Asus Malaysia kindly dropped me a CNY gift just a few days prior to the celebrations.
Oh yeahhh.. it’s the Eee Pad Transformer Prime!
It was launched just a week back and I was the only blogger to get a review unit so far. I shared this awesome opportunity with Vernon (who did a video here) and my good techie friend Kelvin (@l0rDKadaj).
I found out soon enough why everyone (ok, almost everyone I know at least) looked forward to the launch of the Asus Transformer Prime. It is primarily the world’s first tablet with Quad-Core Processor.
Oh, don’t worry. I’m not about to spurt tech jargons here. Let’s just say it means that the processor is very very fast. And “Quad” representing “four of something”.
So basically, if you read on any other specifications of other tablets in the market, you will come across the terms “single core” or “dual core”. The Transformer Prime’s processing speed is 4X faster, which of course translates to smoother browsing, better multi-tasking capabilities (having multiple applications active at the same time) and generally superior performance in running applications.
All that is in theory of course. You must be wondering if it’s as miraculous as marketing and advertising has lead us to believe.
Well, I have been toying with it and it has not disappointed so far. Then again, I used it for light browsing, blogging and basic emailing. The preinstalled SuperNote application is able to take, draw or record notes; while Polaris® Office is great for productivity as it gives users the ability to read and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint (MS Office 97-2007 version compatible) files. All that will be reviewed in due time.
I have been showing it off at all the open houses this week. LOL. Yes, the Transformer Prime is a real beauty. It’s sleek, it’s solid and it’s boasts of a gorgeous exterior with metallic spun finish design made of aluminum.
Another reason why it made headlines was also because it is a tablet cum netbook.
On its own as a tablet, it’s 8.3mm thin and weighs in at a mere 586g. It has a very solid vibe and I find the size just nice for light work.
I’m afraid the 8MP rear auto-focus camera dídn’t quite impress me with its quality. I’ll be posting the pictures taken on my next post.
When combined, the weight of both the docking station and the tablet is heavier than my Acer Aspire S3, an ultrabook. Eekks!
Hence generally I go around with the tablets only but for longer blogging periods I’ll work with it docked on its station as I’m not used to typing on touchscreens.
Sigh, íf only if it was as light as an ultrabook. It might be capable enough to replace my need for an ultrabook. Oh, which reminds me, I must post up a picture of the weight (both dock and tablet) on the digital scale I used.
Below: Slide it to detach the tablet from the mobile dock.
Below: View of the base of the mobile dock.
The Asus Transformer Prime is only available in one model (32GB, WIFI, with both tablet and mobile dock) and it’s price in Malaysia is RM2,199.
And the accessory, i.e. TranSleeve will be available after the Chinese New Year break, priced at around RM159.
Specifications:
| Display | 10.1″LED backlit screen with Super IPS+ (1280 x 800) 10 finger multi-touch, Corning® Gorilla® Glass | |
| Operating system | Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb (upgradable to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich) | |
| CPU | NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core CPU | |
| Memory | LP DDR2 1GB | |
| Storage | 32GB (1) EMMC + 8GB lifetime free ASUS WebStorage | |
| Wireless | 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR | |
| Camera | 1.2MP (front)/8MP auto-focus (rear) with LED flash, large F2.4 aperture | |
| Interface | Pad: 2-in-1 audio jack (headphone/mic-in); 1x micro HDMI port; 1x micro SD card reader; 1 x internal microphone; 1 x stereo speaker | Mobile dock:1 x USB 2.0 port; 1 x SD card reader |
| Sensors | G-sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, E-compass, GPS | |
| Flash support | Yes | |
| Multitasking | Yes | |
| Special apps | ASUS launcher, @Vibe Music, ASUS WebStorage, MyLibrary, MyNet, MyCloud, file manager, ASUS sync, SuperNote, App Locker, App Backup, TegraZone, Polaris® Office | |
| Battery | 12 hours; 25Wh li-polymer battery (2)18-hour pad with dock ; 25Wh (pad) and 22Wh (mobile dock)
Li-polymer battery (2) |
|
| Dimensions | Pad: 263mm x 180.8mm x 8.3mm/586gMobile dock: 263mm x 180.8mm x 8-10.4mm/537g | |
So here are my new toys for the last week. You jealous? 😉
But on a more serious note, do leave me a comment if you have any queries on the Transformer Prime! I would answer them the best I can! 🙂
envy envy….
for a price of RM2k.. i think it is competitive enuff with other big boys ……
I think so too!
Esp since it’s a tablet cum netbook – well, kinda! 🙂
Is the GPS and WiFi working properly on your review unit? As I understand the metal back interferes with it, and a supposed kneejerk reaction to this was to release the improved TF700 with better reception – but I’d be glad to hear if they managed to fix it internally.
Hi Albert!
No problems with WIFI so far!
But I have yet to use the GPS. Will do so & update you ok? 🙂
I want! I want! I want! Have been waiting for it to appear on the shelves, apparently stocks are really limited. So, can pull some strings and get discount too?
Hahah will ask and see! But ship to PG??
i already have 3g simcard, since it only have wifi version, do i have to use mifi to connect the internet?
Yups!
Good first impression!
Wheee! Thanks Verne!
Camera is not HD? Too bad.
But the connection is via hdmi cable, not bad on this. Others are using their own “special” cable. And i hate that
Vid is HD.
But the camera – I just updated the software so I’m going to try again to see if there’s any improvements.
Oh, i hate those “special” cables too..better if all are the ones that are compatible with other peripherals!
Technically, nobody is using a custom HDMI plug:
Type C Mini HDMI – original Transformer, Sony Alphas
Type D Micro HDMI – Xoom, Acer Iconia Tab A500, LG Optimus 2x, Transformer Prime
PDMI – Samsung Galaxy Tab series, Dell Streak
The Xoom and A500 have a separate plug for power, but it might be a standard AC adaptor thing or not. Don’t know if the Transformer series data cable is proprietary, either.
Wow Albert. This is useful. Thanks for pointing those out. Let me check on these..
Yeah! Good info indeed. Once I saw a China brand made of tab. The super superb about it, u can plug in you USB Drive into it, and browse the USB. That Tab can actually work as Server instead of client mode. China, they do know what I need..haha
China – can’t beat them when it comes to manufacturing. Also, they have their own technology. Even apple also made in china!
Nice post Rebecca. Btw where u bought the nex7 from?
thank you thank you! My next review is coming up!
Yup, bought the NEx from Sony. U interested?
Very the interested! 😀 Looking forward to your review. Do you mind telling me from which sony center you got it from? Was looking for it b4 cny but couldn’t find it.
Which model yea? 5n or 7?
paise.. 7 I meant.
Oops.. forgot to reply.. I got it direct from Sony. u bought your yet?
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Hello, i’m looking a good laptop for student, i want something that lightweight and have long battery life; i hate netbook because most of them come with slow atom processor and an ultrabook is too pricey as i’m still a student. I see this prime is a great option, but my concern is whether it is good as a main laptop for college work? Is the polaris is really limited functionality?is it possible for me to finish an assigment just by using polaris? my another great concern is, is it possible if this prime overheating as i don’t see any blowhole at this device?Lastly, If i want to get a transformer, should i bought prime, or should i wait for tf300 or the infinity pad?
For your usage,, u need an ultrabook at least. Nope Prime not suitable.