30
Nov
transformer-prime1

ASUS Officially Reveals The Transformer Prime's Release Date – It's Not December 8th, But Close Enough

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Tablets
Last Updated: August 2nd, 2012

Adding to the heap of Transformer Prime mania, ASUS has revealed to us the official release date for one of the most hotly anticipated Android tablets to date.

ASUS tells us that the Transformer Prime, (the world's first Tegra 3 tablet), should be available starting December 19th in North America (the previous estimate of December 12th has been ruled out, in an update from ASUS), with a rumored December 1st release date in Taiwan. European and Asian markets are expected to formally announce availability soon.  ASUS also mentioned a 3G model headed for the US, but did not specify a release date just yet.

30
Nov
wm_DSC_0614

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.

wm_DSC_0598 wm_DSC_0630 wm_DSC_0610

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.

30
Nov
ASUS-Transformer-Prime

ASUS' Transformer Prime Shows Up On Nenamark, Blows All Other Tablets Out Of The Water

Posted by in Android OS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Tablets

Giving would-be Transformer Prime owners one more thing to drool over, the first Tegra 3 tablet has made an appearance on Nenamark's site, alongside just about every other Android device in existence. For those not in the know, Nenamark is a graphics performance benchmark for Android, and maintains a great reputation for accuracy.

image

As you can see, the Transformer Prime's nearest tablet competitor is Samsung's GT-P6210, aka the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus. The original Transformer tablet is far down the list, making it clear that the Transformer Prime is an absolute beast in terms of graphics performance.

Of course, benchmarks don't always translate perfectly into real-life performance, but until we have our full review published, check out our hands-on look at the Transformer Prime to find out what kind of impression this slender tablet makes.

28
Nov
PR-ASUS-Eee-Pad-Transformer-Prime-front-Amethyst-Gray_thumb1

ASUS Transformer Prime Release Date Possibly Outed By NewEgg, Could Be Available On December 8th

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

While we have basically all of the info about the ASUS Transformer Prime, we are missing one of the most important details of all: the release date. ASUS has yet to unveil this last detail, but Newegg is pegging the Prime for a December 8th release date on its pre-order page.

2011-11-28 12h47_07

While Newegg is usually a pretty reliable source that isn't quick to just slap a random date on device pre-orders, I would still take this with a grain of salt until ASUS makes the announcement itself. Of course, this date is definitely within reason, as ASUS has already told us to expect the official unveiling in early December.

28
Nov
PR-ASUS-Eee-Pad-Transformer-Prime-front-Amethyst-Gray_thumb1

ASUS Releases Source Code And User Manual For Hotly Anticipated Transformer Prime

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Announced earlier this month, the ASUS Transformer Prime is the world's first quad-core Tegra 3 device and it is truly a beast. But don't take our word for it, check out NVIDIA's demo of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running on the device.

The US product page of the device went live a few days ago, and developers and other enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the official source code and user manual for the Transformer Prime are now also available via the "download" section.

The source code is version 8.8.3.23, as of 2011.11.24, and weighs in at about 90MB.

23
Nov
image

[Video] First Hands-On With Asus' Transformer Prime Surfaces – Just As Sleek And Fast As We Expected

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News, Videos

It seems like Asus' Transformer Prime has been constantly making headlines since before it was announced. Giving those looking forward to the tablet/netbook hybrid another bit of news to drool over, the first hands-on video of the Prime has surfaced on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/ZHaczwP3nHI

It's worth noting that the tablet featured in this video is pre-production – it's running Android 3.2.1., and using hardware that may not be finalized for production or sale. That being said, it looks just as sleek, fast, and powerful as we expected, and did you notice the benchmark? It seems the Transformer Prime scores somewhere around 11,000 with AnTuTu Benchmark, light years ahead of even the Galaxy Nexus.

23
Nov
P_500

[Update: Now Available For Pre-Order From Other Retailers] Official ASUS Transformer Prime Site Goes Live, Pops Up On Amazon For Pre-Order

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Update: Looks like it's now available for pre-order from several other retailers in the US and Canada, including Best Buy, TigerDirect, B&H, and GameStop. Go here for more info.

2011-11-23 11h43_21

We've been talking about it for a couple of weeks now and have even seen some nice hands-on action and a video, but, finally, the official site went live for for the ASUS Transformer Prime last night. In case your memory is failing you, here's a quick refresher on this sexy beast of a tablet:

  • 8.3mm thick
  • Weighs 86g 
  • NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 Quad-core CPU
  • Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb (4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Upgradable)
  • Full QWERTY keyboard with touchpad and USB port, while also extending the battery to 18 hours when combined with the mobile dock
  • Ultra-wide 178⁰ viewing angle and ultra bright Super IPS+ panel protected by scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass
  • MicroSD Card Reader
  • Micro HDMI port
  • 8MP rear auto-focus camera with LED flash and back-illuminated CMOS sensor

And here is that video of it running Ice Cream Sandwich:

You can check the official site for the full workup of in-depth features and specs, of which there are a lot, as well as check out some sexy pictures of the new tablet.

22
Nov
295490286

NVIDIA Gives Us The First Look At Android 4.0 On A Tablet, Teases ICS On The ASUS Transformer Prime

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News

You know what you need on a Tuesday morning? Some news about three of the most anticipated things coming out before the end of the year all wrapped into one video: the ASUS Transformer Prime, the Tegra 3 processor, and Ice Cream Sandwich.

After the release of the Ice Cream Sandwich source code, the guys at NVIDIA got together with the Prime crew from ASUS to get a build working on the Prime as quickly as possible. Once that was finished, they decided to shoot a nice teaser video to whet our appetites just a little bit more. Check it:

This is the first time that we've actually seen ICS running on a tablet, and it's already clear that it works very similar to Honeycomb.

16
Nov
asus-smart-cover-eeepad-tf201

Awesome New Accessory For ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer Prime Surfaces – A Magnetic Cover Inspired By Origami

Posted by in Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

It looks like those of us who are getting amped up for the release of ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer Prime have one more thing to look forward to – an awesome magnetic folding cover  which will attach to the Prime's aluminum frame and fold up to hold the tablet in portrait or landscape orientation, at a variety of angles.

asus-smart-cover-eeepad-tf201_3-600x338 asus-smart-cover-eeepad-tf201_4-600x319

This cover is, no doubt, inspired by the popular cover Apple introduced with the iPad 2, but puts an interesting twist on the concept, adding a few folds, and giving the case the overall appearance of an origami sculpture. I'll be the first to admit that I am envious of the iPad's Smart Cover, and it looks like this will provide a great alternative for those who plan on picking up a Transformer Prime.

11
Nov
asus-logo

Tegra 3-Packing Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Gets The Hands-On Treatment

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News

Brace yourselves. The quad cores are coming.

Some lucky person got their hands on an Asus Transformer Prime, with a real life Nvidia Tegra 3 inside. For those who haven't heard, the Transformer is kind of a big deal. It's Asus' 2nd gen tablet/laptop hybrid (the base disconnects), and it looks to be the first ever Android device with a quad core processor.

Asus-Eee-Pad-Transformer-Prime-27

The T-Prime, doing what all internet connected devices were meant to do: display pictures of cats.

Naturally, the state of the art processor means this is a blazing fast device. The reviewer says the sound is pretty good too.

Page 6 of 7«First...34567