The Asus Transformer Book Chi T300 is a Windows tablet with a 12.5 inch high-resolution display and a low-power Intel Core M Broadwell processor. It’s also a Windows notebook thanks to a detachable keyboard dock.

Asus unveiled the Transformer Book T300 Chi at CES in January. Now it’s available for purchase for $699.

t300 chi_03

The $699 model of the 2-in-1 tablet features an Intel Core M-5Y10c processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB solid state drive, and a microSd card slot for removable storage.

Asus is also expected to offer models with 2560 x 1440 pixel displays and 8GB of RAM in the future.

Other features include a micro USB 3.0 port, a micro HDMI port, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 2MP front-facing camera (but no rear camera), and a separate micro USB port on the keyboard dock.

Asus says the Transformer Book T300 Chi should get up to 8 hours of battery life from the built-in 2 cell battery. The tablet itself measures about 0.3 inches thick and weighs 1.6 pounds. Add the keyboard dock and you’ve got a notebook that measures 0.64 inches thick and weighs 3.2 pounds.

Don’t need a touchscreen and detachable tablet? Asus also offers a $699 laptop called the ZenBook UX305. It measures 0.5 inches thick, weighs 2.6 pounds, has a fanless design, a 13.3 inch full HD display, and an Intel Core M processor.

via TabTec

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13 replies on “Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi now available for $699”

  1. Does it have or accept digitization?
    Why is Asus feeding us an el cheapo when they are selling the hi end in Australia and Singapore??? I won’t buy a 5y10c unit when I know the 5y71 is coming soon !

    1. Wait, in Singapore?? Hmmmm… May have to go shopping this weekend. 😉

  2. I’m more interested in the T90 Chi, sadly there has been very little news about it since CES.

  3. I assume performance will be identical to the UX305? I believe they have the same internals. I am intersted in seeing reviews of the ergonomics such as the keyboard and touchpad.

    …correction, for the same price the UX305 comes with 8GB/256GB and specs list 3 cell battery as opposed to a 2 cell (not sure if the actual battery life is different.) https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9635894&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&scid=scplp2496396&gclid=CjwKEAjwz_-nBRC0zbDb_YOT1TgSJACW2VECmXwVSIW6u8SHUEymVaBtam9r_EP8iz-Q44YvWa4vyxoCr3nw_wcB

    One thing to consider when comparing to the UX305 is that with the Chi you get a touchscreen. I guess it comes down to whether you value the touchscreen/tablet functionality or the weight savings. I currently am looking to replace my aging 2.2lb R600, and am probably leaning towards something with a similar weight.

    1. Also the UX305 have a backlit keyboard if you’re in the US. Some braniac at Asus thought we in Europe don’t need backlit keyboards on “premium” ultrabooks. It is a deal-breaker for me. Also the trackpad is bigger, all in all the chi keyboard dock looks inefficiently designed, a lot of wasted space.

  4. I wonder what is going to happen with all these laptops/tablets when the batteries get weak in a couple of years. The $100 cheapo tablets will hit the landfills but $700 is a bit much to toss for most of us.

    1. Yeah, this is one of the reasons I went for a cheaper Bay Trail ultra-portable T100 rather than one of the much more expensive ones – I’ll feel less guilty if I want to trash it when either better models are around, or the battery has worn down.

    2. I agree with you. I’m not willing to spend more than a few hundred dollars on an item that I can’t replace a battery in. I hate non-replaceable batteries in all devices. Even if I don’t want the device anymore, I want to be able to sell it or give it away and it still be useful to someone. No one wants a laptop or tablet with a battery that only lasts a few minutes. Unfortunately, user replaceable batteries are becoming more scarce. I really hope most people know better than to throw tech in a dumpster. That’s what recycling programs are for.

  5. I know Asus adds battery into the KB for additional functionality but 3.2 lbs combine weight is way too heavy in this day and age.

    1. But the keyboard has to have similar weight to the tablet, otherwise it will fall over – basic physics.

      This is why most 2-in-1s adopt for a stand instead, to keep the total weight much lighter. If you want that (or would rather stick with a plain laptop), there are plenty of options. Personally I prefer Asus’s Transformer method (works much nicer on a lap), for which there are far fewer choices, so I’d rather they don’t move away from it.

      1. Not true, the keyboard piece’s mass must just create enough torque around the joint to counteract that from the tablet, at reasonable angles.

        Most of the tablet’s weight would be supported by the top end of the base, on the surface it sits, the rest the keyboard piece would have to counteract.

        Do have to admit, I too am surprised at the weight, given the thinness we are seeing at here… but not sure I care given the laptop-mode would be for sitting use, and carrying around 1.4kg is not an issue for me.

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