The first Transformers took on the code TF201 and TF101, this newest one coming up at TF300T. This could be set to out-do the Transformers currently on the market by having a slightly upgraded casing and the same quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor that the Transformer Prime has – but it’s not likely. Instead since this model looks so very similar to the original Transformer, we must expect that this is a new lower-end model that’ll replace the original Transformer in stores with slight upgrades here and there but nothing so advanced as the Prime.

This falls right in line with what we’ve heard from ASUS on their strategy with their Android tablets, one being the higher-end, that being the Prime, and the other staying with the original Transformer specifications for an everyman tablet. So look out for another radically inexpensive awesome tablet coming from ASUS in the coming months, folks, and don’t be surprised if it has Ice Cream Sandwich aboard when it comes out!

[via Blogee]

Still, it’s unclear whether ASUS intends to bring two devices – the 7-inch MeMo and the 7-inch tablet shown above – to CES, or whether one of the models has been cancelled altogether. The Eee Pad MeMo was originally launched as a glasses-free 3D slate, then apparently faced the axe after delays, and most recently was said to be arriving, sans-3D, early in 2012 running Ice Cream Sandwich.

Whether this image is the final design, a fake or some render midway through the creative process is unclear. The docking port on the bottom edge might suggest that a netbook-style keyboard-dock is out of the question – on the 10-inch Transformer and Transformer Prime the connector is on the long edge – though ASUS might have a more typical dock such as Samsung offers, without the folding hinge and into which the 7-inch model docks vertically.

We won’t know for sure until next week, when CES 2012 kicks off in earnest. SlashGear will be there to bring you all the news.

[via Android Community]

Hardware

This tablet is made of Gorilla Glass, radial-spun aluminum, and a whole bunch of varied innards that we’ll never come in contact with. The only moving parts on the tablet are the removable covers for each of the ports, the volume bar, and the power/lock button. Unlike the original Transformer whose volume and power buttons have been prone to get a bit loose after extended usage, these are set nicely in place like a high quality product’s buttons should.

The tablet is cold to the touch most of the time because of its entirely aluminum back, and the glass along the front has a nearly up to the edge coverage, making the whole tablet seem rather refined in its industrial design. The back camera boasts an impressive 8-megapixel rating and has a single LED flash, an upgrade on both accounts when you compare this device to most of the rest of the tablet selection out on the market today, including the first generation Transformer.

We won’t go too deep into the products of the camera today, but know this: it’s a vast improvement over most tablet-type camera toters your humble narrator has seen thus far. The camera interface remains mostly the same as your average Honeycomb shooter, as does most of the user interface, but ASUS has done an excellent job modifying the few bits that it has, including first of all the pop-up menu in the lower right-hand corner, it now including the all-important Super IPS button which will blast forth the brightness up to 600nits for outdoor reading.

There’s also to three modes in which you can work: power saving, balanced, and high-performance (aka normal). In our initial battery test, we stayed in Normal mode for the majority of it, and with it we’re seeing something like 10+ hours with a large bit of that being screen off time. This is by no means the scale to judge the battery life by as it wasn’t done under any kind of controlled set of rules, but it is a very basic peek at what we’re likely dealing with here. Expect a vast improvement when we flip the power saving mode on.

Initial Benchmarks

Check out our first round of benchmarks here, and note that each of the following is on the tablet without the keyboard dock attached — also head to the gallery below to see the improvement this tablet has made over the original transformer if you wish.

We’ll also be doing extended tests showing the original Transformer verses the new Prime in a later post, just so you know, as well as any other comparisons to mobile devices you’d like us to do.

Transformer Prime vs. Macbook Air

Another possibility is us comparing this tablet docked in its keyboard dock compared to the MacBook Air. One thing I’ll say right now, something I’m sure some of you out there will have a tiny heart attack reading, is that this device with its keyboard dock may well be a good alternate for those of you thinking the MacBook Air is too costly for your tastes. The Transformer Prime attached to its keyboard is both thin and light, and the whole thing is made of a nice thin but tough aluminum, so what does that sound like to you? Also the keyboard itself is really quite good, comparable to full-blown laptop keyboards from that same fruit-flavored company.

Hands-on

In our first two hands-on videos you’re going to see the device compared to the original Tranformer and some of the unique bits in the software on the Prime, followed by a nice close-up look at the keyboard dock. First up have a peek at the intro and mind the whale at the end, I think you’ll find the bubbles to be more than enough to entice you to go under the sea to track your batteries, if you know what i mean:

Then it’s time to head down deeper into the settings on this tablet / transforming tablet computer, noting especially how NVIDIA wasn’t about to let us take a peek at their Tegra 3 processor embedded inside without testing out a plethora of new games. The games will be shown in future hands-on videos, mind you, so let us know which ones you want to see first and I’ll be sure to fire them up.

Release Details

Then note this: the ASUS Transformer Prime, otherwise known as the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime, will be released $499 for the 32GB TF201 model, $599 for the 64GB model, and $149 for the new docking station in the USA. The tablet will be available in Amethyst Gray (like ours) and Champagne Gold, and per Asus: “We expect availability to start the week of 12/19 based on the pre-orders and inbound shipment schedules.” Sound like a good deal to you?

Wrap-up and Questions

At this time I’d like to ask you, the prospective user to ask any and all questions you may have of this tablet so that we can answer them in the upcoming hands-on and review posts. Anything at all, ask away, and don’t forget to mind the videos as well as the photos incase you answer appears there in some form or another. Thanks in advance, and expect the full review in just a few days right here on SlashGear in the main news feed!

Pricing for the Transformer Prime had already been confirmed, back when ASUS initially announced the quadcore tablet. The 32GB version is $499 in the US, while the 64GB model is $599; the clever battery/keyboard dock, which adds full QWERTY input, extra ports and greater runtime to the slate section, is $149.

UPDATE: First, we’ve got official confirmation from ASUS on the much more accurate date of 12/19 for the delivery of these tablets to outlets as well as pre-order customers. Also while we’re here, feel free to have a peek at our first in a series of hands-on reviews of the Transformer Prime. Let us know what you want to know and we’ll let you know!

The tablet went up for preorder a few days ago, though without a date for its actual delivery, with ASUS offering both gray and champagne color variants. It will run Android 3.2 Honeycomb at launch, though ASUS has promised an Ice Cream Sandwich update in the new year. Full hardware details on the Eee Pad Transformer Prime here.

With this second-gen tablet, meanwhile, ASUS is withholding its decision on integrated WWAN support until it sees which way the market falls. “We are only planning on the WiFi only version for now” ASUS told us, “but depending on how the market reacts we may decide to launch a 3G one as well.”

Meanwhile ASUS also confirmed UK availability and pricing for the Transformer Prime. The UK will only see the 32GB version, and come bundled with the keyboard, priced at £499 including VAT. However, whereas the US will get the Transformer Prime in December, UK customers will have to wait until January 2012 for the Ice Cream Sandwich tablet to go on sale.

More on the Eee Pad Transformer – including US pricing details – here.

The presentation is short on technical details for the Transformer Prime, but the tablet is described as including “real touch” along with the “real keyboard experience” thanks to the removable keyboard-dock. However, unlike the original Transformer, the style of the new Prime is far slicker and in keeping with ASUS’ Ultrabook series, despite still offering connectivity like HDMI.

As for the existing Eee Pad models, according to ASUS’ estimates there will be 1.6m shipped altogether in 2011, with the first-gen Transformer expected to account for 85-percent of those sales. The Eee Pad Slider and Eee Slate together will make up the remaining 15-percent.

