01
Jul
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A Buyers' Guide Look At The Asus Transformer Pad (TF300), Prime (TF201), And Infinity (TF700)

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Tablet Reviews, Tablets, Transformer Pad 300, Transformer Pad Infinity

With the flagship Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700) release right around the corner and the release of the budget-oriented Transformer Pad (TF300) a few months ago, Asus has filled out it's line-up of 10" quad-core Android tablets. Obviously, most people would opt for the highest of the high-end (that'd be the TF700) if they were just looking to blow money. Unfortunately, most people aren't just looking for ways to spend as much money as possible, so instead, they spend enough to cover their needs.

First, I've provided a handy-dandy chart to let you compare the major (and some of the minor) talking points of each tablet.

25
Jun
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Asus Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700 Wi-Fi) Review: At The Crossroads Of Pixels And Power

Posted by in News, Tablet Reviews, Transformer Pad Infinity

Fun fact: a 1080p display packs 2,073,600 pixels. The Asus Transformer Pad Infinity (or TF700)? 2,304,000 - or 230,400 more. Most 1080p HDTVs are somewhere around 40-60 inches. The TF700 checks in at just 10. Compared to a 40" HDTV, that's 111% of the pixels in a package that's 6.25% of the size.

The screen may be the real headline feature with the Infinity, but it's not the only one worthy of note. It's still powered by NVIDIA's Tegra 3 "4-PLUS-1" CPU, but it's a newer revision that packs a little more punch. The RAM, too, has seen an upgrade, and the screen is now protected by Gorilla Glass 2.

22
Feb

ASUS Releases Transformer Prime Bootloader Unlock Software, Now Available For Download

Posted by in ASUS, Development, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Early last month, it was revealed to much outcry that the Transformer Prime had a locked bootloader. Angry customers took to the forums to vent and started a petition to get Asus to change its stance. And just 24 hours later, that's what happened, with Asus promising an unlock tool down the road.

Today Asus delivered, with the unlock tool hitting the TP's support site:

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TL;DR: Caveat emptor.

The company strongly suggests customers stay away from unlocking the bootloader, stating:

You also acknowledge ASUS does not guarantee service satisfaction to any Revised Product, including events involving paid service requested by you to be performed to the Revised Product.

17
Feb
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New Transformer Prime Update (9.4.2.14) Rolling Out Now - Little Official Word, But Reports Of Better Battery Life And Speeds

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Just 9 days ago, Asus rolled out an update for the quad-core Transfomer Prime that brought things to build 9.4.2.13. Today, a new (apparently incremental) was released that brings things up to 9.4.2.14. The only official word we have on the update is from Gary Key, Technical Marketing Manager at Asus, in an XDA thread:

.14 will be released tomorrow (US/TW, WW/DE/Others early next week) ,should solve the power problems that some users experienced after the .13 update.

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Early downloaders are reporting that lower power states (such as when the device is idling) are back, which is resulting in better battery life.

13
Jan

[Update: Gone] [Deal Alert] Asus Transformer Prime 32GB For Just $400 + Free Store Pickup At HH Gregg

Posted by in ASUS, Deals, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Update: Looks like it was a pricing error, as the listing has been pulled. Bummer, dude.

The tour de force Asus Transformer Prime (which I reviewed in early December and came away highly impressed by) is listed at HH Gregg for just $400 - that's both in store (if you can find it one available, anyway) and online, too. That may not seem like seem like a bargain for the uninitiated who are more accustomed to the $400 price tag of the original Transformer, but keep in mind that this is the newer, much sleeker, and much more powerful Tegra 3-touting Prime model, which normally retails for $500.

20
Dec
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[Head To Head] Asus Transformer (TF101) Versus Asus Transformer Prime (TF201): No Surprises Here - Prime By A Landslide

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Tablet Reviews

Although we heard rumblings that the Prime would be delayed, some lucky customers have already received their Asus Transformer Primes, and it was briefly available (again) on Amazon before quickly selling out (again). Based on the universally glowing reviews (including my own), you're probably well aware by now that the Prime is a truly excellent piece of tech. But how does it compare to its older brother, the Transformer (TF101)? Is it worthwhile for TF owners to upgrade to the TP?

