Review: Asus Transformer AiO P1801

A colossal tablet

The second part of the puzzle is arguably the most intriguing. Instead of placing a standard monitor on the front of its all-in-one configuration, Asus has opted to use a giant 18.4in Android tablet.

There's no getting around the fact that this thing is big. The tablet measures 466mm x 18mm x 294mm and tips the scales at 2.4kg, and with dimensions such as these, this clearly isn't the most portable Android device on the market.

Yet it isn't without merit. Of course, you wouldn't want to pull one of these out of your bag while sat on the bus - it's simply too big and heavy to lug around - but it proves useful around the home or office. Being able to take your 18.4in computer into any room has its advantages, and while we found the tablet's size fatiguing during on-your-lap use, it's ideal for placing on a table.

With such usage scenarios in mind, Asus has equipped the device with two key features; a flip-up carry handle near the top that makes it easy to pick up the tablet and carry it around, and an integrated foldable stand that allows the device to stand on a flat surface at an angle of up to 100º.

We'd have preferred a stand with a wider base, just to provide a little extra stability, but it works well enough and the 18.4in full-HD display can be a joy in the right scenario. If you're looking to share photos with friends and family, read recipes in the kitchen, or even share ideas with colleagues, the size of the panel proves advantageous.

Vibrant colours, wide viewing angles and responsive 10-point multi-touch all add to the appeal, but we aren't particularly fond of the ultra-reflective finish. The glossy display is almost mirror-like and has to be kept to its near-maximum 300-nit brightness to ensure that you aren't always looking at your own reflection.

And though the full-HD resolution is appreciated, we're actually left wanting more. Tablets are often used in close proximity, where every pixel counts, and the size of the Transformer AiO panel is such that a basic 120 pixels are served per inch. That's less than a first-generation iPad, and Asus's tablet would be notably more impressive with a higher-resolution panel.

Pixel-count aside, and in keeping with the PC base station, the tablet is well equipped in most other areas. Internally, it's powered by an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2GB of DDR3 memory and 32GB of flash memory.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are built into the tablet as well as the base station, so both can communicate with other hardware independently, and there's a healthy set of ports around the edges. These include mini USB 2.0, a MicroSD card slot (allowing a further 32GB of storage), 3.5mm audio jack, another Kensington lock, and a dedicated blue button for one-press switching between Android and Windows; more on that later. There's also a power jack - allowing the tablet to be charged without having to be docked - as well as stereo speakers and a one-megapixel webcam.

Performance during regular use is as expected from an Android device running Nvidia Tegra 3 hardware - we managed a very respectable score of 952ms in the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark - but the large display does take its toll on battery life. Asus equips the tablet with a 38Wh battery and suggests that five hours of video playback should be achievable. We managed to loop a 1080p clip for just under four-and-a-half hours with Wi-Fi enabled, but we don't see battery life as a primary concern, as being able to stow the tablet on the base station ensures a regular top-up.