[via NetbookNews and via Notebook Italia and via Android Community]

Asus has now unveiled the official page for the tablet marking one other little detail out of the way before the tablet launches. The official page gives up all the details and features of the tablet. We already know the most interesting feature with the 10.1-inch screen sliding and tilting to reveal the keyboard underneath. The tablet will come in 32GB and 16GB versions with selling prices of $550 and $400.

The tablet also has Android 3.1 onboard and the 10.1-inch screen has a resolution of 1280 x 800. Internal memory for the tablet is 1GB. The machine has a microSD card slot for expansion and a 5MP rear camera with a 1.2MP front camera. The Slider also has a USB port, mini HDMI, and lots more. The only thing we are missing now is the exact date the Eee Pad Slider will launch.

[via Android Community]

The ASUS Eee Pad Slider first debuted back at CES alongside the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, which has since launched and reaped great success. It’s not clear why the Eee Pad Slider is taking so long to launch, but speculation suggests some problems with its slide-and-tilt mechanism. Another possible factor is a switch from NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset to Intel’s Oak Trail Atom Z670. However, none of this has been confirmed.

In Phone House’s August catalog, the Eee Pad Slider is listed at €349, the equivalent of $467 on contract with ZON. Off contract, the Slider goes for €479 or $684. And although it’s been given an August release for the UK but not in the US, its recent journey through the FCC in the states suggest its on the way here as well.

And in case you’re not familiar, the ASUS Eee Pad Slider is a 10.1-inch tablet with a 1280×800 resolution, 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, and plenty of ports, including a mini-HDMI, mini-USB, and microSD card slot. For more details, you can take a look at our hands-on video with the Eee Pad Slider.

[via Engadget]

The ASUS Eee Pad Slider was introduced around the same time as its Eee Pad Transformer sibling, but has since been delayed from April to May and now to fall. No reasons have been given for the delays, although many speculate that ASUS had to work out kinks in the Eee Pad Slider’s unique sliding and tilting hinge design. Other reasons could be a switch from NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset to Intel’s new Oak Trail Atom Z670.

However, none of those details have been confirmed, and the FCC filing also doesn’t shed any light on any interior changes. Instead, the FCC filing was to win approval for Bluetooth and WiFi and sadly no 3G support was mentioned. Other specs we do know so far about the ASUS Eee Pad Slider is that it will sport a 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution, 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, and various ports including mini-HDMI, mini-USB, and microSD.

Hopefully, surfacing at the FCC means that ASUS will be keeping its promised fall launch of the ASUS Eee Pad Slider. Make sure to check our hands-on video to see the unique slide-and-tilt keyboard in action.

[via Android Community]

No reason for the delay has been given, though it’s not the first time ASUS has been forced to postpone the tablet’s launch. Back in February it was initially expected to arrive in mid-April, alongside the surprisingly capable Eee Pad Transformer. April came and went, however, with no sign of the Eee Pad Slider, though reports did suggest that ASUS was experiencing issues with the sliding/tilting hinge mechanism for the QWERTY keyboard.

However, other rumors tipped a more fundamental redesign of the Slider, with the possibility of a switch from the NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset originally shown to Intel’s new Oak Trail Atom Z670. Meanwhile, a Tegra 3 based Transformer 2 has been pegged for October or November, close to what it seems will be the first-gen Eee Pad Slider’s launch window.

We played with ASUS’ prototype Eee Pad Slider shortly after its debut at CES 2011, and you can see more in the video below.

ASUS had previously tweeted that the Eee Pad Slider was “coming soon” but gone no further in specifying a release date. Interestingly, there are rumors of a second version of the Slider, using Intel’s Atom Z670 processor rather than the Tegra 2 inside the officially announced model.

As far as we’re aware, though, the Slider headed to the UK in August will indeed have the NVIDIA dual-core it was announced with back at CES 2011 in January. We grabbed some hands-on time with a prototype shortly after the show, and while it lacks the boosted battery life of the Transformer, the overall package is a little lighter and might appeal to those committed to QWERTY.

More on the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer in our full review.

[via NotebookItalia]

The 1024 x 600 display has, ASUS promises, the same broad viewing angles as we’re used to from other IPS tablets, except now you can enjoy 3D content too. It’s not the first tablet to make 3D its priority – the T-Mobile G-Slate does too – but unlike the LG-made G-Slate there are no silly glasses required.

No word on pricing or availability at this stage, but Android Honeycomb looks to be a lock-in and the 7-inch form-factor is a popular one among those looking for something more usable than a smartphone but not quite as unwieldy as a 10.1-inch tablet. We’ll update as we know more.

User reports from those brave enough to try it suggest the Eee Pad simply flies when the clock speed is ramped up. HD video plays back without any lag, and the YouTube app is similarly streamlined. Quadrant benchmarking – with the ASUS mods removed – suggest scores as high as 4900, more than double what we were seeing from the stock Transformer. Linpack, meanwhile, came in at 59.414 MFLOPS, versus 42.233 out of the box.

On the downside, it’s less stable than stock Honeycomb, and that means you may encounter a few crashes along the way. Some tasks regularly lock up, and there are reports of screen-wake issues (that apparently go away if you opt for a more conservative 1.2GHz overclock). Still, we’re guessing these will be ironed out some over the next few weeks.

[via Android Community]

Apple whipped out a new version of the iMac AIO computer this week. The machine gained Thunderbolt, Intel Sandy Bridge processors and FaceTime HD video chatting among other things. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablet got some hands on playtime this week and that hands on time landed on video. The new tablet is thinner than the iPad 2 and the smaller screen may make it better for users looking for portability.

We posted up our review of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer tablet this week. There is room for improvement, but we liked the Transformer very well. A geek has decided to permanently keep his Nintendo 3DS augmented reality card with him by having the card tattooed on his forearm. The tattoo shows his Mii when viewed using the 3DS camera.

We went hands on with the new iMac Tuesday. The unit we played with was the Core i5 version running at 3.10GHz, the full review will be coming at later date. One of the big complaints with some organizations for the blind with the iPad is that the tablet has no way for vision-impaired people to use it. A new concept for the iPad called iSense allows the tablet to use Braille.

An artist put a giant wall made from white LEGO bricks on display at the World Trade Center in Amsterdam. The wall took 270,000 LEGO bricks and about six weeks to build. Worked surfaced mid-week that the Aaron’s rent to own store was installing software on their rented laptops that allows them to take photos of the people using the notebook webcam. The issue surfaced when a coupe that paid for a notebook at the store had manager show them a picture of them using the machine.

Mass Effect is one of my favorite video game franchises. We learned this week that Mass Effect 3 had been delayed until 2012. A cool and reasonably priced robot for education turned up this week using open source software and parts called POLYRO. The bot is intended to be extended with more features and costs about $2,000 to build.

Thursday, word surfaced that Best Buy had fired an employee for trying to stop a shoplifter. Best Buy policy is to let shoplifters leave and when he worker tired to restrain the thief, he was told to let the crook go. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA mini and mini pro smartphones went official this week. The smartphones will both hit stores in August.

A very cute and cool concept robotic vacuum system turned up late in the week. The concept is the Puppy Vacuum and it has a quartet of robot puppy vacuums that suck up dirt and then dump it into the momma dog where they also get charged. Insiders are claiming that Apple might be shedding the Intel processors in their machines in the future for ARM processors. Apple is said to be looking at mid-2013 for the change.

According to one data security experts, Sony knew the software it was using on the PSN was out of date. The allegation is that had the software been updated, the breach might not have happened. Jaguar announced Friday that it would be building a limited number of the cool hybrid powered supercars called the C-X75. The car will have a top speed of about 200mph and 800bhp.

