Asus VivoTab Smart (ME400C) Windows 8 Tablet Review

1. Introduction2. Asus VivoTab Smart: Packaging & Bundle3. Asus VivoTab Smart: Design4. Asus VivoTab Smart: Software & User Interface5. Display Quality, Comfort and Ease of Use6. Connectivity and Web Browsing Experience7. Camera Performance8. Multimedia Performance9. Hardware Performance10. Browser Performance11. Battery Life & Heat12. Closing Thoughts13. View All Pages

Want a tablet but struggling to justify the laptop-like price tag? Want a laptop but thinking that the larger size could be an inconvenience? Asus aims to make those problems a thing of the past with its best-of-both-worlds VivoTab Smart (ME400C) ‘hybrid' tablet. Has Asus successfully implanted laptop-class, x86 hardware into a 10.1″ tablet form factor?

As far as large screen tablets go, it's hard to beat Apple's 9.7″ iPad with Retina display. But for many customers who value performance, the base model's laptop-like – £399 – price tag is equally difficult to justify. So how does a company offer mobile hardware that justifies a device's circa-£400 price tag, while maintaining the flexibility and ease-of-use of a large screen tablet? Asus' approach is to combine low-powered, laptop-class hardware with a 10.1″ IPS touch screen display and full-blown, 32-bit Windows 8 operating system.

Packing a 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core processor, 2 Gigabytes of memory, 64 Gigabytes of storage and a full-blown Windows 8 operating system into a 580g, 9.7mm-thin, 10.1″ tablet form factor, Asus' VivoTab Smart appeals to both the laptop and tablet audiences. With its x86 chip and proper Windows 8 operating system, the VivoTab smart can operate in a conventional – desktop – environment to run ‘standard' software, as well as the fresh – tablet – alternative with modern apps.

Aiming to provide a solution which eliminates the performance and compatibility shortfalls of ARM-based tablets and increases the portability of a laptop, has Asus hit the mark with its VivoTab Smart ‘hybrid' Windows 8 tablet?

Specifications:

• Display: 10.1″ with Multi-Touch Screen WXGA (1366 x 768) Screen, IPS Panel
• Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core (1MB Cache, Hyper-Threading technology)
• Memory: 2GB
• Storage: 64GB + 32GB ASUS Webstorage space
• WiFi: WLAN 802.11 b/g/[email protected]
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth V4.0
• Camera(s): 8MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing
• Battery: 25Wh Li-polymer
• Operating System: Windows 8 32-bit
• Dimensions: 262.5 x 171 x 9.7 mm (WxDxH)
• Weight: 580g
• Colours: White/Black/Red

Asus supplies the VivoTab Smart in concise packaging which features a picture of the tablet on the front side, and a small sticker indicating general specifications on the rear.

The three-part charging unit can be assembled when required to make transportation of the components a simpler task. A micro USB to USB cable doubles up as the charging and computer connection wire.

A microfibre cloth is supplied to ensure that the VivoTab Smart's 10.1″ IPS display remains as clean and attractive as possible.

A trio of leaflets consists of the warranty information, VivoTab Smart manual and Windows 8 user guide.

Measuring in at 262.5 x 171 x 9.7 mm (WxDxH), Asus' VivoTab Smart features a screen which is 126 mm tall and 224 mm wide. The reflective border that perimeters the 10.1″ IPS screen fits perfectly with the tablet's overall design.

Each edge of the rectangular device's front surface is curved to make a seamless transition into the material used on the rear side. All four corners are also curved to create an appealing style that reflects light from a number of directions.

Asus has decided to construct the rear of the VivoTab Smart out of a grip-enhancing plastic material which, quite frankly, feels cheap. We really like the fact that the grip-coating lessens the likelihood of an accidental slip or drop occurring, and that it makes the ‘one-holding one-touching' handling approach an enforceable input method. But we would prefer a more elegant and attractive approach that fits better with the tablet's appealing front side.