The Specs

Before diving in, let's run over the Prime's specs:

  • 10.1-inch 1280x800 Super IPS + display with Gorilla Glass
  • 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor with 12-core GPU (up to 1.4GHz in single-core mode)
  • 1GB RAM
  • microSD slot and microHDMI port (with support for 1080p video output) on tablet
  • SD card slot and USB port on dock
  • 8MP F2.4 rear shooter with 1080p video recording and continuous flash, 1.2MP front camera
  • Tablet: 8.3mm thin, 263mm wide, 180.8mm tall, 586g (1.29 lbs)
  • Dock: 8 - 10.4mm thin, 263mm wide, 180.8mm tall, 537g (1.18 lbs)
  • 12 hour battery life playing 720p video, 18 hours with keyboard dock
  • Metallic spun finish
  • Two available colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold
  • Android 3.2.1 - will be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as soon as possible after release

Size and Build

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Dimensions and build quality are probably the two most significant factors in tablet purchases for casual consumers, so it should be no surprise that Asus placed an emphasis on how thin and light the Prime is.

04
Dec
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[Weekend Poll] Now That The First Quad-Core Tablet Has Landed, Would You Still Buy A Dual-Core Tablet?

Posted by in Polls, Tablets

This is the latest in our Weekend Poll series. For last week's, see What Is Your Ideal Tablet Screen Size?

In light of the slew of Asus Transformer Prime (the first tablet to pack NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 CPU) reviews and the pending release of said device, we are curious to know: would you still buy a dual-core tablet? Perhaps you would, but only for a secondary/budget tablet? Or only if it were smaller? Sound off in the poll below, and head down to the comments to share your thoughts.

Now That The First Quad-Core Tablet Has Landed, Would You Still Buy A Dual-Core Tablet?

02
Dec
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[Review] Asus Transformer Prime: Smarter, Better, Faster, Stronger

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Features, News, Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Tablets
Last Updated: December 8th, 2011

The Asus Transformer Prime: the first Android device to ship with a quad-core chip, courtesy of NVIDIA's brand new Tegra 3 (Kal-El) CPU. But there's more of a hook here than power alone - Asus has gone back to the drawing board for the Prime (model number TF201) and revamped the device from nearly head to toe compared to its predecessor, the TF101. It's substantially thinner, lighter, and more attractive than the rather portly 101, while packing a much more powerful CPU, better display, and reportedly better battery life. But can they really improve upon all those aspects without cutting any corners?

30
Nov
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ASUS Transformer Prime Initial Impressions: Four Isn't A Prime Number, But It Sure Feels Special

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Reviews

Around midday yesterday, I received my review kit for the Transformer Prime, complete with dock, wireless gamepad, and HDMI cable - meaning I'm well equipped to take a deep dive into the hottest new tablet to hit stores. But to be completely honest, an in-depth review on a product this brand-spanking-new requires more hands-on time than can be had in two days. The full review will be up on Friday, but in the interim, enjoy the initial impressions and gadget porn below.

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First up, let's run over the specs, largely from our official announcement post:

  • 10.1-inch SuperIPS + display with Gorilla Glass
  • 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor with 12-core GPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • 32GB or 64GB internal storage with microSD card slot
  • microHDMI port
  • 8MP F2.4 rear shooter with continuous flash for video recording, 1.2MP front camera (1080p camcorder!)
  • 8.33mm thin
  • 586g (1.29 lbs.)
  • 12 hour battery life playing 720p video, 18 hours with keyboard dock
  • Metallic spun finish
  • Two available colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold (show below, respectively)
  • Android 3.2.1 - will be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as soon as possible after release
  • $499 for 32GB model, $599 for 64GB, and $149 for the dock
  • North American availability is expected to begin the week of 12/19 - this is straight from Asus's mouth in the Prime details that were sent to us (and again confirmed a few hours ago), contrary to the other "official" date of December 8 that we heard earlier today.

10
Jun
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Transformer Owners: Use These Handy Widgets To See The Battery Level Of Your Dock

Posted by in Apps/Games, ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer, Tips & Tutorials

The ASUS Transformer is a nifty piece of tablet kit, particularly because of its super-awesome keyboard dock that comes with its own extended battery. But Transformer owners have complained that they're essentially left in the dark about the status of the dock's battery - because by default the only battery status displayed is that of the tablet itself. This means that you'll just see a nice, full battery for hours on end until suddenly your little green bar starts to drop precipitously, indicating the dock has finally run out of juice.

Some would say this doesn't matter that much, but I can empathize - I'm kind of an info-nut myself, I like to know what's going on with my device, and if I had an external battery, I'd want to know the remaining power figures.

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