As of today the PSN is still down for most users with Sony having found more issues. Sony is still saying that it is working to ensure the of the network. Thanks for reading this week’s edition of the Week in Review!

Hardware

With its plastic chassis and brown color scheme, the Eee Pad Transformer is always going to struggle against the brushed metal and wafer-thin build of the iPad 2. At 271 x 171 x 12.98 mm and 680g, ASUS has produced a bigger slate than the Motorola XOOM and iPad 2, with a similar bowed-back profile to the original iPad. The textured plastic is at least reasonably flex-free and easy to grip.

The 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive touchscreen supports 10-finger multitouch and is covered with a slab of toughened Gorilla Glass. Underneath is a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls, along with a light sensor for controlling display brightness. That display is a superb IPS panel with brilliant viewing angles (ASUS says 178-degrees), color accuracy and brightness, on a par with what you’d find on the iPad. Unfortunately it loses its appeal when in direct sunlight: IPS LCD has its benefits, but unlike Samsung’s Super AMOLED Plus, for instance, you won’t be doing much tableteering outdoors.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer:

Controls are minimal – a small power/lock button on the edge, above a volume rocker – though you do get more ports than on an iPad: a 3.5mm headset socket, microSD slot, mini HDMI 1.3a and a proprietary docking connector. The latter is used either for directly charging the Transformer with the bundled AC adapter and USB cable, or for hooking up the docking keyboard section.

That clicks securely into place with a reassuringly tactile feel, and offers a power connector (which charges both the Transformer and the keyboard dock’s own battery), two USB 2.0 ports and a MMC/SD/SDHC memory card reader. We’ll cover the keyboard dock in greater detail later in the review.

Inside is the same NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor as you’ll find in Motorola’s XOOM, paired with 1GB of memory and either 16GB or 32GB of SSD storage depending on model. Connectivity includes WiFI b/g/n (2.4GHz only) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR as standard, while there’s the regular gamut of GPS, digital compass, gyroscope and g-sensor. The stereo speakers lurk down near the bottom of the sides, and are relatively quiet; there’s also a built-in microphone. Finally, a 5-megapixel rear camera promises stills and 720p HD video recording.

Software

We’ve already covered Android 3.0 Honeycomb in our full review, so the day to day experience on the Eee Pad Transformer is much as we’ve seen on the XOOM. ASUS has added some custom apps and made some other tweaks, though nothing that will earn them Google’s ire for unduly changing Honeycomb.

Some of them are minor, like the cool water-level Live Wallpaper which shows battery status (and device orientation) by a shifting tide up the screen, and others are more complex. The ASUS Launcher consists of three new homescreen widgets: a date/weather widget that blends forecast animation into the wallpaper, a simple date/time widget, and a mail widget with a count of new emails and which acts as a shortcut into the mail app itself. Honeycomb’s default keyboard can be swapped for a ‘board of ASUS’ own, with a dedicated number row.

Then there’s ASUS’ File Manager app, which works alongside the USB 2.0 ports on the Keyboard Dock, and which – unlike the similar apps from some other OEMs – had no problems opening an Android .apk file. MyCloud is a gateway to ASUS’ Webstorage – a year’s access to which is included in the tablet’s purchase price – as well as, via its free Eee Pad PC Suite, remote desktop access for your PC or Mac. There’s also internet radio streaming, direct to the Transformer, along with the DLNA streaming and sharing app MyNet. Finally, Polaris Office opens the door to document – text, spreadsheet and presentation – editing and creation on the ASUS itself.

Performance is solid, though admittedly lacks some of the consistency we’ve grown use to from Apple’s iPad 2. There’s no one specific task or activity we can point to, nor an app we can pinpoint for an underwhelming showing; instead, it’s a case of some bumpy screen and app transitions, hiccups in touch responsiveness, a little more lag at times than we’d like to see. They’re enough to remind us that Honeycomb is still a relatively fledgling tablet platform, though an ASUS firmware update we were prompted to install when first powering on the slate does show that software tweaks are coming all the time.

In terms of raw benchmarks, the Eee Pad Transformer scored 1927 in Quadrant Standard and 2138 in Quadrant Advanced. In Linpack Pro it managed 42.233 MFLOPS, while in the Sunspider test of browser JavaScript performance, it managed 1888.3ms (lower is better). Finally, in Smartbench 2011 it scored 3512.

That all puts it roughly on a par with the Acer Iconia Tab A500 and XOOM, as you’d expect given the similar specifications and software. Also carried over from those slates is a general shortage of tablet-specific apps in the Android Market. Honeycomb does a decent job of scaling smartphone apps to suit the bigger, higher-resolution screen on the Transformer, though there’s undoubtedly more to good tablet software than being bigger smartphone software.

Android 3.0 still lags behind the iPad in terms of sheer number of titles, and some incompatibility issues with software intended for phones did put a dampener on the over Eee Pad experience. Qik Video Chat, for instance, crashed every time we loaded it. It can be trial and error as to what will run and what won’t, sometimes complicated on the Transformer by the fact that some apps will only run in portrait orientation, tricky when you’re trying to use the tablet in landscape with the Keyboard Dock.

Camera and Multimedia

ASUS has outfitted the Eee Pad Transformer with two cameras, a 1.3-megapixel webcam on the front for vanity shots and use in Gtalk video calls, and a 5-megapixel camera on the back for stills and up to 720p HD video recording. Stability of the camera app could do with some work, however; on a couple of occasions it would freeze, with the preview no longer functioning, though generally either flipping between the front/rear cameras or, as a last resort, restarting the app would address that.

Stills are only average, with more soft edges than we’re used to from 5-megapixel phones, though colors are generally accurate. Close-ups fair better, though since there’s no LED flash low-light shots are generally too murky to be useful. Coupled with the slightly bizarre feeling of holding up a 10-inch tablet to take a shot, we can’t see the Transformer’s camera getting significant use.

Video, meanwhile, seems to be giving ASUS some significant headaches. Viewed on the Transformer itself, clips are generally fine, though there are a few dropped frames leading to some mild jerkiness. YouTube, as in the sample below, handles them roughly the same, but when we tried to watch the .3GP clips on our computer, there was bizarre blockiness, all manner of glitches, and gobbled audio. We’re not quite sure what’s happening, but it does mean that you could send a clip to a friend and them find it simply unwatchable.

Keyboard Dock

ASUS’ Keyboard Dock is undoubtedly what makes the Eee Pad Transformer so interesting, a matching peripheral designed to turn the TF101 into an Android netbook/smartbook. It’s not, however, solely about text entry: there’s also an integrated battery, with which ASUS reckons the Transformer will last an extra 6.5hrs.

If you’ve used a recent ASUS netbook then you’ll probably feel no surprise with the Transformer’s keyboard. An optional extra – which we think is a mistake on ASUS’ part – it has a full QWERTY layout and a trackpad with multitouch gesture support for two-finger scrolling, as well as the aforementioned twin USB 2.0 ports, SD card reader and pass-through charger/sync port. We had no problems getting the Transformer to recognize various USB thumb drives, with a USB icon showing in the bottom right hand corner notification area – tapping that opened either the file manager app or unmounted the drive for removal. Similarly a USB mouse worked with no issues.

