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ASUS announces line of Transformer Books, laptops with detachable touchscreens

Dana Wollman
Editor-in-Chief
Updated ·5 min read

In addition to various Windows 8 tablets and a dual-booting all-in-one, ASUS announced the Transformer Book, a line of notebooks with detachable touch screens that can function as tablets -- not ARM-based tablets, mind you, but full-blown x86 slates. So, if you were wondering which side of the laptop / tablet hybrid fence these fall onto, that should clear it up for you. Another sign these are notebooks first and tabs second? Look no further than the large screen sizes: 11.6, 13 and 14 inches. As mentioned, they pack laptop-grade chips to match, including a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, backed by discrete graphics. Storage options include SSDs and traditional hard drives, and we're told these lappies can accommodate up to 4GB of RAM.

At the same time, you'll find some features designed to give users tablet functionality when they decide to un-dock from the keyboard. This includes not just your standard webcam on the front, but a 5-megapixel shooter 'round back. Sadly, no word just yet on pricing or availability, though with a final version of Windows 8 a good four months off, we're not surprised that ASUS is keeping those details to itself. In the meantime, help yourself to some hands-on photos below, and a walk-through video after the break.%Gallery-156823%

Zach Honig and Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

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ASUS announces the ASUS TAICHI and ASUS Transformer Book at Computex 2012
New notebook concepts embody its Happiness 2.0 philosophy

Taipei, Taiwan (4, June, 2012) - ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announces two exciting new notebooks that embody its 'Happiness 2.0' commitment to delivering the best end-user experience - the ASUS TAICHI and ASUS Transformer Book.

The Happiness 2.0 philosophy stems from the many ways ASUS is committed to bringing its customers brand new experiences with products that satisfy their needs and expectations.

ASUS TAICHI - dual screens for a notebook and a multi-touch tablet in one

The ASUS TAICHI is a slim and stylish ultraportable with an astonishing key feature - both 11.6" and 13.3" models have a brilliant double-sided LED-backlit IPS/FHD display. With a touch screen on the outside of the lid, the TAICHI opens up a whole host of new mobile possibilities as it plays the role of both notebook and tablet.

With the lid open, the TAICHI is just like any notebook computer, and comes complete with a full-size QWERTY backlit keyboard and track pad. With the lid closed, however, the TAICHI instantly becomes a multi-touch tablet computer with stylus support, bringing a degree of flexibility that has never before been experienced on an ordinary notebook. Better still, while they provide access to the same hardware, the two screens are completely independent of each other and can also be used simultaneously, which means the Taichi can be shared with two users for a host of innovative new applications.

The TAICHI is as light and thin as the ASUS ZENBOOK™ and delivers uncompromised mobile performance, with 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors, fast SSD storage and dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi.

ASUS Transformer Book - the world's first convertible notebook
The ASUS Transformer Book is the world's first convertible notebook - allowing users to instantly switch between a notebook and a tablet by simply detaching the screen. It is aimed at users who prefer the portability of a multi-touch tablet computer for leisure, but still want access to a more traditional Windows-based notebook for productivity use.

The Transformer Book features the latest Intel® Core™ i7 processor* with discrete graphics, along with SSD and HDD storage, 4GB DDR3 dual channel RAM, and USB 3.0. It also features ASUS SonicMaster technology developed by the ASUS Golden Ear team to deliver crystal-clear sound with deep rich bass through its integrated speakers. The Transformer Book also sports dual cameras, with a HD front-facing camera and a 5MP rear-facing camera making it a tool for both photo-taking and video chats.

This lightweight ultraportable is available with an 11.6", 13" or 14" Full HD IPS display with multi-touch capabilities. This can be detached from the full-size QWERTY keyboard* to create a highly portable tablet to give the best of both mobile worlds.
*-specifications may vary without prior notice

Happiness 2.0 - the best user experience
The same Happiness 2.0 spirit also pervades a host of other new ASUS notebooks. The new G, K and N Series, along with the ZENBOOK Prime, all combine beautiful design with the latest mobile technology to elevate the user experience to an entirely new level. Whether it is the crystal-clear images delivered on an IPS display, the superlative sound quality made possible by SonicMaster audio technology, the enhanced productivity that comes from multi-touch track pads with Smart Gesture support or the instant-on functionality that Super Hybrid Engine II technology provides, ASUS is redefining the idea of the notebook.

The notebook is no longer just a work tool; it is a device that plays a vital role in entertainment and education, too. ASUS believes that the value it creates by making the user experience a happy one goes well beyond anything a list of mere specifications can provide - and that is the essence of Happiness 2.0.