Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have several Windows Tablets in the household including the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, the original Microsoft Surface RT, Acer Iconia W8, and others. The ASUS Transformer Book T200 is slowly becoming my favorite. It combines a pretty nice tablet with a pretty nice keyboard. It provides enough processing power to handle typical laptop uses such as word processing, music, web browsing, and videos. It also has a long battery life. After using the T200 for a week, here are my quick thoughts on the pros and cons of the device: Pros ================================= - 64 bit processor and 4GB of ram, better than many of the other cheap Windows Tablets and Convertibles - Functions as either a Windows Tablet or a laptop - Includes a nice keyboard dock for this price range - Has a large multi-touch trackpad that includes gesture support - Has an easily accessible hard drive expansion bay - Dual-band Wi-Fi - Micro HDMI port - USB 3.0 Port - An actual LAN port! - Long battery life (Amazon says 8.5hrs, B&H says 10.4 hours!) - Offers a greater value over iPads and Android tablets, depending on how you plan to use it - Nice Asus extras such as cloud storage and Accidental Damage Protection Cons ================================= - Bulky for a tablet, heavy for an 11 inch laptop - Not the greatest screen resolution (1366x768) - Large bezel around the screen - Power button, Windows Button, and volume buttons are on the back of the tablet - No 3G/4G support on this model - To active stylus support - Only 39GB of its 64GB is available (before I applied any software updates) - Microsoft Office not included for free, unlike other models - No extra battery in the dock. - A conventional laptop at the same price will often have better specs, features, and performance Other Thoughts ================================= - I wish it had AC wireless - Would have been cool if the HDD bay could double as an extra battery bay - When docked, the range of motion of the tablet is not as great as a conventional laptop - The rumored $399 model is not yet available, as of this writing - While setting up the T200 the first time, the screen stopped responding. It eventually fixed itself. I assume some initial background process locked the T200 down for a moment. This hasn’t happened again after that one time. Asus T200 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 3 ================================= The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 display is bigger and better looking than the T200, and has a much higher resolution. The SP3 is thinner. The SP3 is much faster. The SP3 also provides stylus pen support while the T200 doesn’t. The SP3 is definitely a higher end device compared to the T200. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is also much more expensive than the T200. I also much prefer the typing experience on the T200 vs the Surface Pro 3. The Surface’s Type Cover, while pretty nifty, is not as good as a conventional keyboard. I really wish Microsoft would release a compatible keyboard dock. If you can spend the money, get the Surface Pro 3. Otherwise, the T200 is not a bad alternative, assuming you don’t need an Intel Core CPU. Asus T200 vs 8 inch Tablets ================================= The 8 inch tablets are best for media consumption, social media, and light tablet gaming. The Asus T200 can do all of that, AND serve as a better productivity device. Get an 8 inch tablet for play or get the T200 for work and play. Of note, I own both types of devices. Asus T200 vs Asus T100 ================================= The T200 has a bigger screen of course, measuring at 11.6 inches compared to the T100’s 10.1 inches. Since the T200 is a bigger device, its keyboard is bigger and closer to that of a full size keyboard. The T100 keyboard is adequate but definitely cramped. The T200 also has a larger trackpad and palm rest vs the T100. The T100 is lighter and more portable than the T200, especially when in use as a tablet. The T100 gets 11 hours of battery life compared to 8.5 on the T200. The T100 comes with a free copy of Microsoft Office while the T200 does not. Depending on what configuration you choose, the T100 can be had for a cheaper price vs the T200. I personally prefer the Asus T200 over the Asus T100 due to the bigger screen and better keyboard. However, those that want a better tablet experience, cheaper device (especially on older models), or a free copy of Microsoft Office should consider the T100 instead. Conclusion ================================= For Windows Tablets and Convertible Laptops in the $300-$500 range, the ASUS Transformer Book T200 is definitely my favorite choice at the moment. It offers a tremendous amount of value with its ability to operate as either a Windows Tablet or laptop. The thing I like most about the T200 is the keyboard. I think ALL Windows Tablets require a good keyboard dock and the T200 has a pretty good one. I can comfortably and accurately use this keyboard to get work done. I’m actually typing up this review on my T200. Just keep in mind that the T200 is not a powerhouse. It’s not a good option for those interested in playing 3D games, editing video, or other activities that require more processing and graphics power. Also, the $499 model I own loses a bit on its value proposition when compared to the rumored $399 Asus T200, which was not available at the time I wrote this review. I’ll update this review after I use the T200 a while more. I may post a video as well.