Where usually there’d be a function key row, ASUS has slotted in a range of shortcuts and other useful buttons. From left to right there’s back, WiFi, Bluetooth, trackpad on/off, brightness up/down, auto brightness, screenshot, browser, settings, three music controls (for back, play/pause and forward), mute, volume up/down and lock. There are also dedicated home and search keys down to the left of the spacebar, and a menu key on the right. We’re pleased to see a double-size Enter key, on this UK layout at least, though the undersized Shift buttons are disappointing.

Key action is decent, with a nice degree of bounce from the springing and a surprising amount of travel. It’s not quite a 100-percent full-size layout, though, so if you’re planning on any significant amount of text entry then you might be better off with a regular USB or Bluetooth keyboard. Still, in comparison to the on-screen keyboard, it’s far preferable. Virtual keyboards are fine for pecking out URLs and search terms – though Honeycomb’s voice recognition system is good enough to replace it in the latter case – but there’s nothing like a physical ‘board for anything more ambitious.

One frustration is in how copy & paste is handled in ASUS’ pre-loaded Polaris Office. Everywhere else in Honeycomb you can hold down the Shift key and use the arrows to highlight text, then Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. In Polaris, however, you have to tap the screen to select: the shift/arrows won’t highlight.

Docking the keyboard is a simple matter of slotting it into place, while releasing it involves sliding a small latch across and pulling: it’s a snug fit, but not to the point where extracting the Transformer is a headache. The hinge itself is firm and, by virtue of its shape, props the keyboard up at a comfortable typing angle when it’s opened. If you haven’t set a screen lock password then opening the keyboard up automatically takes you to the homescreen.

Battery

On its own, the Eee Pad Transformer is rated for up to 9.5hrs of runtime on a single charge of its 24.4Wh Li-Polymer battery, playing 720p HD video with brightness at 60 nits. Throw in the Keyboard Dock and ASUS reckon you’ll see up to 16hrs. In practice, it’s obviously very dependent on what you’re doing with the slate. With a combination of playing streamed video over WiFi, web browsing, some photography and push-email turned on, we managed between 6.5 and 9 hours with the slate alone. With the keyboard attached, that extended by 6-7hrs.

Standby times did seem less impressive than on the iPad, however. Where we can leave the Apple slate for over a week and still have juice left to play, after a few days the Transformer had expired. True, it was checking email over WiFi along the way, but the iPad seems to be able to manage that and still keep hold of a charge.

Price and Value

If it’s the Keyboard Dock that makes the Eee Pad Transformer eye-catching, then it’s the tablet’s price that holds our attention. For the 16GB TF101 slate alone it’s $399 in the US or £379 in the UK; the 32GB model is $499 or £429 respectively. The Keyboard Dock is a $149 accessory in the US, or offered with the 16GB slate in the UK for £50 more. What’s absent at this stage is a 3G-enabled version, which ASUS says will follow on in a couple of months time.

When you consider the WiFi-only Motorola XOOM (with 32GB of storage) is $589.99, that’s some very competitive pricing from ASUS. It’s a similar story in the UK, with the WiFi XOOM there priced at £479.99. Admittedly the Keyboard Dock adds on top of that, but given the extra battery life it brings (and the fact it protects the Transformer’s display when closed) we can see most Eee Pad buyers opting to pick it up as well.

Wrap-Up

Android 3.0 is a still a young platform, and Google still has work to do to bring it up to speed with iOS on the iPad. That’s the unescapable fact about all Honeycomb-based tablets around today; similarly important, though, is that all evidence suggests that Google is determined to do just that. The Android Market may lack tablet-specific bulk but that should change as availability of slates running Android 3.0 grows.

Whether it’s manufacturers or Google itself pushing for minimal OS modification, the end result has been a little more imagination in other areas of the tablet experience. On the Transformer, that’s some sensible software pre-loads – as opposed to the usual bloatware – and a form-factor that legitimately turns the Eee Pad into a netbook alternative. No, the tablet won’t do everything a Windows-based notebook can, but for many it will be just enough to tip the Transformer over from being a media- and internet-centric luxury to something they can legitimize as a work and play travel companion. Being able to remotely log into our home computer and access files there, as well as not only review but create and edit documents on the ASUS left us feeling a whole lot more confident about leaving our laptop at home.

There’s still room for improvement, of course. Google will take care of polishing Honeycomb’s rough edges, but ASUS needs to work on its camera stability and performance, and make sure the apps it preloads are consistent with the hardware. Still, we’re more willing to excuse the lapses given the Transformer’s sticker price, competitive not just with other Android tablets but with the iPad 2.

It’s what ASUS brings extra to the table that makes the Eee Pad Transformer the best Android tablet on the market right now. Its excellent IPS display – albeit only really suitable for indoor use – and clever Keyboard Dock outshine the XOOM and Iconia Tab A500, while its content-creation strengths are arguably far more useful than the 3D on T-Mobile’s G-Slate.

Whether Samsung’s slimline form-factors and custom software on the incoming Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 will outweigh the Eee Pad’s keyboard (and the extra runtime the battery in that allows), or whether the HTC Flyer’s active stylus will be preferable, remains to be seen. The Android tablet market is only set to become more competitive as 2011 progresses, but right now ASUS has come closest to the promise of an affordable, innovative slate using the Google OS.

Neither SKU will come with the keyboard dock, which will be offered as a $149 accessory. As well as offering a QWERTY keyboard, the dock has a battery which boosts runtime to up to 16hrs, along with two USB 2.0 ports and a 4-in-1 memory card reader. The Transformer tablet itself has an HDMI port, microSD slot and the usual WiFi and Bluetooth.

Inside is NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset running Android 3.0, with a few interesting pre-loaded ASUS apps including a remote desktop tool. The Eee Pad Transformer launched in the UK earlier this month, and demand soon outstripped supply.

On the face of it they’re pretty similar. Both have a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive touchscreen, run NVIDIA’s 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor and 1GB of RAM. Each has 16GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot – good for up to 32GB cards – along with a 32GB native model on the way. Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n on both (the A500 adds in 802.11a support) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, together with a mini-HDMI port for outputting up to 1080p HD video. 3G versions of each tablet will follow later in the year.

Both the A500 and the Transformer have a 5-megapixel main camera on the back, with autofocus and an LED flash, though the Acer has a 2-megapixel webcam on the front versus the ASUS’ 1.3-megapixel sensor. Whether that will make a significant difference to video calls remains to be seen; most of the time the compression involved means they’re pixelated for bandwidth reasons rather than the limitations of the sensor. Stills should be a little crisper, though.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer hands-on:

The A500 is 10.24 x 6.97 x 0.52 inches and 1.69 pounds, while the Transformer is slightly wider at 10.6 x 6.9 x 0.51 inches but a fair chunk lighter at 1.49 pounds. It’s battery life where the Eee Pad Transformer really slips ahead, though. ASUS’ tablet alone can manage 9.5hrs, 1.5hrs more than Acer expect from the Iconia Tab, but of course there’s also the keyboard dock to consider. That boosts the Transformer’s runtime to 16hrs in total, besting not only the A500 but Apple’s iPad 2 as well. It also offers easier text-entry; for $69.99 Acer will sell you their Bluetooth keyboard for use with the Iconia Tab, but each slate should work with any generic Bluetooth ‘board you may have.

Not all 10.1-inch displays are created equal, and ASUS’s decision to use an IPS LCD on the Eee Pad pays dividends. It’s one of the best panels we’ve seen on a tablet, offering iPad-like viewing angles no matter which orientation you’re holding the slate in. ASUS reckons it’s a 178-degree view angle, and in comparison the 160-degree Iconia Tab with its regular LCD is distinctly average.

