Named one of the world’s most admired companies by “Forbes” two years in a row, Asus has been in business since 1989. The company is known for making attractive, solidly constructed products that are a great value. If you’re in the market for a mobile device that’s larger than a cellphone, an Asus tablet is an excellent choice. This guide will outline the features, pros and cons of the best devices available from this company.
Plenty of people get by with their cellphone when they need to check email, do a quick search on Google or listen to music. However, it can become uncomfortable looking at a small screen for hours if you want to read eBooks, watch a movie or play games. If you think you’ll use a mobile device for more than an hour several days a week, it might be time to consider a tablet.
Amazon often has the best prices, but NewEgg is an online electronics store that also has a great selection. Retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart carry a number of Asus tablets that you can buy at their stores or on their websites.
In order to make our selection and rate each Asus tablet, we consulted professional reviews in publications such as “PC Magazine,” “CNET” and “Laptop Magazine.” We also checked customer feedback to discover how each device stood up to long-term use. We arrived at our ratings by assessing how well each model performs and long-term customer satisfaction.
This company’s budget tablets typically sell between $150 and $200. Asus also has models with stronger processors and more features, and these are priced between $200 and $300. Its most full-featured tablet can double as a laptop and costs around $500.
A Chromebook relies heavily on Google applications such as Gmail, Google Docs and Google Calendar. This is a thin, lightweight model with a 12.5-inch screen. It can be positioned in multiple ways because of the hinged design, which includes an attached keypad and trackpad. Two USB Type-C ports allow you to attach extra drives and monitors.
PROS
CONS
The best deal on this Chromebook is on Amazon at around $475. It’s also available on NewEgg for about $485 and Best Buy for closer to $500. There’s a one-year warranty that includes damage of any kind, even accidents caused by the user.
Designed for a pleasurable multimedia experience, the ZenPad 3S 10 boasts IMG GX6250 graphics and 4GB of RAM. There’s also technology to boost sound quality and virtual 7.1 surround sound. The display has a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels.
PROS
CONS
Buying this tablet on Amazon at around $290 will save you money when compared to NewEgg and Best Buy, which both sell it for $300. You’ll receive a one-year limited warranty.
The company has partnered with Verizon to offer an 8-inch tablet that’s cell-enabled. Designed for mobile entertainment, it has the same enhanced audio and screen resolution as the ZenPad 3S 10 but in a smaller form.
PROS
CONS
Since this is a Verizon exclusive, you can only purchase this straight from them or at a store authorized to sell their services, such as Best Buy. Retail price is $250, but you can get the ZenPad Z8s for $100 if you sign a two-year contract with Verizon. Asus provides a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
This 8-inch tablet has a sleek look and only weighs 0.7 pounds. It comes with Intel’s 64-bit Atom Z3530 Quad-Core processor and 2GB of RAM. There‘s also bundled software that enhances the display through customizable options, including a setting that makes the screen more comfortable when reading in low light.
PROS
CONS
As with most Asus tablets, this one comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Amazon has the best deal on the ZenPad S 8 at around $225, and NewEgg sells it for $275.
This is a well-priced tablet with an 8-inch screen and a MediaTek Quad-Core 8163 processor. The ZenPad 8 includes Asus’s proprietary user interface, which allows you to customize the standard Android interface with shortcuts, fonts and security functions.
PROS
CONS
This popular tablet is available from Amazon, NewEgg and Best Buy for a reasonable $130. The manufacturer’s warranty lasts for 12 months.
The Nexus 7 is an older tablet that’s still available. Since it’s Google-branded, the Android operating system receives constant automatic updates. It has a 7-inch screen, 2GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.
PROS
CONS
Walmart is currently selling the Google Nexus 7 for $130. On Amazon, you’ll find it at around $320. The tablet comes with a standard manufacturer’s one-year warranty.
This is the second of Asus’ 10-inch offerings. It’s essentially a ZenPad 8 with a larger screen. This tablet includes the company’s interface software as well as other programs that enhance its usability and display. Advanced sound technology is also standard in this model.
PROS
CONS
There’s a one-year warranty with this model that covers parts and labor. Amazon sells the ZenPad 10 for the lowest price at about $180. NewEgg and Best Buy aren’t far behind at $200.
This is Asus’ other 7-inch tablet that’s still being sold. The technology is a bit old with 1GB of RAM and a Quad-Core Intel Atom processor, but it still performs simple tasks well and is only 0.38 inches thick.
PROS
CONS
You can buy the Memo Pad 7 from both Amazon and NewEgg for around $80. Asus provides its standard one-year warranty with this model.
Product |
Product image |
Rating |
Specs |
---|---|---|---|
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price | ||
|
Check Price |
Asus is a solid company that makes quality products, so choosing the right tablet comes down to how you intend to use it. For people who want to replace their laptop, the Chromebook Flip C302 is the best choice, but it’s also the most expensive model. The best-value tablets are the ZenPad 8 and ZenPad 10, depending on whether you want an 8-inch or 10-inch screen. The ZenPad S8 and 3S 10 are better choices for those who love multimedia. If you don’t play many games and only watch an occasional movie, the older Memo Pad 7 will get the job done at a bargain price.