Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime: the Rolls-Royce of Android Tablets
With its quad-core CPU and keyboard dock, the Transformer Prime tablet is truly in a league of its own. But all that power comes at a cost.
Fri, December 02, 2011
Computerworld — Watch out, Android tablets: There's a new king in town.
Asus' Eee Pad Transformer Prime is set to shake up the world of mobile computing. The device -- expected to launch in the U.S. sometime during the week of December 19, according to Asus -- marks the first time quad-core technology has made its way into a touch-based tablet. But raw processing power isn't the only thing that puts this tablet in a league of its own.
The Transformer Prime manages to pull off the rare feat of combining power and style: It's sleek and sexy, yet also jam-packed with robust functionality. And it's armed with a secret weapon: Asus' optional keyboard dock, a slim attachment that instantly turns the tablet into a full-fledged laptop computer. The tablet itself costs $499 for a 32GB model and $599 for a 64GB model; the dock is sold separately for $149.
On paper, this thing has it all. So how does it perform in the real world? I spent several days putting it to the test to find out.
Body and display
First, the surface-level stuff: As I mentioned, Asus's new tablet is no slouch in the looks department. The Transformer Prime features a 10.1-in. display guarded by a gorgeous metallic-spun back, available in "Amethyst Gray" or "Champagne Gold" color schemes. Both designs look classy and -- yes -- expensive.
The tablet is thinner than any other on the market today, with a depth of just 8.3mm. It's light, too, weighing in at a waif-like 1.29 lb. In the big picture, of course, we're talking fingernail-sized differences from one tablet to another -- the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is 8.6mm thick and 1.25 lb., while the iPad 2 is 8.8mm thick and 1.33 lb. -- but all comparisons aside, the Prime looks fantastic and feels great to hold.
Despite its slight frame, the Transformer Prime doesn't seem the least bit delicate; on the contrary, it has a solid and sturdy feel. The screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass, which protects it from nicks and scratches. Coupled with the tough outer casing, the Prime is a lightweight tablet with heavyweight-quality materials.
Speaking of the screen, the Transformer Prime features a 1280 x 800 Super IPS+ display that rivals any other tablet display I've seen. Images are crisp and clear; colors are rich and brilliant. The screen includes an outdoor viewing mode that, according to Asus, boosts brightness up to a level 1.5 times higher than any competing tablet; with this mode activated, I found the Prime perfectly easy to view even in bright sunlight.
