Smartron t.book: Solid device with scope for improvement

At Rs 39,999, an ultraportable is a better bet if you need a more capable PC

Since the advent of hybrid/2-in-1 devices, I have been on the lookout for a tablet which could do double-duty as a notebook; well I was ready to forego the tablet option if it was a lightweight.

At the beginning of 2016, I came across the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, which I liked; but it was expensive. Then came Smartron. Backed by cricketing genius Sachin Tendulkar, the Hyderabad-based firm's t.book (Rs 39,999) seemed to tick all the right boxes. Thus, I got one in for review.

SMARTRON T.BOOK

• Price: Rs 39,999
• Screen: 12.2-inch IPS at 2,560 x 1,600p
• OS: Windows 10 Home
• Processor: 64-bit Intel Core M
• Storage: 128 GB, expandable via microSD (cards up to 128GB supported)
• RAM: 4 GB
• Camera (rear/front): 5MP/2MP

The device arrived in a nice cardboard box; seldom have I seen Indian firms spend much thought on smart packaging. The review sample came in silver with a burnt orange panel covering the top half of the back; in terms of heft, it weighed over a kilo. The device has 128GB storage on board and supports microSD cards up to 128GB.

The t.book, running Windows 10 Home, booted up fast and came bundled with a 30-day trial pack of Microsoft Office 2016. Thankfully, there was little else but Hubtron, which points to the company's web store and puts you in touch with customer support; and t.cloud, which backs up your data.

  The high-resolution 12.2-inch screen is sharp and vivid, but turns reflective the moment it is pointed at a light source; the oleophobic coating, while a nice touch, does pick up smudges. The keyboard is comfortable and spacious, though it's low on feedback. The trackpad, though, is extremely sensitive and a challenge to use; I ended up using the touchscreen for more accurate responses.

Propping the t.book on its kickstand - which, like the Surface, works best on firm surfaces and not on laps - I logged on to my home network easily. Then, I made a Skype call to my parents, with the two-megapixel (MP) camera. My parents could see and hear me clearly; however, while watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Netflix, both my wife and me felt the speakers could have been louder.

As for multi-tasking, there's no lag while switching between windows or after opening multiple tabs on the browser, possibly due to the 4GB of RAM. The t.book does heat up a bit while multi-tasking. The 5MP back camera is decent in well-lit conditions.

The t.book impressed me with its battery life; plus it can also charge other devices. I was able to get through a day with heavy browsing, video chats, charging and streaming; and of course writing.

But will I buy the t.book? I will, if a few niggles such as the touchpad are fixed. In case you need a more capable PC, an ultraportable is a better bet in the price range.