Asus Transformer Review

User Ratings 

The Asus Eee Pad Tranformer Tab, after the huge fanfare for the introduction of the iPad 2 no one would have thought that the Transformer would emerge as the front runner in the tablet market place. Depending on who you talk to it may not be as pretty as the iPad 2 or the Galaxy Tab, but it is still admirable when in the right hands.

What Makes The Asus Transformer A Popular Choice?

The Asus Transformer is known mainly for its versatility, beautiful display and features. What most buyers have been impressed with in the Transformer is that it is not only a handheld device, but it can be used as a notebook computer if the user has the optional keyboard docking station attached.

The other highlights of the Transformer includes a microSD card slot to expand memory and when the keyboard docking station is added, users get an additional microSD card slot and two USB ports, plus an additional 6.5 hours of battery life. This adds up to an unbelievable 16 hours of battery power!

The Eee Pad Transformer comes with the new Honeycomb Android OS 3.1 that can be updated to the current Honeycomb OS, NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU; 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM memory; 1 Micro SD slot; 1 GB Max; 16GB or 32GB Internal Flash Memory; Wireless 802.11bgn and Bluetooth 2.1 which come standard with the tablet. The price of the tablet has created some buzz among consumers because the 16GB is $399, which is less expensive than the Apple iPad 2 by $100 and $200 less than the lowest priced Motorola Xoom. If you want an economically priced tablet with some hard to ignore features, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer may be the way to go.

Asus Transformer Product Description

The device has a slim, lightweight design with a a 10.1-inch IPS capacitive display made from durable and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. The use of IPS technology helps the tablet achieve excellent viewing angles up to 178 degrees. The Asus Transformer uses a 1280-by-800-pixel display with a widescreen 16:10 aspect ratio. The Transformer’s display screen is surrounded by a thin strip of metal that wraps around the frame.

On the back of the Transformer is a textured plastic covering that reduces the possibility of damage by making it easy to hold without it slipping from your hands or sliding off a slick surface. Also, on the back is the 5.0-megapixel camera for still image capture and video capture at 720p, but there is no LED flash, like other competing tablets.

The Transformer measures 0.5 inch tall. It’s longer than other tablets, including the Acer Iconia Tab A500 by half an inch, the Motorola Xoom by almost a full inch, and the Apple iPad 2 by 1.2 inches. The extra length makes for an extra-wide bezel in landscape mode where it permits the Transformer to match the Mobile Docking Station’s size, so the two can connect like a laptop.

By itself, the Transformer measures 10.7 inches by 6.9 inches by 0.5 inch. The tablet weights in at 1.5 pounds and is heavier than the 1.3 pound iPad 2, but not by much.

The Transformer’s power button and volume rocker are located at the upper right corner when the tablet is held in the orientation mode. The 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera is at the top center.

Along the right-hand edge are a 3.5mm audio jack (which doubles as a headphone output and a microphone input), the Mini-HDMI port, and the microSD card slot. Toward the bottom corners of the left and right edges are stereo speakers, but they are not the only source of sound. The 40-pin Mobile Docking Station connection point openings that run along the bottom edge of the Transformer are also capable of transmitting audio.

Keyboard Docking Station – Sets Asus Transformer Apart From Other Tablets

Asus has set the Transformer apart from other tablets in that it has the optional docking station which transform the tablet into a notebook computer. Because of the accessory, the user is provided access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys. The Eee Pad closes and locks like a laptop when docked. When docked the Transformer weighs just under 3 pounds when combined (the docking station weighs 1.41 pounds). The two parts fit together seamlessly, unlike other keyboards that are separate sizes and designs from the tablet (as is true of Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad 2).

When assembled, the Transformer’s touchscreen is still fully operational, but the on-screen keyboard is not accessible. The touchpad on the docking station supports easy mouse control in the Android environment. The docking station has two USB 2.0 ports and one SDHC card slot. The dock is able to handle various SD Cards and flash drives and the USB port can accommodate input devices such as an external mouse.

Desktop Utilities & Apps

For the desktop, Asus provides downloadable utilities for the Transformer’s PC Sync and Asus Webstorage. The Eee Pad Transformer performs well as a multimedia tablet and provides access to the web, email, and other productivity applications. Because of the dual core processor, the Eee Pad Transformer has multi-tasking capability.

