Review of the Asus T100TA Transformer notebook

I have used my new "toy" for about two weeks now and I love it to bits. It is amazing how many different ways it transforms itself to suit my needs.

Form factor:
As a tablet, the screen itself weighs about 10% less than an iPad 3.
As a laptop, at just 1.44kg, it is about the lightest laptop you can find.
Assuming you are happy with a 10.1" screen (which I am), the display quality is impressive, albeit 1377x768 pixel in resolution and not full HD (but that's asking too much, considering I only paid less than AUD$600 for it). It even has touch screen.

Software:
It comes factory installed with Windows 8.1, and Microsoft Office Home Edition.
If you are into apps, Windows 8.1 has its app store to tap into.
If you are thinking of a Chromebook, just install Chrome and you can use it as a Chromebook.
For work, just switch into the regular Windows environment.

What makes this notebook particularly outstanding:
Processing speed. It uses the latest quad core Atom processor from Intel. I find this notebook performs just as well or better than my old desktop computer. Even when running photoediting in Lightroom.
SSD drive. In this age of cloud computing, who needs a large HDD drive? This notebook has 64GB SSD, which can be supplemented by another 64GB in a microSD slot. That is quite ample if you store your data in the cloud. I believe SSD is more robust than HDD when it comes to hauling the notebook around.

There is plenty more to say about why I so like the T100TA but I'll stop here before I drool over the keyboard.

Next: Motorola CloudBB Android computer

After my excitement of seeing the Android cameras (re: Samsung Galaxy Camera and Nikon S800C), here comes another Android gadget. This time it is from Motorola. Well done, Motorola! Finally, Motorola has pioneered what could be a game changing product, like the first time when it pioneered the mobile phone. Hopefully, this time this product turns into a money spinner for good old Moto.

This new Android gadget is called the Motorola CloudBB. It is basically an Android-based desktop computer, with wireless keyboard and mouse. I hope it doesn't stop at just being an entertainment device for viewing video and surfing the net.

I like working on a desktop environment when I write my blog, reply emails, or search the web for information. I also prefer to do word processing or spreadsheeting on a desktop with a proper keyboard and mouse. I am sure the Android apps are powerful enough for me and I don't really need any PC-based Microsoft office suite. PC-based computing is unstable, prone to malware, hard-disk crash, and system slowdown (unless you do regular housekeeping). It is so last-decade.

Unless you use heavy-duty PC-based software, an Android computer should be able to replace the needs of  a typical home user. What do you think?

Epson Workforce 645

I bought an HP print-scan-copy inkjet printer many years ago. The model is HP PSC 2310. It has served me flawlessly (i.e.no major catastrophe) for nearly ten years now and I am still using it to print, scan, and copy documents. I cannot recall how much I paid for it, but it must be about AUD$200 back then.

A few years later I bought a mono laser printer. It is an HP 1012. It is still in use after seven long years.

Both printers are still as good as the day I bought them and are still in constant use. The only reason to ever retire them is when I have to upgrade my Windows Xp to something newer. They have been around so long that the required software drivers are no longer provided by HP.

Recently I took an interest to look at the current crop of printers. It is amazing how the prices have come down! A monochrome laser printer can be had for less than $50, while a multifunction inkjet printer can also be had for even less.

Going upmarket a little, I narrowed my search to the Epson Workforce 645. The main features are:
print-scan-copy-fax; wireless and wired connection; double sided printing (duplex); auto document feed (ADF); 4 separate ink cartridges for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

What else I like about the Epson 645:
The body is matte, not shiny; the ADF can be folded up when not in use, giving a nice covered top; print straight from a mobile as well as normal PC; special Connect Email Print app (i.e. can print remotely simply by emailing a document to the printer).

I am sure there are other printers that are quite similar in feature and price. But as of now, I am already more than happy with what I am seeing to want to search any further. Not when I can get so much of a printer for just AUD$149.

Programs, browsers and apps

This blog is motivated by an article I just read in PC Magazine, written by John Dvorak called "It's an App World After All."

Back in the 70's, using a computer means opening up a program that has been developed in-house or through a third party software developer. Gradually this evolved into using commercially developed and mass marketed software, which reduced costs and increased standardization and ease of use. This was Microsoft's golden years, as this environment was very OS-centric.

In 1984 when Sun Microsystem started the mantra "The Network is the Computer", it must have triggered others to take online computing seriously. Ten years later in 1993 the first browser Netscape emerged. Many years after that, Google successfully challenged Microsoft for the computing throne. Browser-based computing is now as important as OS-centric program-based computing. Through the popularity of its search engine, Google took computing to its next era, leaving Microsoft befuddled behind.

