These days, laptops can’t stay put. Their displays either detach as tablets, or flip-back behind the keyboard to become very thick tablets.

ASUS Transformer Book Flip

The just-launched ASUS Transformer Book Flip (above) belongs to the second category: it’s a laptop and a thick tablet and anything in between. I’ve reviewed a “bendable” laptop before, and one such “in between” is called “tent mode” – where the hinge is on top and the display and keyboard form the sides (see below). My cat loved it.

ASUS Transformer Book Flip Tent Mode

The laptop-bendable approach isn’t new: it’s the Lenovo Yoga in the image and likeness of an ASUS laptop. But while the Yoga line has always been expensive, ASUS brings the price down significantly. The Lenovo Yoga 13 costs P60,100.00, the ASUS Book Flip 13 costs only P40,000.00. That P20,000.00 savings can buy you three ASUS ZenFone 5‘s.

Model Name Book Flip 13” Book Flip 13” Book Flip 15”
TP300LA-DW099H TP300LD-DW012H TP550LD-CJ056H
OS Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1
Processor Intel® Core™ i3-4010U processor Intel® Core™ i5-4210U processor Intel® Core™ i7-4510U Processor
Display 13.3″ 16:9 IPS HD (1366×768) display, multi-touch screen 13.3″ 16:9 IPS HD (1366×768) display, multi-touch screen 15.6″ 16:9 IPS HD (1366×768) display, multi-touch screen
Graphics Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 4400 NVIDIA® GeForce® 820 NVIDIA® GeForce® 820
2GB DDR3 VRAM 4GB DDR3 VRAM
Memory 4GB DDR3 RAM 4GB DDR3 RAM 8GB (4GB + 4GB) DDR3 RAM
Storage 500GB HDD 500GB HDD 1TB HDD
Optical Drive N/A N/A DVD-RW
Color Black Black Black
Connectivity USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi
Price Php26,995 Php39,995 Php49,995
Bundle Gift Notebook Bag Notebook Bag Notebook Bag
Availability Available by mid Sept. Available

 

ASUS Transformer T100 Upgrade

At the Book Flip launch, ASUS also showcased the upgrade to their other also-can’t-stay-put laptop, the ASUS Transformer T100 (above). Now this one, a detachable and not a bendable, I dig.

ASUS Flip Book Launch Lead

 Held by models, left to right: the ASUS Transformer Book Flip, the ASUS Transformer T100 upgrade, and another Book Flip.