ASUS ZenPad 8 and S8 Tablet: Fashion and back cover with battery or audio speakers

Two new families of tablet enrich the list ASUS, with present of ZenPad 8 and ZenPad S8, very different from each other but united by accessories that nod to fashion but also practicality.

ASUS is definitely the Asian company can ” more daring “, also offering certain models from the first price, whether or tablet PC, but also some real gems that can surprise those who still believe that from the east cannot reach some kind of innovation or idea interesting. Since time is no longer so, and ASUS is definitely among the companies to watch in the course of events of international importance, especially when playing at home.

So, between systems all in one, smartphone and PC, here come two new tablet with 8-inch diagonal well kept and renovated in several technical aspects. ASUS ZenPad 8 and ASUS ZenPad S8 are actually very different, which is why we will analyze them one by one.

ZenPad 8, as well as ZenPad S8, a nod to fashion and makes no secret, as will be talking about accessories. Between the two, the one ” without the S ” is the one with characteristics and lower price, but not for this uninteresting. Let’s start by saying that the platform is an Intel Atom-x3 C3230RK, flanked by GPU ARM Mali 450 MP4, the amount of RAM from 1 GB or 2, primary storage 8 or 16 GB (but no microSD slot) and Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The display, in addition to the known diagonal 8-inch IPS LCD technology and 16:10, boasts a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels, while the two cameras are from 5 and 2 megapixels, respectively rear and front. Accessories are very interesting. From the point of view of design, there are models of cases very fashion (Zen Case), even in high-quality materials such as leather, but there are a few surprises like the detachable back cover that can be replaced with others that do not change only the color, but add functionality.

An example for Audio Cover, thanks to the built-in speakers that adds the power of speaker systems 5.1 to a tablet (with obvious limitations, it is clear). Power Case is instead a back cover that incorporates a second battery, total operating range of the tablet to something like 15 hours.

ASUS ZenPad S8 is more powerful, based on Intel Atom Z3580, assisted by a GPU PowerVR G6430 operating at 533 MHz, 4 GB of RAM; 16, 32 or 64GB of storage expandable via micro SD primary anyway; and from 8 and 5 megapixel cameras respectively for the front and rear. Also the display is different and not only in the resolution, now 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, but also for the 4: 3 aspect. Also in this case the operating system is Android Lollipop 5.0. The only drawback, in our opinion, the adoption of a single port USB 3.1 Type-C, then NO microUSB.

Both tablets adopt technology Tru2Life to further enhance the visual experience compared to how we used to. The technology analyzes each pixel to display brightness and contrast and suitable to increase the dynamic range and improve overall photo and video.

ASUS TruVivid also promises a step further to a mere question of quality hardware by impacting layer: instead of the usual 4 (glass, touch panel, air, LCD module) disappears and the air are two layers (there are no details available for now), making come to our eyes better quality. Prices and availability are not yet known.