ASUS announces Transformer AiO with detachable display

ASUS’ Transformer all-in-one has an 18.4-inch detachable display and will be available in North America early Q2 with pricing starting at $1299.

Alex Storey, Published 03/08/2013

Though hybrid tablets are gearing towards becoming part of our every-day life, hybrid desktops are almost uncharted territory. Stepping in to change the landscape, ASUS announced its Transformer AiO (all-in-one) with a detachable display. The king-size tablet is so large that the company built in a handle to make it easier to detach and carry around.

ASUS is describing the Transformer AiO as a 3-in-1 since it is a full desktop PC with Windows 8, a remote Windows 8 tablet and – at the touch of a button – an Android 4.1 tablet. The 18.4-inch device manages to pull it all off by using an Ivy Bridge processor at its base and a Tegra 3 inside the actual tablet. For the tablet to work in Windows 8 mode it has to use Wireless Remote Desktop, otherwise ASUS would need to use a 3^rd operating system. A Tegra 3 can only run Windows RT aka Windows on Arm.

The Transformer’s PC Station specifications from the press release most notably include an NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M. The docking-station also sports Windows 8 64-bit, Intel Core i5-3350P, 8GB DDR3 (1600 MHz) RAM, 1TB SATA hard drive, and even a SuperMulti DVD Drive.

Meanwhile the tablet specifications are Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 18.4-inch (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit display with IPS technology, NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core, 2GB DDR3 RAM and 32GB on-board storage. Both the PC Station and the tablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, card reader, and USB. Unfortunately, only the docking station includes USB 3.0 and HDMI-out. For a full list of specs check the press release and links below.

The official ASUS product page lists a range of Ivy Bridge processors from i3 to i7, so there is a chance that more options may be made available to North American customers. Availability is set for early Q2, while pricing will start at $1299.

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Source(s)

http://www.asus.com/News/mWqMnVNWZsVJ39VK

http://www.asus.com/AllinOne_PCs/ASUS_Transformer_AiO_P1801/

+ Show Press Release

Press Release

ASUS Launches the Transformer AiO

2013/03/06

The world’s first all-in-one that is a powerful desktop PC capable of running Windows^® 8 or Android 4.1 in desktop or tablet mode.

Fremont, CA (March 7, 2013) - ASUS today announced the all-new Transformer AiO. The incredibly innovative ASUS Transformer AiO provides users the mobility of a tablet with the performance of a powerful desktop PC, all in an elegant design that is just as flexible on your desktop as it is in the home. Combining stunning design and the imagination of ASUS, the Transformer AiO features a desktop PC Station with 3rd generation Intel^® Core™ desktop processor technology for outstanding Windows^® 8 performance, and a detachable 18.4-inch multi-touch display containing NVIDIA’s^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core for an optimum Android 4.1 user experience. The innovation does stop as the tablet is also capable of running Windows^® 8 in Remote Desktop mode. No All-in-One PC has ever offered this type of flexibility, innovation or design, and it is only available from ASUS.

Advanced Technology and Options
ASUS Transformer AiO is a powerful all-in-one PC capable of handling a wide range of demanding Windows^® 8 productivity and entertainment applications. Designed for desktop use, its PC Station is powered by a 3rd generation Intel^® Core™ desktop processor with NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GT 730M graphics for outstanding performance.

The Transformer AiO features comprehensive connectivity options, including four USB 3.0 ports – with speeds up to ten times faster than USB 2.0 – for plenty of peripheral possibilities and an HDMI out port so you can attach a monitor for extended display options including the capability to use the PC Station in Windows 8 mode while the tablet operates separately in Android 4.1 mode.

Its 18.4-inch LED-backlit display features 1080p HD resolution with 10-point multi-touch and IPS technology for bright, vibrant images with 178-degree wide viewing angles for shared enjoyment with coworkers, friends or family.

ASUS Transformer AiO also features dual-band Wi-Fi for high-performance wireless networking with compatible routers. ASUS SonicMaster audio technology delivers incredible sound so watching the latest TV show or movie, gaming, or enjoying a new album will always be an immersive audio experience.

Windows^® 8 and Android tablet combined
When detached from the PC Station, ASUS Transformer AiO’s tablet can be used in two different ways. First, wireless Remote Desktop technology on the PC Station allows complete multi-touch control over Windows^® 8 in tablet mode for easy access to the world’s largest collection of productivity and entertainment software.

Alternatively, the 18.4-inch IPS display can also be used as a standalone tablet with Android 4.1, thanks to its built-in NVIDIA^®Tegra^® 3 quad-core processor. ASUS Transformer AiO switches seamlessly between operating systems at the press of a button and offers up to five hours of battery life*. The display also features a convenient carrying handle and a folding stand for comfortable tabletop use when away from the PC Station.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ASUS Transformer AiO will be available early Q2 2013 in North America with pricing starting at $1299.

SPECIFICATIONS*

Processor	PC Station: 3rd Generation Intel^® Core™ i5-3350P Tablet: NVIDIA^® Tegra^® 3 quad-core
Operating system	PC Station: Windows 8 (64-bit) Tablet: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Display	18.4-inch (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit with IPS technology 10-point capacitive multi-touch
Graphics	PC Station: NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GT 730M (2GB)
Camera	1-megapixel front-facing
Memory & storage	PC Station: 8GB DDR3 (1600Mhz) RAM 1TB SATA hard drive SuperMulti DVD Drive Tablet: 2GB DDR3 RAM with 32GB onboard storage
Connectivity	PC Station: 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet 4x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 port HDMI-out 3.5mm headphone & 3.5mm mic sockets 3-in-1 memory card slot Bluetooth 4.0 Tablet: 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi 1x Mini-USB 2.0 port 3.5mm headphone / mic socket microSD card slot Docking port Bluetooth 3.0 + EDR
Battery	Tablet: 38Whr Li-ion for up to 5 hours use*
Size	Tablet: 11.57 x 18.34 x 0.70’ PC Station: 10.51 x 18.34 x 6.37” Combined: 14.8 x 18.34 x 6.37”
Weight	PC Station: 9.03lbs Tablet: 5.3lbs

*Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Specifications and pricing listed are for the planed North American sku and may differ at launch. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.

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