There is a custom user interface, support for Adobe Flash 10.2, HD video conferencing and playback and great mobile gaming performance. The front and rear cameras used for video chat and digital photography, which can be played back on a HDTV via the mini HDMI port on the Transformer.

The Transformer comes preloaded with useful software. For example, Asus’s MyNet DLNA media sharing app; MyCloud for accessing Asus’s Webstorage (2GB free for one year; unlimited storage for $5 monthly) or for connecting remotely to your desktop via the Splashtop-powered MyDesktop; there is Layar, Fuze Meeting ,MyLibrary for accessing newspaper, Epub, PDF book content and a file manager.

There is also Infraware’s Polaris Office 3.0 for viewing, editing and saving documents as Microsoft Office 2003 files. Using the Polaris software, users are able to modify MS documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. On the Transformer’s home screen, through the use of widgets, users can review their email inbox, Twitter and Facebook accounts and YouTube channels, all at a glance.

Transformer Technical Details

• 10.1″ WSVGA (1280×800) IPS Capacitive LED Touchscreen; .51 inches thick, Weighs 1.5 lbs., Android 3.1 Operating System
• Dual Core NVIDIA Tegra 2 Processor 1GHz; 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM; 16GB or 32GB Internal Flash Memory; Wireless 802.11bgn; Bluetooth 2.1 – 3G mobile connection will be released at a later date.
• Mini HDMI Port; Micro SD Card Slot; 1.2MP (front) and 5.0MP (rear) Webcam on tablet
• GPS; Gravity Sensor; E-Compass; Light Sensor; Gyroscope; 24.4W/h Lithium Polymer Battery (Up to 9.5 Hours Battery Life)
• 40-Pin Docking Port for Optional Keyboard (Keyboard Not included)/Docking Station (Model Name: TF101 DOCKING)
• 1 SD Card reader on Mobile Dock and 2 full USB ports
• Adobe Flash 10.2 support requires an upgrade available online.
• Asus Webstorage free for 1 year (Accessible from any location with a Wi-Fi internet connection)
• 3D stereo with max bass response with SRS premium sound

Size and Expandability

• Size (LWH): 10.67 inches, 6.97 inches, 0.51 inches
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Storage capacity from 16GB to 64GB

Battery Life

Actual battery life varies with usage. Under normal use, battery life on the Eee Pad is projected to be around 9.5 hours and 16 hours when using the docked keyboard.

What’s in the Box

• ASUS EeePad Transformer TF101
• User manual
• Power adapter with USB to 40 pin connector
• Warranty card

The Asus Transformer, according to some reports has become the tablet of choice behind the Apple iPad 2. However, the Asus is currently considered one of the top selling tablets in the marketplace. The demand for WiFi tablets convinced Asus to release the Eee Pad Transformer which sold out within a week before making the decision to release the 3G model later during the year.

Overall, most consumers purchasing this tablet really like it because of it’s price, display and versatility. Being able to utilize it as a tablet and notebook computer with the optional docking station is a plus. Users should keep in mind that without the docking station, there would be no access to the USB ports or extra SD card slot.

The Transformer is a unique tablet and should be given serious consideration. Because of the Transformer’s uniqueness, it has managed to convert previous iPad 2 and Motorola Xoom owners.

Consumer Reviews

The Asus Transformer had an overall 4 star rating from Amazon customers. Checkout reviews of the tablet below.

Best Honeycomb 3.2 tablet so far, April 26, 2011 (updated August 3rd 2011)

The main feature for me was the remote desktop. I can access my PC, whether it’s a Mac or a PC, if the devices are connected to a network WiFi connection. I was able to control my PC from anywhere using all the features, including watching a HD movie and working on a MS Word doc.

The tablet doesn’t weigh much for its size and the IPS screen is amazing, it’s the same screen used on the iPad 2. I like Apple and I own a iPhone 4, but when it came to deciding which tablet to buy, I went for the Transformer because it offers me a tablet/netbook function, the best of both worlds.

The tablet itself has a microSD card slot so I already have 32GB more to use. The docking station (which can be purchased for $149.99) has 2 USB ports and 1 SD Card slot. You can edit Microsoft Office docs on it using Polaris Office, it comes pre-installed on it. Playing mp3s or acc files on the Transformer is great too. You can use the app MyNet to play music from your own PC or Mac via bluetooth.