Towards the top-left corner of the VivoTab Smart (top-right in picture) is the area where an NFC file exchange is conducted. Users are advised to touch both devices in this area to ensure that the transfer commences in the correct, hassle free manner.

Along the device's top-edge, directly in the centre, is the 8 Megapixel rear-facing camera and flash. This camera location is ideal as it is clear of areas where a user's hand is likely to cause interference or picture blockage.

Asus positions the VivoTab Smart's stereo speakers below the NFC area, while the company's logo is embossed into the tablet in the form of a metal-like substance.

A pair of stickers outlines the VivoTab Smart's ability to function as a true ‘desktop' device, thanks to its dual-core Intel Atom Z2760 processor and full-blown, 32-bit Windows 8 operating system.

The touch-sensitive Windows button is located in the centre of the VivoTab Smart's lower border. Holding the Windows and volume down buttons will capture a screenshot.

A 2 Megapixel front-facing camera is located slightly to the right of the tablet's central axis, on the upper border. Thanks to its user-facing orientation, this 2 MP camera is perfect for use during Skype conversations or other video calls.

An Asus logo is located directly above the 10.1″ screen's top-left corner.

Asus positions the Micro USB port – which acts up as the charging input – in the bottom-corner of the tablet's left side. This is a good location as it doesn't interfere with one's hands when the tablet is being used whilst charging.

A Micro SD slot can be used to boost the VivoTab Smart's internal storage past 64 Gigabytes, or as a file transfer method. The slot's push-in cover will easily jump 6 feet when projected out of its location, so make sure you know exactly where it's going to land – i.e. not a river, road or train track!

Removing the uppermost cover reveals the VivoTab Smart's micro HDMI port, which allows the tablet to output its video signal to High-Definition TVs, monitors and projectors – ideal for both presentation and entertainment purposes.

The power/lock button is located at the very-left of the device's upper edge. This location puts it in a perfect position to be pressed by a one's index finger, when conforming to the two-handed usage style.

A 3.5 mm 2-in-1 input (microphone) and output (headphones/speakers) jack is located adjacent to the volume button, at the top of the VivoTab Smart's right edge.

Connections:

• 1 x 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone / Mic-in)
• 1 x micro HDMI
• 1 x Micro USB
• 1 x Micro SD Card Reader(SDHC)

The Asus VivoTab Smart uses full-fat, 32-bit Windows 8. This means that it can operate in the ‘standard' Windows desktop mode, and the modern 'tiles' mode which is great for touch screen devices. Asus includes a user manual that features some basic Windows 8 tips. A ‘guide' app is also installed and is very helpful.

With some slight adjustments to the installed apps and programs, such as removing the ones you deem useless (Microsoft Office trial, for example), you should be able to yield a free storage space of around 30 Gigabytes. We think that this is fine, taking the tablet's expected use into consideration. A good amount of work documents, pictures and music files can be saved in 30 gigs, in addition to a few compressed movies or videos.

Extra storage space can be obtained by using a micro SD card, although this will increase cost.

Asus' VivoTab Smart uses Windows 8, meaning that we see the standard Microsoft layout with dynamic tiles. There is a tile in the bottom-left corner which switches the tablet to Windows 8's full desktop mode.

Weather, maps, news and sport feature the sleek Windows 8 interface.

Bing has an app which allows you to search for content and then open the link, launching the default web browser.

Xbox games is present, but it is very limited in its title choices, especially those which are free and actually worth playing.

Windows 8 has an app store that is a far, far cry from the Google Play and Apple App stores. The choice is limited to basic, uncommon apps. We expect the store to grow in the future, but it will certainly take some patience on the consumer's part.

The SkyDrive app gives you access to your stored files and works well.

We quite liked the Music app's fresh interface and sleek design. More on that later.

The Video app was equally well-designed. Again, we will revisit the Video app later.

Asus adds a library app which displays your eBooks.

Asus keeps the Windows 8 install fairly clean, but a few extra apps are installed. One of these apps is asus@vibe Fun Center, which features free music from a number of artists and radio stations. It is a good app and is worth keeping, if only for the radio stations.

