[Merged] Asus Transformer Prime

[MrXiro]

I think after reading your second comment you should sell your MBA regardless. You said it is just a 4th email redundancy machine and should get the money while the value is still there.

Just sold it today... got $718 for my base 2010 11-inch.

Not too shabby, I paid $797 for it new (open item but 0 battery cycles) back in May.

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Yes, but currently, for that same form factor, a laptop does more. So personally, if I'm carrying something in that form factor, I'd carry a laptop. YMMV

True... but I also tend to take it to the gym and watch movies on it while I work out for an hour or 2 a day (yeah I'm that guy) so it's great to some days have the keyboard when I'm taking it out on a trip as a lap top to get some writing done (it comes with some writing app called polaris or something to that degree... I'm sure there are plenty of google based writing apps) or carry it around as just a tablet for days I want to just watch movies at the gym...

Clearly I'm seeing this as in my needs... of course... like I stated earlier... I'd miss the hell out of using it with my AppleTV and being able to "side load" media without plugging it in.

I'm not going out to buy it on day one... But this is just a food for thought kind of deal... seeing if it fits in better in my life than the current solution.

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Giving up just the MBA alone for an inferior product is a big step down since it is a very functional notebook computer, IMHO.
I've yet to see an Android Tablet that doesn't get that mysterious lag, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, as well as all the other offerings. It's a problem when quality hardware does not match the inferior OS software.

Eh... I'm not using it much... if you had a really really nice bicycle but only rode it once every 2 weeks would you keep it around to collect dust or just sell it while it's worth something and get something else that you'd use more?

You need to know (or read the previous post) that I have a fully capable, much more powerful and center piece to my entire Apple Ecosystem; 27 inch iMac, making a low end MBA a nice to have device... but one I'm not fully using.

 

[palpatine]

Just sold it today... got $718 for my base 2010 11-inch.

Not too shabby, I paid $797 for it new (open item but 0 battery cycles) back in May.

good job!

regarding the transformer, i have no doubt the hardware will be fabulous. i also have no doubt that honeycomb will not magically get better. so, you have a great tablet and a so-so operating system. the app availability / quality depends on your uses. in some cases, the apps are actually quite superior. your mileage may vary.

as for the mba vs. ipad vs. transformer, i think they compare only in a very limited range: emails, web surfing, light text editing, and so forth. if you do any kind of heavy processing or moderately specialized tasks (doing ocr on a pdf, for example), then it is like comparing apples and oranges.

or, think of it as comparing a hummer to a mini car. they both get you from point a to point b, but if you are towing a boat or a fifth wheel mobile home, the mini is simply not an option.

anyhow, good luck with your purchase, and tell us what you think of it when it eventually gets updated to ice cream sandwich. we'll all have ipad 3s by then, and we can compare notes

 

[MrXiro]

good job!

regarding the transformer, i have no doubt the hardware will be fabulous. i also have no doubt that honeycomb will not magically get better. so, you have a great tablet and a so-so operating system. the app availability / quality depends on your uses. in some cases, the apps are actually quite superior. your mileage may vary.

as for the mba vs. ipad vs. transformer, i think they compare only in a very limited range: emails, web surfing, light text editing, and so forth. if you do any kind of heavy processing or moderately specialized tasks (doing ocr on a pdf, for example), then it is like comparing apples and oranges.

or, think of it as comparing a hummer to a mini car. they both get you from point a to point b, but if you are towing a boat or a fifth wheel mobile home, the mini is simply not an option.

anyhow, good luck with your purchase, and tell us what you think of it when it eventually gets updated to ice cream sandwich. we'll all have ipad 3s by then, and we can compare notes

Like I said... I'm not getting it on release day or anything... I might even be holding off for ICS to be on it before I get it.

I've not used Honeycomb extensively but coming from a rooted EVO I know what Android is capable of, I personally like both OS's equally with a slight edge going to Apple only because I have products running everywhere in my house.

And even if I were to sell my iPad to pick up a Transformer Prime on release day... I'd still have 6 months to play with it before I moved on to an iPad 3 (on release day).

 

[Night Spring]

anyhow, good luck with your purchase, and tell us what you think of it when it eventually gets updated to ice cream sandwich. we'll all have ipad 3s by then, and we can compare notes

Wouldn't it be better to wait to buy it until it does come with ice cream sandwich? Of course, as you say, by then the iPad 3 could be out.

