The Asus Taichi is a dual screen, tablet cum laptop device. It looks & functions like a tablet when closed and like an ultra-book when opened.
The Asus Taichi can be used in four modes with the help of a blue hot key called the “Taichi key”, viz notebook mode, tablet mode, dual screen mode and the mirror mode.
While the notebook mode switches off the second screen, the tablet mode shuts down the primary screen allowing you to use the device as a tablet with the laptop closed. In the dual screen mode you will be able to use both the screens independently, so while you are working on an important project on the notebook the other person can probably enjoy a movie on the tablet screen. While in the Mirror mode one can project the content on the notebook screen on the tablet screen as well.
Both the sides are laced with 13.3 inch IPS LCD displays and sport a resolution of 1920x1080p. It boasts of 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics and two USB 3.0 ports. It’s powered by an Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.7GHz and runs on Windows 8.
The Asus Taichi weighs a decent 2.75 pounds (1.1kg) considering that it is a hybrid laptop plus tablet device. It is available for pre-order in the US for $1299 and will start selling from the 26th of October.
No doubt the concept is innovative and cool, though I have my own doubts about the second screen on the device. Laptops are usually personal devices and I doubt how much of the second screen can be put to the use. The device is certainly too heavy to lug around as a tablet.
Talking about Windows 8, it looked quite snappy and beautiful to use on the tablet and would certainly appeal to the masses. On the laptop front it seemed as good as any other ultra-book in the market out there.
Nevertheless, the success of a device is decided by the consumers and not the reviewers and hence we would wait for the device to launch on the 26th October.
