A Lightweight Alternative
I am very particular about weight. I’m not referring to body weight but the weight of the gadgets that I have to lug around with me when I travel or work out of home. That is the reason why I was thrilled to have an ASUS Transformer 3 Pro during my recent trip to Korea. The team has already had some hands-on time with the Transformer 3 Pro before, but I’ll be sharing my experience with the 2-in-1. Here’s a quick rundown of the specs of the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro.
Asus Transformer 3 Pro
- Intel Core i7 6500U Processor
- 8GB of RAM
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics
- 12.6-inch LED Backlit Display; 2880×1920 Resolution
- Up to 512GB SATA M.2 SSD
- 1x Combo Audio Jack
- 1x USB Type-C Port
Perfect for Travel
I absolutely hate bringing a huge laptop whenever I travel. Not only does it consume a lot of space, but it is incredibly heavy too. Plus, the bulk makes it hard to put back inside the bag after the airport security check. I had absolutely no trouble with the Transformer 3 Pro. It slid back into my bag without a hitch as it is only around 7mm, and my shoulders were relaxed because it is only 695 grams.
I think that most travelers want to look good as they explore a new place. I felt confident carrying the Transformer 3 Pro around because it looks pretty impressive with its solid aluminum body and concentric circles that’s a stamp of the Taiwanese brand.
Sturdy Design & Feel
Despite being slim and lightweight, the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro felt sturdy. I wasn’t concerned that it would crack or conk out in the middle of the trip because it was tougher than it looked. The body of the tablet is crafted from an aluminum-magnesium alloy; lending to its premium feel. The hinges on the Transfomer 3 Pro’s kickstand is also made of metal and gives you 155-degrees of tilt so I could easily adjust it depending on my preferred viewing angles; you will need a table to prop it up though, as it is definitely not a “laptop” computer.
Since the Transformer Pro isn’t a full-fledged laptop, there’s also a limited number of connectivity ports. On the right of the 2-in-1 are: the USB 3.0, HDMI, and a USB Type-C Thunderbolt port; I’ll talk about the USB Type-C port again in a bit. You also have a 3.5mm combo audio jack and a microSD card expansion bay.
In terms of laptops, and the likes, you may primarily know ASUS for its gaming sub-brand — Republic of Gamers. While the Transformer 3 Pro may not have the same computing power of its relatives, it’s certainly more than enough to handle writing papers, making presentation, or handling data entry on Excel. If you do want to game on this 2-in-1, you can connect it to the ASUS ROG XG Station 2 via the USB Type-C Thunderbolt port.
The battery life on the Transformer 3 Pro was decent and I didn’t have to charge in the middle of the day. Do take note that I am a light user and those who are often in front of the screen may have a different experience. One thing that could have been better though is the responsiveness of the keys and trackpad but it didn’t bother me as much as I mostly used the touch screen feature.
Portability Makes it a Winner
Would I use the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro again? Absolutely! More than anything, I love its portability. Truth be told, it is not for everyone. I am a light user so it is perfect for me but I would not recommend it for people who require a lot of computing power. Still, if you’re looking for a travel buddy or a gadget that you can carry with you just about anywhere, then the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro may be for you.
If you’re looking for something with a little more oomph, check out our reviews for these gaming notebooks:
ACER Predator 21 X Review: Half A Million Peso Gaming Machine
ASUS ROG Strix GL753VE Review: Sweet Spot on High
ASUS ROG G752VS Review: Desktop-class Gaming
