Q: Does this refurbished tablet include "in the box" accessory as the new unit? What's in the Box: •ASUS VivoTabTM Smart ME400C Tablet •AC Adapter & Power Plug <== [important part] •User Manual •Warranty Card •Clean Cloth Thank you

The only thing in the box is the tablet and power cord and A/C adapter. The manual can be download from the ASUS web site. Be aware that this tablet comes with Windows 8.0 and you cannot update to Windows 8.1. The serial number for the tablet is on the shipping box and is different from the serial number in the BIOS. It is important to use the number on the box if you want to register the unit with ASUS.

Q: Does this come with a sleeve/stand to hold the tablet upright?

No mine didn't but it was a refurb. The tablet is competent and I like Win 8.1. I bought a holder with a bluetooth keyboard; it has a stand built in. I'm using this tablet to answer your question.

Q: What type of apps does this model use? is there an app so that I could use android apps on this model?

I download apps that are specific for windows. Most items are in windows format because it interfaces with desktop computers. Windows has a marketplace app within their programming for searching. It is interesting that there is a "kindle" app preloaded. My husband has a kindle which is difficult to find apps for, but we can share things through my kindle app on tablet. Also a benefit is that all Microsoft word, excel, office programs work on this tablet. if you are in to games it features Microsoft Xbox. I love my tablet. For the money, can't beat its functionality.

Q: Does this tablet still come with the microsoft office suite even though it is refurbished?

Nope, it didn't come installed on mine! But... its Windows 8 (not RT) so you can just install OpenOffice or whatever free alternative that you'd like on it, instead of buying Office for like 200 dollars! I didn't realize this until I got it and it made the purchase entirely worth while once I figured it out. With that being said, OpenOffice isn't made for touch screen, so it can be a little clunky - a keyboard and mouse fixes that though. I recommend it!

Q: Where is the UPC code that I need to include for the rebate?

I believe it is the white label on the side of the brown box. It has all the numbers required. This is what I've sent in with my rebate hope for the best I guess. Make a copy of it before you send it out you may need the number for warranty purposes.

Q: Does this refurbished model come with fully functional office as the new ones do?

Nope!!! I've been dealing with newegg since the day I purchased it. The warranty card that contains the office product activation key was not included with the package. I was told it was purchased as refurbished unit and if the activation code was missing I would have to deal with the vendor newegg purchased from. Are they serious???? My brother bought the same tablet on the same day and the activation code was missing as well.

Q: I just received this tablet. I haven't downloaded anything onto it yet, but it's telling me I only have 32.4GB available space. Is half the drive really full of bloat already?

Hello, half the drive is full yes, this space is taken by the Operating System plus a reserved partition used to restore your machine to factory settings in case of systems failure. I haven't seen any bloatware on my tablet really. Best thing to do is to buy a secure digital card (sdhc) 64gb or 32 which aren't that expensive to expand capacity. That should be enough for what this tablet is designed to do.

Q: Is there a manufacture warranty on this item?

Yes but its useless. I tried contacting Asus because I have never been able to upgrade mine to Win 8.1. The description says it already comes with 8.1, but it does not. I was willing to upgrade manually, but the Windows license that you get with the refurb product does not allow upgrading. It even locks out your windows after a few months !! I called Asus and they simply redirected me to microsoft, which we all know is a wasted effort.

Q: Has anyone installed Windows 7 Pro on this? If so, what are the downsides vs. Windows 8 (8.1)? I do know win8 is more 'touch friendly', but I find it annoying.

I have not but you should really give windows 8 a try on a touchscreen - a lot of the design decisions make sense when used with one. And for ~$200 why not give it a go? The only reason this isn't my primary laptop is because of habits being formed with desktop apps (which are awful on a touch screen) Having the desktop AVAILABLE when i need it is nice and all but I was surprised by how quickly I learned to avoid it (unless it's docked, of course)

Question 1

Does this include a keyboard and Microsoft office similar to a new Vivotab?

Accepted Answer

There was no keyboard or Microsoft Office package included with my purchase.  That was probably because the unit I purchased was listed as "refurbished".  Plus, normally, the unit itself comes alone with only the power supply and some paperwork and sort of a manual(?).

