ASUS announces dual-OS, dual-storage tablet Transformer Book Trio; Acer unveils 8 inch Windows 8 tablet Iconia W3

The ongoing Computex 2013 event (Asia's biggest computer show) in Taipei has seen a number of interesting gadget launches by ASUS and Acer. While Acer has unveiled an 8 inch Windows 8 tablet, its first phablet (read more about that here) and a number of notebooks, ASUS debuted a dual-OS, dual-storage tablet called the Transformer Book Trio. Let us look at the specifications.

Acer Iconia W3

The company claims that the tablet is the industry's first 8.1 inch device running Windows 8 (we don't see how that stands out) and it comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 at no extra cost. According to the company, the device is ideal for business people, students and families who already use programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for learning/work. Since the tablet runs on Windows 8, it keeps files, photos and contacts synced across other Windows 8 devices. So users can work on documents and programmes on the go and then access the most current version from another device.

The tablet has an 8.1-inch LED-backlit display (1280 x 800 pixel resolution) and is powered by an Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor. In terms of internal memory, customers will have a choice between 32 and 64GB that can be further expanded an additional 32GB with a microSD card.

It comes with a couple of 2MP camera's (one at the front and one at the rear) and on the connectivity front, it has Wi-Fi, and comes with a micro-HDMI port (for connecting to a TV or external display) a micro-USB port. While the exact dimensions of the device are not available, it weighs 540 gm and is 11.35 mm thick. Users can also pair it with an optional full-size Bluetooth keyboard that mirrors the size of those found on larger 13.3-inch notebooks, making it more comfortable to use.

The company also claims that the device will provide up to 8 hours of battery life. While the Indian pricing and launch date is not available as of now, the tablet's international pricing is $430 (Rs 24,367) and $459 (Rs 28,070) for the 32GB and 64GB respectively, and the optional is priced at $8 (Rs 450).

ASUS Transformer Book Trio

The company claims Transformer Book Trio is a combination of notebook, tablet and desktop PC, basically making it a three-in-one mobile device (hence the name). The device comes with dual operating systems, an Android one for the tablet and Windows 8 for the notebook. The fact that it is dual-OS also means that users will get access to both Google Play Store and the Windows Store.

The tablet has an 11.6-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen display (1920 x 1080 resolution) and is powered by a 2.0 GHz Intel Atom processor. It runs on the Android Jelly bean operating system and the internal memory of the device is 64GB storage. On the other hand, the PC Station keyboard dock has its own 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor and 750GB hard drive and runs on the Windows 8 OS. And even when the tablet is detached from it, can be hooked up to an external display for use as a desktop PC. The station also serves as a charger for the tablet for extended battery life.

Apart from the Transformer Book Trio, the company also unveiled a 10.1 inch tablet Transformer Pad Infinity, two 7 and 10 inch tablets MeMO Pad HD 7 and MeMO Pad FHD 10 and a Phablet called Fonepad Note 6 (read here for more on that).

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)