Asus Transformer Book T100TAL Convertible Review

For the original German review, see here.
The Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P is a 10.1-inch convertible. Its sibling, the Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR, was previously tested by us and the main difference between the two is that our test model is equipped with an LTE modem.
The competition includes other 10.1-inch convertibles like the MSI S100, the Lenovo Miix 3 10 and the ODYS Winpad V10. Netbooks like the Acer Travelmate B115-MP and the Asus EeeBook X205TA are also included.
As both the Transformer models we tested have the same build, we will not discuss the case, the connectivity, the input devices and the speakers. Information on these topics can be found in the review of the Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR.
Case & Connectivity
The ports of the Transformer Book T100TAL are a little different from those of its sibling model: the keyboard dock of the T100TA-C1-GR has a USB 3.0 port, whereas the T100TAL has a single USB 2.0 port.
Display
The 10.1-inch panel has a native resolution of 1366x768 pixels. Unfortunately, the device has an average brightness of 252.2 cd/m². A mobile device like the Transformer Book should offer higher values. The contrast (1130:1) and black value (0.23 cd/m²) are quite good.
|
Brightness Distribution: 94 %
Center on Battery: 260 cd/m²
Contrast: 1130:1 (Black: 0.23 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.45 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.89
ΔE Greyscale 3.41 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
44% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
47.67% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
68.6% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
46.09% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.25
Performance
The Asus Transformer Book T100TAL has sufficient performance for office and web use. An integrated LTE modem allows users to surf online while on-the-go. Our test model is available for around 550 Euros (~$619) and Asus offers other configurations as well. The cheapest version of our test model currently available is priced at 380 Euros (~$427).
Processor
The Transformer Book runs on an Atom Z3735D quad-core CPU. Thanks to its very low TDP (<4 W), the processor can be passively cooled. The CPU operates at a base clock speed of 1.33 GHz and Turbo Boost allows it to speed up to 1.83 GHz. Unfortunately, the full performance could not be delivered during the CPU tests of the Cinebench benchmark. The multithread test runs at a constant 1.58 GHz. The single thread test runs most of the time at 1.58 GHz. Now and then, the speed drops to below 1 GHz. This behavior occurs while the notebook is plugged in and while it runs on battery. As the CPU never hits its maximum speed, the results of the CPU benchmarks are lower than those of similar devices.
Geekbench 3 | |
32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR | |
Microsoft Surface 3 | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ | |
32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR | |
Microsoft Surface 3 | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
MSI S100 | |
MSI S100 | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The Transformer Book runs smoothly and we did not encounter any issues. The PCMark Benchmark results are appropriate for the hardware.
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 1127 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 949 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 1144 points | |
Help |
PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Microsoft Surface 3 | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Storage Device
The storage device of the convertible is a 64 GB eMMC module. The user will have about 36 GB of free space as the rest of the storage is occupied by the Windows installation and the Recovery partition. The storage can be expanded using a MicroSD card. The transfer speeds of the module are not great due to its active encryption (default). After turning this feature off, the transfer speeds rose to normal.
Graphics Card
The graphics output is provided by the Intel HD Graphics IGP which supports DirectX 11 and operates at speeds up to 646 MHz. The results of the 3D Mark benchmarks are appropriate for the performance of the IGP and place it at the lower end of the performance table.
3DMark 11 Performance | 213 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 15591 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 1172 points | |
Help |
3DMark | |
1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ | |
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
Lenovo Miix 3 10 | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Asus EeeBook X205TA-FD005BS | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ | |
1280x720 Sky Diver Score (sort by value) | |
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P | |
Prestigio Multipad Visconte 3 3G | |
ODYS Winpad V10 | |
Acer Travelmate B115-MP-C2TQ |
Gaming Performance
The small convertible is not suited for modern 3D games as the hardware is far too weak. Only a few PC games are capable of running at an acceptable fps. We recommend looking at the games in the Windows Store, as most will run comfortably on the device.
low | med. | high | ultra | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trackmania Nations Forever (2008) | 83.9 | 18.7 |
Emissions & Energy Management
Temperature
The stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run simultaneously for at least an hour) runs the same whether the convertible is on mains or battery power. The CPU operates for around 15 minutes at 1.58 GHz, after which it throttles down to 1.33 GHz and remains constant at this speed. After 15 minutes, the IGP is throttled down from 620 MHz to 440 MHz. During the rest of the test, its speed fluctuates slightly. The device does not get too hot and we found only two points where the device crosses the 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) mark.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 41 °C / 106 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 60 °C for the class Convertible.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 40.6 °C / 105 F, compared to the average of 36.8 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.2 °C / 83 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(-) The palmrests and touchpad can get very hot to the touch with a maximum of 41 °C / 105.8 F.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28 °C / 82.4 F (-13 °C / -23.4 F).
Power Consumption
The convertible has normal power consumption. When idle, the maximum consumption is 4.7 W, which is acceptable considering the hardware. During the stress test, the consumption rises up to 10.8 W. This value would be even higher if the CPU could use its full potential.
Off / Standby | ![]() ![]() |
Idle | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Load |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Key:
min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Battery Life
In the practical WLAN test, our script loads a new website every 40 seconds and the brightness is regulated to around 150 cd/m². With the "Power Saver" mode active, the Transformer Book lasts 8:06 h - quite good. However, its sibling model (10:47 h) surpasses it.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P is ideal for users who want a tablet, but do not want to sacrifice a keyboard. The Atom processor provides sufficient performance for office and web use. The operating system is the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1 Professional, which allows users to use Apps from the Windows store and traditional desktop programs. Thanks to passive cooling, the device operates silently and it does not heat up too much.
The integrated LTE modem offers the user Internet on-the-go, but the Transformer is too expensive compared to the competition. Sadly Asus sacrifices the USB 3.0 port in the dock.
The good battery life and strong IPS panel are great traits. However, the screen offers an average brightness, which may prevent comfortable use outdoors.
Asus Transformer Book T100TAL-DK021P
- 04/29/2015 v4 (old)
Sascha Mölck