 

[palpatine]

Wouldn't it be better to wait to buy it until it does come with ice cream sandwich? Of course, as you say, by then the iPad 3 could be out.

yep. i think that is what the op is going to do. i am android curious, and love a lot of the hardware out there, but have absolutely no interest in investing in android at the moment. we'll see if ice cream sandwich can win me over. but, with the ipad3 coming out in the spring, i think it is pretty unlikely i will switch. that promises to either be an incredible improvement (retina screen) or a big disappointment (slightly less crappy cameras + siri).

 

[davedvdy]

Eh... I'm not using it much... if you had a really really nice bicycle but only rode it once every 2 weeks would you keep it around to collect dust or just sell it while it's worth something and get something else that you'd use more?

Then there lies the solution to your thread that you started here. You were already convinced to give the Air up, did you just need the "push over the fence"?

With every reply you have made it known that you know more than everybody else as to what is best for yourself. Heck, I argue with myself more than anybody else... unsure of what is best most of the time. It's a challenge that usually nobody can solve but yourself.

Also, it really isn't "fact" that iOS is "better" than Android, they both do have their strengths. Widgets are very intuitive alone. I will say, that I'd definitely bet money that iOS can be proven to be more solid though.
I've had wayyy less crashes on iOS, and almost everytime I have even just demoed an Android Tablet at Best Buy or wherever (including Honeycomb) Ive seen some sort of crash. Not to mention Android Market "unexpected closes" and I'm not exaggerating. Reminds me of what I loathe about my PC.

 

[vrDrew]

I think trading a MacBook Air and an iPad (even a 2 year old one) for an Asus Anything is an act of madness, if not outright barbarism.

The two devices you currently have really give you the best of both worlds: The MBA gives you multi-tasking, access to the file system, and customizability of what is, simply put, the best laptop in the world. The iPad gives you world-class performance, plus access to tens of thousands of top quality apps and the rest of the iOS ecosystem.

You're seriously thinking of trading all that for a tablet no one has actually put their hands on? For a tablet that runs the joyless mess that is the latest version of Google's crapware? Based on "specs"?

Thats like divorcing your supermodel wife and dumping your aerobics-instructor girlfriend for the fleeting pleasures of a Soviet-era mail-order bride.

 

[ZBoater]

Any one think it would be a good replacement for an aging iPad 1 and my 2010 base 11-inch MBA?.

Ummmm, no. Not even in the same planet.

 

[MrXiro]

I think trading a MacBook Air and an iPad (even a 2 year old one) for an Asus Anything is an act of madness, if not outright barbarism.

The two devices you currently have really give you the best of both worlds: The MBA gives you multi-tasking, access to the file system, and customizability of what is, simply put, the best laptop in the world. The iPad gives you world-class performance, plus access to tens of thousands of top quality apps and the rest of the iOS ecosystem.

You're seriously thinking of trading all that for a tablet no one has actually put their hands on? For a tablet that runs the joyless mess that is the latest version of Google's crapware? Based on "specs"?

Thats like divorcing your supermodel wife and dumping your aerobics-instructor girlfriend for the fleeting pleasures of a Soviet-era mail-order bride.

There is the possibility that the mail order bride gives amazing head though... while the supermodel wife is probably high maintenance and frigid and aerobics instructor GF is using me for a free meal.

The analogy doesn't reflect the companies... I just merely went for the joke.

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Then there lies the solution to your thread that you started here. You were already convinced to give the Air up, did you just need the "push over the fence"?

With every reply you have made it known that you know more than everybody else as to what is best for yourself. Heck, I argue with myself more than anybody else... unsure of what is best most of the time. It's a challenge that usually nobody can solve but yourself.

Also, it really isn't "fact" that iOS is "better" than Android, they both do have their strengths. Widgets are very intuitive alone. I will say, that I'd definitely bet money that iOS can be proven to be more solid though.
I've had wayyy less crashes on iOS, and almost everytime I have even just demoed an Android Tablet at Best Buy or wherever (including Honeycomb) Ive seen some sort of crash. Not to mention Android Market "unexpected closes" and I'm not exaggerating. Reminds me of what I loathe about my PC.

I actually keep repeating myself because I know somebody is going to read one of my posts and take it out of context and get all salty about it.