Another useful Asus app is Supernote. It is a fairly comprehensive note-taking, drawing and ‘doodling' package that has an easy-to-use interface.

The sidebar can be pulled on-screen to display and switch between the currently open apps/programs. A running app can be positioned on the side of the screen while the main window is still fully usable. This is good for reading the news while typing or sifting through photos.

A very convenient feature is the fact that the sidebar and side app modes are both fully functional while the tablet is operating in desktop mode.

Display Quality

Sporting a 10.1″ screen with 1366 x 768 resolution, it is unlikely that Asus was ever intending to compete with Apple or high-end Android tablets in regards to picture clarity. For example, the Apple iPad with Retina display's smaller – 9.7″ – screen has a much higher resolution of 2048 x 1536, while Google crams 2560 x 1600 pixels into the Nexus 10's 10.1″ display.

But resolution only accounts for part of a display's overall quality. Brightness, backlight, sharpness, colour reproduction and contrast are all important factors.

The VivoTab Smart's contrast and colour levels are good. A wide variety of colours and tones are easily obtainable using Windows 8's sleek and modern interface. Pictures are crisp, sharp and clear, despite the low – 1366 x 768 – resolution.

Brightness levels, on the other hand, were lacking. The auto brightness levels were considerably lower than what we would consider to be an appropriate condition for the certain scenarios. Even at full brightness, some of the VivoTab Smart's displayed images were dark enough to make viewing some less-than-perfect content a disappointing experience. The mediocre brightness levels aren't be an entirely-detrimental experience during indoor usage, but the outdoor viewing experience was clearly impaired.

Viewing angles are as good as one can expect from an IPS panel. Accurate colour reproduction was maintained all of the way up to the 100 degree mark – a perfectly adequate level for the majority of daily usage tasks. While the viewing angles were good, the combination of a highly reflective screen and mediocre brightness levels made awkward watching for some displayed content, especially darker movies such as The Dark Knight Rises.

We know exactly why Asus included a microfibre cloth; the screen gets very grubby after short periods of time. Thankfully, we didn't notice any dirt accumulations or dust build-ups over our lengthy period of use.

Comfort and Dimensions

With a mass of 580g, the VivoTab Smart's somewhat lightweight design makes it a comfortable tablet for general usage. The additional 21mm width in comparison to Apple's iPad with Retina display, is certainly noticeable when holding the VivoTab Smart. This 262.5mm width isn't a negative design issue, though, but rather a difference.

It's easy to find a single-handed balance point for Asus' tablet, and the two-handed approach is equally comfortable. Supporting the device in the air – the type of approach that will be taken for bedtime usage – can become an ache over extended periods of time, but the larger surface area and lower mass give the VivoTab Smart a more comfortable programme-long holding experience than the 652g iPad with Retina display.

Some form of stand wouldn't go amiss when using the VivoTab Smart for table-top viewing. We can understand why Asus left it out, though; the add-on TranSleeve wireless keyboard and trackpad features its own form of stand.

Ease of Use

Thanks to Asus' clear and effective guide app, the Windows 8 user interface is pleasant to use. Tablet mode has clearly benefited from the live tiles and touch-optimised design.

In desktop mode, the Asus VivoTab Smart is simple to use, as it is a lot like any other touch screen desktop system. Its 1366 x 768 screen resolution can sometimes make selecting an icon or item difficult, as the 10.1″ display lacks the physical space for an entire finger to accurately register a touch input. Inadvertent selections of a neighbouring item are a common occurrence.

Simple and functional are the aims for Asus' on-screen keyboard. We've definitely seen more attractive implementations, and ones that offer a better usage experience, for that matter. We weren't happy with the omission of important keys, such as print screen, Alt and the function inputs.

It is evident that, in the desktop mode, the VivoTab Smart is designed to be used most effectively with the add-on TranSleeve Bluetooth keyboard – a device that demands a free of around £90. Any form of extended typing task and the physical keyboard will be sorely missed. Accuracy of the mouse pointer controlled by the physical trackpad will also be a step up from the sometimes awkward touch input methods.

