Asus t300 chi keyboard does not work. Review of the hybrid tablet from ASUS - Transformer Book T300 Chi. Passive but not silent

More than a year ago at Computex 2014, ASUS introduced a very thin and elegant tablet with a keyboard dock. Details about the filling became known a little later, at IFA. However, the Transformer Book T300 Chi went on sale only a few weeks ago, significantly later than its competitors. But was it too late to enter the market?

In the end, if the performance of the Core M is enough for you, then various models have been on sale on the market for several months, including or. But ASUS also has a similar device, although it uses a different approach. But the Transformer Book T300 Chi is interesting for something else. A model has entered the market that Intel at last year's IFA noted as a good concept on Core M. The external design is quite remarkable, but will we end up with too many shortcomings? We will also talk about this in the FH011H review.

The concept of the Transformer Book T300 Chi is familiar: a thin and light tablet with good performance that can easily turn into a mobile workstation. It sounds simple, but not everyone succeeds in putting the idea into practice. If the tablet or laptop is thin, then there is not much space left for the battery. If the cooling system must operate silently, performance will have to be sacrificed. Did ASUS succeed? In many ways, yes, although the implementation differs from the Lenovo or HP approaches.

Core M inside

One glance at the specifications is enough to understand that this is an old friend. The tablet is powered by an Intel Core M-5Y71 processor with two cores, complemented by Hyper-Threading support. It is manufactured using a 14-nm process technology, the maximum frequency is 2.9 GHz, the base frequency is 1.2 GHz. This is not only the fastest member of the Core M family, but also a model with numerous business functions such as vPro. The processor integrates an Intel HD Graphics 5300 graphics core. Like all GT2 variants, the iGPU in the Core M-5Y71 is equipped with 24 EU execution units and operates at frequencies from 300 to 900 MHz. The CPU and GPU operate within a total thermal budget of 4.5 W. ASUS did not change it "up" or "down", although CTDP allows adjustment from 3.5 to 6.0 W.

However, you shouldn’t expect miracles from Core M, as can be seen from the test results. The Core M-5Y71 showed relatively good results in Cinebench of 2.5 and 244 points (Cinebench 11/15), beating previously tested Core M systems. On the other hand, in 3DMark it showed a result of 34,000 points and 550 points, lagging behind by 10% and 24% from the ZenBook UX305, which uses the Core M-5Y10. But in everyday scenarios, such a difference is not fundamental, yet Core M is not aimed at gamers. The performance is enough for casual games, nothing more.

As for office scenarios, the Transformer Book T300 Chi showed a sufficient level of performance, especially since ASUS installed 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD with a maximum throughput of 448 MB/s. In PCMark 7 we got a fairly high score of 4,300 points. However, if long-term high performance is required, then the Core M-5Y71 is worse. The processor cannot operate at Turbo frequency for a long time. Like other Core M tablets and laptops, the Transformer Book T300 Chi has significant limitations on CPU performance. Under prolonged load, the frequency drops below 700 MHz, the GPU continues to operate at 350 MHz, slightly above the base level.

The reason is well known. Intel Core M chips can deliver very high performance for a short period of time, which is why the Turbo frequency is raised so much above the base frequency. That is, the same file in Photoshop opens very quickly, but serious processing will require patience.

Passive but not silent

We didn't encounter any problems regarding temperature. At 78 degrees Celsius, the Core M processor stayed below Intel's temperature limit of 95 degrees Celsius without the chassis overheating. In idle mode, we got a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius; under prolonged load, the case heated up to 42 degrees Celsius. Considering the completely passive cooling of the Core M, the result is good. But the Transformer Book T300 Chi cannot be called completely silent. Under intense load, our test sample "whistled" with the throttles.

Display is weak due to battery

The display left a mixed impression. Of course, the resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels at 12.5" diagonal provides excellent detail and sharpness. This is emphasized by good color rendition and brightness. But there are also negative aspects.