 

[bufffilm]

The MBA gives you multi-tasking, access to the file system, and customizability of what is, simply put, the best laptop in the world. The iPad gives you world-class performance, plus access to tens of thousands of top quality apps and the rest of the iOS ecosystem.

no argument that the ipad is the best tablet out in the market but the MBA is not the best laptop in the world.

yes, the MBA is very stylish and thin but it comes at a price - limited performance (the 2010 model had a two year old cpu design), limited storage, nor the best battery life (not to mention that non-swappable battery is a bad joke), and not very durable either.

 

[MrXiro]

yep. i think that is what the op is going to do. i am android curious, and love a lot of the hardware out there, but have absolutely no interest in investing in android at the moment. we'll see if ice cream sandwich can win me over. but, with the ipad3 coming out in the spring, i think it is pretty unlikely i will switch. that promises to either be an incredible improvement (retina screen) or a big disappointment (slightly less crappy cameras + siri).

Eh probably not... I'm going to sit around in my fantasy world and hypothetically buy stuff I can't afford in real life actually, then talk about it on MacRumors Forums.

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The MBA gives you multi-tasking, access to the file system, and customizability of what is, simply put, the best laptop in the world. The iPad gives you world-class performance, plus access to tens of thousands of top quality apps and the rest of the iOS ecosystem./QUOTE]

no argument that the ipad is the best tablet out in the market but the MBA is not the best laptop in the world.

yes, the MBA is very stylish and thin but it comes at a price - limited performance (the 2010 model had a two year old cpu design), limited storage, nor the best battery life, and not very durable either.

I somewhat agree with this... I see it really as the worlds fanciest netbook... but I'll surely get down rated for that comment.

But it is what it is... it's the Rolls Royce of Netbooks... but that's kind of like saying the "Brentwood of Compton"

I should be more specific though... I'm talking about the C2D 2010 MBA and the ones previous to it. The Ivy Bridge model is going to be amazing I bet.

 

[Buildbright]

There is the possibility that the mail order bride gives amazing head though... while the supermodel wife is probably high maintenance and frigid and aerobics instructor GF is using me for a free meal.

I agree the "Mail Order Bride" may give amazing head. Or cut your neck while you sleep and steal your Transformer Prime lol

Just sold it today... got $718 for my base 2010 11-inch.

Not too shabby, I paid $797 for it new (open item but 0 battery cycles) back in May.

See that was a great decision. Why keep something you dont use much. But remember you bought a 16 or 18 month old laptop and it held its value! This really only happens with Apple products.

But you seem like a smart guy and I think you are going to make the best decision for your needs.

 

[bufffilm]

Eh probably not... I'm going to sit around in my fantasy world and hypothetically buy stuff I can't afford in real life actually, then talk about it on MacRumors Forums.

if only the transformer prime was priced a little less. i was sorta tempted myself to get one to play with since i've never had an android anything but not at that price.

i can see it tiding you over until the ipad3 comes out and then you can decide whether to keep it or come back to the ipad. but i think you're gona lose at least a few hundred on the resale.

 

[MrXiro]

I agree the "Mail Order Bride" may give amazing head. Or cut your neck while you sleep and steal your Transformer Prime lol

See that was a great decision. Why keep something you dont use much. But remember you bought a 16 or 18 month old laptop and it held its value! This really only happens with Apple products.

But you seem like a smart guy and I think you are going to make the best decision for your needs.

Oh no doubt... Apple makes some great tech and it holds it's value fantastically... I'm sure the Transformer Prime won't be worth more than 200 bucks 2 years after it's release while I can still get well over 300 for the iPad 1 these days... it's 17 months old now!

The TP just looks like a really slick device that may or may not be amazing. Certainly the current reviews for it have been very well received so I'm just looking forward to it regardless. You also have to make note... after the new year I foresee a price drop on the TP based solely on the trend of Android Tablets and the more specifically the original Transformer. It retailed for 399 but can be easily found for just around 3 bills at various places.

 

[MrXiro]

if only the transformer prime was priced a little less. i was sorta tempted myself to get one to play with since i've never had an android anything but not at that price.

i can see it tiding you over until the ipad3 comes out and then you can decide whether to keep it or come back to the ipad. but i think you're gona lose at least a few hundred on the resale.

Yeah, most likely will... they don't hold well for resale value...

I might just hold out to get a used one when ICS comes out actually could probably find a good deal in a few months, then I'll get a iPad 3 on release day.

 

[Couredelion1]

Transformer Prime: An ok bridge between the PC and Tablet?

Disclaimer: Yes, I am bringing up an Android tablet on Macfourms. Please don't bite my head off.

I love Apple products, but I have recently begun to re-avaluate my computing needs. This is a speculation/advice thread.

