Asus Taichi 31 CX003H

Disclaimer: Many photos come from Notebookcheck.com. This is because it is difficult to make because it is so dark. Good pictures of the device Unfortunately I do not have the setup to make use of. Itself everywhere nice photos Background I did before the advent of TaiChi both an ultrabook (MacBook Air 13 ") as a tablet (iPad retina). As a student, I use both devices being intensively: Whenever I go to college I have one of these devices with it, depending on the activities of the day. An ultrabook I expect a good typing keyboard, a good screen, long battery life, light weight and easy to use. The Air I therefore used mainly for information production: Thesis writing, typing reports, minutes of meetings, preparation etc. Thanks to the good battery I can always at least 6-7 hours on a charge, which is generally enough to one day join by come. The iPad I use mainly for information consumption: Read and annotate papers, studying slides etc. But at home it is a very nice device to quickly check your email and find out what things. However, once you have a formula in Excel quickly what needs to change or the layout of your thesis must address not just shoot a tablet (bluntly) still lack. Ideally I would therefore have a device with the power and capabilities of an ultrabook, but with the convenience of a tablet. When the Asus TaiChi was announced, I could see my enthusiasm therefore hardly restrain. Unfortunately it was still waiting for a few months before the devices could be, especially the 13 ". Actually delivered So why wait and not go for another hybrid? Why the Asus TaiChi? The TaiChi is a combination between an ultrabook and a tablet. There are several devices that embrace this concept, such as the Lenovo Yoga or the Sony Duo. In my view, however, Asus has to get the best. Implementation of this concept Models in which the screen turns back, like Yoga, make sure that you constantly keyboard on your lap or in your hands. This gives a very strange feeling because the keys are pressed. The Sony Duo can be used in laptop mode, but at a fixed angle which put it obstructs the view of the screen. There, too, lacks a decent touchpad. Yet another concept is that of Dell with its XPS series, wherein the screen tilts within a frame. Again, I did not work very well. The TaiChi can simply switch rapidly from laptop to tablet mode and in both cases it works as you would expect. A laptop or tablet , the first step is the hardest One problem of Tai Chi is that it virtually anywhere in show condition. Given still a pricey device would you prefer beforehand anyway lets see how well it works. Where Yoga, Duo and XPS all be found at major electronics chains are the TaiChi shines by its absence. And that's a shame because it is such a promising concept. On the Internet there are several reviews of Tai Chi but it concerns in particular in the specifications, unboxing and dual screen. Unfortunately, the product experience is often disregarded. Remains So I would like to know how the onscreen keyboard works if you are using the tablet mode. How much free space you have on the SSD? How well does Windows 8 with a touchscreen? The purpose of this review is therefore to inform. Wavering other potential users of this type of business When, after a few weeks of searching still no TaiChi in real life could admire the gamble but I have taken and I ordered the TaiChi. And then the adventure began. Specifications General specifications can be found everywhere. The model I bought is the 31-CX003H. This is the 13 "version with 256GB of SSD storage, and an Intel Core i5 3317U as a beating heart. The general specifications are:  Intel Core i5 3317U (Core Duo 1.7 GHz - 2.6 GHz)  4GB DDR3 memory  Full HD screens 13 "1920x1080 (~ 165 PPI)  256 GB SSD USB ​​3.0   Windows 8  1.55 Kg striking here is the relatively large SSD (often competitors a 128GB version included). What I am concerned, there is 8 GB of memory liked for that price but unfortunately 4GB are standard. The specifications make the device work smoothly. Furthermore, I'm not here much on the specifications. In the other cups are some more words about the components. Other reviews here on writing enough about. The only comment I would make is that specifications only one side of the coin, the coin of a good user experience. Apple is a good example of a company that often does not deliver the very best specifications (indeed to good) but their optimization still deliver better products than other benchmark samples. The software is just as important, you do not stare blindly specifications when purchasing a product. Perhaps noteworthy is the lack of a 3G option. When an