Asus is gearing up to launch a Chromebook Tablet, basically a tablet with a detachable physical keyboard, which can transform into a notebook. The model is similar to what has already been seen on its rival IdeaPad Duet, which so far remains alone in its price range.
The information was leaked by the website Chrome Unboxed and report that the model called Asus CM3000 is being developed under the codename Saturn and will come equipped with a MediaTek MT8183 chip. As it is a Chromebook, the new Asus tablet will run the operating system Chrome OS, which works as a kind of desktop Android (with some limitations) running on ARM processors.
Credit: Chrome Unboxed
Other reported features include a 3,5mm audio jack and a keyboard cover with a fabric surface to magnetically attach it to the tablet, similar to what's seen on Microsoft's Surface models. The device is also expected to be touch-sensitive and have stylus support.
Similar to competitor but different price
It's not just in concept that the Chromebook Tablet and Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet are similar; they both have very similar specifications, with equivalent chips. Physically, the Asus model has a larger screen and is therefore heavier, but nothing that changes the user experience much.
Credit: Chrome Unboxed
Coming to the price, this could be another difference between the two models. Part of the IdeaPad's success was due to its competitive price. The notebook arrived costing US$ 300 (here in Brazil you can find it in the range of R$ 3.800). The new Asus model should cost a little more, but its price has not yet been confirmed.
A few months ago the site had already revealed the existence of the codename Coachz, a tablet-style Chromebook with a Surface-like design. The model would be powered by the Snapdragon 7C processor, which has an integrated Adreno 618 GPU and Snapdragon X15 modem.
Photo: Disclosure Chrome Unboxed
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Chrome Unboxed