Steve Jobs made app-based computing popular. Apps, short for "applets" (and nothing to do with little Apples) is now gathering momentum. People seem to be more at ease with buying and installing apps, than on buying and installing "programs". Even browser-based applications like Youtube and Facebook are finding their way to computer-illiterate people when packaged as an app. I have no doubt that apps-based computing is the new wave of computing.

Sharing photos in Dropbox

Whenever I take photos at a function, people often ask me to send their pictures to them. I used to think Facebook is good for this purpose, but due to privacy concerns, I now choose to do so via the "Photo" folder in Dropbox.

Facebook if great for sharing photos if you enjoy having your photos viewed by anyone and everyone. Many people are actually uneasy about this because it can potentially go viral. Also, many people feel that their safety is compromised by Facebook's endless linking of one person to another. Some people actually asked to have certain pictures deleted after viewing it, while others specifically asked for their photos not to be put on Facebook.

Dropbox, on the other hand,  is wonderful for sharing photos with ease and without encumbrances. When you sign up for an free Dropbox account, in addition to your own private folder, there is also a folder called "Photos". Create your own subfolder in here, copy the link (highlight subfolder>>Dropbox>>copy public gallery link), and email the link to your friends. Your friends can then view the photos easily, and choose to download any pictures they want and at the original resolution. You cannot navigate to any other subfolders (thus ensuring privacy), unlike sharing photos in any other online albums.

To see my sample photo subfolder, use this link I have copied: https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/27303918/1/20110831_sample%20photos?h=a052da

To see a full demo of Dropbox or to sign up for an account, go to:  http://db.tt/AdPBFQu

Semper Driver Backup

Even though I have a full image backup of my computer in case it crashes due to virus or hardware breakdown, I occasionally have to re-install the entire system from scratch. That is when I have to have all the drivers the system needs. Sometimes I have to google for it when I can't find it in my software collection.
 
Here is a useful little software that everyone should have. It is called Semper Driver Backup. It creates a backup all the drivers you need to run your program and peripheral devices. When you have done that, copy the entire folder (which is located in My Documents) to somewhere safe. The utility also allows you to restore drivers from the backup when needed.

It would be better if the backup is done automatically at a pre-set interval, but then this is a freebie. One cannot ask for more. Here is the website to download the software and to see a demo: http://www.sempersoftware.nl/products/semper-driver-backup

Dropbox

Here is a very useful little software that you can find lots of use for. Once installed on your computer, it exists as a little icon that opens like a normal folder. So you can think of it as a folder which resides both on your computer and in the cyberspace "cloud". Here are two major uses of Dropbox:

1. Synchronizing
You can install Dropbox on all your computing gadgets: laptop, smartphone, iPad or Android tablet. Once installed, you can place any file in Dropbox. You can access this file from any one of your computing devices. Each time a file in Dropbox is updated from anywhere, it is also synchronized to all your other devices. The file actually resides both in the cyberspace cloud as well as on each of your devices that has Dropbox.

2. Sharing
I find it particularly useful for sharing large files, such as a video recording or a whole bunch of photos. All you have to do is to put the file in the Public folder of your Dropbox. Then go to that file in Dropbox and right-click to get the link. Email this link to anyone. This will save you from emailing huge files to your friends, and they from having to wait for the download to complete. For handling many files, I find it useful to zip them up so that you only need to send one link.

Dropbox website: https://www.dropbox.com

Computer breakdown

I admit I didn't give much thought to the possibility of my computer breaking down. I pride myself in having an automated daily backup of all my files. I even do a periodic image backup of my C drive. Unfortunately, I have to accept the fact that my computer has now reached its end of life. It is dead. It started showing signs of deterioration a couple of weeks ago- a flicker here and there, unexpected slow down, etc. Now I have to admit it is time to move on to another computer. Although I am glad my files are all safe, I am not looking forward to re-installing all the programs and my favourite settings. As things go, the breakdown has to come at the most inconvenient time when I have a million and one things to do on the computer.

A moment of reflection: I have to admit the computer has become the single most important tool I have. Without it, I lose my regular contact with the outside world (email), my daily source of news and information (www), my electronic filing system, my digital darkroom (Lightroom and Photoshop), and my home financial management system (i.e. bill payments). Indeed, my life would need a major readjustment in order to go back to living without the computer. Would yours?

Is this the end of Microsoft?