Many of the new models will come with a year subscription to Office 365, which actually includes some 2013 Office modules, such as H & S (Home and Student) Word and Excel.  That's a decent software package when it's included with the basic tablet purchase.  Usually, a touch keyboard will add another 75-100 dollars to the price.

Question 2

Does this refurbished tablet include "in the box" accessory as the new unit?

What's in the Box:
•ASUS VivoTabTM Smart ME400C Tablet
•AC Adapter & Power Plug <== [important part]
•User Manual
•Warranty Card
•Clean Cloth

Thank you

Accepted Answer

The only thing in the box is the tablet and power cord and A/C adapter. The manual can be download from the ASUS web site.
Be aware that this tablet comes with Windows 8.0 and you cannot update to Windows 8.1. The serial number for the tablet is on the shipping box and is different from the serial number in the BIOS.  It is important to use the number on the box if you want to register the unit with ASUS.

Question 3

Does this come with a sleeve/stand to hold the tablet upright?

Accepted Answer

No mine didn't but it was a refurb. The tablet is competent and I like Win 8.1. I bought a holder with a bluetooth keyboard; it has a stand built in. I'm using this tablet to answer your question.

Question 4

What type of apps does this model use? is there an app so that I could use android apps on this model?

Accepted Answer

I download apps that are specific for windows. Most items are in windows format because it interfaces with desktop computers. Windows has a marketplace app within their programming for searching. It is interesting that there is a "kindle" app preloaded. My husband has a kindle which is difficult to find apps for, but we can share things through my kindle app on tablet. Also a benefit is that all Microsoft word, excel, office programs work on this tablet.  if you are in to games it features Microsoft Xbox. 
I love my tablet.  For the money, can't beat its functionality.

Question 5

Does this tablet still come with the microsoft office suite even though it is refurbished?

Accepted Answer

Nope, it didn't come installed on mine!  But... its Windows 8 (not RT) so you can just install OpenOffice or whatever free alternative that you'd like on it, instead of buying Office for like 200 dollars!  I didn't realize this until I got it and it made the purchase entirely worth while once I figured it out.  With that being said, OpenOffice isn't made for touch screen, so it can be a little clunky - a keyboard and mouse fixes that though.  I recommend it!

Question 6

Where is the UPC code that I need to include for the rebate?

Accepted Answer

I believe it is the white label on the side of the brown box. It has all the numbers required. This is what I've sent in with my rebate hope for the best I guess. Make a copy of it before you send it out you may need the number for warranty purposes.

Question 7

Does this refurbished model come with fully functional office as the new ones do?

Accepted Answer

Nope!!! I've been dealing with newegg since the day I purchased it. The warranty card that contains the office product activation key was not included with the package. I was told it was purchased as refurbished unit and if the activation code was missing I would have to deal with the vendor newegg purchased from. Are they serious???? My brother bought the same tablet on the same day and the activation code was missing as well.

Question 8

I just received this tablet.  I haven't downloaded anything onto it yet, but it's telling me I only have 32.4GB available space.  Is half the drive really full of bloat already?

Accepted Answer

Hello, half the drive is full yes, this space is taken by the Operating System plus a reserved partition used to restore your machine to factory settings in case of systems failure. I haven't seen any bloatware on my tablet really. Best thing to do is to buy a secure digital card (sdhc) 64gb or 32 which aren't that expensive to expand capacity. That should be enough for what this tablet is designed to do.

Question 9

Is there a manufacture warranty on this item?

Accepted Answer

Yes but its useless. I tried contacting Asus because I have never been able to upgrade mine to Win 8.1. The description says it already comes with 8.1, but it does not. I was willing to upgrade manually, but the Windows license that you get with the refurb product does not allow upgrading. It even locks out your windows after a few months !! I called Asus and they simply redirected me to microsoft, which we all know is a wasted effort.

Question 10

Has anyone installed Windows 7 Pro on this?

If so, what are the downsides vs. Windows 8 (8.1)?

I do know win8 is more 'touch friendly', but I find it annoying.

Accepted Answer

I have not but you should really give windows 8 a try on a touchscreen - a lot of the design decisions make sense when used with one.  And for ~$200 why not give it a go?

The only reason this isn't my primary laptop is because of habits being formed with desktop apps (which are awful on a touch screen)

Having the desktop AVAILABLE when i need it is nice and all but I was surprised by how quickly I learned to avoid it (unless it's docked, of course)

Questions & Answers