Asus Eee PC T101MT Review

One of the latest models Asus is offering in their Eee PC line is this Eee PC T101MT. A multitouch convertible Eee PC that is both a netbook and a Tablet PC.

That's exactly why this Eee PC can cause quite a stir among your friends - just as a convertible car always stands out from the rest. :)

When you open the box you find a "regular " Eee PC (not with the latest Seashell design - but it doesn't matter much as it looks quite professional and solid.)

I has hoping to find some more goodies in the box, such as a carrying case or something similar... but they I thought about it: if you're supposed to use this "Tablet Eee PC" while moving around, maybe it wouldn't make much sense after all. (It would be nice to have it though!)

In the hardware department, nothing new:

• Windows® 7 Home Premium
• Multitouch 10.1" LCD with LED backlight (1024x600)
• CPU & Chipset Intel® Atom™ N450
• 2GB DDR2 RAM
• WiFi 802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz
• 320GB HDD
• WebCam 0.3M Pixels
• Stereo Speakers + mic
• 1 x VGA
• 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN RJ-45
• 2 x Audio (headset/mic)
• 1 x Card Reader: MMC/SD ( SDHC, 32GB SDXC, etc)
• 35Wh Battery  (up to 6.5h)
• Dimensions 264mm(W)x181mm(D)x31mm(H)
• Weight: 1.3 Kg

As I said, besides the touchscreen, its prime ability is being able to turn from a netbook into a Tablet PC.

As you can see in the following video, this can be done quite easily and quickly. The hinge system is quite solid and has a nice feel to it. It also looks able to withstand much use (and abuse) and shouldn't be cause for concern for a long time.



Though this T101 has a multitouch screen this device is still provided with a stylus.


It looks kind of anachronic, but... we have to keep in mind this is still a Windows computer...

So... how does it handle?

That's where the bad parts start showing up. While you can use your fingers as well as the stylus, the resistive screen requires a "firm touch" to register well.

Considering it just a Atom, Windows 7 chugs along quite slowly considering most things won't provide you with the immediate feedback you'd desire. You touch an icon or widget... wait... think if you really did touch it "right"... wait some more... press it again... and then you'll notice you had actually touched it right the first time, and now will have to deal with two touches on the same place.




Switching between the various orientations (portrait/landscape) requires pressing a button for several seconds and then manually pressing a key until you get the screen right. This makes the process rather slow and not very practical...

And talking about the screen, if you're planning on using it on the outside on a sunny day... forget about it.

[Screen indoors - Screen outdoors]

Most of these flaws aren't really due to the Eee PC T101 hardware, but the Windows 7 OS it comes with. Even with some touch-friendly widgets Asus has pre-installed, it isn't enough to make it useful on a regular daily-basis use.

Just try and browse the web and enter some text into an input box, and you'll have to deal with a giant touch keyboard that looks like things done over 10 years ago - not enough to satisfy users that have seen how "touch" can really work in iPads, iPhones, Androids, and other similar platforms.

That's why most of the time you'll just revert back to using it as a regular netbook, as a common PC.

Battery life is ok, about 5h... but keep in mind some Eee PC have over twice as much.

If you plan to use a specific program that is well suited for touch operation, then you might find this Eee PC T101 a good bargain. But if you plan on using it has a PC, then you'll have little advantage using this multitouch netbook /tablet over any other netbook.

In the end, it all boils down to Windows 7 still being a keyboard and mouse operating system and that's the main flaw of this product.



Pros:

• Good, solid construction
• 2-in1 Tablet/netbook versatility

Cons:

• Sluggish response to touch "gestures"
• Windows 7 not really suited for touch operation