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Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF201

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For the electrical device, see Transformer. For other uses, see Transformer (disambiguation).
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime
DeveloperAsus
TypeTablet, media player, PC
Release date2011-12-01 Taiwan.[1]
2011-12-12 USA (online).[2]
Operating systemAndroid 3.2 Honeycomb, upgradable to 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich[3]
CPU1.3 GHz Quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3
Memory1 GB
StorageFlash memory
32 or 64 GB and microSD slot
Display1280×800 px (aspect ratio 16:10), 10.1 in (26 cm) diagonal, 149 PPI Super IPS+ LCD, capacitive touchscreen
GraphicsGeForce ULP
Soundmonaural speaker, microphone, headset jack
Input
Connectivity
Dimensions10.4 in (260 mm) H
7.12 in (181 mm) W
8.3 mm (0.33 in)
Mass586 g (1.292 lb)
RelatedASUS Eee Pad Transformer
Websiteasus.com

The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the world's first Android tablet computer with a Quad Core processor. It runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb with ASUS promising an update to Android 4.0 in the near future. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime was announced by Asus on 9 November 2011. The tablet computer was released in Taiwan on 1 December 2011.[1] The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime was released in Canada and the United States during the week of 19 December 2011.[1]

Features

The Eee Pad is a tablet computer with a 10.1" IPS+ multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1280x800 and an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-a-chip (SoC). It has a 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi module and a microSD card reader.

The optional docking keyboard features full QWERTY keys, trackpad, one USB 2.0 port and one SD card reader as well as an additional battery that increases overall battery life from 12 hours to 18 hours. There is also a sleeve which protects the tablet when not in use. This has similarities with the iPad 2 Smart Cover, but folds in an origami like fashion.[4]

Software

The Transformer Prime shipped with Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update was released on January 11 2012 for the Transformer Prime.[3]

Reception

The tablet has been noted for its graphics performance in games optimised for the Tegra 3, with the water in Riptide GP prompting a description of "awesome".[5] By contrast, file transfer speeds for writing were one of the slowest in tablets tested.[5] A review unit was rooted in December 2011.[6] Users of the device intending to install a custom ROM themselves were disappointed in January 2012 to discover a locked and encrypted bootloader.[7][8] The manufacturer promptly announced work on a tool to unlock the bootloader, the use of which will void the warranty and preclude use of DRM content purchased via services such as Google Videos.[9] In a comparison with the original Transformer by the Android Police blog, the Prime was preferred.[10] Two "minor" downsides were quoted: the speakers and the loss of a USB port.[10]

On December 22, 2011, toy maker Hasbro filed a lawsuit and injunction against Asus for copyright infringement. Hasbro is requesting that Asus change the name of the Prime, claiming that the name "Transformer Prime" is using its Transformers franchise to sell tablets. Failing the name change, they are requesting that Asus not be allowed to release the Prime, and that they pay punitive damages. Spokespeople for Asus, however, say that the Prime's rollout will not be affected by the Hasbro lawsuit. [11]

On December 30, 2011, news started to emerge that hardware problems exist in the Transformer Prime with its GPS capability. It was suggested in user forums that the problem is a result of the spun aluminium back panel effectively blocking GPS signals. This was later corroborated by Asus themselves in a response letter discussing the issue. Asus responded by saying "The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites" they went on to say "this product is not a professional GPS device". Most notably, they then proceeded to remove the GPS capability from the official list of Transformer Prime specs on their US website. [12] At the 2012 CES, the manufacturer announced a 3G version of the tablet, which will include an improved GPS module. It was stated at the time that release was planned for March 2012.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Engadget staff (December 1, 2011). "ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime review". Engadget. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  2. ^ Bohn, Dieter (1). "Asus Transformer Prime release date official: Dec. 12 online, Dec 19 retail". The Verge. Retrieved 15 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b "Transformer Prime Gets 4.0.3 (ICS) Update". Anandtech. January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  4. ^ Victor H. (December 05, 2011). "Asus Transformer Prime Sleeve is an origami-inspired cover for the first quad-core tablet". phoneArena.com. Retrieved December 29, 2011. [...] origami-inspired case [...] Does it borrow from the iPad 2 Smart Cover? Well, the Sleeve doubles as a stand so it delivers a similar functionality, but folds in a different way. There seems to be some resemblance, but it's up to you to decide whether this makes the cover a blind copy, an original concept or is it somewhere in between. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Perenson, Melissa J. (December 3, 2011). "Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 review". Techworld. IDG. Retrieved December 13, 2011. Graphics in some games appear awesome. Riptide GP has water that ripples with surprising realism, and the droplets that splash stun. [...] One performance metric that the Transformer Prime disappointed was in its file transfer speeds. Among the Android 3.x tablets and iPad 2, the Prime was one of the slowest models we've tested at writing to the tablet [...]
  6. ^ Jones, Cheryl Lindo. "ASUS Transformer Prime Gets Rooted Thanks to Razorclaw". netbooknews.com. Retrieved January 03, 2012. Phil Nickinson from Android Central took a bit of a risk when he ran the Razorclaw rooting app on the review unit Transformer Prime he had, but the risk paid off. [...] At any rate, his risk has turned into your reward, whenever you get your hands on the Transformer Prime. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Davies, Chris (January 02, 2012). "ASUS catches heat over Transformer Prime locked bootloader". SlashGear. Retrieved January 03, 2012. [...] Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet was discovered to use an encrypted bootloader preventing owners from tweaking the slate. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ Kendrick, James (January 03, 2012). "Transformer Prime buyers believe unlocked bootloader is an inalienable right". ZDNet. Retrieved January 03, 2012. The ASUS Transformer Prime has an encrypted locked bootloader, and buyers are campaigning the company to unlock it. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  9. ^ Graziano, Dan (January 03, 2012). "Transformer Prime to get Android 4.0 on January 12, official bootloader unlock tool soon". Boy Genius Report. Retrieved January 04, 2012. The company announced that it is working on a bootloader unlocking tool, however with an unlocked bootloader comes consequences; Google video rentals will be unavailable and the ASUS warranty will be voided for unlocked devices. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b Gingrich, Aaron. "[Head To Head] Asus Transformer (TF101) Versus Asus Transformer Prime (TF201): No Surprises Here - Prime By A Landslide". Android Police. Retrieved January 09, 2012. In a victory that should surprise pretty much nobody, the Prime takes it in a landslide. In fact, the Prime suffers losses against the TF in just two minor ways: speakers (only one, and it's in a bad place), and the number of USB ports (one versus the TF's two) [...] {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ http://www.mobileinquirer.com/2011/hasbro-sues-asus-transformer-prime-laptop-in-disguise/
  12. ^ http://www.landofdroid.com/2011/asus-response-to-transformer-prime-gps-problems/
  13. ^ Barak, Sylvie (January 07, 2012). "Asus reveals 2012 tablet roadmap". EE Times. Retrieved January 10, 2012. The firm also announced the 3G version of its Nvidia Corp. Tegra 3 based Transformer Prime tablet, with an improved GPS module, to be released in mid-march [sic]. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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