LG Tab Book Duo Windows 8.1 Tablet Launched In Korea
LG launched their first Windows 8.1 tablet yesterday, on December 14, when then announced the LG Tab Book Duo. This tablet differs from the LG Tab Book series, that have always been sliders with keyboards that could not be disconnected.
The new LG Tab Book Duo copies some of the success recipe of Asus Transformer Book T100 2-in-1 that is detachable. However, the LG Tab Book Duo is not a detachable tablet, because it doesn't lock to keyboard like a 2-in-1 does. So this is more of a 1-plus-1 instead.
The specs only beat the Asus T100 in one area, and that's with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, twice of what the T100 has. Other than that, the Asus T100 wins in every respect, and the rest of the specs makes the LG Tab Book Duo resemble the 2nd generation Acer Aspire Switch 10 instead.
LG Tab Book Duo has a 10.1-inch LCD screen with 1280 x 800 resolution from a multi-touch IPS display. That gives it an aspect ratio of 16:10. The processor is a quad-core 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Z3745 processor, with a 1.86 GHz “Turbo” frequency and HD Graphics Mali-T628 MP6 graphics processor.
Storage begins at 64GB with microSD card support, while its short term memory comes in the form of the aforementioned 4GB DDR3 RAM.
On the Wi-Fi side, it supports 802.11 a/b/g/n bands. Bluetooth 4.0 is supported too. And it has USB 3.0, a micro-HDMI port, a 1.3MP front camera, and a 5MP rear camera. The battery life is 11 hours long, the same as on the Asus T100.
On the back of the tablet there is a built-in kickstand, or quick-stand as LG fittingly calls it.
The tablet weights 530 gram, while the Bluetooth keyboard weighs 262 gram, giving it a combined weight of 792 gram. The keyboard is about twice as light as that on 2-in-1's. But that's because it doesn't have any hinges, locking mechanisms, additional ports, storage, or additional battery power.
On the feature side, LG is also continuing it's implementation of LG ecosystem integration, where the Bluetooth connected keyboard has buttons that can switch between connecting to the tablet or a smartphone, with the opportunity to connect the keyboard to up to three devices at the same time.
The price for this is 749 000 Korean Won. That equals 680 USD, but that's the launch price. Tablet prices in Korea are otherwise pretty similar to those in the US. So if it ever launches outside of Asia, it should be at a more competitive price level. After all, tablets with this level of specs can be bought for $329 at the moment.
– Tom Bowen
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”