Let's start with brightness. The maximum brightness of the Transformer Book T300 Chi is quite decent - 426 cd/m², although the uniformity is about 84%. The reason is that the left third of the display is visually darker, here the brightness does not exceed 360 cd/m². This value is sufficient for home use or indoor office work, and you can also work outdoors if you stay in the shade. There is one “but”: high brightness is provided only when the tablet is running from the mains. In standalone mode, the maximum brightness is reduced to 352 cd/m². Therefore, readability is no longer so good. It is not possible to disable this reduction in brightness.

Display calibration has also drawn criticism. The color temperature of the white point is 7,600 K, so the display produces too bluish tints. On white areas the "blue" is clearly visible.

The contrast of the IPS panel turned out to be convincing (1.275:1), and the sensor worked flawlessly. So you can manage your installed Windows 8.1 without any problems. The ASUS website advertises the Active Stylus Pen, but it is not included in all configurations. If you want to use a stylus, you can buy it separately; The manufacturer has not yet indicated a price.

A modern dual-core processor operates with a base clock frequency of 1.2 GHz; as the load increases, it can automatically increase up to 2.9 GHz. The amount of RAM in our configuration is 8 GB, and the graphics accelerator built into the processor is responsible for image output and 3D applications. The Windows operating system and user data are stored on a 128 GB SanDisk SSD. It shows high data read speed (400+ MB/sec), but mediocre write speed (200+ MB/sec). Immediately after the first turn on, approximately 101 GB remain free.

This set of characteristics can be considered suitable for most applications, except for modern games. The T300 Chi (even in the cheaper version) can easily cope with watching high-quality movies, with a graphics editor, and with social networks - but the integrated graphics chip is not designed for complex calculations.

Another negative point is a serious drop in performance when disconnecting the power adapter and switching to a battery. When the battery charge approaches a minimum (about 15 percent), absolutely everything starts to slow down. If we do not take this factor into account, then the benchmark indicators can be compared with those of MacBook Air laptops, as well as tablets from Microsoft.

The Transformer Book Chi line was presented at CES 2015 by ASUS, and even then it was a pleasant surprise. This segment includes three transformers with different display diagonals: 8.9, 10.1 and 12.5 inches. By and large, they differ only in the characteristics of the screen and the filling, but otherwise there are no differences.

For review, we chose the oldest model – ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, which has already received the CES 2015 Innovation Awards. Let us remind you that it is awarded to products based on such criteria as uniqueness, functionality and aesthetics. We are sure that the device received the award for good reason, because among its advantages are a thin aluminum case, an Intel Core M 5Y71 processor, an IPS display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and Windows 8 as an operating system.

Specifications

Design

The appearance of the device is very elegant and stylish. The lid, like the entire body, is black; it is decorated only with the company logo. The dull color is diluted by a silver strip located along the perimeter of the base. The display is completely covered with glass and is surrounded by a not very thick-looking frame. On its upper edge there is a webcam peephole, and a little to the left is another ASUS logo. The docking station is represented by a QWERTY keyboard, under which there is a small touchpad. All sides of the Transformer Book T300 Chi contain ports and connectors, however, the vast majority fit on the tablet, while on the keyboard part there is only Micro-USB.

A few words about how the keyboard is attached to the display. Their docking occurs thanks to a magnetized stand, and information is exchanged via Bluetooth. Accordingly, to connect, you need to connect the grooves of the lower part with the grooves of the upper until there is a characteristic click, then turn on the docking station, then activate Bluetooth here using the toggle switch located in the upper left part of the keyboard. After this, you need to enable the above-mentioned wireless module, but on the tablet, and find the name ASUS T300 Chi Docking in the list of Bluetooth devices. The 2-in-1 device is now ready for use. By the way, the opening angle of the laptop is 130 degrees, which, in principle, is quite enough for full-fledged work.

There are no questions about the build quality of the device; in this regard, the engineers did their best. The joining/disconnecting of both parts occurs without any unpleasant surprises, smoothly and clearly. There are no deflections, and no backlash is observed either. As for the functionality of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, then, of course, not everything is so simple. The tablet copes with the role of a laptop with a bang, but the weight for a tablet is just over 700 g - this is perhaps too much. However, it is not difficult to find a use for such a tablet: for example, it will be a great help on a trip when you don’t want to take a laptop with you, while you can put the tablet on the table and enjoy a movie.

