Asus has announced the Transformer Book Duet TD300, which it claims to be the world’s first ‘four in one’ laptop-tablet hybrid.
Asus head Jonney Shih unveiled the Transformer Book Duet TD300 at CES 2014, calling it the “world’s first” dual-boot device to use a fourth-generation Intel Core processor.
The four in one aspect of the TD300 means it functions as an Android laptop, an Android tablet, a Windows laptop and a Windows tablet. In many respects it’s similar to the Transformer Book Trio, however that device could only claim ‘three in one’ status as it runs Android when taken off its keyboard dock.
To switch between the two operating systems, you press a button on the Transformer Book Duet TD300’s keyboard. Asus says it takes four seconds to switch between the two systems.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Transformer Book Duet TD300, though, is its price. It is set to sell for $599 in the US, making it much cheaper than its relative the Book Trio. UK prices have or yet been announced.
The Transformer Book Duet TD300 uses fourth-generation Intel Core processors, better known as Haswell chips. The exact specification that will be sold in the UK has not yet been decided, but the top-end version Asus intends to produce features 256GB SSD storage, a Core i7 processor and a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS screen. However, the $599 edition quoted by Asus has a Core i3 processor and a 1,366 x 768 pixel TN-based screen.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