Wireless Connectivity

Featuring a Broadcom 802.11bgn Wireless SDIO Adapter, the Asus VivoTab supports WiFi b, g and n technologies on the 2.4GHz frequency band. The device is not compatible with 5GHz network signals.

Wireless connection performance was a strength for the VivoTab Smart. Using our 802.11n Tenda N60 wireless router, the Asus tablet was able to maintain a stable connection both at close range and over a 40 foot, interference-ridden path.

Unfortunately, the VivoTab Smart's wireless network throughput performance wasn't particularly impressive – we didn't manage to get anything greater than a 65 Mbps connection speed to our 300 Mbps-capable router, even at a distance of less than a metre.

Real world network performance gave us a maximum consistent speed of around 4 MB/s (around 32 Mbps) when copying files across a network, which is a disappointing result for a device that is designed to be capable of carrying out a substantial amount of streaming tasks to and from network attached storage.

Bluetooth worked fine for transferring files to and from the VivoTab Smart. Bluetooth compatible wireless keyboards and mice can also be connected to Asus' tablet, allowing it to function more like a ‘true' laptop.

Testing in combination with our Nexus 4, we can confirm that NFC worked without issues. GPS was also fully functional – it tracked our location accurately.

Web Browsing Experience

Internet Explorer works without performance or compatibility hiccups in both the tablet and desktop mode. Due to the VivoTab Smart's x86 hardware, browsers load desktop web pages by default. This can be a very slight issue when trying to read content because the tablet's High-Definition resolution coupled with the small (by laptop standards) – 10.1″ – screen will make pinch and zoom an infrequent – but sometimes required – process.

We tested KitGuru, BBC, ITV, YouTube, Hotmail and many other web pages; most of them were perfectly readable using the default viewing mode, but they were all sitting near the borderline of a comfortable text size. Setting the zoom to 125% did help, but it also decreased the page's viewable area.

We liked the cut-back style of the ‘mobile' version of Internet Explorer that was launched in tablet mode. It featured the same tile scheme that streamlines it with the rest of the tablet mode's interface. In desktop mode, Internet Explorer was the standard desktop affair.

We quickly stopped using Chrome in tablet mode as we ran into a number of stability issues regarding the keyboard input with web-based text boxes, the ability to manoeuvre through tabs and poor video playback. It seems to be poorly adapted for touch screen Windows 8 devices, at least in our case.

Camera App

Asus' own camera app is slightly better than the default Windows 8 version – it features an improved layout and provides easier access to the settings.

Camera Performance

Low light, indoor camera shot:

Darkness, indoor camera shot (flash):

Daylight, outdoor camera shots:

Dusk light, outdoor camera shots:

Daylight, outdoor camera shot (high zoom):

Dusk light, outdoor camera shot (high zoom):

With an 8 Megapixel sensor and decent amount of settings, we were pleasantly surprised by the camera's ability to capture a good photograph. We wouldn't compare it to a stand-alone digital camera, but it is good for catching a few basic snaps of something that may catch your interest when travelling or commuting.

Dusk light, outdoor front camera shot:

The front camera's performance isn't good for taking photos, but it should suffice for basic video calls over Skype.

Video capture was average for this device's market. You'll have no problems recording a basic day-to-day event, but it's certainly no replacement for even a cheap video camera.

Video Playback

We had no problems streaming HD quality content from YouTube using Internet Explorer. In tablet mode, Google Chrome created choppy playback of HD YouTube videos, but this was a browser issue.

Playback of High-Definition media stored on the VivoTab Smart was a possibility. The desktop mode is hassle free, as users are able to choose any add-on video player; we used VLC media player which functioned perfectly.

The tablet mode's default video player identified and played our MP4 and AVI/DivX content without problems, but MKV was not supported, which is very disappointing. The player itself is very basic, with few options, but it does its job.