Display, sound and webcam

The maximum backlight level is almost 400 cd/m2, which is an excellent indicator. As for the contrast, the situation with it is a little worse, but not critical - 804:1. Among the factory default settings, the ASUS Splendid application is provided, which allows you to change the display characteristics depending on the situation, for example, if you need to make the image brighter.

Of course, the device screen supports touch input. It provides accurate and timely operation, as well as fast response. In addition, the display supports various multi-touch gestures, such as zooming, scrolling with two or three fingers, etc.

The right and left sides of the tablet each received one stereo speaker. The sound is quite acceptable and should be sufficient for playing music or videos. There is no sound distortion at maximum volume, which is good news. Low frequencies are practically absent, but this does not significantly affect the quality of acoustics.

The webcam has a resolution of 2 megapixels, which is very good for a front camera. It works best with video calls, but pictures will be a little grainy.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keys do not have any characteristic external features that would set them apart from their analogues. The button is single-row, on both sides it is quite large in size, even the pointer block does not cause any complaints, which is rarely seen in a full-fledged laptop, not to mention a 12-inch device. However, there is a fly in the ointment: the depth of travel of the keys, as well as their feedback, are very small, which causes some discomfort while typing, especially if you are not used to it. Above the keyboard, in the left corner, there is a Bluetooth indicator that lights up when this module is active. There is also a two-color battery indication and a power/Bluetooth toggle switch, which turns the docking station and Bluetooth on/off.

Finally, a few words about the touchpad. Unlike the keyboard unit, its dimensions are much more modest. The manipulator has clear, tactile boundaries and a smooth surface. It does not have physical keys, but pressing in the right and left corners will give you the same functionality. By the way, the touch zone recognizes many gestures: touching, dragging, sliding (with one, two or three fingers) and others.

Performance

The device only has an integrated video card, or rather, Intel HD Graphics 5300. Its frequency ranges from 800 to 900 MHz. The graphics video adapter supports OpenCL 2.0, DirectX 11.2, and can also decode H.265. Unfortunately, the graphics capabilities are only sufficient for undemanding tasks, and therefore playing on a laptop is quite problematic. For example, F1 2014 with Full HD screen resolution at high settings will show 10-12 frames per second, the Sims 4 game with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels on medium will be playable only with 15-18 fps.

The amount of RAM is 8 GB DDR3-1600 MHz standard. But in a configuration with another processor there will be only 4 GB. A 128 GB solid state drive is provided for data storage. If this is not enough, it can always be increased using microSD cards.

Ports and communications

The right side is equipped with a Micro-USB 3.0 port, a Micro-HDMI video output and a combined audio jack.

The bottom side has only a microSD card reader, and the top has a gadget power button and a two-color battery charging indicator.

Let's note the sensors that are present in the device, in particular, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a light sensor. As for wireless modules, in this case we have Bluetooth version 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. By the way, we note the good quality of the Bluetooth connection, thanks to which the keyboard dock and tablet tandem functions quickly and without delays.

Battery and heating

The laptop has a passive cooling system, which means there are no fans. During operation, the gadget heats up slightly, but the heating does not exceed a comfortable minimum.

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Conclusion

Unfortunately, there were also some downsides. In particular, the keyboard is frustrating, as it is inconvenient for long-term typing. In addition, the hardware in the device does not allow you to run complex tasks; its resources are only enough for basic things: surfing the web, listening to music, watching videos, working with documents, etc. The battery capacity also leaves much to be desired, because ordinary work on the Internet will discharge the gadget in a maximum of 4-5 hours. The cost of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, with such shortcomings, is not at all conducive to purchase, because the modification described in this review will cost the buyer, on average, $1300.

Attempts to combine a tablet and a laptop in one device almost always involve a lot of compromises. Manufacturers often end up with either a tablet that is too bulky or a laptop that is too slow. But what if such a “transformer” could be both productive and compact enough to compete with ultrabooks? ASUS is confident that it has found the right recipe for crossing a tablet and a laptop, embodying its ideas in the Transformer Book T300 Chi model. Let's check if this is actually true.

Scope of delivery

ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi comes in a compact box, inside which you can also find a charger, a micro USB cable and a micro USB to USB adapter.

