Beginning in 2011, when ASUS unveiled its first Transformer Pad, has not passed any year that this company is not pleased with us next transforming tablet. Changed design, hardware stuffing and options, but one thing remained constant – the ability to turn a 10-inch Android-tablet to a laptop using a complete docking station. Today our guest is the sixth ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103), based on a platform from Intel and has both Wi-Fi and 3G-modification.
Modifications grade
Select the correct modification of the model ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103) is not as easy as it seems at first glance. The main thing that is worth knowing – in nature, there are the usual “wi-fi only” version and the 3G-TF103C modification TF103CG, both devices are not only the presence of a cell module, but also the CPU.
The other options are much clearer choice for a potential buyer. You can only buy a tablet or tablet bundled with a docking station, as well as chooses the version of color choices – black or white. Judging from the data on the official website, there are 8 GB and 16 GB versions of the model.
ASUS Transformer Pad tablet is packaged in a small cardboard box. At the top of the device is laid, and in a plastic tray underneath you can find the supporting documentation, compact power 7 W (5.2 V / 1.35 A) with a detachable cable USB / micro-USB and a paper clip to eject SIM-car .
Despite the fact that the tablet is paired with a docking station has ample protection from external influences, the manufacturer offers owners of ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C / CG) just two branded cover – MagSmart Cover and Rugged Case.
Cover MagSmart Cover is only suitable for the tablet without the docking station, which at the time of operation will have to set aside. This accessory completely protects the body – front part is covered by flexible polyurethane “page” dark silver and base of the housing is closed rigid transparent polycarbonate tray. Cover expectedly has openings for all connectors, camera and speakers, and over the power button and volume control are special “repeaters.”
Smart prefix in the name of this accessory there is a reason, he really knows how to lock and unlock the screen using the built-in cover magnets. In addition to the normal “book”, MagSmart Cover can be transformed into a stand for typing and multimedia “easel”. Interestingly, the transformation scheme does not copy well familiar “apple”, but uses its own work by ASUS.
Case Rugged Case rather be attributed to the professional than to custom solutions. This weighty rubber pad that protects only the rear panel and side plate. In the most potentially dangerous places – edges of the case, there are pronounced thickening, and in contact with the back cover plate can be seen cushioning honeycomb structure. All this gives hope for preservation of the tablet in the fall on a hard surface from a height of human growth (unless the strike will not have unprotected screen).
To the rear of the cover sewn cloth strap that allows you to more securely hold the tablet with one hand, using the second set of information for using the bundled stylus. By the way, the stylus is attached to the holster with a thin strap and in addition to its direct purpose playing “backup” in the case where you need to put a plate on the table at an angle.
Tablet
Ten-display tablet ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C) covered with protective glass with a pretty decent oleophobic coating. The border width of the matrix is about 2 cm, respectively; on the false pressings with the device held in hand you should not worry. On the front panel, you can find just shifted to the left from the center of the web camera of 0.3 megapixels, as well as the manufacturer’s logo and the subtle stamp indicating the location of the port to connect a docking station.
Rear panel and partially the sidewall plate made of high-quality rubberized plastic. Unlike many other devices where softtach effect rather guessed than there have ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C) surface turned out really soft and pleasant to the touch. The center of the lid is placed a metal company logo directly above it, you can find the main lens 2 megapixel camera without flash. Safety glass chamber ducked into the surface of the panel, respectively, the probability of accidentally scratch it decreases. On both sides of the logo in the vicinity of the side faces, it is possible to find two perforation zones over speakers.
Around the perimeter of the body ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C) passes the plastic frame of variable width. In the area of the bottom face of the body, it takes up almost all of the available width, and gradually tapering to the sidewalls comes to a narrow strip on the top edge. The textured surface of the plastic resembles traces brushing on metal; it is designed to cope with small scratches that inevitably appear near the connectors during operation.
On the upper bound taken out the power button with integrated indicator and digital microphone. Left can find an open slot for memory cards MicroSD, volume rocker and the connector micro-USB. Right – combined audio port and an optional tray card micro-SIM, which is present only in the 3G-version. Finally, on the bottom connector and placed two holes for connecting and fixing the dock.
