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New Asus Device Runs Both Windows and Android

Posted by Unknown on from the double-the-vendor-lockin dept.

taz346 writes "Asus has unveiled a new 11.6-inch tablet/laptop that runs both Windows 8 and Android Jelly Bean side by side, the BBC reports. The firm said 'users would be able to synchronise data between the platforms in order to enjoy a "smooth transition" between each mode.' Hmmm, I'm guessing one could also create another partition and install a full Linux distro as well, though there's no telling how UEFI might come into play."

18 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. android on a computer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    i don't understand anybody that wants android on a pc, hell i barely understand why i have it on my phone.

    1. Re:android on a computer? by Cenan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I guess the key would be familiarity with the platform, like how Windows has managed to stay on top for so long. If you can get people to accept Android on their computer, you might just have a way to break the monopoly. You're right that Android doesn't seem very suited as a general purpose computing platform, but that could change.

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      ... whatever ...
    2. Re:android on a computer? by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It is as more suited than the Windows 8 "Metro" interface, and would fulfil the requirements of most basic users. Unlike iOS, it gives you full control over the user filesystem you can easily exchange data between any applications with ease. The multitasking is very usable. It's at least *very* close to a good general purpose OS.

    3. Re:android on a computer? by Cenan · · Score: 2

      Usability should come naturally with feedback I would presume, and if we're lucky Android won't blow up into a million different incompatible distros run by enormous egos with no regard for their end users, always chasing the hottest new fad (I know this is not always the case, but standing outside looking in at the community around GNU/Linux, that is what it looks like to an every day user).

      I'm really hoping Android can take off as an alternative to Windows, iOS and GNU/Linux. Both Windows and GNU/Linux suffer from the "keys to the kingdom or bust" security model, while Android manages to be the sensible middle ground. Educating everyday users about security is tedious, and much of that comes from the fact that you can't really secure your device without a lot of technical knowledge about it.

      The Android way of attaching permissions to parts of the system to an app at install time takes much of the magic hand waving out of it That way it becomes a very clear question of "does this farmville app really need GPS tracking data and access to the phone id?", instead of "for an unknown reason this app needs full admin rights!". To me that is a win for the end user.

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      ... whatever ...
    4. Re:android on a computer? by cyber-vandal · · Score: 2

      Android doesn't have any really high quality apps other than niche stuff. iOS has some.

      Like what? Just wondering not arguing as I've never used iOS.

    5. Re:android on a computer? by Nerdfest · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Multi-tasking and multi-window are two separate things. I don't think the current version of Metro lets you multi-window either.

    6. Re:android on a computer? by jareth-0205 · · Score: 2

      Multi-tasking and multi-window are two separate things. I don't think the current version of Metro lets you multi-window either.

      It does in a limited way, you can do a 80/20% split of the screen.

    7. Re:android on a computer? by quarterbuck · · Score: 3, Interesting

      My experience is the opposite, iOS has high quality niche stuff while android has none.
      There are a lot of aviation apps for iOS - iPad specifically - stuff meant to be used by a General Aviation Pilot who has old vacuum gauges in his little Cessna, but wants a GPS map and flight planner. For Android similar apps are limited or when available are designed for the phone.
      It has gotten so common that FAA recently approved an iPad as a certified cockpit accessory for commercial airline pilots - They don't need an iPad to look up a map, but they can use it to look up landing charts, checklists and other paperwork that they need to look up. For them it is a couple of less binders they need to carry around.

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      http://slashdot.org/submission/1062723/Cheap-mobile-data-plan?art_pos=2
    8. Re:android on a computer? by JustNiz · · Score: 2

      Personally, I dont understand why anybody wants windows, especially 8, on a PC.

    9. Re:android on a computer? by JustNiz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Woo.That sucks ass. Every day I find more reasons to be more glad I have Linux Mint and not Windows on my laptop.

    10. Re:android on a computer? by JustNiz · · Score: 2

      Incorrect, at least for my Samsung Galaxy S3.
      If you launch an app then hit the home button, that app stays running in the background.
      Also the latest firmware update gives you a split screen option to run 2 apps on the same screen at the same time.

    11. Re:android on a computer? by BasilBrush · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'd say the opposite. The Android "permissions at install" system is fundamentally broken. At the point of install you don't necessarily know the details of what an app does, nor why it might want to access certain resources. The right way to do it is to ask at the time the app first asks for a resource. That way you have context. You know what you asked the app to do, or the app can explain why it wants the permission.

      Of course whatever way permissions are granted, there also needs to be a way to withdraw them from apps as well.

  2. Both computers can be used simultaneously by Zouden · · Score: 5, Interesting

    One of the more interesting aspects about this device is that the keyboard-dock can be connected to an external monitor and used as a PC at the same time that tablet part is being used. It's essentially two independent computers that can be linked together to share peripherals and storage. I think that's quite an engineering feat.

    --
    "A week in the lab saves an hour in the library"
  3. Re:UEFI? by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Informative

    You can't turn off SecureBoot on ARM-based surfaces, only on Intel-based ones (eg. Surface Pro).

    Ref: http://www.howtogeek.com/149254/if-i-buy-a-computer-with-windows-8-and-secure-boot-can-i-still-install-linux/

    --
    No sig today...
  4. Re:Nobody wants that by sosume · · Score: 3, Informative

    The keyboard contains an Intel laptop board. The dispay contains an Android board. Connect the keyboard to the tablet, and the tablet displays the output from the "keyboard pc". Disconnect, and it switches to its internal processor to become an android tablet. Meanwhile, you can connect the docking station to a regular displa and continue using the pc as well.

  5. Re:UEFI? by tbird81 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Every article submitted to Slashdot must end with an inflammatory, baseless statement. It's the rules.

    Bonus points if the statement is about weaponisation or privacy concerns.

  6. TFA rather short on details... by Bearhouse · · Score: 5, Informative

    I thought it was running Window 8 and/or Android on same system; nope.
    Detachable screen is in fact an andoid tablet; when you plug it into the 'docking station' that's actually a full-spec Win PC sitting in the keyboard / chassis.
    If your use cases including running both a tablet and an ultra-PC, could be temping I guess, but hardling a tech breakthrough.

    Try these for more info:

    http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/03/asus-announces-the-transformer-book-trio-likens-it-to-a-laptop/

    http://www.extremetech.com/computing/157253-asus-unveils-dual-os-dual-cpu-jekyll-hyde-transformer-book-trio

  7. Re:UEFI? by ko7 · · Score: 2

    But this has been modus operandi for MS since the 1980's...
    Nothing new here... just move along...