Design and construction

The appearance of the Transformer Book T300 Chi is slightly different from what can be seen in the company's ultrabooks. This model has a simple design without glossy surfaces.

Despite the fact that the tablet body is metal, it is covered with matte paint. Thus, ASUS has created a discreet tablet that is unlikely to attract much attention; the design here is given for the sake of practicality, which is generally good.

The materials of the tablet body are represented by a solid metal plate on the back, as well as protective glass on the front. The most interesting thing about the design of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi is the thickness of the case.

Here it is only 7.6 mm, and this is considering that the characteristics of the tablet are quite impressive. As a result, with the keyboard attached, the device looks more like a compact ultrabook than a tablet with a docking station.

The keyboard body itself is also made of metal. At the same time, unlike the “transformers” of the previous generation, ASUS used not a mechanical, but a magnetic mount for the dock with the keyboard.

It has become easier to disconnect the devices, while they still hold each other quite tightly.

Ease of use

ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi can be both a laptop and a tablet at the same time. The main electronics of the device are hidden under the display, while the keyboard dock is almost empty.

As mentioned above, they are connected using magnets. Working with the T300 Chi in tablet mode is as comfortable as a Windows 8.1 tablet can be. Despite the 12.5-inch display, the device is still comfortable to hold. It looks a little strange in vertical orientation due to the elongated screen, however, you quickly get used to it. The Transformer Book T300 Chi's display responds well to touch. And although the main control is carried out through the screen, on the tablet body you can find a volume control key, as well as a power key. The Windows button, standard for devices with the Microsoft operating system, in this model is not in the usual place under the display, but on the left side of the case. All keys have a clear stroke and are easy to touch.

The keyboard unit is attached to the tablet using magnets, and the connection itself occurs via the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

Because of this, the keyboard does not activate immediately after turning on; it takes a little time to connect to the tablet. During further work, the connection is not interrupted, and in general there are no problems with the operation of the keyboard. Despite the fact that the entire dock is powered by a built-in battery, after more than a week of use we were unable to discharge it by more than 70%. The base with the keyboard is charged via the microUSB port.

The keys themselves on the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi are well spaced and have a clear, pleasant stroke. The layout here is typical for ASUS ultrabooks. There is no keyboard backlight, which is a drawback given the sufficient thickness of the docking station. The keys have white and green markings, which are easy to read even in poor lighting. At the same time, ASUS continues to be the only laptop manufacturer that makes factory markings of keys with Ukrainian letters.

The touchpad on the T300 Chi, although it occupies a fairly small area, works very well. It accurately detects touches and finger positioning.

Connectors

One downside to the Transformer Book T300 Chi's thinness is the lack of full-size USB ports. In this regard, the device is really more like a tablet than an ultrabook. On its right side you can find a 3.5 mm headphone input, a micro HDMI connector and a microUSB 3.0 port.

The latter is compatible with microUSB, and ASUS offers a USB adapter in the kit. This is the correct approach, since the adapter allows you to connect external drives and peripherals to the device. In general, based on experience, if an Internet connection is available, in most cases you can do without an adapter.

Display

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi can be equipped with a 12.5-inch IPS touchscreen display with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels or Full HD. We received the first option for testing, which demonstrates excellent picture clarity and good viewing angles. The screen brightness is adjustable from 16.4 to 238 cd/m2, and the contrast is 1:1246.

The display provides more than 100% coverage of the sRGB color space. Despite the high resolution, the interface of Windows and a number of popular programs such as Chrome and Office are well adapted to it.

Platform and performance

We received a top-end configuration for review with an Intel Core M 5Y71 processor operating at a frequency of 1.2 GHz in normal mode and 2.9 GHz in Turbo Boost. Since the heat dissipation of Core M processors is low, ASUS was able to implement a completely passive cooling system in the T300 Chi. Moreover, even under high load, the tablet does not heat above 45 degrees Celsius. In reality, the lower right corner of the device becomes noticeably warm, but it does not burn your hand.

