Tablets, which also exist in working life, are apparently enjoying growing popularity: Asus is trying to counter the top dogs Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and most recently Huawei with a large equipment package and a moderate price, trying to do something with the VivoBook 13 Slate. Does this work?
Robust appearance with good workmanship
This is evident at first glance. Although the overall height of eight millimeters is not significantly higher than the dimensions of the (high-priced) competition, the Slate 13 appears quite bulky with its angular design language. The decorative elements are also more reminiscent of a workshop.
The 13.3-inch display with not overly wide edges is used, so that the tablet is compact at 31 x 19 cm. However, the weight of 793 g is not exactly low. However, the processing of the whole is appealing. The metal frame surrounding the slate conveys robustness, and the back is also made of metal.
The decorative elements are reminiscent of the ruggedized class
Classic cut OLED
Asus advertises the display as a highlight: The panel based on OLED technology delivers rich colors and decent contrasts. In addition, the panel is kept quite classic. It has a diagonal of 13.3 inches and offers an aspect ratio of 16:9 with a Full HD resolution. The glossy surface tends to reflect.
OLED display: Full HD and crisp colors
The ASUS VivoBook 13 Slate is not a bolide
The processor is definitely a savings item in the VivoBook 13 Slate's overall concept. Intel's Silver N6000 delivers manageable performance with its four cores. The chip, which is clocked at 1.1 GHz as standard and has a maximum speed of 3.3 GHz, manages half the performance of the current mid-range notebook with 700 points in Geekbench, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is around 40 % about that.
The situation is similar with the GPU. Intel's UHD, which operates at 350 to 850 MHz, achieves about half the speed of an Intel Iris Xe GPU at best in the test runs of the GFX benchmark. This is also reflected in practice.
Asus VivoBook 13 Slate
Display: 13.3 inch, OLED, (Full HD, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels)
Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N6000
Graphics: Intel UHD
Memory: 8GB, LPDDR4X
Storage256 GB, SSD
Connections: 2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2
Wireless: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Battery: 50Wh
Package Contents: AC adapter, pen, keyboard cover, stand, case
Dimensions: 31 x 19 x 0.8cm
Weight: 0.793kg
Operating system: Windows 11 Home
Price: 749 euros
Despite the 8 GB of RAM, every time a function is started there is a small delay. Even the racing game "Asphalt 9: Legends" is no longer fun when playing on the couch due to the stuttering.
The narrow slot for the keyboard already indicates a shaky stand
Asus VivoBook 13 Slate: 256 GB SSD for data
For storing data, Asus provides an NVMe SSD manufactured by WDC. With transfer rates of around 2500 MB/s when reading and almost 1000 MB/s when writing, it is one of the slower representatives of the genus. In view of the slow processor, however, this is not particularly important.
The storage capacity is on a usable level at 256 GB. It can be easily expanded via a micro SD card.
Persistent in battery operation
With 50 Wh, the energy storage is one of the larger ones in a tablet. In addition, there is the rather slow processor, so that the bottom line is a long runtime. In the browser, just 13% of the energy reserves are required in one hour – these are values on the level of ARM SoCs. The VivoBook 13 Slate performs similarly well in more demanding applications. After an hour on the Asphalt 9 circuits, 76% of the capacity remains. That's easily enough for a classic working day.
ASUS VivoBook 13 Slate: Charging and peripherals work at the same time
The interface equipment is generally a problem with tablets if they are also to be used at the desk. ASUS still offers two USB Type-C ports on the Slate, so that wired peripherals can also be used while charging. With the 3.2 Gen2 standard, they are state-of-the-art. There is also a slot for micro SD cards. This also applies to the wireless options: WLAN 6 is available for network access, the Bluetooth module works on the basis of the 5.2 specification.
Thin keyboard cover with good keys
The touch display suffers somewhat from the slow hardware, because the sluggishness is quickly linked to the reaction of the screen. Basically, it does its job properly. This also applies to the stylus, which lies comfortably in the hand and is a useful mouse replacement with its two buttons.
The draftsman, on the other hand, will be bothered by the little pressure-sensitive tip. ASUS tries to counteract this with interchangeable tips that are supposed to simulate different pencil hardnesses – H, HB, and B are available – with different soft ends. But the result isn't really convincing – the B tip does indeed appear a bit softer, but it doesn't have much in common with a pencil's B hardness.
The keyboard leaves an ambivalent impression. The basis for the keys turned out to be very thin and accordingly easy to bend. In particular, this is the click mechanism of the generously dimensioned 13 x 6.5 cm touchpad, which reacts to almost every twisting and can even be triggered from the bottom. But you can't complain about the function. The keys have a fairly decent drop and a crisp pressure point, especially considering the design.
Camera hardly usable
As befits a tablet, Asus does not do without the camera in its VivoBook 13 Slate. But the 13 MP sensor on the back is disappointing across the board: The images are blurry and overexposed even in very good lighting conditions.
Everything included: ASUS even includes a bag with the tablet
Verdict on the Asus VivoBook Slate 13
With its VivoBook Slate 13, Asus offers a tablet that is positioned below the premium models from Apple, Microsoft and Samsung. 750 euros with the included pen, keyboard and a case are a statement for a Windows tablet. However, trade-offs have to be accepted. Some things can be accepted without any problems, such as the not quite so sophisticated design or the classic layout of the display. The lame processor is a bit more important.
Asus Vivobook Slate 13 weight test result
Design / Processing107
Display1512
Processor203
Storage103
Battery and consumption1010
Keyboard53
Connections102
Price / performance 2012
Total 10052
However, the competition in this class is currently not particularly great. The only real alternative when Windows is set as the operating system is the Huawei Matebook E, which has a slightly faster processor in the smaller configuration, but has less data memory. Bargains will find many potential competitors among the Chromebooks, some of which are significantly cheaper.
Per
Good displayGood battery lifePen, keyboard and case included
