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Have you ever wanted the ASUS Transformer Prime for its looks and power, but wished it ran a full-blown Windows OS instead of Android? Well, now is the time to start counting your cash.
Over in Taipei at the Computex 2012 event, ASUS has begun its onslaught on the tablet market, announcing a host of new devices that will run the forthcoming Windows 8 OS. The first is the new Transformer Book, a Windows 8 laptop with a detachable tablet screen.
Whereas the Android Transformer Prime is seen as both a laptop and tablet, the new Transformer Books are being marketed more as ‘laptops with removable screens’. As they’re laptops before anything else, the specifications are much more powerful: x86 Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge processors, for starters.
The keyboard section appears much the same as on the newer Infinity Series Transformer Prime devices, with an illuminated black chiclet keyboard. Inside you’ll find either a traditional hard drive or a faster, lighter SSD, along with 4GB of DDR3 dual channel RAM.
Whereas tablets generally fall into the same few screen sizes, usually below 10.1-inches, the three Transformer Book models all go above and beyond that size – another sign that this is primarily a laptop device. The screen sizes available are 11.6, 13 and 14 inches, and the screen type is a Full HD IPS, so quality will be very high.
The Transformer Books will feature dual cameras – a HD front facing camera for video calling and a 5-megapixel rear camera for snaps and video capture.
Rounding off the specs sheet is connectivity, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and zippy USB 3.0 ports for connecting external devices.
With the launch of Windows 8 itself still a good 3 or 4 months away, unsurprisingly ASUS hasn’t confirmed when the Transformer Books will be available, nor has it listed a price.
Is the Transformer Book the laptop-cum-tablet that you’ve been looking for?
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
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