In addition to the 5Y71 processor, our version of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi came with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of RAM, which can be expanded via a microSD slot. The device as a whole works quite quickly, if we talk about such basic tasks as browsing websites, working with mail, creating documents, presentations, and editing photos. But in general, you shouldn’t expect incredible performance from the tablet, which is also confirmed by synthetic tests. It's at a good level when we talk about the T300 Chi as a compact laptop, and at a high level when we compare it with other Windows tablets.

This model will not support modern computer games, but it runs old hits quite well, you can easily play Heroes of Might & Magic III, Syberia, or new games developed for tablets, such as Asphalt 8.

Autonomy

The T300 Chi has a 2-cell 32 Wh battery, which lasts for 4 hours under above-average load.

In mixed mode the tablet can last 6-7 hours, and with minimal load about 10 hours. As a result, the autonomy of the device can be called average; it will not be able to spend a full working day on one battery charge. In this regard, the version with a Full HD screen looks more attractive, as its battery life is 20-30% higher.

In the end

ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi captivates with its form factor. The device turned out to be quite compact, but at the same time it has a full-fledged keyboard that can be left in the office when it is not needed. The disadvantages of this model are typical for converged Windows devices, namely a small number of ports and average battery life. However, compared to similar models, the T300 Chi has a number of significant advantages: it is quite fast, has a good screen, is completely silent in operation and is equipped with a good keyboard and touchpad. Therefore, if you have been eyeing the Surface 3 Pro from Microsoft, which, unfortunately, is not available to us, take a closer look at the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi. At the moment, this is the best “transformer” available on the Ukrainian market.

Liked:

Scope of delivery

Tablet thickness

Materials and build quality

Keyboard and mount

Great touchpad

Display

Performance (tablet-like)

Didn't like:

- No full USB port

— No keyboard backlight

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Review of ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi: laptop or tablet?

With the advent of the Intel Broadwell platform (or rather, Core M processors), serious changes have occurred in the mobile device market. Its relatively high performance, combined with very low heat generation and, as a consequence, the absence of the need for an active cooling system, made it possible, on the one hand, to reduce the size of laptops, and on the other, to significantly expand the capabilities of tablet computers and other mobile equipment, simultaneously erasing the already fuzzy boundaries between these devices. A striking representative of this trend that is gaining momentum today is the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi device, which we will get to know today. It is quite difficult to say what type of mobile device it is, but the manufacturer himself calls it a transformable laptop, emphasizing that in terms of its technical characteristics it is a laptop with the ability to turn into a tablet, and not vice versa.

This spring, our test laboratory already featured a similar device - the Dell Venue 11 Pro with a 10.8-inch display diagonal and an Intel Core M processor. The manufacturer modestly classified it as a tablet computer, although in design and capabilities this transformer is very close to the ASUS model Transformer Book T300 Chi. Testing has shown that the Dell Venue 11 Pro compares favorably with other Windows tablets with better performance. Well, we’ll find out right now how good the new product from ASUS is and whether it’s really more of a laptop than a tablet.

Scope of delivery

The device comes in a fairly compact matte black box made of very thick cardboard, inside which the following accessories are neatly packed along with the laptop:

• power adapter with permanent power cable;
• Micro-USB ↔ Micro-USB cable for charging the keyboard battery;
• Micro-USB - USB type A adapter;
• cloth for cleaning the screen;
• Velcro tie for power cable;
• a short guide to working in Russian.

Specifications

* Average price on Yandex.Market at the time of writing.

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi model is available in several versions depending on the processor, the amount of disk storage and RAM, as well as the display.

As we have already said, the transformer is based on the Intel Broadwell-Y platform with a dual-core Intel Core M-5Y71 processor operating at a base clock frequency of 1.2 GHz, which increases to a maximum of 2.9 GHz in Turbo Boost mode. Perhaps its most important feature is the record low TDP thermal package, amounting to only 4.5 W, due to which the device has a passive cooling system and is completely silent in operation. According to the specifications, the laptop is also available with a less powerful Intel Core M-5Y10 processor, the base clock speed of which is 0.8 GHz, and in Turbo Boost mode it can reach 2.0 GHz.

The Intel Core M-5Y71 processor has a dual-channel DDR3 RAM controller. The laptop has two Low-Power DDR3-1600 modules with a capacity of 4 GB each. According to the specifications, ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi can be supplied with one memory module with a capacity of 4 GB.

