Comments on: ASUS: No 3G Transformer Prime plans at launch

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Meant to say homebound not hindering.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:43:00 +0000

There goes my brilliant Christmas gift idea out of the window!

I guess I will have to just settle for a Samsung or an iPad.

Why would I want a mobile device without connectivity? Certainly most of us are not hindering all day!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Well, I must say that I algree with you in many ways, although I’d like to point out some details such as :
- I am not trying, just like you but in the other way, to convince people that they shouldn’t get 3G-enabled tablets nor that tablets shouldn’t have 3G capabilty. So I apologizes for the previous message ;
That being said, let’s move on :
- not every country, just like mine (France) have carriers that provides dual sim card data plans.
It’s hardly beginning in my country and it is just for the business for the moment … so lame.
Because the dual sim plan is the best you can get, I couldn’t agree more.

For the rest, indeed it drains a lot of battery so it is only useful for people in a short and yet occasionnal need of internet access for their tablets qhile being out of Wi-Fi range.

So, let’s end this conversation with that :
- 3G/4G-LTE enabled tablets should exist where there is only a Wi-Fi version ;
- for people who doesn’t want to buy a more expensive tablet with a mobile internet access and/or doesn’t want to endure a second data plan (in countries where dual sim doesn’t exist yet) there is the tethering solution. Not bad, but only in short and occasionnal use, just to help out.

I hope we will all agree on this and that ASUS will release, soon enough, a 3G version of their Prime !

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:29:00 +0000

For the rest, indeed it drains a lot of battery so it is only useful for people in a short and yet occasionnal need of internet access for their tablets qhile being out of Wi-Fi range.

I hope we will all agree on this and that ASUS will release, soon enough, a 3G version of their Prime !

By: Kristian Lund

Kristian Lund — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:09:00 +0000

- Extreme battery drain.
- Not always on, which is the entire point of cloud services, which devices like this are built to thrive on.

By: Kristian Lund

Kristian Lund — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:07:00 +0000

- You ca get data plans with a dual sim, forcing you to pay only for what you use extra in addition to your existing smartphone data plan.
- Tethering via USB ruins the ease of use, especially on train travel and similar situations which the Prime is otherwise optimized for.
- WiFi from a phone drains battery at an alarming rate, and simply cannot be “always on”, meaning your phone has to be plugged in and WiFi switched on. This would be an OK solution in the 90′s…

Tablets must not, of course, necessarily have data access at all times. But in order to be used as an always-on device connecting to cloud services (which is what a tablet is good at), it sort of has to.

For now, the Prime has chosen to be a home/workplace tool. This is absolutely ridiculous, when you look at marketing, other specs, and the entire idea of a tablet with optinal better keyboard and battery time!

By: Kristian Lund

Kristian Lund — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:07:00 +0000

By: No

No — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:21:00 +0000

1) Not everyone has / wants smart phones.
2) Phone battery runs out during meeting - your live demonstration: Gone.
3) Forget your phone / phone runs out of battery / tethering problems: No internet.

By: Benny Leonardi

Benny Leonardi — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:46:00 +0000

no 3g = ipad 2

By: Aurélie

Aurélie — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:38:00 +0000

Besides, I do not have a smartphone… and I do not want one. My phone is good as an mp3 player, for sms mms and phonecalls and that is it. I need a tablet on the way, at home I have a pc with a big screen to work on. On the way I need something practical, not to big so that I can access it quickly and everywhere, and not to small – less as 8 inch is a no go. Why would I want a smartphone when I need a tablet, I don’t want to waste my eyes on a phone screen. So according to your solution I have to spend 500 bucks to buy a smartphone wich I don’t have any use for and also to buy a tablet… I’d rather spend my money on a 3g tablet… and as I travel a lot I don’t have a contract, but use prepaid sim cards.

By: Aurélie

Aurélie — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:48:00 +0000

Yep, i must be dumb… would you buy a smartphone without an internet flatrate…? When I’m on the way… and I’m a lot on the way, I don’t wanna have a cable running from a phone to the tablet or even a usb key. There isn’t wifi everywhere. Maybe you should just accept the fact that not everyone has the same needs than you, and I’m sorry but do you really think that hundreds of people just waited for your awesome explaination to learn what they have got to do and how, because too stupid to think and so take the right descisions for themselfs…?