Music Playback

The VivoTab Smart is a solid music playing device. In the tablet mode, a variety of audio files, including M4A and WMA, played without hiccups. And the player continued to function in the background, just as any good music app should.

We were also pleased by the fresh and intertwined interface of the default player – Xbox music. SmartDJ is an interesting tool that takes your chosen artist and plays songs of a similar style from related artists.

To our delight, we were able to switch to the VivoTab Smart's desktop mode while still listening to tunes from the tablet mode's music app.

The speaker quality is about average for a large screen tablet. Don't expect to host a party from the VivoTab Smart's built-in speakers, but the sound quality and volume is good enough to fill a small room with quiet guests.

Viewing Photos

Good contrast and excellent sharpness are two characteristics of the VivoTab Smart's display that make viewing photos a pleasant experience. The quality of some of the supplied photos was superb.

 

Windows 8's pictures app is basic, yet efficient and perfectly functional. The ‘home' screen allows you to sift between albums of photos, such as those stored on your device, the SkyDrive, on a network computer, and social networks.

You can't access photos' details such as size and resolution, but that's what the file browser is for, anyway.

The Asus VivoTab Smart uses an Intel Atom Z2760 that operates at 1.8GHz and has 1MB of cache, two physical cores and four threads. Graphics comes in the form of Intel's Cloverview SoC's intergrated GPU – a PowerVR SGX545.

System memory is comprised of 2GB of RAM which, according to Windows Task Manager, operates at 800MHz. The built-in storage capacity is 64GB.

Our CPU-Z validation can be found here.

Sandra's processor tests show that the dual core Intel Atom Z2760 offers weak performance. By comparison, a desktop-calibre Core i5 3570K offers over nine times the multimedia performance.

To say Cinebench completed at crawling pace would be an understatement! A Core i5 3570K offers over eleven times as much performance.

The VivoTab Smart's Atom Z2760 CPU completed the Super Pi 1M test in 84 seconds.

A PCMark 7 score of 1427 is actually quite good, given the VivoTab Smart's modest hardware.

Google's LG-built Nexus 4 trounces the VivoTab Smart Atom Z2760's 3DMark score with its Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC.

The quad core Krait APQ8064 CPU and Adreno 320 GPU combine in the Nexus 4 to outperform Intel's 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 and PowerVR SGX 545 whic are found in the VivoTab Smart.

We used GLBenchmark version 2.7 on the Nexus 4, and DXBenchmark version 2.7 on the VivoTab Smart.

Asus' VivoTab Smart continues to trail the performance of Google's Nexus 4 by a considerable margin.

With a fairly speedy internal storage device, Asus' VivoTab Smart shouldn't exhibit any noticeable lag when trying to open multiple programs or files of a reasonable size.

We tested the browser performance of the VivoTab Smart using its default program – Internet Explorer 10.0. Our Nexus 4 used its default browser – Chrome 26.0.1410.58.

The VivoTab Smart's default browser – Internet Explorer – isn't quite as fast as the latest version of Chrome for Android, when used on the Nexus 4.

JavaScript performance is a strength for the VivoTab Smart – it outperforms the Nexus 4 by around 47%.

Battery Life

Asus claims that the VivoTab Smart is capable of 9.5 hours of general usage, and we cannot disagree with the company. We managed to achieve seven hours of fairly heavy general usage with the screen using its automatic brightness levels, which included at least an hour of streaming 720P content from YouTube.

The VivoTab Smart gave us four hours of non-stop 720P video streaming from YouTube – an impressive battery life for a demanding task (as proven by the below screenshot).

For basic usage such as web browsing, social networking and sending emails, you should have no problems getting a full 9-5 day of work, and some travelling time, from the VivoTab Smart's 25Wh Li-polymer battery, dependent upon brightness levels, of course.

Heat

Due to the insulating material used on the VivoTab Smart's rear side, the device didn't get particularly hot at any point during usage. We did notice an increase in the temperature of the rear side's top-left area after an intense session of 720P video streaming, but the heat output wasn't considerable enough to cause any concern.