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi uses an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 (GT2) solution as a graphics adapter, the clock speed of which can reach 900 MHz (base value 300 MHz). The adapter works with OpenCL 2.0 and DirectX 11.2 technologies. Separately, it is worth noting the capabilities of hardware decoding of H.265 and simultaneous work with three displays - the maximum resolution of each of them can reach 3840 × 2160 pixels. The matrix of the laptop itself has a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels (WQHD), which is quite a lot for a 12.5-inch display - you will have to use scaling. The laptop is also available with a display that has a lower resolution - 1920 × 1080 pixels (Full HD). In both cases, a Micro-HDMI video output is provided on board the transformer to display the image on an external monitor.

According to the official specification, the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi disk subsystem can be represented by SSD modules with a capacity of 64 or 128 GB. Our copy was equipped with a non-replaceable SanDisk SSD i110 module with a capacity of 128 GB (117 GB available) manufactured by SanDisk Corporation, which is a chip soldered onto the system board. By default, disk space is represented by one working partition.

The laptop is equipped with a reader for microSD flash cards - there was no room for a full-size reader. The audio subsystem is represented by the widely used Realtek ALC233 module, which works with HD Audio. To connect headphones and a microphone to the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, a combined 3.5 mm mini-jack is used. There is no S/P-DIF optical output. The tablet part of the transformer has built-in stereo speakers located on thin side edges. It is not possible to connect the device to a wired gigabit network using standard means - the necessary adapter for organizing an RJ-45 port is not included in the package. But on board there is a dual-band Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7265 module, which includes Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 controllers. But what the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi does not have on board are the GPS, 3G and LTE modules inherent in many tablet computers.

The device has two batteries. The first, main one, is built into the tablet part. This is a lithium-ion module with two cells, having a nameplate capacity of 32 Wh (4210 mAh, 7.6 V). The actual capacity when fully charged was 31.1 Wh. The second battery powers the keyboard - its capacity is only 2.5 Wh (650 mAh, 3.8 V), but it doesn’t have to feed anything other than the Bluetooth module, so the battery charge lasts a long time. The keyboard battery is charged from the battery of the tablet part, to which, in turn, a power adapter with an output power of 33 W (1.75 A, 19 V) is connected.

Appearance

The wide tablet bezels around the 16:9 display make the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi feel very wide. At the same time, the thickness of the transformer together with the keyboard does not exceed 17 mm, and after turning into a tablet it decreases to 7.6 mm. The weight of the device is not record low, but also not very large, especially for a transformer - 1.4 kg with the keyboard or 0.72 kg without it. This laptop is easy to carry in any bag with documents or even under your arm. It’s a pity that for the second transportation option there is no thin case included in the package.

The lid of the laptop is made of metal alloy, and the bottom part is made of plastic. Both are distinctly rough and have a dark blue color. At the same time, a narrow sparkling strip runs along the perimeter of the lid - the result of metal polishing, performed for decorative purposes. Overall, the new product looks very bright and expressive, but I would still like to note one drawback. The fact is that both the metal and plastic from which the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi case is made are extremely easily soiled. This, as they say, does not affect the speed, but we cannot help but talk about it.

All the main ports and interfaces of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi are located not on the bottom of the case, but on the side ends of the cover. In design, the new product is closer not to a laptop, but to a tablet, so all the filling is placed directly in the lid, which, being separated from the keyboard, is this very tablet. On the side of the keyboard itself there is only a Micro-USB connector designed to charge the built-in battery. Moreover, this battery is charged from the battery of the tablet part of the transformer, for which two Micro-USB ports need to be connected with a short cable included in the package.

Naturally, the manufacturer was unable to place all the connectors familiar to owners of regular laptops on the thin body of the tablet. A full-fledged docking station could be organized from a module with a keyboard, but, firstly, the keyboard on the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi is thin and almost weightless, and secondly, it connects exclusively via Bluetooth.

On the left side of the case there is a standard button and a rocker key for controlling the volume. There is also a socket for connecting a power adapter. The right side of the tablet part carries a Micro-USB 3.0 port, a Micro-HDMI port and a combined 3.5 mm jack for connecting a microphone and headphones. The MicroSD memory card slot is located on the rear edge of the case, and the power control button is on the front.

