ASUS Transformer AiO is All-in-One Windows 8 PC cum Supersize Android Tablet

ASUS Transformer AiO P1801 is world’s first Windows 8 desktop PC with standalone Android tablet. How is it possible? Read on to find out.
ASUS Transformer AiO consists of two parts: a) PC dock station and b) a detachable 18.4-inch tablet. The tablet itself is a Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) tablet powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-core processor. Inside the PC Station are Intel Core processor and other computer hardware to run Windows 8.
Table of Contents
Multiple modes like a Transformer
ASUS Transformer AiO is a computer you never see before. It has 3 operating modes for ASUS Transformer AiO:
- Windows 8 Mode: When you attach the tablet to PC Station, you get an All-in-one desktop PC running Windows 8 operating system. You can run all Windows 8 software. The tablet simply becomes a monitor for the PC Station. You can also connect an external monitor to the PC Station via HDMI port.
- Android tablet Mode: Detach the tablet and you get a 18.4-inch supersize Android 4.1 Jelly Bean tablet. You can run all Android apps on the tablet.
- Remote Desktop Mode: While you don’t get a Windows 8 tablet (it’s Android tablet, remember?), ASUS Transformer AiO has included software to allow you run Windows remotely over short distances. You also get a “Mode Switch†located at the tablet’s side.
ASUS Transformer AiO Specs
ASUS Transformer AiO retail price is USD$1299 or RM4999 in Malaysia. Here I break the specs sheet into two parts:
1. PC Station
- OS: Windows 8
- Processor: Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor
- Graphic: NVIDIA GeForce GT730M 2GB graphic processor
- Memory: 4GB RAM (up to 8GB)
- Storage: 1TB (up to 2TB) hard drive
- Optical drive: Slot-in DVD-RW drive
- I/O ports: 4x USB3.0, USB2.0, 3-in–1 card reader, headphone port, microphone port, HDMI out
- Network: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit LAN
- Weight: 4.1KG
2. Android Tablet
- OS: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
- Display: 18.4-inch Full HD 1920×1080 IPS multi touch display
- Processor: NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-core CPU
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 32GB flash storage
- Network: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
- Camera: 1.0M camera
- I/O ports: audio jack, docking port, microSD card reader, mini USB 2.0 port
- Battery: 38 W
- Weight: 2.4KG
Photo Gallery
Check out some of the ASUS Transformer AiO product photos here: (click to enlarge)
Thoughts
The significant advantages of ASUS Transformer AiO is able to enjoy both Windows and Android apps. Attach to PC Station to do work on your desk, detach the tablet and play your favorite Android games on the 18-inch display.
ASUS Transformer AiO is not designed for on-the-go. The tablet itself weighs 2.4KG! It is a PC and tablet for family. Connect an external monitor then two persons can share Transformer AiO: one use PC with external monitor, the other use giant Android tablet.
Note that the data on tablet and PC station are not shared, they are isolated from each other… it makes me wonder, is buying ASUS Transformer AiO (USD$1299/RM4999) a better deal than buying an All-in-One PC and a tablet separately?
It’s a heavy tablet, and while it isn’t as portable as Nexus 10 or 7, it’s a good substitute for a desktop computer in terms of capacity. It will also take up less space because it doesn’t come with the same parts that a desktop does.