By: Marshall

Marshall — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:49:00 +0000

Good try mate, but unfurtunately there are tons of “dumb” people who can’t really see (or use) these alternatives..so they will not buy this tablet unless it has that shitty 3G integrated inside.
Thankfully, Asus will provide them a 3G version too.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Please, do read my comment just below ;-)

By: Goeatshitasus

Goeatshitasus — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:51:00 +0000

no 3g, wtf are you thinking asus. no go for me. i was excited about the tech & all, i refuse to buy without 3g/4g . hate apple but i mite just do for it. good luck on the sale asus u dumb f***k

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:06:00 +0000

To all people who think that releasing only a none-3G version is wrong, bad etc…

DO NOT WORRY.
Why ?

Simply put :

- Having a 3G model forces you to invest in a new data plan (a second one, almost as expensive, if you have a 3G Smartphone like an iPhone or Android-based phone) so it is not cheap at all !
- The 3G model is always more expensive (+ $100 in average !)
- for iOS users : last iPhones (4 and 4s) let’s you use a built-in Wi-Fi modem. In orther words, it uses the 3G and patch it through its own modem to generate a real Wi-Fi signal with witch you can connect up to 5 other devices of any kind (not sure) as long as they are Wi-Fi-enabled
- for Android user, you have the same feature. I don’t know which phones exactly, but you can easily google it ! ;-)
- if you don’t have a smartphone that provides 3G through Wi-Fi as above, which drains down the battery by the way (not much ^^), you can plug it to the tablet via any USB cable (if Android does support Internet access through USB port).
- if you do not own any kind of phone that has 3G or no tethering feature, then you can still buy a USB 3G key ! The big advantage is that you can use it on any device you like (so not only this tablet M;-) ).

So after reading that, would you keep thinking “tablet must have 3G ?”

I hope you do not or you would be a bit dumb ;-)

PS: After a quick search on Google, I have the answer : yes, Android does support internet access through USB if you follow that guide : http://www.linuxreaders.com/2011/03/09/android-access-internet-from-computer-via-usb !

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:39:00 +0000

How stupid…
Manufacturer: “We’ll wait and see what people will buy.”
Customer: “I’ll not buy it unless it has said feature.”
Way to gain marketshare, Asus…

By: Jostein Holmgren

Jostein Holmgren — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:29:00 +0000

I’m not buying this until the 3G edition lauches, hopefully it won’t take as long as it did with the original Transformer.

By: Rolandas Bumbliauskas

Rolandas Bumbliauskas — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:54:00 +0000

No 3G?!? I believe tablet manufacturers are taking a **** here… And having a huge laugh
at the same time… why would anybody want any tablet without 3G?!?
That is against the whole concept. I can use my pc at home… Useless
unless whole hemisphere is covered in one big WIFI… A huge shame on
all them making none 3G versions only. Was looking forward buying one of
these. Pretty awesome on the paper. Much better sounds to me then my
current top choice Galaxy Tab 10. If Asus releases it only on wifi. Then
it not even an option to me. As probably to most potential buyers… Tethering?! that is once again having a laugh… It is meant to be straight forward… also I would have to use my Galaxy SG2 to make WIFI for tablet. That is a joke. Past century thing. Also it means I would have to drain my phone, not only to have a huge inconvenience… Finally £500 pounds for WIFI only tablet (even one with a dock). To a saturated market When other manufacturers will offer same if not better versions shortly. And definitely with 3G models :D:D. All I could say is gooooood luck Asus…. almost well done…
I admire Samsung. They released Galaxy S2 to the world… Everybody
till this day are still struggling to match the specs (even their own
Nexus is not any better:))… That model just blew everything else away
for a good half a year. This Asus tablet could make same revolution in
tablet world. But as I mentioned. Without 3G. Its not even an option…

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:20:00 +0000

I really want to buy this tablet. I don’t need 3G, I have a phone with me all the time so wifi is always with me. Besides my local operator is building LTE and I probably will change my phone to LTE model faster than the tablet.