Interior and input devices

Opening a convertible laptop turned out to be not as easy as regular models. It's all about the too thin (almost sharp) leading edge of the keyboard and the absence of any hook on the tablet part that allows you to grab the cover with your fingertip. As a result, you have to open the laptop with your fingernail, clinging to the narrow gap between the keyboard and the lid.

The tablet part of the keyboard is held in place by a not very long loop with two built-in magnets, which are inserted into the corresponding slots under the display. The magnets are strong enough, so the tablet can be removed from them with considerable effort. However, it sways noticeably when working in transport. The reason for this is that the distance between the magnetic locks is too small and the length of the loop itself is short. But there are no connectors on the keyboard loop - the keyboard works exclusively via Bluetooth. This, on the one hand, increases reliability, but on the other hand, it is a little inconvenient, especially when the keyboard finally has to be charged. True, the built-in battery charge lasts for a month, so this should not be a serious problem.

The hinge on the keyboard allows you to open the screen of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi by about 130 degrees, which is quite enough for comfortable work in almost any operating conditions. In this case, the front edge of the laptop rests on the rubber feet of the lower surface of the keyboard, and the rear edge rests on additional feet placed on the hinge. Thus, the rear edge of the keyboard rises slightly above the table surface, which has a slight, but still positive effect on typing comfort.

The design of the keyboard deserves special attention. It is quite simple, but at the same time so subtle and elegant that it immediately attracts attention. The body consists of two halves: the lower one is made of plastic with a Soft-Touch coating, and the upper surface is made of aluminum sheet with exactly the same coating and the same color as the transformer cover. This surface also received the same sparkling cut around the perimeter, as well as around the touch panel, which on the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi is slightly shifted - about 30 mm - to the left relative to the center. The dimensions of the touch panel are 87 × 46 mm, including the main buttons, which have a single surface with the panel.

In the upper left corner there are indicators for charging the built-in battery and the active operating mode of the Bluetooth module, as well as a miniature switch that turns the Bluetooth module on or off. It has three operating positions: “off”, “on” and “search”, to switch to which the switch must be temporarily rejected and released, after which it will return to the “on” position.

Thanks to the wide screen and wide body of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, the manufacturer managed to equip it with a full-fledged comfortable keyboard, combining the functions of only some keys. Thus, the cursor arrows turned out to be combined with the keys , , and , but this can also be seen on other, larger laptops. The rest of the keys are not combined with each other, and the keyboard layout of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi will not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever seen a modern laptop.

The keys have a low profile and are characterized by medium travel and very clear tactile feedback. The keyboard itself practically does not flex during operation. The main keys have dimensions of 16 × 14.5 mm and are 3 mm apart from each other, which is quite enough for comfortable and fast typing. The top row of the keyboard consists of function keys. There, in the right corner, there are keys , , and .

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi keyboard does not have a backlight, but there is a very logical explanation for this: it is powered autonomously, and the body is very thin - organizing the backlight would have a negative impact on both the first and the second. And the transformer itself will not always work together with the keyboard, otherwise there is hardly any point in purchasing such a computer.

Internal structure

Despite the fact that the manufacturer positions the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi precisely as a transformable laptop, and not as a tablet computer with additional capabilities, the design of its main unit still corresponds to the design of the tablet. And tablets, as a rule, have a one-piece case without the ability to independently replace components. The hero of our review was no exception. Probably, the official warranty center will be able to open the case of this tablet, but it is not possible to do this at home without damaging it. So replacing the battery on the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi will not be as easy as on an ultrabook.

As for the keyboard, disassembling its case is no more difficult than the case of any laptop. To do this, just unscrew all the screws from the bottom panel, after which the halves of the case can be separated. The central part houses a rechargeable battery that can be easily replaced. Nothing else can be replaced or added here.

