The ASUS Padfone

The original ASUS Padfone, an Android phone that docked into a tablet shell, was certainly an interesting idea. However, it was unfortunately held back by a chunky and heavy design and too many disappointing bugs. ASUS is back for round two with the aptly-named Padfone 2, a thinner, lighter and faster upgrade over the original Padfone.


The ASUS Padfone 2 is an upgrade in every sense or the word but it's the downgrade in size that's the biggest advancement here. The Padfone 2 package now weighs a competitive 649g all up (Padfone 2 docked into Padfone 2 Station) compared to the hefty 853g weight of its predecessor. ASUS repeatedly stressed that the PadFone 2 is lighter than Apple's new iPad, so the docked package is certainly comparable in weight to the best tablets on the market.

ASUS deserves plenty of credit for the design of both the Padfone 2 and the new Padfone 2 Station. The Padfone 2 has a larger 4.7in screen (up from the 4.3in display of its predecessor) yet is only 6g heavier at 135g. It's also thinner (9mm) than its predecessor and the tear-drop design means the phone is only 3.3mm at its thinnest point.

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/439321/asus_padfone_2_android_phone_preview_/