Acer Iconia Tab A500 hands-on:

If ASUS can really bring the 16GB Eee Pad Transformer to market at $400, we’d certainly lean toward it over the Acer. The battery-toting keyboard dock is set to cost another $149 alone, but the usability and extra runtime should make that more palatable to most buyers. We’ll know more when we have full review time with both tablets, but either way it seems the iPad 2 finally has some competition on not only specs but pricing.

More details in our Acer Iconia Tab A500 hands-on and in our ASUS Eee Pad Transformer hands-on.

Previously found here, the “Like That. But Better” link now comes up with “page not found”. It’s unlikely that Apple itself complained, but with Best Buy one of the few places outside of Apple’s own stores to offer the iPad 2, it’s likely an exec somewhere decided upsetting the powerful company might not be such a great idea.

Interestingly, Google’s cache for the page suggests that Best Buy changed it prior to pulling it down; the comparison graphic is replaced by a generic image of the Transformer slotting into the keyboard section. Still, it’s action at the tills which will prove or disprove the Eee Pad’s mettle in the end. More on the tablet in our hands-on report.

[Thanks Tony!]

We’d have to agree with Best Buy that the Transformer’s combination of extra battery life – pushing longevity to up to 16hrs – and easier text entry with the keyboard dock does improve on using the iPad 2 with a Bluetooth keyboard. In fact, Apple looks to be pushing away from talking about traditional text-entry on its tablet altogether; there’s still no sign of an updated Apple Keyboard Dock for the second-gen slate.

Whether it’s enough to persuade customers at point-of-sale remains to be seen, though the $400 price-tag should garner some attention since it undercuts the entry-level iPad 2 by around $100. No word on when, exactly, the Transformer will be arriving in-store; the UK launch is this Wednesday.

As for the ASUS Eee Slate EP121, that will arrive on April 10 as an Amazon exclusive in the UK (until May 1). It will be priced at £999 ($1,602) complete with a 12.1-inch touchscreen with active digitizer and stylus, Intel Core i5-470UM processor, WiFi b/g/n and a 64GB SSD.

We’re at ASUS’ London press event today, and will be grabbing hands-on with the Transformer and EP121 as soon as they let us. Keep reading SlashGear for more!

Update: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer hands-on is now live!

Press Release:

Transform your life at home, work and beyond with the ASUS Eee Pad tablet

ASUS launch Eee Pad Transformer tablet with Android 3.0 Honeycomb and unique hybrid docking design

ASUS have today announced the launch of the hugely anticipated Eee Pad Transformer tablet – the first to market with Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system.

Boasting a unique design and up to 16 hours’ battery life* the 10.1” Transformer can be used as an independent pad or can be docked with the fully functional keyboard base for a traditional notebook approach.

The Eee Pad Transformer is fun-sized and lightweight – perfect for bags and big pockets. It features a non-slip lid and Corning® Gorilla® scratch-proof screen for a safe and worry-free way to keep connected and entertained in every situation.

With stunning picture and sound quality and Adobe Flash 10.2 support this intuitive tablet offers the means to enjoy a mini-cinema experience, whilst two high quality cameras provide instant support for video conferencing.

What’s more – unlimited online storage and access to Android Market opens the door to thousands of applications with one for every need, whilst the ASUS Waveface interface brings a host of utilities to the fingertip including remote access and a personal library for both books and multimedia.

The Eee Pad Transformer will be available from 6th April 2011 at a price of £379 inc VAT for the pad only, or £429 for the pad and keyboard dock.

Key benefits:
* Unique two-part design with docking keyboard
* Android 3.0 operating system & ASUS Waveface Interface
* NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor for optimum performance
* Up to 16 hour battery life for all-day computing (pad + keyboard dock)
* 10.1” LED backlit high resolution, scratch-proof screen
* Lightweight, non-slip design for practical portability
* Front and rear facing high quality cameras
* Access to thousands of home and work applications via Android Market
* 10 Finger Multi-touch support and sensors including GPS
* Preloaded utilities including remote access, work suite and library
* Mini HDMI output to extend stunning visuals to external devices
* 3D Stereo audio quality with SRS sound technology

A world of entertainment, productivity and online content available at your fingertips:

Google’s Android 3.0 (nicknamed ‘Honeycomb’) is a long-awaited new operating system which has been tailored especially for tablets, and brings an uncompromised combination of performance, entertainment and mobile diversity to your hands – whether you are at home, at work or on the move.

Honeycomb and the ASUS Waveface user interface are geared to enrich and make life easier, fun and more productive, with an ASUS Launcher toolbar offering the means to experience a host of applications, online content and services through just a few taps.

56% of users want more applications on their tablet device**, and the Eee Pad Transformer is the perfect solution with access to Android Market; an ever-growing service which offers thousands of applications to download including many for free. The apps database covers a multitude of topics such as home & garden, learning, games, business or shopping.

Applications as complex as piano-playing or multi-player games can be experienced to the max thanks to the 10 finger multi-touch support. Internal sensors such as the gyroscope and G-sensor make movement-based games possible whilst the added GPS and compass modules mean you need never lose your way again.

ASUS Waveface also plays host to a set of helpful and unique utilities:

* MyNet: In 3 simple steps you can wirelessly stream media content between devices around the home including desktops and TV.

* MyLibrary: A clever way to consolidate your must-read books and magazines into one easy-to-navigate profile. Supporting PDF and ePub formats, it offers global content including Googlebooks, and a set of handy utilities to make reading easier including a dictionary, translator, bookmarker, notes and even text-to-speech (requires app download).

* MyCloud: Easy access to cloud content including WebStorage and the ASUS @Vibe media library (which offers downloads of a huge range of music, video and games to enjoy wherever you are).

* MyDesktop: A secure remote log-in application which lets you control files and applications on your other devices via the Eee Pad Transformer – including Android, Windows or Mac computers. So, if you forget to email an important file to work and it’s still on your home computer, you can connect to Desktop and do it from where you are.

Android 3.0 is also preloaded with Polaris Office 3 – a professional standard productivity suite which supports the viewing and editing of popular document formats including PowerPoint (.ppt), Excel (.xls) and Word (.doc), making it easier than ever to keep on track with work outside the office.

Switch between a tablet or a notebook to suit your mood and style:

The Eee Pad Transformer does exactly what it says on the box – it transforms. Thanks to a unique docking keyboard, the modernistic device can be used either as an independent tablet when you want a lightweight option to carry around the home or whilst travelling, or with a simple clip-in-place action it transforms into a traditional netbook perfect for longer typing demands or recharging. With such freedom of design you can perfectly tailor the Eee Pad Transformer to suit your tasks at hand.

The portable docking attachment boasts a fully functional QWERTY chiclet keyboard making it comfortable and intuitive for longer use and a obliging response to demand – 33% of users wanted larger keyboards in tablets**.
Additional Android function keys provide a one-click way to control media, brightness and volume or toggle wireless options on or off with ease.

A whopping 16 hour battery life* mean you can stay connected and efficient all day long:

The standalone pad offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life, and charges when docked to the keyboard station. When docked, this already-impressive battery life extends to up to 16 hours – more than enough to keep those active kids quiet on long car journeys. Even the slim-line AC mains adapter (which connects to each half of the device) has been thoughtfully designed so that when you need more time you can still travel light.

A tablet designed for real life: non-slip, bump-proof, scratch-resistant and as light as a feather:

Given the extraordinarily wide range of uses for an Eee Pad Transformer, ASUS have thoughtfully designed it to laugh in the face of life’s demands.

