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[Merged] Asus Transformer Prime

rirawin said:
That isn't true anymore with more Android OS phones a huge customer base is opened and cross pollination between the platform begins. The Prime is only the 2nd generation and without knowing what the other companies are doing I would be surprised if more market share is eaten up to a degree by Android tablets.

What I waiting for is an Android with a digitiser like the Samsung Note so I have a portable art pad. For the time being I have the Ipad2 but it be going asap if someone like that was avaliable.
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Point well taken. I'm often amused by the apparent assumption that the iPad has forever and always determined the form factor and functionality of the "tablet" category. (Whatever that is.) Had boards like this been around when the Kaypro II was introduced, I suspect there would have been those who maintained that a portable computer weighing 26 lbs with a 9" green phosphor screen running CP/M couldn't be topped.

As a matter of fact, I do recall those who claimed that the huge installed base of CP/M would prevent DOS from gaining a toehold. Six months later and CP/M was history.
 
The Transformer is the best alternative out there for the iPad, in my opinion. It also happens to be selling pretty well. In the days before the iPad, I think we would have been impressed with 400,000 or so a month (for the first iteration).

Asus has an impressive record of innovation, quality, and affordability (they basically took over the netbook market a few years ago). They aren't an iPad "killer," and they won't be, because the market is big enough for more than one tablet.

I am still unhappy with Android, but maybe ICS will change my mind. Who knows? I am so invested in the Apple ecosystem now, I doubt I will be switching to Android anytime soon, but a lackluster iPad 3 and great implementation of ICS might convince me.

I think a lot of people want a tablet (for various reasons) and that doesn't have to be an iPad. To use a car analogy, lots of people want affordable, compact cars and are quite happy to get a Kia or Hyundai instead of a Toyota or Honda. They look good and get them where they want to go. When Android + good hardware offers something like this, then we'll see sales jump.
 
By that the time the Ipad3 is released ICS will have its kinks smoothed out and also some quality apps will appear. At the moment the Prime wins the technology front but its the software side that counts really.
 
I've got an original transformer and it's a brilliant device - easily the best Android tablet there is and the keyboard / trackpad is fantastic for things like remote desktop software. However, I also have an iPad 2 because I see them filling different niches:
The Transformer for me is really more of Android Netbook and I very rarely use it in tablet format - if I want to sit and chill with a tablet it's invariably the iPad that I pick up
 
Skika said:
People wanting filesystem on mobile devices make me sick.
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LOL. I guess you are going to throw up when you read this, then.

Without a file system, the iPad is USELESS for the most basic tasks like uploading an image to a website. If I remember correctly, I can't even upload one to this forum!!! At the very least, I cannot do it on Blackboard at my university (no, iCab Mobile cannot do it).

Without a file system, the iPad forces you to either replicate files and waste precious memory, or limit yourself to one app within a category (in my case I am using iAnnotate instead of GoodReader, even though I like different aspects of both).

I don't necessarily want a file system. Honestly. I don't care. I just want to do these things (upload files and use multiple apps for things like PDF reading). The only way I know of doing this is with a file system, so that is what I am looking for :)
 
palpatine said:
...

I don't necessarily want a file system. Honestly. I don't care. I just want to do these things (upload files and use multiple apps for things like PDF reading). The only way I know of doing this is with a file system, so that is what I am looking for :)
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Agree completely but I think you'll be able to tell when Apple is ready to provide a common file system. There will be reports of hell getting very, very cold.
 
Sandman1969 said:
People not understanding why someone would want that makes me laugh.
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+1

the fact that i'm forced to store multiple copies of a PDF if i want to have the ability to use alternative PDF-capable apps to open the document is ridiculous.
 
The point missing is here is Applications. Developers go where the money is and Android has proven to not be the winner right now. People want great native apps and accessories. Having the best "specs" wins very little awards. Having the best "experience" wins the most.
 
Buildbright said:
The point missing is here is Applications. Developers go where the money is and Android has proven to not be the winner right now. People want great native apps and accessories. Having the best "specs" wins very little awards. Having the best "experience" wins the most.
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Android never will be where the money is until Google cracks down on their app store. Android users are known for getting apps for free by any means. Developers will still develop for Android, but the majority of high quality apps will always go to iOS first. That's where the money is.
 
bufffilm said:
+1

the fact that i'm forced to store multiple copies of a PDF if i want to have the ability to use alternative PDF-capable apps to open the document is ridiculous.
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An old adage in IT. If you have two versions of anything at least one is wrong. Trying to manage multiple versions of a document with separate applications is in itself enough to disqualify the iPad for serious documentary work.
 
jsh1120 said:
An old adage in IT. If you have two versions of anything at least one is wrong. Trying to manage multiple versions of a document with separate applications is in itself enough to disqualify the iPad for serious documentary work.
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Exactly.
 
rirawin said:
Exactly.
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Although I totally agree with the sentiment about it being a bad thing (I've said it elsewhere in the thread as well) it doesn't disqualify the iPad for serious work.

It means, unfortunately, that even though I would like to use several apps in a particular category, I only use one. It is bad for developers (who can't share me as a customer). It is bad for me (because I end up using only one of the great apps out there).

I still use it.
 
palpatine said:
Although I totally agree with the sentiment about it being a bad thing (I've said it elsewhere in the thread as well) it doesn't disqualify the iPad for serious work.

It means, unfortunately, that even though I would like to use several apps in a particular category, I only use one. It is bad for developers (who can't share me as a customer). It is bad for me (because I end up using only one of the great apps out there).

