ASUS Transformer Book T100 Chi (T100CHI-B1-BK, T100CHI-C1-BK) Affordable 10.1″ 2-in-1 PC
The ASUS Transformer Book T100 Chi is a 10.1-inch 2-in-1 PC with a detachable keyboard. It is an affordable entry-level computer based on a low-end Intel Atom processor, but it sports some high-end features such as a sharp Full HD display with IPS wide viewing angle technology and support for active stylus pen input.
Another great advantage of the T100 Chi and available T100CHI-B1-BK and T100CHI-C1-BK models is a great portability. The tablet portion is just 0.3-inch thin and weighs a mere 1.3 pounds. When you attach the keyboard dock (using device’s magnetic hinge), you get one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks on the market with a profile of 0.5-inch and a weight of 2.4 pounds. The device has a luxurious feel to it, since it is made of brushed aluminum.
Computing-wise, the included Intel Atom Z3775 Bay Trail processor has sufficient power only for the basic tasks of the average home and office user, such as web browsing, multimedia playback, or work in Word and Excel programs. The Atom features very basic Intel HD integrated graphics, which is good only for casual, retro or indie titles, and select non-demanding modern 3D games. Since the T100 Chi has only 2GB of system memory, it imposes some multitasking constraints, meaning you won’t be able to run as many programs simultaneously as on PCs with 4GB or more RAM. As for data storage, the 2-in-1 is available with either 32GB or 64GB of storage capacity. That’s the only difference between the T100CHI-B1-BK model (32GB) and T100CHI-C1-BK (64GB). The later model is highly recommended.
Other important features are stereo speakers enhanced by SonicMaster technology, dual cameras with a 5-megapixel shooter on the back and a 2MP one for video chats on the front, 802.11N Wi-Fi wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, video output via a micro HDMI port, micro USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports on the tablet and another micro USB 2.0 on the keyboard base, combo mic/headphones audio jack, and a microSD media card reader. On the software side, it’s worth mentioning the 2-in-1 runs Windows 8.1 OS and comes with a free 1-year subscription for Microsoft Office 365 Personal and 1 Terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage.
Asus claims the Transformer Book T100 Chi provides up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Overall, the specs and features of the T100 Chi with aforementioned active digitizer pen support, make it a viable and cheaper alternative to the famous Microsoft Surface 3. Especially, the 64GB T100CHI-C1-BK model which doesn’t suffer from limited storage space of the 32GB T100CHI-B1-BK. The comparable 64GB Surface 3 and separately sold keyboard for it currently cost $629.99 combined, whereas the T100CHI-C1-BK with the keyboard included is priced at around $450. True, the Surface 3 with a slightly bigger 10.8″ display uses a newer Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor. But, display resolution is very similar and in everyday use performance difference isn’t that big, except in the graphics processing department.
As for the pen input, both devices use similar technologies with pressure level sensitivity, but unfortunately, the ASUS Chi Stylus isn’t available for purchase at the time of this writing.
Specifications of the ASUS Transformer Book T100 CHI
Here are the specs of the ASUS Transformer Book T100 CHI with descriptions of its features. For comparison against other laptops, you can use the "Compare Specs" button.
Brand | Asus |
---|---|
Screen Size | 10.1-inch |
Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 pixels Full HD Full HD is the most common laptop screen resolution today. It provides a good image sharpness and a decent amount of space on the display for the user interface and programs. However, it isn't as good as the top-tier 4K Ultra HD. |
Touchscreen | Finger multi-touch input The screen supports finger touch input, including multi-touch gestures. Active digitizer pen input The screen supports active digitizer pen input, besides the common finger multi-touch input. In comparison to simple capacitive pens you can use on any touchscreen, active digitizer pen input provides advanced features like pressure sensitivity. Check with the laptop seller whether the active pen is included in the package. |
Other Display Specs | IPS type Displays based on IPS technology provide much wider viewing angles than the budget-class TN screens. |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Atom Z3775 quad-core 1.46-2.39GHz 2MB cache (User Benchmark CPU score: 19) |
Graphics (GPU) | Intel HD integrated graphics of low-end CPUs (only for the lightest gaming) |
System Memory (RAM) Size | 2GB RAM 2GB RAM size is rare nowadays and makes laptops with it almost unusable due to the low capacity. The recommended size is at least 8GB. |
Data Storage | 32GB eMMC A barely usable capacity. 64GB eMMC A very small but usable capacity. |
DVD Optical Drive | None |
Keyboard & Input | Non-backlit keyboard without dedicated number pad The keyboard has no backlit keys and no separate numeric pad you can usually find on the right side of the keyboard on many laptop models. Touchpad with click buttons built into the surface The left and right click buttons are built into the surface of the touchpad, as opposed to separate physical buttons. Touchscreen Active digitizer pen |
Speakers & Audio | Stereo speakers As usual, the device features a pair of built-in stereo speakers. |
Camera | Front + rear Laptops usually feature a frontal webcam located on the display bezel. This device additionally has a rear camera. |
Wi-Fi Wireless | 802.11N 802.11N is an old Wi-Fi standard, precursor of the 802.11AC and the latest 802.11AX with improved data transfer speeds and connectivity. 802.11N is rarely used in modern laptops. |
Ethernet Network Port | No This laptop has no Ethernet LAN port for wired internet and networking connectivity. |
Mobile broadband (4G LTE) | No |
Bluetooth | Yes This laptop has a built-in Bluetooth module. It enables you to connect the computer to Bluetooth mice and other Bluetooth peripherals, smartphones, and other Bluetooth-equipped devices. |
USB Ports | 1 x micro USB 3.0 2 x micro USB 2.0 A pair of compact USB ports. |
Video Output Ports | 1 x micro HDMI HDMI is a widely used digital video output port. You can find HDMI-in ports on most computer monitors and TVs. The laptop has a compact "micro" version of HDMI on its side. |
Media Card Reader | MicroSD card reader The laptop has a slot for MicroSD memory cards. These are small SD cards commonly used in smartphones. |
Other Features | Detachable keyboard included Microsoft (Office) 365 Personal 1-year subscription for free By purchasing this laptop, you get a free-of-charge 1-year subscription for Microsoft 365 Personal package that also includes MS Office programs. |
Battery | "up to 10 hours" battery life |
Weight | 2.4 pounds |
Height | 0.5" |
Width | 10.1" |
Depth | 6.9" |
Windows Version | Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 is eligible for free upgrade to Windows 10 Home. Check Windows.com for more info. |
Warranty | 1-year A typical laptop warranty. |
User Reviews and Q&A on the ASUS Transformer Book T100 CHI
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