What Did You Replace an Asus Transformer T100/T101 with?

aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 15:09

Just wondering if there is a modern equivalent to the old T100 unit that we all liked so much a few years ago. I know there was a bit of a craze for the Dell Inspiron 11 3000, but even those seem to have died down a little.

I have had the Acer Switch 10E for a number of years (think a T100 with a 500gb HDD in the keyboard dock) and am thinking of getting something similar to replace it for lightweight emails/surfing. I am hoping to avoid the dreaded eMMC this time around, and have a few 2.5" SSD's lying around that can be installed into the right netbook. Would prefer to have a touchscreen, but am staying away from detachables due to horrors of the Acer (it keeps disconnecting the dock randomly).

I have a new laptop for work (Lenovo Yoga 730-13 - i7/16gb/512gb NVMe, 4k screen), but was wondering if there was something very budget (>$350) worth getting to tinker with. I am not adverse to buying a refurbished unit from a reputable dealer.

I will add other suggestions into the poll, so if there are other options let me know.

Poll Options

  • 3
    Dell Inspiron 11 3000
  • 1
    Lenovo IdeaPad 100/110/120 series
  • 0
    Lenovo Yoga 300 series
Computing

Comments

  • H E B on 08/10/2018 - 15:47

    I still use mine, for multimedia purposes only not for browsing (it would've been waaay to laggy even 2 years ago).

    For browsing I use a dual boot tablet with the connector keyboard. But, if that's not for you I did originally consider a docking keyboard but didn't want the hassle of charging 2 separate devices so stuck with the connection port.

    Why not get a android tablet and attach a blue tooth keyboard / docking keyboard with no electronic connections? Like this one for example: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Ultra-Thin-Wireless-Bluetoo…

    More bang for your buck unless you must have a 'note/netbook' with the keyboard all built together. Then you're really moving away from a transformer which arguably presents much less value.

    • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 15:53

      I have an iPad (2017) + Microshit BT Wedge Keyboard, but iOS drives me up the wall. The rationale for a note/netbook would be USB connections to allow me to dump files and transfer them to an external drive etc.

      I am very interested to see where the community has gone since these T100's were so popular. I have to admit that the Acer was always lacking in power, but i had a choice (for the same price) between a 32gb eMMC T100HA or the Acer (64gb eMMC + 500gb HDD in dock + higher res screen) for the same price during the final days of DSE. I have used it as a light travel laptop a fair bit as I can dump photos onto the HDD as a backup.

  • H E B on 08/10/2018 - 16:07

    "but iOS drives me up the wall. The rationale for a note/netbook would be USB connections to allow me to dump files and transfer them to an external drive etc"

    This. and This…

    Can't have the best of both worlds but a mini USB 4 port adapter is what i use to overcome it. Size of a small kitkat fun size.

    The problem I have with the net/notebooks nowadays is they're way too underpowered the demand doesnt seem to allow for something like a transformer anymore. You either do all your browsing on a tablet/phablet phone with a mainstay workstation seems to be the way to go nowadays. Sorry can't help further. I didnt want a lappy and a 'mini lappy' too.

    My tablet half the price of your budget last year still way overspecs the dell 1100. I'm sure the transfer speed would be much better to with a superior processor and ram.

    FYI I was considering the lenovo yoga but had a few friends with issues with the screen connection/flickering after months of bending.

    • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 16:15

      I know what you mean by not wanting a lappy + mini lappy, I would have gone smaller than the Yoga 730 13, but once you go smaller you really give up a lot of power/quality. I am hoping that I dont have any screen issues, but it is still early days for this unit.

      Even with a relatively blank cheque there isn't a premium 11" or 12" laptop that is both reasonably powerful (better than Core M) and still packing the touch/active stylus. I narrowed it down to three options:
      -Asus UX370US (but couldn't find the i7 + 4K version)
      -Lenovo Yoga 730-13 (which I ended up with)
      -Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga

      I took the middle ground because it was a bit cheaper than the X1, and smaller/lighter but still offered 2x Thunderbolt3 + 1x USB3, compared to the slightly slimmer Asus. If you are still looking there is a new Yoga C930 on the way that could be an option. I didnt like the XPS 13 2-in-1 as it packs a Core M for the same price range

      • H E B on 08/10/2018 - 16:17

        That does sound like a good choice!

  • H E B on 08/10/2018 - 16:14

    For travel photo backups I carry a few micro SD cards if I am considering taking many photos. Tho have been considering a SSD with a solid case. I travel very light so cant lug a standard HD around.

    • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 16:18

      My normal back up solution is:
      1) SD card photo was taken on
      2) HDD/SSD on laptop
      3) External HDD/SSD (or internal MicroSD in the Acer)

      Those Samsung T5 drives are an interesting option as they are far smaller/lighter than an external 2.5" SSD/HDD

  • tsunamisurfer on 08/10/2018 - 17:21

    I have the T100 it is still good but it's 1GB RAM is a real killer.

    So quickly the 1GB gets taken up by just apps loaded at boot up….

    What is the best way of reducing this?

  • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 17:47
    +1

    1gb is rough….have you trimmed your start-up programs.

  • aragornelessar on 08/10/2018 - 21:06
    +1

    Man, that question brought up memories! I had the Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 back in the day… screen died just outside of warranty but they repaired it free. Died again a few months after that.. and I cbf'd following them up again on it. I've been put off by Asus ever since :(

    • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 23:20

      Sorry to hear about your TF700

      I have had a good run with Asus laptops…my U36SD is still going 7 years on. I have just replaced the SSD with a fresh one and will be giving it to a friend who's polycarbonate MacBook is pretty much dead. Hopefully Windows 10 will be easy enough for her to get her head around quickly. We also have a UX303 that is a few years old. My sister has a VivoBook S14 that is turning 6 soon as well, she also has the original Transformer TF101 (Nvidia Tegra 2 powered) that she still uses for youtube here and there, but the dock half has stopped charging.

  • H E B on 08/10/2018 - 21:08
    +1

    I wasn't on ozbargain in the day so had no idea about the hype. Guess it was meant to be lol. I happen to have a Asus transformer and just came across the post randomly hahahaha.

    I once searched hard for a second hand replacement dock containing the battery/keyboard etc, worked out well for a few measly bucks. Had I known would've been quicker to post on here.

    • aim54x on 08/10/2018 - 23:24

      must have meant to be. Those T100's where so popular, almost like Eneloops were.

  • aim54x on 16/10/2018 - 10:52

    Just thought I would share that I managed to snag a "refurbished" Yoga 700-11 from Grays (via ebay) for $335.20 with the current sale. Looks like I will be replacing the Acer with something significantly nicer as long as the grays lottery is good to me.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lenovo-Yoga-700-11-6-FHD-Touch-M…

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