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Asus PadFone Combines Smartphone, Tablet, Keyboard
crookedvulture writes "Asus is showing off a bunch of new devices at the Mobile World Congress in Spain, including a budget Transformer model and an Infinity Series graced with a 10", 1920x1200 display. In addition to the tablets, there's the novel PadFone hybrid. This Snapdragon-powered smartphone has a 4.3" screen with a generous 960x540 resolution. If you want more screen real estate, the PadFone slides into the back of a tablet docking station that offers a 10", 1280x800 display alongside an auxiliary battery. That combo can in turn be plugged into an external keyboard with a full-sized SD slot, USB port, and other perks. The only problem is those auxiliary components are thicker and heavier than Asus' standalone tablets, which offer the same functionality, sans smartphone."
It's not a laptop. Well, not really. It's an upgrade of the Transformer Prime with a higher resolution screen. I have the current Prime, and the docking station, and it is pretty damn close to a laptop, but there are limitations, largely because Android just wasn't designed with a touchpad in mind. I also think the higher resolution screen is a waste, there's just no justification for that kind of resolution on a 10" screen.
I travel with a Laptop an iPad and a phone. I thought the same as you would. But the iPad has replaced many things I used to travel with such as books and the need for printing things to review as well as entertainment. Waiting at a stopover, bring out tablet. The tablet is more for consuming output than work and play than for creating it. It is also now the primary way I communicate with family when travelling (Skype/Facetime). It weighs the same as the book I would normally carry to reading on a long flight. I would in fact, give up the phone in exchange for a 3G tablet.
Just tell me where I can find a decent 17" laptop with at least 1920x1200 display under $1200? I have been repairing an old Dell for years now with ebay parts because I have not found a suitable replacement. Sad that my phone and tablet may soon pass my laptop in dpi.