Testing

To compare the performance of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, we decided to use the results of testing the above-mentioned Dell Venue 11 Pro transformer, which is very similar to today’s guest in our test laboratory both in design and in its technical characteristics. The competitor from Dell has a slightly less powerful Intel Core M-5Y70 processor, operating with a clock frequency in the range from 0.8 to 2.0 GHz, and less RAM - 4 GB DDR3L-1600. In addition, the Dell Venue 11 Pro has a smaller display diagonal of 10.8 inches, and most importantly, a lower resolution - 1920 × 1080.

Performance

The lag of the junior Intel Core M-5Y10 processor from the older Intel Core M-5Y71 model, which is equipped with the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, is quite predictable. Our test subject's larger amount of RAM than its competitor from Dell also has a positive effect on performance. In general, the performance of the transformer is incomparably higher than that of the vast majority of tablet computers - according to this indicator, the new product should be compared with laptops.

The graphics testing results turned out to be very interesting. The integrated video adapters Intel HD Graphics 5300, which are identical at first glance, demonstrated different results. The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi, although not by much, was still ahead of its competitor in all tests. Most likely, the reason lies in a slightly higher clock frequency - 900 MHz for the transformer video adapter from ASUS versus 800 MHz for the Dell Venue 11 Pro video adapter. Perhaps a more successful system for removing heat from the processor also has an effect. The ASUS transformer is not suitable for resource-intensive games, but you can relax while playing many online games with it. And watching movies on a monitor with a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels is a pleasure, especially since the video adapter has more than enough capabilities for this.

Cooling system

The ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi's passive cooling system allows this device to operate absolutely silently. Unfortunately, it was not possible to see it in person due to the impossibility of opening the case of the tablet part in which the motherboard is located. But you can evaluate the level of its functioning by indirect signs, such as heating and stability of operation.

Built-in audio system

The sound of the built-in speaker system is unremarkable and does not deserve special attention, even despite the manufacturer's claims that it uses some exclusive SonicMaster technology. In our opinion, the exclusivity of the technology here is rather due to the fact that the speakers are not located at the back, but are built into the side ends - the sound will not be muffled even if the tablet is lying on the table. The speakers demonstrate fairly clear and smooth sound with moderate bass for such a small size.

Display

The laptop has a Sharp LQ125T1JX03 (SHP142C) IPS matrix with a 12.5-inch diagonal, WQHD resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels and a very high pixel density of 235 ppi. The last indicator suggests that in this case it is impossible to do without scaling in Windows. In addition, the display features a 16:9 aspect ratio and proprietary ASUS TruVivid technology, which, according to the manufacturer, improves the image.

The display has a glossy finish, and therefore reflects light quite strongly when working outdoors in clear weather. The display's working viewing angles are as wide as possible. In fact, the image remains virtually distortion-free over the entire possible range of angles, that is, from 0 to 90 degrees. But it won’t be easy to work with such a deviation of the display from your line of sight.

Before calibration, the brightness of white color was 364 cd/m2, and after this procedure it decreased very slightly - to 336 cd/m2. After calibration, black brightness increased from 0.28 to 0.30 cd/m2. As a result, the static contrast ratio decreased from 1300:1 to 1120:1. The results obtained can be considered very good.

The color gamut of the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi display was at a very high level even before calibration and amounted to 96.2% of the sRGB range, and after that it came very close to the ideal and amounted to 98.5%. At the same time, the triangle displaying the coverage area almost completely coincided with the standard. And the white point after calibration was as close as possible to the D65 value.

Conclusions

The Intel Broadwell platform sets a new standard for tablet computers, opening up new horizons for their use, and the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi is a child of this evolutionary process. In terms of performance, it is significantly superior to conventional tablets, which, coupled with the presence of a full-size keyboard, gives it every right to be called a laptop. But it's more than just a laptop. If you do not plan to print large texts, you can leave the new keyboard at home, taking only the tablet part with you on the road and, thus, saving on weight and dimensions.

By tablet standards, the Transformer Book T300 Chi lacks GPS, 3G and LTE modules, which are found even in cheaper tablets. But still, this is first and foremost a laptop, which, by the way, costs about the same as other laptops with similar characteristics, but without the possibility of turning into something else. In addition, the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi model can be given a solid excellent rating for ergonomics, workmanship and quality of materials! This device is equally convenient and pleasant to work with both as a tablet and as a laptop.