Microsoft is noticeably absent from the biggest IT revolution in recent years, with not one, but three converging products simultaneously jostling for media attention during this pre-holiday season. I am talking about the smartphone, the tablet PC (including iPad), and the e-reader. This may signal the end of Microsoft's stranglehold on our computers. For 25-years, Microsoft has used its monopoly on the operating system to fend off competitors while milking the public for as much and as long as it could. That was only possible because people needed a common set of software to enable file sharing and work collaboration. IT users had to face constant compatibility issues if they used anything other than Microsoft products.

Mobile computing has changed all that. You just cannot have a phone that cannot communicate with another phone. As phones get smarter, they have to share pictures, video, and eventually documents, across different phone manufacturers. The phones evolved into tablets. E-readers just found itself dragged into the scene, although it started as a distinct product in one corner of the digital library world. Suddenly, these gadgets appear sophisticated enough to threaten the laptop and the desktop PC. One will soon be able to share files across different phone platforms, and make extensive use of the internet and cloud computing to free oneself from the shackles of the desktop PC and its inherent limitations. Apps make all the difference; people can now install and launch an app without knowing anything about the operating system layer. The OS layer, like bios commands, and like command line codes, will someday be reserved for troubleshooting purposes only. Without monopoly of the OS, Microsoft cannot command the $100+ price it charges.

Google made the Android platform and gave it away for free. Smartphone and tablet manufacturers trust Google enough to install Android as the OS in their devices. That's what is killing Microsoft. Even if Microsoft can successfully sell its Phone 7, it has already lost the chance to save itself. Soon, I predict the free OpenOffice will become a standard office suite, thanks to tablet PC's that are just about to become ubiquitous. At this rate, I wonder how long Microsoft can continue its hegemony.

Microsoft 's foray into the phone market

Microsoft is reportedly about to spend big in an attempt to break into the mobile phone market. They are telling people that they are going to spend US$400mil on the coming launch of the Windows Phone 7, and will probably spend into the billions when other costs are added up to support an ecosystem much like the Apple apps or the Android.

What do I think of this? I think it is a sign of desperation. This may be Microsoft's last attempt and belated effort to fortify its OS dominance by extending it from desktop to mobile phones. If it fails, the days of the OS stranglehold are over for Microsoft; Android-based products will start to overtake netbooks, and eventually even desktops . That is the reason for this desperate attempt with the Windows Phone 7 launch.

Microsoft is increasingly finding itself sidelined in the high tech race. Years ago, it tried to dominate the entire IT world by buying up any company that might grow into a threat. For some time it was able to rein in all competition due to its stranglehold on the computer's operating system. The IT world has since moved on, and Microsoft is chalking up more failures than success. Its attempt with the Zune to challenge the iPod failed to become a serious threat. Its Xbox has to work hard to keep its share of the games market. Its 15-year development of the "tablet PC" resulted in a few product launches but no takers, while Apple's iPad became an overnight sensation. That must have sent Microsoft's tablet PC development team into a serious bout of soul searching.

Now Microsoft is again trying to spend its way into the high tech fore. If history is anything to go by, I seriously doubt this will work unless it has a mobile phone product that can surpass what the best mobile phones can offer. About fifteen years ago Motorola cohorted with Apple to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into PowerPC advertisements, in an attempt to unseat Intel. In the end, consumers were not swayed and people still made their choice based on the CPU's performance. Microsoft is going to learn the same lesson too. Since it does not have a track record of surprising the world with any innovative products, chances are Microsoft is unlikely to pull a rabbit out of the hat this time.

Asus repair center in Melbourne

If you are using your laptop for work, how long can you afford to be without one? I sent my son's laptop for repair at the (one and only) Asus service center in Melbourne. When I handed it in I was told I would be contacted within a few days after they have made an initial assessment on what was wrong. Exactly one week of silence later, I called to find out. This time I was told it would be "up to 10 working days" for them to call.

Having used a laptop in my work for many years, I know it is very hard to be without the computer for even a few days, let alone to wait for 2 weeks (i.e. 10 working days) just to get an initial assessment report. I wonder if Asus' management knows about this.

There is really nothing a consumer can do about the service level except to take his business elsewhere. I have long admired Asus for their EeePC innovation and have always looked at it as the benchmark for netbook. However, with this experience, I think I won't be so quick to recommend it anymore. At least, not in Melbourne.

