Not powerful enough to care if it can have a keyboard. Android and iOS are still not quite in the "real" productivity level. Still need Windows. And these don't cut it. Ultrabook for me with SNB and SSD drive under the hood.
Slap x86 (Brazos ?) into it and it will sell well. At current price point this is doomed to fail as it is competing with real notebooks, various netbooks and isn't even all that far from the more affordable ultrabook-alikes price-wise, yet the value in all these is much higher than that of an ARM-based gadget that is only good for killing some time.
Yes, it is a toy or a media consumption device, but I'd say that is all most consumers want (including myself). I have a quad core desktop and dual core laptop with SSDs and I can do any sort of productivity on those machines. But if I want to read, browse the web, watch a video away from my TV, or do some light gaming (especially on the go) the Transformer Prime is what I'd like to have.
Also, don't forget that most people only use their computers for email and web browsing. You don't need a full blown Windows x86 setup to do that.
My question would be, what would you do with a $500 laptop? Windows gaming on a Brazos? No. Browse the web and read email... hey wait... doing that on a tablet would be more enjoyable! Unless you are really tight on your budget, the new ultrabooks are much more attractive productivity wise... but then we are talking about double the price. If you are talking about Windows gaming, then your talking about beefy, expensive laptops which aren't comparable in price or form factor.
Finally, the iPad seems to be cleaning up at the $499/$599 price point... so I guess no one wants a high-end tablet for that price...
Not a toy at all. I use Citrix Receiver to connect to work. I have Outlook, RDP ect accesss via Reciver and I also have webex client loaded. Can a laptop use reciever , sure. Can I connect as quickly .. no way. I am in the system in about 20-30 seconds or less on the Transformer. I'd only hope my laptop stil had a charge and then I'm still booting into windows.
On top of that:gmail, kindle app, and so on.
I am looking forward to it. Hopefully stock is good and I won't have to wait like I did on my original Transformer.
Sounds like you could make a fortune by bringing a similar product to market for $200 less. I'm all for it. When do you ship? And will you be a non-profit, or are you aiming for 5% margins?
Looks "better-than-iPad" great as long as they don't screw anything up, learn from mistakes in the original transformer etc. For tablet productivity and gaming this looks like it will be the best you can get for a long while. 720p resolution seems plenty high enough for gaming and productivity but wonder if Apple will be the first to use a 2k+ resolution tablet screen and if it will add actual functionality or just make text look nicer.
Held off buying the original Transformer due to their announcement of the second one soon after the original released. Disappointed the cost is as high as it is but it would have been fine if they had integrated 3G/4G into it to make up for the extra cost. As it is I would like to see it at least $100 cheaper. I'm still very interested in it though and I'm looking forward to full review and testing once it releases.
Not sure if this is a glitch or normal I didn't see it here when I checked this morning and then later in the day was goggling for prime info and stumbled on to it.
I wonder why they still stuck with this instead of a standard SD slot. I don't want to have to buy an adapter/dock to be able to read my camera's SD cards.
And ASUS better hope Samsung don't announce a 10.1S or something by December.
I am amused to see the complaints from Americans posting here about how much the "Prime" will cost in the States. The cost of the *original* Transformer in the UK (after *deducting* British sales tax please note) is higher in dollar terms than the price at which Asus are launching the "Prime" in the US. This is absolutely standard behaviour by the OEMs and the sooner the European competition authorities take a close look at this the better.
With Best Buy having a black friday deal of $250 for the Transformer 1, can anyone explain why the T2 is worth double the price? Is it really $250 better? I'm leaning toward no considering the screen resolution is essentially unchanged, and no 3G/4G option. But happy for someone to convince me otherwise!
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26 Comments
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deadsix - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
I was hoping it would be $500 for the tablet and the dock. It still looks like it will replace my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1iwod - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Exactly, I was expecting that too. The Dock is too expensive, what happens if i only need the keyboard and not the battery.fteoath64 - Saturday, November 12, 2011 - link
Just get any bluetooth keyboard and be done with it.jalexoid - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
You can bet your *** that it will sell in bundles with the dock for 70-100 more. That is 50 less then separately.BSMonitor - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Not powerful enough to care if it can have a keyboard. Android and iOS are still not quite in the "real" productivity level. Still need Windows. And these don't cut it. Ultrabook for me with SNB and SSD drive under the hood.Itaintrite - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
I think that was "dreaming" instead of "hoping". They'd already said the Prime tablet itself would be at a premium price.dagamer34 - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
It's pretty easy to see where the look of Windows 8 tablets/laptops will be going.inplainview - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Yes. Following Apple's MBA.As an aside, what will happen to Flash on mobile devices now that Adobe has decided to withdraw support?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57321157-264/ado...