ultra-book, this is not a standard, but in a tablet consists of the possibility of regular 3G. And for a device that is being touted as a mobile I would not have found it if that option was weird. Nevertheless, you can of course just punch a dongle if you need mobile internet. Fixtures First, the overall package very chic. You really feel like you bought when you're all unpacking a quality product. The matte black box does not reveal much, and only contains the name of the product and a sticker with a serial number. Tight box Once opened, the first thing you notice any kind of business card that shows how well your choice do not you bought the TaiChi. Little marketing bleating in my opinion but well, the idea is nice. Prestige card Contents Accessories Asus is definitely not stingy with the equipment that comes with the TaiChi but makes strange choices. You get a useful, solid and textured cover. Inside, it is lined so no scratches. Furthermore, there is a stiff material processed so the cover always stays in shape. The clasp is magnetic and there is also room for an optional stylus. Accessories unfortunately miss this stylus in the performance that I have. A missed opportunity as it is not an ordinary stylus. Asus calls it a "digitizer pen 'and he is also pressure sensitive. Same kind of system as perhaps more famous Galaxy Note or the Wacom tablets. For a device with such a high price tag, I had expected that this standard should be included. Especially since he is standard on the 11 "version, which is cheaper. In addition, this stylus also difficult to redeem. The store where I bought my TaiChi could not deliver him. And Asus itself this could not. I called Asus asking why the 11 "version or the stylus to only got the 13" version does not. Also asked how he was replacing the stylus as it would go if you would have gotten him. Well with the 11 "version piece To both questions is no answer could be given, and the friendly gentleman on the line took it myself very separate. Eventually, he could refer me to a reseller who could deliver. Pen or loose More on this later. Moreover, you will get some adapters to ensure that you can connect an internet cable or a VGA device. This is a USB> Ethernet adapter and a mini-VGA> VGA adapter. It is incomprehensible that no progress is included micro-HDMI> HDMI, in my opinion, the most useful port. VGA Adapter Ethernet Adapter Charger is pretty compact and easy to store. The cord length is sufficient (length 2M) but not huge. In terms of size similar to that of Apple only allows you a kind of extension clicks at Apple at the site where the plug is different. Asus has this option not included. Finally, you get some cleaning wipes, manuals, etc. In short, a fairly comprehensive package, especially the cover is very useful. The lack of the stylus and micro-HDMI> HDMI adapter, however, I find incomprehensible. Overall impression Once unpacked, you see a gleaming glass. This is the top or cover of TaiChi and it instantly exudes a luxurious feeling. The glass is Gorilla Glass which ensures that the probability is small scratches. Nevertheless, it is always careful with such an expensive device. However, the build quality of the device does not give rise to a sense of caution. It's a very solid device that feels good. The aluminum housing and the glass of the cover give a solid impression. There are no unintended gaps or seams and everything is nicely smooth. All in all it is not a product for which you need to be ashamed, quite the contrary. The brushed black aluminum reminiscent of the iPhone 5 from Apple and is very tight. The color looks a bit like the matte black of the iPhone 5, although that still seems slightly bluer. The shape is a wedge, but it is somewhat less by the thickness of the cover due to the glass. All in all it is a nice hybrid to see. Unfortunately Asus sticks are ugly stickers. Funny detail is that on the cover in laptop mode, the ASUS logo is lit in tablet mode, the windows lit. Tablet Tablet Ultrabook Ultrabook Connections right connections left Asus logo screen , the eye catcher is of course direct the screen, or rather screens. Both are Full HD 1920x1080 resolution that content. There are few ultrabooks that offer such a resolution. At the time of writing, there are at Pricewatch 186 13.3 "ultrabooks with 34 Full HD resolution, offer only. Where my Macbook Air with 1440x900 was already above average TaiChi is a real relief. The Full HD resolution translates to a pixel per inch density of 165 vs. 127 of the Macbook Air. The majority of the 13.3 "model is even at 117 PPI (1366x768). And it shows. In comparison, the Retina MacBook Pro 13 "227 PPI 264 PPI Retina and iPad.