I still use it.
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You're right. My comment was a bit over the top. The sort of documentary work I do is collaborative and the iPad simply doesn't have the features to support it. As with most productivity issues with the iPad one can usually find a way around a weakness if you're willing to put up with taking three steps where one is sufficient in another environment.

The iPad does a number tasks very well, some tasks passably if your requirements aren't too strenuous, and is simply unsuitable for others. I find it a great entertainment device and a highly portable but limited productivity device that comes in very handy from time to time.

The second generation ASUS Transformer appears to be a good upgrade with considerable potential for those looking for an inexpensive hybrid device situated between a tablet and a notebook. It won't meet my needs but for those on a tight budget looking for a single device that goes beyond the capabilities of the iPad in some areas, it may well be a viable alternative.
 
jsh1120 said:
You're right. My comment was a bit over the top. The sort of documentary work I do is collaborative and the iPad simply doesn't have the features to support it. As with most productivity issues with the iPad one can usually find a way around a weakness if you're willing to put up with taking three steps where one is sufficient in another environment.

The iPad does a number tasks very well, some tasks passably if your requirements aren't too strenuous, and is simply unsuitable for others. I find it a great entertainment device and a highly portable but limited productivity device that comes in very handy from time to time.

The second generation ASUS Transformer appears to be a good upgrade with considerable potential for those looking for an inexpensive hybrid device situated between a tablet and a notebook. It won't meet my needs but for those on a tight budget looking for a single device that goes beyond the capabilities of the iPad in some areas, it may well be a viable alternative.
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The iPad works really well for the kind of stuff I do, but stray even a little from that and try simple things like tracking changes (something I imagine you would also do in a collaborative work environment) and it fails.

I'm OK with the limitations, because they don't impact me much, and I have an MBP to pick up the slack. But, like you said, workarounds (when they exist) end up being more trouble than they are worth. I really don't have the faintest idea why a machine with these fantastic specs cannot perform as well as an inferior computer I purchased a few years ago.

Whatever the rationale, it seems to me that Apple built in the limitations, and is quite satisfied with a product that doesn't work so well for those "business" "PC guy" types who want to get stuff done. I suppose that is why I am Android curious, even though there are so many things I like about the iPad + iOS + iPad Apps.

I had high hopes for Honeycomb. Now I have high ones for Ice Cream Sandwich. I am not holding my breath for Apple to change its way or Android to get its act together :(
 
palpatine said:
...
Whatever the rationale, it seems to me that Apple built in the limitations, and is quite satisfied with a product that doesn't work so well for those "business" "PC guy" types who want to get stuff done. I suppose that is why I am Android curious, even though there are so many things I like about the iPad + iOS + iPad Apps.

I had high hopes for Honeycomb. Now I have high ones for Ice Cream Sandwich. I am not holding my breath for Apple to change its way or Android to get its act together :(
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I have no idea about the internal product-related politics at Apple but I do have some experience with the way things work in other computer and software firms including the one in Redmond, WA. Here's my guess...

I suspect that there's a "consumer user" lobby and a "business user" lobby (formally or informally) in the design process at Apple. Given the Apple culture, I suspect that any feature characterized as a priority for business users has at least one strike against it at the start. As long as it doesn't add an iota of complexity to the "consumer experience" model, it has a chance of being incorporated into the design. But if it does add complexity or options that consumers are assumed not to carry about, that's at least two strikes against it. And if it stands a chance of introducing features that a consumer must take account of, that's the third strike.

Apple does make noises about supporting business users and the "enterprise," but their commitment to that market in the form of pricing and support remains minimal compared to other manufacturers.

Finally, I suspect there is concern at Apple (perhaps among only some parts of Apple depending on organizational structure) that providing too much functionality and too many options for the iPad may cannibalize sales of the MBA product line.

ASUS seems less concerned about that problem though it's noteworthy that their MBA competitor, the "Ultrabook" line, is apparently suffering from weaker than expected sales, likely as a result of tablet market strength and the general uncertainty of the economies in Europe and Asia. ASUS may want to capitalize on that trend even if it means hurting their own sales in higher priced devices.
 
Software..Software..Software.. In other words Apps. Apple is destroying Android in quality and abundance of Apps tailored to a Tablet. It doesn't matter if Asus builds a Core i7 Tablet if you don't have quality Apps ... whats the point.
 
Mac.World said:
I do like the look of the Prime and it's keyboard. Probably because they both look like an ipad and a Macbook Air keyboard. Unfortunately for the Prime, it runs Android. All the tech in the world can't fix that.
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This pretty much sums up everything now and going forward for Android tablets. They will keep tossing bigger, faster, more to get the geeks attention but user experience will still be subpar and never get mainstream traction.

This isn't the smartphone business were they can toss out free phones and BOGO deals to pretend they have market share. They actually have to follow thru after the sale and deliver quality, which has yet to happen.

Google keeps its products in "beta" so all the fanboys can cry foul and "just wait till (enter next beta version) comes out!". Then the manufacturers are desperate to get any attention in a sea of Android devices they overlay some proprietary crap UI that slows down the entire process leaving the consumer dazed and confused why they can't upgrade to the latest OS.
 
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The only reason I wanted an Android tablet (not that I was actually serious about buying one) was for Flash. I'd rather take the iPad apps over Flash so that's why I'm getting an iPad. Not to mention, they've basically killed mobile flash anyways.
 
wordoflife said:
The only reason I wanted an Android tablet (not that I was actually serious about buying one) was for Flash. I'd rather take the iPad apps over Flash so that's why I'm getting an iPad. Not to mention, they've basically killed mobile flash anyways.
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You can view Flash on the iPad. Photon web browser in the app store. I use it everyday to view Flash content on sites like ufc.com and Foxnews.com
 
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