Arnulf - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Slap x86 (Brazos ?) into it and it will sell well. At current price point this is doomed to fail as it is competing with real notebooks, various netbooks and isn't even all that far from the more affordable ultrabook-alikes price-wise, yet the value in all these is much higher than that of an ARM-based gadget that is only good for killing some time.3DoubleD - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Yes, it is a toy or a media consumption device, but I'd say that is all most consumers want (including myself). I have a quad core desktop and dual core laptop with SSDs and I can do any sort of productivity on those machines. But if I want to read, browse the web, watch a video away from my TV, or do some light gaming (especially on the go) the Transformer Prime is what I'd like to have.Also, don't forget that most people only use their computers for email and web browsing. You don't need a full blown Windows x86 setup to do that.
My question would be, what would you do with a $500 laptop? Windows gaming on a Brazos? No. Browse the web and read email... hey wait... doing that on a tablet would be more enjoyable! Unless you are really tight on your budget, the new ultrabooks are much more attractive productivity wise... but then we are talking about double the price. If you are talking about Windows gaming, then your talking about beefy, expensive laptops which aren't comparable in price or form factor.
Finally, the iPad seems to be cleaning up at the $499/$599 price point... so I guess no one wants a high-end tablet for that price...
slatr - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - link
Not a toy at all. I use Citrix Receiver to connect to work. I have Outlook, RDP ect accesss via Reciver and I also have webex client loaded. Can a laptop use reciever , sure. Can I connect as quickly .. no way. I am in the system in about 20-30 seconds or less on the Transformer. I'd only hope my laptop stil had a charge and then I'm still booting into windows.On top of that:gmail, kindle app, and so on.
I am looking forward to it. Hopefully stock is good and I won't have to wait like I did on my original Transformer.
freedownloadaz - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
can you tell me Apple iPad 2's cost on eBay, I am often buy on eBay. thanksfreedownloadaz - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Check information here: http://freedownloadaz.com, you can find cheap iphone for youATOmega - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Still a good $200 more expensive than what it should really be.When are tablet makers going to stop trying to skin us?
BrooksT - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - link
Sounds like you could make a fortune by bringing a similar product to market for $200 less. I'm all for it. When do you ship? And will you be a non-profit, or are you aiming for 5% margins?softbatch - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
I'll wait for the next Iconia. No Full sized powered USB on tablet ... NO BUY!!jrs77 - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Seriously. I really like the Transformer with the dockable keyboard and it's additional battery, but without integrated 3G/4G it's absolutely useless.At home, where I have WiFi available, there's no need for a device like this, and when I leave the house, there's no WiFi around 99% of the time.
So, either they have to implement the possibility for using USB-netsticks, or they need to integrate it into the device.
With all that said.... I'm happy with my MBA 13".
Zink - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Looks "better-than-iPad" great as long as they don't screw anything up, learn from mistakes in the original transformer etc. For tablet productivity and gaming this looks like it will be the best you can get for a long while. 720p resolution seems plenty high enough for gaming and productivity but wonder if Apple will be the first to use a 2k+ resolution tablet screen and if it will add actual functionality or just make text look nicer.Skott - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Held off buying the original Transformer due to their announcement of the second one soon after the original released. Disappointed the cost is as high as it is but it would have been fine if they had integrated 3G/4G into it to make up for the extra cost. As it is I would like to see it at least $100 cheaper. I'm still very interested in it though and I'm looking forward to full review and testing once it releases.datobin1 - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Not sure if this is a glitch or normal I didn't see it here when I checked this morning and then later in the day was goggling for prime info and stumbled on to it.Itaintrite - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
I wonder why they still stuck with this instead of a standard SD slot. I don't want to have to buy an adapter/dock to be able to read my camera's SD cards.And ASUS better hope Samsung don't announce a 10.1S or something by December.
dannyboy153 - Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - link
Please Asus. 3G/4G would make this a truly portable device. I mean, without 3G/4G, it kinda defeats the purpose of a tablet.Odeen - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - link
Having built-in 3G/4G means a separate $50 cellular data plan for the device, above and beyond your existing cell phone plan.Are you ever out in the field with your tablet, but without your cell phone?
If you're not... just use Wi-Fi to tether to your smartphone using the data plan you're already paying for...
haukionkannel - Thursday, November 10, 2011 - link
Are transformer prime and tranformer 2 separate tablets? Have been reading about both of them...FrederickL - Saturday, November 12, 2011 - link
I am amused to see the complaints from Americans posting here about how much the "Prime" will cost in the States. The cost of the *original* Transformer in the UK (after *deducting* British sales tax please note) is higher in dollar terms than the price at which Asus are launching the "Prime" in the US. This is absolutely standard behaviour by the OEMs and the sooner the European competition authorities take a close look at this the better.
Rocketman11 - Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - link
With Best Buy having a black friday deal of $250 for the Transformer 1, can anyone explain why the T2 is worth double the price? Is it really $250 better? I'm leaning toward no considering the screen resolution is essentially unchanged, and no 3G/4G option. But happy for someone to convince me otherwise!