Tegra 3 is a pretty known quantity at this point, we’ve seen quite a few tablets and smartphones based on this chip and it’s been quite solid in all of them. Nvidia has done a good job executing with their mobile SoCs, and Microsoft choice of T30 to be the heart of their launch platform is a pretty significant hardware win for Nvidia. 

So with that said, how does the Tegra 3-Windows RT combination hold up versus the who’s who of the tablet world today? Well, that’s a bit complicated. As far as Windows RT benchmarks, we’ve got relatively few, so we’ll stick to some of our cross-platform JavaScript benchmarks, all of which happen to be browser-based. 

Mozilla Kraken Benchmark

RIABench Focus-tests

SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark 0.9.1

This is important to note, because in Windows 8 and Windows RT, there are of course two browsers. Both run the same IE10 engine, so performance is actually essentially the same - I had some margin of error level differences (~2%) that aren’t really worth reporting in the graphs. Compared to the third generation iPad, performance is a bit low due to to IE10’s JavaScript performance, and the A6X-based fourth generation iPad should only extend that lead (significantly) based on the performance of the A6-based iPhone 5. But trying to make cross-platform performance comparisons are kind of a waste here. 

Tegra 3 is fast enough to run Windows RT, but until we get some other comparison points and better ways to benchmark it, there’s not too much else to say here. Tegra 3 is adequate, but anything less and I could see parts of the UI (particularly in the desktop) becoming a drag. But given how well RT runs on quad-core Cortex A9, I’m just eager to see shipping devices with faster SoCs - Krait and Clover Trail in the coming weeks, A15 in the not-too distant future. 

ASUS VivoTab RT - Display All-Day Battery Life
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  • andykins - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Nah, I totally agree with Vivek's statement and I don't believe it's in any way inappropriate.
  • lmcd - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    I don't know what phrase of astonishment to use. He clearly said a Win 8 review is coming. Part of the experience is transitioning between the two modes, which is more specific to this laptablet (my hybrid term for the hybrid machines) and as such should be covered in this review specifically. Windows 8 reviews will come in Windows 8 reviews.
  • andrewaggb - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Might not be appropriate, but I strongly agree with his assertion. I'm using windows 8 on various machines and it's not a big deal at all. Truthfully I still prefer the start button because it was less jarring, but the actual start menu was a piece of garbage. I NEVER went into the tree mess to find something, I'd just type and search, and that works the same in windows 8 (almost), except you have to hit windows-w to search settings.
  • dananski - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    I agreed with this quote and was happy to see Vivek say it. I don't know why there's no option to start on the desktop when booting your PC, but tbh, it takes one click to get there and then you're back on your normal 'workflow' (unless you accidentally manage to open a Metro App and can't find your way out). Is one click a day worth all the complaining?
  • Pirks - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    right on Vivek! pwn those oldfags, reclaimers,etc

    that's EXACTLY my impression of Metro, glad smart reviewers like Vivek at last stated the truth here

    hehe I'll keep enjoiyng reclaimer's deep sucking of crapdroid cock. don't forget to swallow reclaimer :P RT is pwning ya oldfaggy ass as of RIGHT NOW LOL :)))
  • Pirks - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Vivek you're wrong, during recent Q&A with Surface team they clearly stated that they are being run as a profitable business from the start and hence no subsidies on the hardware, nothing at all. Hence the high Surface price of $499 and up. You should read that Q&A before spreading false rumors, thank you :)
  • VivekGowri - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Edited to reflect this - overall point is still valid though, they're probably taking back less profit than everyone else by design. And of course, no software licensing fees.
  • lmcd - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Why would they make the tradeoff AMD has to make when they had the S4 as an option? Or better yet, the S4 Pro? The timing was perfect! Optimus G released with it, why couldn't the VivoTab?
  • TrackSmart - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    Great review! One quick addition would make it better: Can you list the combined weight of the tablet with the laptop dock in your opening table? It would be great to quickly compare this to other form factors (i.e. laptops, netbooks, etc.)
  • karasaj - Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - link

    You mentioned that the processor load is kind of high for typing in office for example, or loading programs - how "smooth" is the feeling of the UI? I think you said at one point that Tegra three might have seemed laggy at one point but later it was "anything under Tegra 3 would be slow" so does it seem like Tegra 3 is sufficient to power the tablet/prevent any "annoying" slowdowns?

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