My 2007 MacBook is beginning to show it's age. My Mom and I switched computers in preparation for my heading off to college next month. She took my 2007 iMac, I now use the MacBook. Let me say that the Macbook is in fairly good condition. Since she purchased it, the MacBook has hardly left the house. However, over the past month, after toting it back and forth to work and class, I have noticed a dramatic decrease in performance and battery life. My Mom and I both agree that I should probably upgrade in the next few months. My battery is on the way to a sticky end, the AppleCare is out of date, and the hard drive has started with that ominous clicking noise, that I know spells eventual breakdown.

Two months ago, I was all gung hoe about the new macbook air. With Best Buy offering up too $650 for the macbook, I figured I would work as much as I could, and use some christmas money to (hopefully) make up the rest. But I've come to realize that my computing falls into two areas. Research and Media Consumption. I need a keyboard to take notes in class, but a tablet that I could use to relax would be great as well. Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is get a air and iPad. My wallet has other ideas. I can't even afford the air at the moment, and the iPad with an air seems like overkill. Enter the Transformer Prime. Now I would never consider purchasing a android phone, but I don't hate android itself. With the keyboard dock the Prime comes to 650, considering it would be foolish to purchase before reading any reviews, it might be less if I wait to pull the trigger. As a Medieval Studies major, I won't be using AutoCad. Just a lot of ebooks. Dose this seem like a viable option? Anyone with a macbook air, iPad or the original transformer please chime in.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

There was a whole thread on this posted yesterday, I suggest you read that and post in there instead of making a new one.

But my advice here remains the same as there. Make your decisions on hardware once you've settled on the SOFTWARE that meets your unique needs. Too many people fail to do that and buy hardware based on specs, horsepower, looks, hype, etc. Hardware, by itself, is useless. Its the software and how it works on the chosen hardware platform that should dictate your decisions.

Good luck....personally, I think the Transformer Prime is a cool gadget. But I've never been all that impressed with the application selection choices on the Android platform so wouldn't see it replacing either my iPad or my MacBook Pro/MBA. Your needs may be met in other ways.

Generally speaking...there's nothing a Tablet offers you that can't be met by a laptop. Just different user interface implementations.

 

[takeshi74]

The Air would certainly meet your requirements. Have you even tried relying on just a tablet or are you looking for people to help you justify going the tablet route? I mean, "a tablet that I could use to relax would be great" isn't a strong argument for the tablet IMO but YMMV, I guess. There's a bit of subjective preference involved and only you can address that aspect of the comparison no matter who responds.

Definitely read the similar threads even if they don't specifically address the options you're considering. The things to think about tend to be the same.

 

[Darth.Titan]

You say that the deal-breaker with the iPad is the lack of a physical keyboard. Why not go with an iPad plus a $40 keyboard case from ebay? That should clock in at much less than the $650 for the Transformer + keyboard dock, and you get the benefit of an established ecosystem and thriving App Store.

I don't want to sound anti-Android, but so many of their tablets have been flashes in the pan with no hope of any kind of long-term support.

 

[Consultant]

Generally speaking...there's nothing a Tablet offers you that can't be met by a laptop. Just different user interface implementations.

You can't play gyro controlled driving games on a laptop.

 

[mkrishnan]

I'll be curious to see how this guy shapes up, although I wish it would just launch with ICS rather than some nebulous upgrade. Asus so far has not yet gotten to the phase where it engages in real post-purchase "support" of their products -- to date, their products are nice when they come out, and they might offer a couple of firmware updates, but you basically got what you paid for at POS. However, if they get this right, I could see it possibly being my fourth Eee purchase.

Also curious what the street price will be for the device and dock.

 

[Couredelion1]

You say that the deal-breaker with the iPad is the lack of a physical keyboard. Why not go with an iPad plus a $40 keyboard case from ebay? That should clock in at much less than the $650 for the Transformer + keyboard dock, and you get the benefit of an established ecosystem and thriving App Store.

I don't want to sound anti-Android, but so many of their tablets have been flashes in the pan with no hope of any kind of long-term support.

I have looked at iPad keyboards. But the prime's keyboard has a full array of ports, and will supposedly increase the battery life to 18 hours. I didn't discuss this in the first post, but apps are not the important to me. I have an iPhone, so if I want to try out many of the apps, that is what I would use. I don't play many games, and most of the educational apps don't really fit any of the classes I will be taking. Obviously, if it turns out the the Prime is a terrible machine, or that the software is too buggy, I would simply purchase the Air.