Measuring 271 x 177 x 12.98mm and weighing a mere 680g, the curvy pad is barely larger than an A5 piece of paper and lighter than a bag of sugar. Such a portable size means the Eee Pad Transformer is ideally placed to fit into backpacks, handbags, large pockets or even just carry around – the textured lid gives some grip and means it won’t slip out of your hand.

The IPS panel screen is made from Corning® Gorilla® glass – a super-strong material which is bump and scratch proof yet still reassuringly lightweight, so when the kids get hold of it to check out the latest homework hints, you can smile and stay worry-free.

Store, share and synchronise with no fuss:

ASUS WebStorage offers unlimited online storage (free for 1 year) to complement the 32GB internal space and provides a reliable and secure means of accessing your data from anywhere, anytime.

What’s more, with the inclusion of high-speed wireless (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, SD/eMMC card-readers and a port to connect and synchronise your PC, it’s reassuringly effortless to back-up, store and share your favourite photos and important documents without any additional hardware.

The Eee Pad Transformer is designed for sharing, and even supports 10 finger multi-touch gestures to allow more than one person to play multi-player games on the same device.

Front and rear cameras make sure you can capture the moment in high quality:

The Eee Pad Transformer features two built-in cameras; one on the front (1.2MP) and one on the rear (5MP). With auto focus technology and the ability to record movies in high definition quality, this double-helping of practical technology will make sure you don’t miss the best moments in life for sharing.

Not only that, but the Eee Pad Transformer makes it easier to stay in touch with long distance friends and family or work colleagues through video conferencing and to experience the latest virtual reality-based applications and games on the Android Market.

Powerful hardware with spectacular video and sound for versatile, outstanding entertainment at home and on the move:

The Eee Pad Transformer integrates an array of powerful hardware, including 1GB of memory and the super-speedy NVIDIA Tegra 2 – a Dual Core processor which delivers uninterrupted web browsing and fast response times even whilst multi-tasking.

Supporting Adobe Flash 10.2 for rich HD content streaming alongside fast graphics support, the device delivers outstanding mobile game playability for console-quality gaming, alongside a visually engaging and highly-responsive user interface.

The 10.1” LED backlit screen (1280 x 800 resolution) provides the perfect balance between portability and a respectable size for working and watching movies. Visuals are crisper and harbour a 50% more accurate colour range in comparison with other tablets available today, and with a generously wide viewing angle of 178°, it’s never been easier to gather friends and family around to share your favourite content in astonishing clarity.

With a mini HDMI port integrated into the keyboard dock, you can also connect external devices to stream photos, video and other content onto a larger HDTV or projector, making this the must-have versatile gadget not only for home entertainment but for professional work presentations too.

Discrete speakers radiate a superior 3D stereo audio experience thanks to the built-in SRS Sound Technology with 5.1 channel, maximum bass response and a wide sound field. Movie and music fans will love the ability to hear every sound in the finest detail, from the creaks and rumbles of horror and action movies to the rhythmic notes of your R&B or pop stars.

A video of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer can be found on the ASUS Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/asus

Pricing and Availability:

Tablet, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £379
Tablet & keyboard dock, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429
Tablet, 32GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429

UK-wide range of retailers including PC World, Currys, Comet and Carphone Warehouse – pre-order online at Amazon.co.uk and Ebuyer.com from midnight today (30th March 2011).

In stock from April 6th (first units will be available in stores and pre-orders will be delivered shortly afterwards)

About ASUS

ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era.

ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones.

Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion.

Press Release:

Eee Slate EP121: The Intuitive Way to Work, Learn & Play

ASUS Announce Eee Slate EP121 with Intel Core i5 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System

ASUS have today announced the launch of the Eee Slate EP121 – a handy slate computer which combines the freedom of a tablet with the functionality of a notebook.

With Windows 7 Home Premium and a range of input options including a Bluetooth keyboard and Wacom Digitaliser, the Eee Slate EP121 is an intuitive, easy-to-use option for a range of uses from home entertainment to learning in the classroom, through to working on the move to presenting at the office.

The Eee Slate EP121 is also the first tablet to feature a full-power Dual Core Intel Core i processor, providing a wealth of power and performance to ensure a smooth, responsive environment for the multi-tasking users who demand it.

The Eee Slate EP121 will be available to buy from Amazon.co.uk at a RRP of £999 inc VAT (http://amzn.to/hBGp6C).

A product video and additional information can be found at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Demo/159011907481873?sk=app_186464421389010

Key benefits:

* Multiple input options: fingertip, Wacom Digitaliser stylus or fingertip
* First tablet with Dual Core Intel Core i processor (Intel Core i5-470UM)
* Intel GMA HD graphics and Adobe Flash 10.1 support
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
* Highly durable and scratch-proof Cornel Gorilla 12.1” LED Backlit screen
* 64GB SSD drive for robust data storage
* Front facing 2MP camera for video conferencing
* Lightweight and slim profile for travelling – just 17mm thick
* Mini HDMI output for connecting to external HD devices

Multiple input options to suit you in every working scenario:

The Eee Slate EP121 offers three clever ways in which data can be inputted into the device:

Bluetooth Keyboard: Using the bundled Bluetooth keyboard, users can easily input large quantities of text with speed, ease and comfort over long period of use. The slate boasts Bluetooth 3.0 technology ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted typing experience.

Stylus: When out and about, the active stylus accessory with Wacom Digitiser will make a lighter option to travel with whilst still providing a high level of precision, thanks to the intelligent palm rejection function to improve accuracy. What’s more, built-in pressure recognition technology makes the stylus a particularly useful tool for creating graphics and artwork, and those in the design industry or even just those with a creative bug, will appreciate the pre-loaded Art Rage graphics application.

Fingertip: With a multi-touch screen, fingertips can be used to pinch, scroll, zoom and manipulate data on screen. Not only does this provide an incredibly intuitive and natural way to navigate (especially for younger children), it supports multi-user input, providing a collaborative interface for sharing media, games and work projects with friends and colleagues.

A reassuringly durable design provides protection against loss both inside and out:

In such a portable form (it boasts a profile only 17mm thick) it is inevitable for the Eee Slate EP121 to be used in a range of demanding scenarios both inside and out – glaring sunlight, rough journeys or even just excited kids. ASUS have thoughtfully designed the device both inside and out to ensure damage and data loss is kept to a minimal risk.

Inside, data is stored on a Solid State Drive (SSD) which, with no moving parts, is much more robust against physical bumps and shocks than traditional hard disk drives. With a 64GB capacity there is plenty of space to keep your most prized documents and photos safe.

On the outside, the Eee Slate EP121 features a 12.1” Cornel Gorilla screen, which is highly durable and scratch-resistant. Optical bonding ensures reduction in condensation and sunlight reflection, making it far easier to read and see the screen in a range of external environments – whether it’s on a sunny day in the garden or on a dimly lit plane journey for meetings.

Perfect for sharing media and staying connected with friends, family and work:

The Eee Slate EP121 plays host to a range of features which make sharing files and staying connected a breeze.

The 12.1” LED backlit screen with AFFS boasts a 175 degree viewing angle which means it can be turned and rotated and still be easily viewed by a big audience – a feature great for sharing videos with friends or showing a project outline with colleagues or classmates.

With a mini HDMI port included, users can easily connect an external HD display and enjoy movies and presentations in full 1080p HD quality for a rich cinema experience.

A high quality front-facing camera (2MP) means users can take advantage of video conferencing tools – whether it’s for staying in touch with long distance friends or conducting a last minute work meeting across the miles.

Integrated fast wireless (802.11b/g/n) alongside Bluetooth 3.0 and a built-in card reader means it is fast and effortless to copy files between your devices or to share across networks with friends or colleagues.

