ASUS Hybrid All-in-One is Both Windows 8 PC, Android Tablet

ASUS last week unveiled a new, hybrid, all-in-one-PC that can function either as a desktop unit running Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows 8 or as an extra-large Android-based tablet.

The Transformer AiO, which ASUS will make available early in Q2, 2013, is priced at $1,299 and features a desktop docking station with an Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) Core i5 processor and a 1920×1080, 18.4-inch, detachable touch display housing an Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 2GB of memory and 32GB of storage, making it additionally an oversized tablet.

The docking station itself sports 8GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 730M discrete graphics, DVD burner, 4 USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port, HDMI out and a 1MP front-facing camera. The system is designed for the docking station and display to work as an all-in-one PC that can transform to a mobile tablet when needed.

In addition, the Transformer AiO also can function as a remote virtual desktop by connecting wirelessly to the dock to run Windows 8 and associated apps. According to ASUS, the machine can switch back and forth between operating systems with the push of a button.

ASUS is positioning the unit as providing users with the mobility of a tablet and the performance of a powerful desktop PC. The company first showcased the Transformer AiO at last year's Computex trade show and earlier this year at CES, playing on its similarly labeled Android tablets to set the unit’s name.

Set up as a tablet, the Transformer AiO weighs 5.3 lbs. while the docking station clocks in at about 9 lbs. Owing to its hefty measurements, the Transformer AiO might not be as road-worthy as standard 10.1-inch tablets, but for an in-office or in-home unit its stability and size could be a plus. For example, users working on a project in Windows 8 docked desktop mode only have to pick up the screen to change the system to a wireless-driven, remote desktop disguised as an Android tablet.

The tablet features a mini-USB 2.0 port, a microSD card reader and a docking port. Both the PC base and the tablet supply 80-2.11/a/b/g/n dual band Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth 4.0 in the base and 3.0 in the tablet.