It has native email (which Blackberry Playbook doesn’t). You can sync your calendar and contacts easily. It has full flash compatibility. For $399, there’s nothing on the market with these specs. The Motorola Xoom has similar specs and it costs $200 more. Plus, it doesn’t give you the option to attach a docking station with the additional slots. When I buy computers, I want to be able to upload content to it easily, or transfer files from it easily as well. The Apple system is ok but needing iTunes for everything is kinda like a dictatorship. That’s where the Android Market comes in. I’m a iOS person who’s welcoming Android with open arms!

You can download any apps you want, any developer can create apps for it, it’s a “Free” system. It’s not as wide as the App Store, but it’s getting bigger and bigger by the minute. I downloaded the Kindle app and already transferred all my e-books to it (I also own a Kindle and I love it).

I definitely recommend this thing for people who want to use their tablets as an extension or even a replacement to their laptops. Asus has hit a home run with this one, since it costs much less than anybody else and its specs are great. It’s hands down the best purchase I’ve had under 400 bucks.

Review Update: Apr 29 2011
PROS

• Multitasking is really easy on the Transformer. You can quickly jump from one app to the other, check e-mails, browse something on Wikipedia, listen to music and even have your Skype session open at the same time.
• File Manager is great! You don’t have to hook up your Transformer to your computer all the time to move, copy or paste files. You can create new folders and even transfer files from your microSD card straight to it. You don’t need to plug it in in order to access or move files.
• Widgets on your Desktop or Asus Launcher is very wide so you can add many widgets to it and they are very handy. It is not something that can be done on the iPad 2. Mind you Widgets can affect the speed a bit, but nothing noticeable at all. Those people running speed tests between iPad 2 and the Transformer need to bear that in mind.
• Weight of the Transformer does not feel heavy at all for its size.

CONS

• Smudges on screen – it’s a fingerprint magnet but all tablets are, so not a big deal. It doesn’t need wiping on a daily basis. For IPS screens, the best way to clean it is to use a mixture of distilled water and alcohol, but I’m using tap water. I like this thing so much that I would buy another one tomorrow if something happened to it (wait, maybe not tomorrow, it’s still sold out everywhere)!
• HD video playback in Fullscreen mode using the YouTube App is okay, but this might be Honeycomb-related and therefore something that can be dealt with via future updates. You might notice a bit of choppy frames here and there. I find the iOS more stable for this type of playback. But there’s no problems playing HD video from your microSD card or even if you upload a HD video to the Transformer hard drive, you won’t have problems watching it. There’s more than enough RAM to support HD video streaming.
• Charger: The cord is not long enough. If I have it on a desk, I need a power bar or outlet really close by, to leave it plugged in if I want to save battery power. Well, tablet + docking gives you 16 hrs of battery… so you really don’t have to have it plugged in.
• Camera: not that great, it’s an average camera, but for daily use, it’s not too bad.

UPDATE June 13

I have used the Transformer for six weeks with the keyboard dock and I can safely say it has become my main “go to” device. It has web browsing, music, movies, games, word processing, reading books and comics, news, remote desktop, you name it. I still use my PC and my smartphone, but not as much as I use the tablet.

For people who wonder if light bleed gets worse as time goes by: I was lucky enough to get a unit with no light bleed other than a tiny spot (barely noticeable) on the left side of the tablet, and it’s been the same since day 1. But compared to my friend’s iPad, I can safely say mine has no light bleed whatsoever.

Honeycomb 3.1: Asus was one of the first ones to release the 3.1 update and it fixed the YouTube app HD video issue (at least on mine). I think 1080p is overkill on a 10.1 inch screen so the 720p HD on the YouTube app works like a charm. Playing movies straight out of a SD card or USB drive without having to use your device’s internal memory. It is easy and there is no lag time. The Honeycomb 3.1 update repaired a lot of bugs that previously occured in the OS.

Touchscreen is much more responsive, browser is faster, animations flow more smoothly, full gamepad compatibility via USB, better “relationship” between dock and tablet. Battery life is great, using the keyboard to type long texts is handy. I was able to tether the Transformer to my iPhone via WiFi, so now it works as a 3G-like tablet.

I’ve done both bluetooth and WiFi tethering. Wi-fi is faster, but bluetooth saves battery life. I basically do it to use Google Maps and GPS, and it’s been great so far. It works with the iPhone and I know it works with Android devices, but I’m not sure if works with Blackberry phones.