High performance technology provides a smooth environment for work and play:

As the first tablet to feature a full-power Intel Core i processor, the Eee Slate EP121 surpasses performance levels previously possible in a slate form and can handle high demands responsively.

The Intel Core i5-470UM processor in combination with Intel GMA HD graphics allows users to enjoy a rich multi-tasking environment for work, learning and play without compromising performance. Support of Adobe Flash 10.1 means the Eee Slate EP121 is readily compatible with a huge range of video, animation and gaming content online.

What’s more, the processor integrates Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 alongside Hyper threading technology – essentially this combination means that the Eee Slate EP121 distributes power and performance to applications which need it most at the right times, giving users a speedy and uninterrupted experience whether they are enjoying movies with family or preparing an important work presentation.

Windows 7 Home Premium provides a convenient and familiar environment to use:

Many users don’t have time to learn a whole new operating system just to take advantage of the mobile benefits of tablets.

The Eee Slate EP121 with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) provides a familiar, convenient way to work and play, with a huge range of compatibility and support for files and applications already in existence.

Microsoft Office is supported by the system, and users can easily navigate their working environment by organising windows side by side, viewing previews of open applications from the taskbar or viewing lists of recent documents.

Plug-and-play is recognised so users can easily connect a variety of external devices such as cameras, printers and scanners without the need to install extra software.

Windows Live Mesh enables synchronisation between other computers, with easy access to the latest version to avoid working on an older document – making it a superior option for those who often work away from the office/home, or for collaborative groups who share working documents.

There’s a 5-megapixel camera on the back and a 1.3-megapixel webcam up front; meanwhile inside there’s 16GB or 32GB of storage, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and all the usual sensors: accelerometer, GPS, digital compass, etc. The slate’s internal battery is good for 9.5hrs alone, but ASUS has sensibly used the keyboard attachment to boost that by a further 6.5hrs; you also get a touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports and an SD card reader. We can’t help but wish Acer had packed a battery into their Iconia Tab W500 keyboard slice too.

Unfortunately there’s still no sign of official pricing, though there’s the hint of a €399 ($565) sticker from a European retailer last week. We’ll find out more at ASUS’ official Eee Pad Transformer launch event next week, which will give us a chance to check out the differences between the prototype we played with earlier in the year and the final model.

Press Release:

ASUS Introduces the Eee Pad Transformer

– Innovation meets Versatility as ASUS launches the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 tablet with a unique expandable keyboard docking station –

Fremont, CA (March 25, 2011) – ASUS is excited to announce the launch* of the Eee Pad Transformer, the best tablet choice for users looking for media consumption and mobile productivity in an elegant yet versatile design. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer features the powerful and responsive Android 3.0 operating system, an optional expandable keyboard docking station, and ASUS’ intuitive Waveshare user interface that results in an exciting portable tablet for content creation, social communication, high-definition media playback and smooth realistic game play.

Exciting mini-cinema entertainment on-the-go
Powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core processor, the Transformer browses the web at blazing speeds, providing snappier response times and excellent multi-tasking performance. An IPS (in-plane switching) Panel made from durable and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass is viewable at angles up to 178°, perfect for sharing your favorite photos, web pages, work documents and more with co-workers, friends or family next you or across the room. The 10.1” IPS panel features LED backlighting that provides brilliant and vivid colors at a 1280×800 resolution, perfect for viewing high-definition movies and other media content.

Built-in SRS Sound technology provides a dynamic 3D stereo audio experience, with maximum bass response and a wide sound field from the discrete speakers housed in a thin 0.51” thick chassis that only weighs 1.49lbs. A 1.2MP front-facing camera is perfect for video conferencing while the rear-facing 5MP camera can shoot and record HD video, which can be played back on HDTVs via the mini HDMI output port, making the Eee Pad Transformer a true mobile entertainment device.

Transform from pad to notebook mode with optional keyboard docking station
The Transformer sets itself apart from other tablets on the market by featuring an optional docking station. This unique docking station provides access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys, instantly turning the Transformer into a mobile content creation device.

A touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports as well as a built-in SD Card reader for easy file sharing and storage expandability makes the Transformer a versatile media hub. The docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours** of battery life up to 16 hours**, so users can use it all day for work or play. In addition, the ultra-convenient ASUS WebStorage* with one year of unlimited storage space provides worry-free cloud computing.

Android 3.0 OS melds with ASUS’ Waveshare UI for a unique user experience
Google’s Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) is a revolutionary operating system specially designed and optimized for tablets, which enables users a rich web experience for on-the-go web browsing, social media activities, video playback and casual gaming. Supporting Adobe® Flash® 10.2*** and the ever growing Android Market, media entertainment is just a finger swipe away. The convenient ASUS Launcher also allows users to easily launch software, manage content and access online services and connect devices with a few simple taps, while ASUS’ Waveshare Interface hosts a variety of unique applications* such as MyNet, MyLibrary, MyCloud and more.

MyNet easily streams digital media wirelessly within home network devices so HD videos or music can be played on devices such as an HDTV or desktop PCs for an even better experience from the Transformer. MyLibrary consolidates downloaded books, magazines and newspapers in to one easy to browse profile while MyCloud is a total cloud solution, providing access to digital content such as music, videos and files from the cloud anywhere, anytime. Users can even use MyCloud to remotely access and control any PC or Mac system and access applications or files to extend the versatility of the Eee Pad Transformer experience.

The tablet will hit Taiwan first and hopefully will come to the US and other countries shortly thereafter. The specs are already known and include a 10.1-inch screen, Android 3.0 for the OS, a Tegra 2 processor, and 1GB of RAM. The Transformer will be offered in versions with 16GB or 32GB of storage. There are still a few unknowns about the tablet though. We can’t be sure just how well received the software for turning keyboard input into something the touch-centric Android OS can understand will work.

We also don’t know what the tablet will sell for since and official price isn’t offered. Asus had said during CES that the tablet would range from $400 to $700. The Transformer with no dock has been pegged at $560 in Spain. I was hoping the tablet alone would be in the $400 range and with the dock would get closer to $700.

[via Android Community]

The Acer will be the cheapest, at €349 ($493), followed by the ASUS Eee Pad – exact model unspecified, and the image is one of the Windows 7 Embedded versions – at €399 ($564). After that it’s the XOOM, at €699 ($987), and finally the Optimus Pad at a huge €849 ($1,199).

Interestingly, there’s also mention of both the HP Touchpad and its expected 7-inch follow-up, the HP Opal, on the retailer’s “coming soon” page. No pricing for either, and the fact Phone House is using the codenames doesn’t exactly fill us with confidence.

[via Android Community]

That’s on top of WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and microUSB (with Host support for plugging in peripherals), a 3.5mm headphone socket and microSDHC slot. There’s also GPS, a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash on the back, and a 1.2-megapixel camera on the front, while sensors include a gyroscope, g-sensor, light, proximity and digital compass.

Storage is up to 64GB and RAM is 1GB, and the 7-inch display runs at 1024 x 600 and responds to capacitive finger control together with ASUS’ included stylus. A full charge is apparently good for up to 8hrs of video playback, and the MeMO can supposedly handle 1080p HD. No word on pricing at this stage, but if ASUS can get that right then this might make for some impressive competition to the HTC Flyer.