By: Julian

Julian — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:45:00 +0000

Why should I buy a tablet without 3G? This is against the mobility concept. In places with WiFi I can use a notebook or a laptop. The CEO of Asus should be replaced. Even low prices tablets on the market are using 3G. If Asus can’t do this then they should by 3G technology from Huawey. Stupid management. I’m waiting for almost a year this tablet with 3G and they are giving me another tablet without 3G. I don’t need a Tegra 3 tablet because I don’t play games on it. So goodby Asus I will buy a Samsung tablet with 3G. Enough waiting.

By: Sledger1067

Sledger1067 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:49:00 +0000

How would you do that?

By: Bradleyfong

Bradleyfong — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:12:00 +0000

I want to have 3G VER.It’s good for mobility user.plss consider to put it into prime. Developer are so stupid,no choice to cust on wifi/ 3G option.WTF

By: bad Boy 928222

bad Boy 928222 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:40:00 +0000

what’s the point, no 3G. is one supposed to buy those things just for home or internet cafe?

motorola did the same Xoom 2. I guess I will have to go for ipad 2, there’s no other choice

By: Ipadeee

Ipadeee — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:19:00 +0000

Its crazy asus is so bad in marketing without 3G compared to Steve Jobs team, i can’t wait for a few more months for 3G. Its more sense to buy ipad2 in memory of Steve although i dont like apple compared to transformer prime.

By: Eewait

Eewait — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:13:00 +0000

So weird, others are talking about 4G and the long wait for only wifi without 3G is silly….looks like i will go for ipad2 with 3G den….

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:42:00 +0000

Tethering is pretty stupid, if you plan to constantly be connected to the internet, regardless of your location. I don’t know why people are against having one extra alternative, you can still buy your wifi only versions.. ffs..

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:40:00 +0000

Just tether it to your cell phone. Whats the big deal?

By: Dmitry Tarasov

Dmitry Tarasov — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:42:00 +0000

damn. I`ve been waiting for it but no 3g means I need to chose smth else. Really weird decision.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Where has it been officialy said that the Transformer Prime will go on sale next month ?

And are we, European, going to have to wait until January to get it ?
This is preposterous !

By: midimightyclog

midimightyclog — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:02:00 +0000

LTE or 3G would make me change my netbook over to this?

aside, I’m hoping Google will turn the Motorola ATRIX DOCK into a Generic Airplay HDMI Dongle for Android Tablets and Phones so I can hook my android tablet or android phone up to my 1080P TV. Similar to how I connect my Android Phone to a Bluetooth Speaker just now for internet radio. (much better than stupid face recognition unlock they put out in ICS.4.0)

By: Robert Norris Hills

Robert Norris Hills — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:34:00 +0000

<3 for clearing that up for me Chris.

No 3g means I will be holding off for another tablet.

Stupid move guys, wtf are you thinking? A "Premium user" tablet with only hobo wifi builds available…Fail.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:54:00 +0000

no doubt this will run like a dream, with brand new tech it totally justifies its price especially if its the first tablet you buy. but, its a terrible idea to go on sale a couple after the holidays. Put it this way, if the prime was coming out before christmas, even xmas eve i’d buy it, wait three weeks even more? when the season is over and everyone already had a tablet? Id need more of a reason like ICS out of the box and a high ppi. UK sales are evil

By: Lopelo

Lopelo — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:43:00 +0000

I don’t understand why they don’t do 3G versions off the bat. A lot of users want that as standard and don’t want to wait several months for it. Now I’ll have to look for something else…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:36:00 +0000

No 3G version….?

Don’t know how that will affect sales.

Everybody I know has a wi-fi tablet.

That being said, it would be nice if they had a 3G/4G version from the beginning.

And a 16GB version for $400.

I know a lot of people where 16GB is more than enough storage for their tablet.

16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options.

and then a 4G version of all.

But that being said, their may not be a demand for that many options in 4G versions.

By: GetRealAsus

GetRealAsus — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:53:00 +0000

This is such an awesome tablet but people are sick of waiting and will now buy something else. Asus should have marketed this better, you cannot find any info on any Asus websites. Bad Bad Bad and many lost customers. I hate apple but Asus should look and learn on how you launch a product. This is not it.