Transformer Book T100 Chi review

The tablet uses an Intel Atom Z3775 CPU, a Bay Trail-based processor that's geared toward everyday computing tasks - such as browsing the web, checking email, watching 1080p movies and light image editing. While the chip doesn't match the power levels of the Intel Core M variant in the T300 Chi, it's a passively-cooled CPU that allows the T100 Chi to go fanless - and it's super quiet as a result.

It's a shame that Asus didn't opt for Intel's newer and more powerful Cherry Trail Atom chip, which has demonstrated a slight, but noticeable performance gain over Bay Trail going by comparisons with our Surface 3 benchmarks.

Benchmarks

• 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 1,404; Sky Diver: 562; Fire Strike: Would not run
• Cinebech R11 (CPU): 1.44pts; (GPU): 6.94fps
• Cinebench R11.5 (GPU): 6.94fps
• PCMark 8 Home: 1,217
• PC Mark 8 Battery Life: 8 hours 38 minutes

The T100 Chi came out slightly faster than its predecessor in our CPU benchmarks, with its Z3740 Atom chip scoring 1.44pts versus the 1.09 points achieved by the T100's Z3775. Likewise, T100's integrated Intel HD Graphics delivered a slight boost over the T100, clocking in at 6.94fps versus the T100 Chi's 6.09fps. Despite the improved score, it still isn't suitable for playing games due to a combination of an unsuitable CPU and the T100 Chi's weak integrated graphics.

The T100 Chi's Bay Trail chip came out 32% slower than the Cherry Trail CPU in the Surface 3, scoring 1,217 in PCMark 8's Home Test versus the Surface 3's 1,682. It doesn't mean a great deal in real world terms; like its predecessor, the T100 Chi can handle multiple applications running at once - including browsers with several tabs open and YouTube streaming in the background - without too much stuttering or lag. It's when you start to push the device further that its 2GB of RAM and chip start to become bogged down under the strain.

The T100 Chi's small display combined with its energy-sipping system-on-chip provides good battery life thanks to its 30Wh internal battery. Running PCMark8's battery benchmark, which simulates use of real-world applications and full-HD video, I managed to eke out 8 hours and 38 minutes before it ran out of juice. Here is a tablet that's sure to run most of the day, and even longer if you turn off the Bluetooth keyboard for any amount of time.

On key

The design of the keyboard means that it's a little on the cramped side, a criticism that was also aimed at the original T100. I still prefer it over the Surface 3's Type Cover accessory, which has larger keys but much narrower key travel. As with any keyboard, the experience is subjective and the only way is to try it for yourself.

Sticking with accessories, the T100 Chi's battery-powered stylus is useful for prodding at the screen to pick out menus and toolbars, and while it's preferable to using fingers when it comes to drawing on Fresh Paint, it lacks the precision and multiple pressure levels of the Surface 3's Surface Pen.

Display

I got on well with the T100 Chi's super-sharp display, in part due to its high pixel density. Measured with our X-Rite i1DisplayPro colorimeter, brightness was recorded at a good, but not groundbreaking 319.2 cd/m2, which fell short of the Surface 3's 416.3 cd/m2. Whacked up to full brightness it's more than enough for indoor use, but when combined with the glossy IPS display it's too dark to properly see outdoors. Viewing angles, on the other hand, are superb - living up to Asus's 180-degree claims.

Elsewhere, the display has good black levels of 0.2824 cd/m2 and a more than acceptable contrast ratio of 1037:31, which ensures strong, bold colours, bright whites and inky blacks. Colour temperate sat at 6767K, slightly on the cool side and a fair bit above the ideal 6,500K figure, but it's not something you're likely to notice in your day-to-day use of the T100 Chi.

Once connected, the Wi-Fi remained rock solid during my time with the T100 Chi. The hybrid's speakers are found on both edges of the unit and emit loud, albeit tinny sound as is common on 2-in-1s in its price bracket. Suitable for Skype calls or YouTube video, it's not ideal for listening to music in anything other than a small room.