In general, in the hands of the tablet feels quite weighty and large, it is not surprising if we remember that the device weighs 555 grams with a centimeter thick. Special squeaks and problems during tests in bending is not observed, the build quality is good.
Docking Station
Branded a keyboard dock ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C) traditionally resembles the lower part of the body of a typical laptop. On the operation panel is present island keyboard and touchpad, can be found on the side of the connectors (but this time there is only one USB), and at the bottom – the rubber feet and screws fasteners.
Operating panel is finished in the same textured “brushed metal” plastic, which border sides of the tablet. Island keyboard is placed in the recess, the depth of which corresponds exactly to the height of the keys. The layout has been very compromise that is to be expected for the device 10-inch format. If the area of the key and the distance between them, in principle, sufficient for normal operation, it is too narrowed service buttons in the lower corners of the keyboard cause serious difficulties. The biggest claim caused miniature Left Shift, reduced almost twice the button point / comma and a small block arrows.
Dimensions touchpad touchpad is 80 mm by 45 mm, which is quite a lot for this format. However, if you do not like so much touch screens and need additional controls, you can connect an external mouse to be much more reasonable idea.
Partially finished metal hinge pins and solid fixation seems to be quite reliable. The main thing – is to make sure that the tablet is “clicks” in the dock, and then this set can be used like a regular laptop.
In addition to not the best keyboard to dock a few more questions arose ergonomic sense. Four rubber feet keep stable dock on virtually any surface, including the polished tabletop. However it is necessary to turn the tablet into a working position as the distal portion of the dock begins to rely on two thin strips on slippery joint and stability of the former is not a trace remains.
Oh, and most importantly – a docking station that contains nothing other than the keyboard, the touchpad and the only USB-ports, weighs as much as 550 grams. I would like to necessary to balance the weight of the tablet was obtained by something more useful (for example, an additional battery) than a regular piece of metal that will draw your hands.
The tablet is equipped with a 10-inch IPS-matrix midrange with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, so the pixel density is only 149 PPI. Brightness is adjustable from 45 to 325 cd / m 2, the lower limit too high, so that when reading or watching a video in the dark can cause problems. Moreover, the developers have saved not only on the resolution and brightness of the control scheme, but also on the light sensor – will have to adjust the brightness by hand.
At the beginning of the material we talked about the significant difference between the ordinary and the 3G-version of the tablet ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103), now it’s time to explain what we mean. The fact that the regular version has a new quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 (1,86 GHz) from the family of Intel Bay Trail-T, while the 3G-equipped version of the weaker dual-core chip Intel Atom Z2560 (1,6 GHz).
Saving on the CPU, the company decided to offset the cost of 3G-module and bring to market two versions of a comparable cost. However, judging by the prices on the Ukrainian market, even a rough parity between the modifications are not observed. Thus, the regular version of ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103C) looks more attractive than the modification of the ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103CG), since it is significantly more productive and less expensive. Well, access to the global network can be obtained simply share the it with your smartphone.
RAM is 1 GB built-in storage capacity of data – 16 GB, of which the system takes up 4.22 GB and 11.78 GB available to the user. The memory card slot supports standard SDHC / SDXC and MicroSD card up to 64GB. The normal version of the tablet is equipped with TF103C modules Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n with support Miracast and navigation module GPS / GLONASS. 3G-modification is additionally equipped with a modem with HSPA + network support 3G (UMTS 850/900/1900/2100) and 2G (EDGE / GSM 850/900/1800/1900). Unfortunately, this unit does not support voice calls, the maximum that it is capable of, it’s sending and receiving SMS / MMS.
According to the manufacturer of a full battery of 19 Wh tablet should last 9.5 hours of HD-video playback.
Interface
Tablet ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103) is running an operating system Android 4.4, supplemented with new proprietary shell ASUS ZenUI.
The interface has an improved design, used a couple of really useful applications and proprietary technologies. A brief idea about how it works ASUS ZenUI shell can be obtained from the video.
Results
As a result, ASUS Transformer Pad (TF103) turned out good budget 10-inch tablet, primarily focused on those users who have a lot and often work with text. A configuration is required to note the difference between the versions TF103C and TF103CG, and if the model you are missing only a high-resolution screen, then wait for the sale of the tablet ASUS Transformer Pad (TF303).
Review tablet ASUS Transformer Pad
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