[via Android Community]

Update: jkkmobile has delivered some video of the MeMO, and while the demo unit is only running Android 2.2 Froyo, the interesting part is the Bluetooth handset accessory ASUS is showing alongside the tablet. It can be used for voice calls, so that you needn’t hold the 7-inch slate to your head. It also has a transparent display, and can be used as a remote control for the MeMO. According to ASUS Germany, the MeMO should be priced at €499 ($690) for the 8-16GB model, or €699 for the 32-64GB model, with the Bluetooth handset; that definitely undercuts the €669 HTC Flyer at the entry level, at least.

Pressed as to whether the “secret weapon” is a component or a tablet, Shih played coy, allowing only that “I think it’s best not to say now. You will have to wait until the launch.”

Interestingly, Shih also alluded to knowing some of the iPad 2 details already, including “what kind of processor they chose,” though it’s unclear whether this is based on ASUS’ own investigations or the same rumors publicly circulating. Still, the CEO reckons NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 – as in the Eee Pad Slider and Eee Pad Transform – still puts them ahead of the game, particularly when it comes to graphics, and that “to really compete it will take [Apple] some time.”

[via NetbookNews]

Both pre-production prototypes were looking reasonably well-used from their time as demonstrators, and the Eee Pad Transform had expired altogether. The software experience for both will be the same, however: Android Honeycomb – though Froyo 2.2 was loaded on the demo units – running on NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra 2 chipset. 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models will be on offer, along with 3G variants in Q3 2011, and each has a front-facing 1.2-megapixel webcam for video calls and stills, and a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera for more general photography and video capture. Bizarrely there didn’t appear to be a way to flick over to the rear camera in the Android photo app on the prototype.

Of the two, ASUS expects the Transform to be the more popular. It has a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen in a slimline slate chassis, but then can dock into a detachable netbook-style keyboard for easier text-entry. Rather than being just a dumb ‘board, however, the dock section also holds a second battery: ASUS reckons 16hrs of runtime when the two are combined, and while we don’t expect real-world use to reach that, the Eee Pad Transform should at least last a whole work-day. Key feel is on a par with a netbook, unsurprisingly, and there’s room for a touchpad underneath; we’re most reminded of the old HP tc1100, though the ‘board unfortunately lacks a swivel hinge so that you can leave the key section attached but still use the touchscreen in slate orientation.

ASUS Eee Pad Slider hands-on:

The Eee Pad Slider, meanwhile, feels a little more like a case of “because we could” from ASUS’ engineers, though that’s not to say it isn’t an impressive little netbook alternative. Closed, it’s on the chunky side in terms of thickness, though not too heavy, and open the keyboard is the same size as a regular netbook. No room for a trackpad, however (and ASUS didn’t bother with a trackpoint nub either), and you can only have the screen set at the default angle. The prototype was feeling quite precarious in its hinge action – the ASUS reps said they’d already broken another unit – but felt reasonably sturdy once locked open. Expect this aspect to undergo significant tweaking before launch, with a new catch mechanism in the works.

Software is still very much undecided, according to ASUS, and we couldn’t draw them on what would make the Eee Pad Transform and Eee Pad Slider content-creators rather than just more Android tablets. The intention is that they’ll be ready for use out of the box, rather than requiring further app purchases for things like Office document creation, but they wouldn’t say exactly what software would be preloaded. Still, there’ll be Android Market access in case the default options aren’t to your liking.

A custom email app looks reasonable, but the system as a whole felt unoptimized; screen rotations could be sluggish, as was touchscreen responsiveness at times, and the accelerometer had trouble figuring which way up the slate was being held. The display itself was bright and clear, though highly reflective, something that could prove frustrating with the fixed angle on the Eee Pad Slider.

Pricing will likely be the deciding factor, and the two tablets suffer a little when compared to ASUS’ Eee PC netbook range. The Eee Pad Transform will kick off from $399 when it lands in April, though you’ll have to pay extra for the keyboard section; the Eee Pad Slider starts at $499 and goes on sale a month later.

The ASUS Eee Pad 121 is the company’s 12-inch Windows 7 model, as detailed last week, running an Intel Core i5 processor along with HDMI and USB ports. Finally, there’s little said about the ASUS Eee Pad EP71, beyond it being a 7-inch notepad-style form-factor, running Android but also shown with a stylus.

ASUS pushed out some teaser photos earlier in the week which showed detailing on some of the new range. It now confirms that the EP101 and EP102 were the two models primarily detailed, but we’ll have to wait until CES 2011 next week for the full news.

Others look to be more straightforward slates, though there’s one – shown in cross-section – which is made up of two layers. It’s not clear whether that’s the same device as the convertible tablet, or another design, perhaps with a slide-out thumbboard.

According to previous leaks, one of ASUS’ tablets – we’re guessing the convertible – will be powered by Windows 7 and use Intel Oak Trail chips, while the other two will be more consumer-focused and  Android on NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset. All are expected to have 10-inch displays.

Video after the cut

Other hardware includes a USB port, SD card slot and a webcam, and ASUS says the EP121 has a multitouch display but also suggests – in the teaser at least – that it will work with a digital stylus for art work. That would hint at a dual-mode active digitizer, supporting both finger and pen control, something many people have been waiting for in an iPad rival.

ASUS is positioning the Eee Pad EP121 as a machine for content creation as well as consumption – they make a point of mentioning it will run Office and show a keyboard hooked up for easier text entry – as well as gaming and HD video. Whether it’s going to be enough to make Windows 7 tablets appealing, we’ll have to wait until CES 2011 to find out.

[via Notebook Italia]

The Eee Pad E90 – details of which were spotted on leaked internal ASUS documents earlier this month – is expected to drop in March 2011, complete with 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of internal storage and battery life of up to 4.5hrs.  That seems on the low side to us, having used other Tegra-based devices, but perhaps Windows 7 Embedded squanders some of NVIDIA’s frugality.

There’ll also be WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and 3G, along with HMDI, USB, a headphone socket, and SD/SDHC memory card reader.  A 0.3-megapixel webcam on the front will be used for video conferencing.  According to the leaked presentation, battery life is around 4.5hrs.

OS appears to be Windows 7 Embedded, running on the dual-core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset.  Appearance-wise, this looks to be a slight variation on the mysterious ASUS Eee Pad prototype shown at Computex 2010 a few months back, though that was running on an Intel processor.

[via EeePC.it]

Hardware details for the EP101TC were always in short supply, with ASUS only saying that it had a 10-inch touchscreen, measures 12.2mm thick and weighs 675g.  According to NetbookNews.de the company are currently using Android 2.2 Froyo for their prototypes, and will be shipping samples to carriers in December; that certainly indicates 3G-enabled models will be on the cards.

[via Android Community]

Video demo after the cut

That leaves us in the dark as to what exactly might be powering the ASUS slate, but its presence at the Intel booth does at least confirm an Atom or CULV CPU of some sort from that company’s range.  It’s also impressively slim, and we have to say we prefer the brushed metal finish and squared off edges to the slightly less eye-catching EP121.

Still, there’s no word from ASUS or Intel as to whether this version will ever see the light of day with a retail release or forever be consigned to the old-prototype store-room.  ASUS’ confirmed Eee Pad models aren’t expected to arrive until Q1 2011, priced between $399 and $499.

The ASUS Eee Pad will be based on NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset, and have features including USB connectivity, an integrated webcam and Adobe Flash support.  Shih says the company have also “strengthened” the tablet’s industrial design, in response to feedback regarding the iPad.

Biggest drawback may be pricing.  Shih reckons the Eee Pad will come in at NT$15,000-16,000 (US$479-510), though that’s apparently “after bundling with telecom carrier services.”  Nonetheless, ASUS are expecting to ship 300,000 units by the end of the year.