The Asus VivoTab Smart is a well-designed device that manages to offer laptop-style operation with a tablet-style form factor and usage experience.

We like Asus' commitment to offering a product for every market. With the likes of Microsoft's Surface Pro and Acer's Iconia W510 creating quite a buzz, it makes sense for Asus to offer its own twist on the tablet-laptop hybrid.

As far as performance goes, the VivoTab Smart operates much more like a tablet than a laptop, and quite a weak one at that. As part of the Cloverview SoC, Intel's 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor is convincingly out-gunned by the high-end ARM chips in mobile devices, such as the Nexus 4's Snapdragon S4 Pro that we compared it to. The lowly dual core is no match for even the most basic of real laptop processors.

But we don't want to be too harsh on the VivoTab Smart's performance. While it isn't going to win any speed awards, the graphics and processing hardware is capable of delivering a smooth, hassle free experience during tablet-style usage. Even many basic desktop-style tasks were completed without issues. Just don't expect a device that has the ability to rapidly convert videos while browsing the web, as a similarly-priced laptop would.

In terms of design, Asus has done a good job to keep the VivoTab Smart user-friendly. A 10.1″ screen is the norm for this type of device, but the 9.7mm thickness and 580g weight both make Asus' hybrid an easy product to use. An elegant styling and black finish add to what is an almost excellent appearance. And we say ‘almost' because the rear plastic feels cheap and tacky. While we like the material's grip-enhancing properties, it simply doesn't look like it belongs on an upmarket tablet device.

Battery life was very good. You'll have no problems keeping the VivoTab Smart alive for a full 9-5 working day of general usage. High-Definition video streaming over the internet will drain the battery in around 4 hours, which is good enough two movies or football matches.

Overall display quality was good, and the 1366 x 768 resolution was appropriate for most tasks. Brightness, on the other hand, was poor – we struggled to view photos when standing outside on an overcast day. This is a real shame, as the VivoTab Smart is intended to be used when on-the-go.

Windows 8 is the standard affair, with a few worthwhile apps added by Asus. We didn't experience lag or usage problems while in the tablet or desktop mode. Slight difficulties, on the other hand, come about when trying to accurately input a selection in the desktop mode. The touch screen's 1366 x 768 resolution, coupled with its 10.1″ size, makes inputting operations a cautious task that is ideally-suited for miniature fingers.

It seems that Asus is banking on the fact that many people will become quickly irritated by the touch interface in desktop mode, and purchase the VivoTab Smart's wireless keyboard and trackpad. At around £90, the add-on isn't cheap, but we can see it being very popular amongst users who want the VivoTab Smart as an office-style device which is predominately used in desktop mode. Alternatively, most Bluetooth keyboards or mice should work fine with the VivoTab Smart.

Asus would be smart to offer a bundle which includes tablet and wireless keyboard for a combined price that is cheaper than purchasing them separately. On the note of recommendations, a version which supports mobile data networks may entice a larger proportion of the market, even if it does increase the consumer's purchase and operational costs.

Available for £369.95 from Simply Electronics, or £30 more from Amazon, we feel that Asus VivoTab Smart offers good value for money. Granted, the same amount of money will get you a better tablet (in the iPad with retina display) or a more powerful laptop, but it won't get you a device which offers a good amount of both worlds.

Pros:

• Full-blown, 32-bit Windows 8 can handle desktop and tablet usage scenarios.
• Easy and comfortable to use.
• Very good design and build quality.
• Excellent battery life.
• Plenty of wireless connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS.
• Good price.

Cons:

• Requires the £90 TranSleeve keyboard for best productivity.
• Low wireless networking speed.
• Poor brightness levels.
• Weak CPU and GPU performance – out-gunned by high-end ARM chips.

KitGuru says: An easy and fun to use hybrid device that has a good battery life and competitive price tag. Better hardware performance and the VivoTab Smart would be a formidable competitor to high-end tablets and entry-level laptops.

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