New Asus Device Runs Both Windows and Android

taz346 writes "Asus has unveiled a new 11.6-inch tablet/laptop that runs both Windows 8 and Android Jelly Bean side by side, the BBC reports. The firm said 'users would be able to synchronise data between the platforms in order to enjoy a "smooth transition" between each mode.' Hmmm, I'm guessing one could also create another partition and install a full Linux distro as well, though there's no telling how UEFI might come into play."

Both computers can be used simultaneously

[Zouden]

One of the more interesting aspects about this device is that the keyboard-dock can be connected to an external monitor and used as a PC at the same time that tablet part is being used. It's essentially two independent computers that can be linked together to share peripherals and storage. I think that's quite an engineering feat.

Perfect for Windows Admin/Engineer Toolkit

[Jonah Hex]

Too many possibilities to list, but frankly I would love to use one of these as my mobile machine. Load it up with all the Windows and Android programs I currently find most useful and use them on a single device with a keyboard/mouse anywhere... I'll keep the large desktop setup of course, and while most of the servers are in datacenters elsewhere so I'm fairly sedentary this would be great for the local datacenter/lab setup instead of rolling the crash cart around. Ok I want it because it sounds like an all in one toolbox that I'll probably use far less than I'm thinking right now but damn it, I want one. - HEX

Re:android on a computer?

[quarterbuck]

My experience is the opposite, iOS has high quality niche stuff while android has none.
There are a lot of aviation apps for iOS - iPad specifically - stuff meant to be used by a General Aviation Pilot who has old vacuum gauges in his little Cessna, but wants a GPS map and flight planner. For Android similar apps are limited or when available are designed for the phone.
It has gotten so common that FAA recently approved an iPad as a certified cockpit accessory for commercial airline pilots - They don't need an iPad to look up a map, but they can use it to look up landing charts, checklists and other paperwork that they need to look up. For them it is a couple of less binders they need to carry around.

Re:android on a computer?

[BasilBrush]

I'd say the opposite. The Android "permissions at install" system is fundamentally broken. At the point of install you don't necessarily know the details of what an app does, nor why it might want to access certain resources. The right way to do it is to ask at the time the app first asks for a resource. That way you have context. You know what you asked the app to do, or the app can explain why it wants the permission.

Of course whatever way permissions are granted, there also needs to be a way to withdraw them from apps as well.