Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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."

12 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.

      --
      ... 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 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.

    4. 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.

      --
      http://slashdot.org/submission/1062723/Cheap-mobile-data-plan?art_pos=2
    5. 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.

    6. 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