What I think of the iPad

Now the the iPad has reached Australia, I finally had a chance to try my hands on a display unit at the shops. It really feels good. Great toy. If you want to pamper yourself, go out and get one. It is both useful and entertaining.
a) It makes a great picture viewer. You'll have to spend about $250 to get a picture viewer of the same size.
b) It also makes a great ebook reader. Though I don't read a lot of books, the iPad might just turn me into a bookworm. The thought of being able to carry all the magazines and books in one little iPad is very appealing.
c) Of course, to have the internet access wherever and whenever you feel like it... what more can I say?

Would I buy one now? No. I am waiting to see what all the competitors are going to come up with in the next few months. Particularly the ones based on the Android system.

Will Google stand up to the iPad?

Google has been strangely silent about the iPad, but I predict that it will have to respond to it somehow. After all, the Google's Android is pretty much an obvious attempt to unseat the iPod and the iTunes apps store. At the same time, Bill Gates of Microsoft must be wondering why he failed miserably while Apple is buoyant with success. The mighty Microsoft has spent 15 years and made several attempts to produce a tablet PC, none of which has come close to seeing daylight. The iPad, on the other hand, couldn't even find its way to the market shelf without being snapped up by pre-orders.

Somebody has to come up with a formidable challenge to the iPad. It has to happen. Will it be Sony, Acer, HTC, Nokia, Motorola, Amazon, or Microsoft (with its umpteenth attempt at it)? All of these companies have a portion of their business at stake to defend against the iPad onslaught. It is even more bewildering to think that the technology is not exclusive to Apple: touchscreen LCD screen and so on... not such a big deal, really. So why hasn't anyone succeeded?

Google is the only company that managed to tame Microsoft, so I think again it is the only company that can tame Apple. I am waiting to see Google's respond to the iPad. When that happens, I am sure Apple will certainly sit up. I will.

Two monitors are better than one

I have an assembly of mismatched computer accessories on my work top; and I love it. I have two different monitors, an old beige keyboard from bygone era, a Wacom tablet with a pen input device, and a mouse that came as a free gift. The assortment looks quite charming in its own way.

It all started with wanting to learn more about Photoshop from video tutorials. I took an old 15" monitor from our server. My son, who I must admit is much more adept at computers than I am, gamefully set up everything for me. My computer's motherboard already has 2 monitor sockets, so I did not have to spend a penny. I can now watch the tutorials "live" while following the steps on the other monitor. I have tried this out and it is really a breeze.

As for the server, well I had it connected to the monitor of the computer next to it (two CPU's to one monitor). The server is seldom used directly, but when a monitor is required, I just need to press a button to switch computers.


Here's a picture of my workspace.

Wacom multi-touch tablet

Shortly after I bought the Bamboo Fun tablet, I told a friend that it would be nice if the tablet had a touch pad just like what you find on a laptop computer. A little bird must have heard me and told Wacom about it. What do you know, just 2 days ago Wacom announced their new multi-touch technology. The second generation Bamboo Fun tablet now works both as a touch pad and as a pen input device, all for about the same price as what I paid earlier. With it also comes the Corel Painter 4, as well as the latest release of Photoshop Elements (Elements 7 for Windows).

That's it, this is a must-have device for one of these people:
1. those who need a pen input device for Photoshop, like me.
2. those who want a better input device than a mouse, like me.
3. those literally in pain from using a mouse (repetitive stress syndrome), like me.

Go out and get one. I recommend the Bamboo Fun range. Choose the smallest pad. It is cheaper, takes up less space on your table, and you can move your cursor faster across the screen. Only a graphics artist has any need for anything larger than the smallest tablet.

Developing an application

In the early days of the computer (circa 1970's), we all learned to write programs using Fortran. It was a time when every company believed in developing in-house applications. In time to come, the applications became standardized and a few big software developers dominated the scene. As applications got bigger and more complex, it required a big team of programmers many years to develop each application. Hence, it was no longer feasible for an small team of programmers to create in-house applcations other than for simple straighforward tasks.

Now it looks like the scales are tipped once more. With the advent of the iPhone and Android platform, budding programmers can once more write small applications that are marketable. It is an exciting change. Thousands upon thousands of "apps" can be purchased for a few dollars each to run on mobile platforms (i.e. mobile phones). I am excited by the prospect of a harmonized computing environment where applications can run interchangeably on a mobile phone, netbook, laptop, or desktop. These cute little apps can be used at home or carried around in the pocket. As for DIY programmers, they can once more publish, flourish, and get rich without the threat of Microsoft trampling all over them.

Back on the internet

It is good to be back. What is it like to be without the internet for 2 weeks? You'll have to try it to see what modern life is like without the internet. For me, I felt like I was in detention class. I did miss writing a blog now and then. When a thought worth sharing comes to mind, it soon evaporates when not put into blog immediately.

