Asus Taichi: and now for something completely different

From the front, it's an Ivy-Bridge-equipped ultrabook running Windows 8. Then you close the lid and discover a second screen, this one a touchscreen. And the two screens can be on at the same time, either mirroring each other (great for business meetings) or doing different things (not sure the utility there, but it's awesome).

Oh yeah, and it can also run Android apps in addition to Windows programs.

Asus Taichi: a dual-display Windows 8 laptop / tablet hybrid (hands-on video) | The Verge

Comments?

 

It seems like a pretty cool concept. Though I question how usable it is in real life. I'm assuming the 2 displays use the same backlight, because if not then you would take a serious hit on battery life. Also 2 displays means increased cost, and going by current zenbook pricing that might be a bit much to swallow for a good number of consumers over other options.

Between this and the transformer book, I think Asus is just showcasing different designs for windows 8 to gauge reactions. While it'd be cool to see this in stores someday I don't think I would pick this up over other laptops.

 

It's a very interesting concept, to say the least. However, in actuality, I think it has very little real life application.

Now the Transformer Book... Absolutely perfect for me. If the CPU is in the screen/tablet part, they could plausibly fit like a 640M with the space they have, plus an HDD... Heaven!

 

gimme a single swivel touchscreen at a lower price.

I don't want this, because 99% of the time, I won't be using 2 screens, one of which I can't see without a mirror behind it.

make a sturdy swivel, and call it a day.
Or even adopt the Transformer dock and let me turn the screen around myself.


As it is, this will be a very poor seller. I'm sure other companies have already thought about this and decided not to bring it to market, as there is no practical purpose for 99.8382432432% of people.

 

But it has Windows 8!

 

It might not be totally useful but ASUS is at least bringing it with their innovation on this and their other tablet hybrids, not like many companies that are just following Apple. As we get into laptop hybrids, many form factors will emerge and they need to bring these to market to see if any resonate with people.

Most of the time, it probably would serve as a laptop but for people who commute, it would be really easy to just whip it out and treat it as a tablet without contorting or folding the device.

 

..anyway. So for those who don't follow the "insider" blogosphere industry pages too closely, let me offer you this handy translation guide:

"Innovative and targeted towards emergent market". (Read: "We can think of no one in the entire world who actually will be able to use this for anything even semi-purposeful".)

"Laptop hybrid". (Read: "An oversized Ipad with 3 hours battery life".)

"It Is An Interesting Concept (tm)". (Read: "It is a copy of a device that has been scuttled by aggressive industry patent-trolling for several years, but which is now coming out with intel/TI hardware and Microsoft software").

"We clearly see a demand in the market for this device". (Read: "We have several blogs who word for word copy our prebaked folksy press-releases, and post them on their front pages".)

"It resonates with people". (Read: "Said blogs have ten fawning comments in support of the device, for inexplicable and unquantifiable reasons").

 

^^^ haha. well put


someone made a relevant comment that this is the toaster-fridge that Apple ceo talked about.

Asus does not have the money to do marketing research, so they just build whatever they feel like, flop or not.

 

I think of it as a halo device, not meant to be a big seller, but meant to create media buzz and show Asus's commitment to the laptop-tablet-hybrid concept, whereas the real sales will take place with the ARM, Atom, and Ivy Bridge convertible tablets that they just unveiled. Halo devices are more common in terms of cars than devices (a classic example is the Lexus LFA, which is a limited-edition supercar that loses money on each one sold), but the concept is the same.

 

Good point Mitlov.

 

It's.. a bit like a beautiful and expensive concept car at an expo - with no wheels, an engine running on cooking oil, and the steering wheel in the trunk.

But yes, good point. It's a device made from "demand", that will generate more buzz than any of their other devices thanks to the right labels. That's how the business works.

 

I doubt that this will make it to north america. Betting it'll be a Euro/Asia SKU

 

I see the outer screen breaking the first time I put it in my bag...

 

it shouldn't if it's ape glass.

 

I'm seeing a lot of mixed information on taichi regarding the 2 screens. Most sites refer to the screens as identical but I suspect that maybe only the outer supports touch. Can anyone confirm based on facts and not speculation. Thanks.

 

They are not identical, they are both IPS 1920x1080 but only the outside screen is touch, the internal screen is not. On this that is ok. Now if Lenovo would have only included a backlit KB and an i5 instead of Tegra garbage in the 11.5" it would have been perfect. Unfortunately, none of the newly announced W8 machines seem quite right.

 

I just watch the video on the ASUS windows 8 release site. Now I know where dual screen is needed -> school.

I project there will be a software to show your screen/your face(in a corner probably) simultaneously on the outside screen. Win! No more facebooking during class ~~

 

Good for playing battleships too.

 

yes, asus should include free battleship game with this.