Asus Z380 tablet accessory tablet battery glitch

The Asus Z 380 is a nice tablet tablet with excellent audio (for a tablet). It’s a handy 8 inch size with a 1280 x 800 res 8 inch screen.

A feature is the range of clip-on accessories. Not only light plastic backs in a variety of colours, but  there is also a clip on hard protective cover. The full monty was  one that I thought I would like the most: a combined stand, speakers and extra battery. Great for when you go on a long trip.

But I was disappointed. It turns out that the tablet uses the internal battery in priority, barely calling on the clip-on battery. This continues until the internal battery runs down to 1% and then, even if the clip-on battery is well charged, the tablet powers down. When you recharge the whole thing, the clip on battery climbs up to 100% first, the internal battery afterwards. Then when you start using it, it’s the internal battery that is used, with the internal one staying at near 100%.

This looks not so much as a software bug as a design fault. I contacted Asus helpdesk about the issue, but their only suggestion was that the battery must have developed a fault and to return it. As the accessory was brand new, and seemed otherwise in good order, this is not likely unless Asus have a very major quality control problem. My own feeling is that it is a screw-up at the software design stage. This tablet has been on the market for almost a year and a half, and there is still no sign of a patch.

The details and manual for this accessory is on the Asus web site here

In short, DO NOT BUY this accessory!