UPDATE August 3rd 2011

It has been six weeks since I purchased the Transformer and I am still very pleased with my device. The Honeycomb 3.2 update resulted in a few changes, nothing significant. The update helps with apps that are not designed to run on larger screens like 10.1 inches.

Media sync from SD -You can now load any media straight from the microSD card. There is better hardware acceleration, updates to widgets and Movie Studio app, now Honeycomb can also run on 7 inch tablets. Overall, I’m still having loads of fun with the Transformer! (A Tamulis) Review paraphrased, read the complete review here.

Still not the end all be all, June 1, 2011 (Updated July 20, 2011)

I purchased the Transformer with the keyboard from Amazon, before I bought it, I was on the fence between this tablet, Ipad2 and the yet to be released Toshiba Android tablet. I had a hard time deciding between purchasing the Ipad2 and the Transformer since I already have an iPhone4. The ability to run flash programs, built in GPS in the base unit, with microSD external storage and a larger screen with more resolution was the swaying factor.

The display unit is very nice and sharp, a bit glossy, it will reflect quite a bit and it’s also a finger print magnet. It also has a tackiness as your finger will not glide as easy as you might expect. I don’t mind the back shell of the unit although others have commented that it feels cheap. It feels fine to me.The Transformer’s major disadvantages are:

• Weak WiFi performance. I have a Dlink N router and none of my laptops or iphone have any performance issues around my house. The tablet frequently registers fair to poor signal strength with WiFi dropping off sporadically. I’ve altered my router to use a different channel which seemed to help the reliability of the connection but data rate is poor overall.
• Video playback at 1080p is not great either. I’ve tried streaming from DLNA source and on the microSD of some 1080p movies and the frame rates are very choppy. You’ll get one second of video and about two seconds of freezing. Playback on DVD definition video is adequate, but not great. No freezing, but doesn’t seem very smooth. With the recent update to 3.1 Honeycomb did improve video playback, but it didn’t fix the video playback problem. I will have to try some movies at 720p to see if that helps.
• This is my first experience with Google Android. On some things like the browser or Google Earth the system works great with the touch interface and provides a near seamless experience. But it still needs a lot more polishing all around. When I pinch and zoom in Google Earth, it won’t zoom in or out in the area I’m pinching in, just the center of the screen. You can’t pinch and zoom in an email either.
• The browser has flash support, some sites won’t recognize it as a full fledged browser and redirects you to the mobile version of their website so you can’t access the flash version of their sites. When you do get a site with flash, it seems slow. The other thing that’s a nuisance is that some apps prefer to run in either portrait or landscape mode and you can’t switch seamlessly around from both for certain apps.
• It is a pain to switch to portrait mode with keyboard attached. I still have other glitches where my keyboard would disappear and become non functional until I take the tablet off and plug it back in and I’ve gotten a few lock ups with video playback. Switching the WiFi Off/On seems to put it in a quandary sometimes. Overall, 3.1 Android still feels unfinished.

It’s a bit disappointing in the end, I took one star off for unfinished Android experience and another star off for awful WiFi performance/range and 1080p playback which is important to me. The only glimmer of hope is that these issues may get resolved with a future update. Then again, maybe I got a bad unit or my expectations were too high.

Update June 5, 2011

You can pinch/zoom in the browser by turning off Auto-fit page option in the browser. 720P movies works, but bogs down when there are heavy changes in the video. There’s a rhythmic change in speed every second. It’s very subtle, but noticeable in slow smooth pans in video. 720 over DLNA works fine. Youtube video browser is pretty good. Network still drops out for no reason. I just realized there’s no easy way to print from the tablet.

Update July 20, 2011

Just updated firmware which seem to address the problem of the WiFi not picking up my wireless after coming out of sleep mode. Not sure what else the update addressed (GPSUser). Review paraphrased, read the complete review here.

Note: Honeycomb 3.2 OS was updated for Asus Transformer owners July 28, 2011. Honeycomb 3.2 brings with it compatibility zoom for phone apps, support for microSD loading and other tablet-based optimizations.

 Recommended Accessories For The Asus Transformer

• Keyboard/Docking Station
• Asus TF101 Transformer Sleeve
• rooCase Multi-Angle Leather Folio Case Cover (Black)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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