they weigh around 1.9kg, making it supremely portable and flexible for those on the go.

SPECIFICATIONS*
Transformer Book Duet TD300

• Dual-OS – Windows 8.1 Standard / Android 4.2.2
• 13.3-inch Full HD IPS multi-touch display
• Up to Intel® Core™ i7 processor
• 4GB DDR3L 1600 RAM
• Up to 128GB SSD in Tablet
• Up to 1TB HDD in Dock
• 38WHr battery, estimated battery life around 5 hours in Windows 8.1 and 6 hours in Android 4.2.2.
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR
• Tablet ports: Micro SD card, Headphone jack, DC jack
• Keyboard dock ports: 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 10/100Mbit/s LAN, HDMI 1.4, audio combo jack, DC jack

Source: ASUS