I missed using my VOIP phone. Or rather, I missed the cheap calls I could make with VOIP.
I missed getting all the online news, and being "connected" with friends on email.

Well, in the last 2 weeks, I upgraded my computer to Quad Core. I have not really tested how much faster I could do my video rendering on this new upgrade as compared with my previous 4 year old duo core processor. However, the real attraction of the upgrade was the Express Gate feature that came with the new Asus motherboard. This enables me to turn on a Linux-based browser in 5 sec from bootup. It is just a fun thing, but not really a killer function. So don't go upgrading your computer just to get this feature.

As for whether my new service provider TPG is better than iPrimus, my first day on TPG hasn't been great. Lot of service interruptions. Good thing I only signed up for a year. I know many of my friends say they are happy with TPG. perhaps the area they live in that's less problematic than mine. I cartainly can't give TPG a good recommendation. In comparison, iPrimus wasn't that bad, other than costing a little bit more.

The trend in mobile computing

It is reported that ARM, which makes the CPU chips that power most of the smartphones and PDA's, has sold about 10 billion chips. In comparison, the much better known CPU giant Intel, has only sold 1-2 billion to date. The gap is expected to grow wider all the time. ARM chips run on low power consumption. They are designed for mobile computing. As they grow more powerful, they begin to take on applications that emulate what goes on the desktop. HP and Asus have said they will use the ARM chip on their new line of netbooks. It will be interesting to see Symbian apps running on the netbooks. Intel and Microsoft no longer has complete dominance over the computing world.

People do not need a powerful CPU. Smart phones and Linux-powered netbooks have shown that almost all the applications a typical user needs can be satisfied by a small application running on a small little CPU. The only reason why we are pushed into buying increasingly powerful computers is solely to run more and more bloatware. The mother of all bloatware comes from Microsoft (think Vista, Microsoft Office). Of course, companies like Adobe and Nero also seems to have taken the cue from Microsoft. They bloat up their software with each new release, yet the basic functions used by most people has remained unchanged for years. Of course, Intel obliges with more and more powerful CPU's, which dovetails nicely into their business plan, of course. Of course, I can't use an ARM-powered computer today to run Photoshop and videoediting. But believe me, I am still running these applications on my 6-year old 2GHz Pentium 4, with Windows XP platform. I see no reason to upgrade anything unless I have decided to become a professional graphics artist or a movie producer. And I need but just one computer to do that.

Google has recognized this trend by coming out with the Android platform for mobile computing. This is a direct challenge to Symbian, which is also an open standard. The new Android phones are expected to become widely accepted as more apps are made available. If Android captures the market and expands to netbooks, Microsoft will be consigned to a niche market. Be afraid, Microsoft; be very afraid.

Google launches Chrome browser

Good for Google. Good for the rest of us, as there's one more choice of browser. However, it has suddenly dawned on me that while Chrome, Opera, and Firefox are all free browsers, can we say the same for Internet Explorer?

IE is bundled into the OS that Microsoft is selling for a very high price. If Microsoft is willing to sell each individual application separately, surely it cannot justify the astronomical sticker price. I would be happy to pay, say US$29.99 (somehow retailers like "99") for a stripped down, bare-essential XP. Then I will install all the freeware to run virus protection, disk defragmenter, multimedia player, picture viewer, CD burner, etc. Many of the freeware are as good, if not better, than Microsoft's. People are paying good money for nothing, because they cannot buy just the bare essential OS. Microsoft would like the market to think they get all the extras for free, but are they free? Governments should force Microsoft to breakdown the individual applications and allow consumers to pick and choose what they want to buy.

iGoogle and Google Desktop

I cannot understand why anyone would want Google Desktop if he can have iGoogle. I must be missing something. Google Desktop has to be installed and personalized on your computer, whereas iGoogle is akin to having your own personalized login webpage. Both give you the same ability to install or remove the Google gadgets, so what gives? With my iGoogle set up, I can go to any computer, log in to my account, and see all the apps I have installed, including Gmail, Calendar, Google docs, weather, Pick of the Day pictures, news feeds, etc.

If you have not tried either, I suggest you give iGoogle a go. You'll be surprised what you have missed out. While you are at it, switch to Firefox browser. Oh yeah, sign up for the Foxmarks bookmark synchronizer too. Download OpenOffice as well. Er.... maybe you can now drop Microsoft a note to say you won't need them anymore. Yes, if you do all of the above, you may be ready to switch to Linux and not feel any great loss.