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There was a whole thread on this posted yesterday, I suggest you read that and post in there instead of making a new one.

But my advice here remains the same as there. Make your decisions on hardware once you've settled on the SOFTWARE that meets your unique needs. Too many people fail to do that and buy hardware based on specs, horsepower, looks, hype, etc. Hardware, by itself, is useless. Its the software and how it works on the chosen hardware platform that should dictate your decisions.

Good luck....personally, I think the Transformer Prime is a cool gadget. But I've never been all that impressed with the application selection choices on the Android platform so wouldn't see it replacing either my iPad or my MacBook Pro/MBA. Your needs may be met in other ways.

Generally speaking...there's nothing a Tablet offers you that can't be met by a laptop. Just different user interface implementations.

Thanks for the feedback. You should know that I did read the entire thread, including you comment before posting. I simply thought that the personal circumstances were different enough to warrant a new thread. Obviously, I will not purchase the Prime if it gets terrible reviews, that would be a waste of money. I was simply speculating that it could possibly meet most of my needs.

I do apologize though for making a new thread. You might have noticed that I have only a few posts on these forums, basically i'm still learning the ropes. I'll take your advice into consideration the next time I want to post a new thread.

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The Air would certainly meet your requirements. Have you even tried relying on just a tablet or are you looking for people to help you justify going the tablet route? I mean, "a tablet that I could use to relax would be great" isn't a strong argument for the tablet IMO but YMMV, I guess. There's a bit of subjective preference involved and only you can address that aspect of the comparison no matter who responds.

Definitely read the similar threads even if they don't specifically address the options you're considering. The things to think about tend to be the same.

Again, thanks for the advice. I don't have any long term experience with any tablet. When I wrote the post, I thought it would be interesting to consider exactly what the title says, that the Prime could be "a bridge between a PC/Tablet" I'm going to make my own decision, for my own reasons.
You are correct to point out that "A tablet that I could use to relax would be great" is a horrible argument. My former AP english teacher would be ashamed. What I was trying to get at, is that a laptop is not always the most comfortable piece of equipment to read an ebook or watch a movie on (at least if you're not sitting at a desk). I think that is where the table shines, in media consumption. In addition, if I purchased the Prime, I would hopefully have some money left over to eventually spend on a MacMini Media center.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

I do apologize though for making a new thread. You might have noticed that I have only a few posts on these forums, basically i'm still learning the ropes. I'll take your advice into consideration the next time I want to post a new thread.

No need to apologize; as you can see, the mods here are pretty active and took the liberty of merging your thread into the others. Makes it easier for all of us to contribute that way.

And thus far, the reviews I've seen on the pre-release Transformer have been very, very positive. I'd be looking carefully at it myself if I found some good apps to put on there. But most of the Android versions of popular iPad apps just lack the polish that I'm accustomed to from iOS. Its not the devices fault...more of a development opportunity for the right company to come along and really focus on leveraging the Android OS. Of course, it doesn't help matters that "leveraging Android" often means choosing WHICH version you want to leverage and therefore locking yourself out of all other versions.

 

[matt90036]

this is why this tablet will be doomed:
1. poor quality apps in android app store - most are phone apps that are simply made bigger and stamped on HD.
2. fragmentation - lol even forums are fragmented.
3. poor non existent OS updates/support - did you ever hear of 2 year old android getting ICS?
Now if that thing ran windows or iOS, I wouldn't mind getting one.

 

[Night Spring]

You are correct to point out that "A tablet that I could use to relax would be great" is a horrible argument. My former AP english teacher would be ashamed. What I was trying to get at, is that a laptop is not always the most comfortable piece of equipment to read an ebook or watch a movie on (at least if you're not sitting at a desk). I think that is where the table shines, in media consumption. In addition, if I purchased the Prime, I would hopefully have some money left over to eventually spend on a MacMini Media center.

You are definitely right that tablets are great at reading / watching videos away from a desk. And as a student, if you can get many of your textbooks in ebook / pdf format, then a tablet for comfortable reading isn't such a frivolous device. But as far as the transformer is concerned, I'd wait until it's out and reviews are in before making any decision.

Keep in mind that for school work, you'll definitely need a computer -- I take it you plan to share the iMac with your Mom? Also, iPad is more integrated with the Mac than Android -- you see all sorts of apps for the iPad that pair with Mac desktop apps. For instance, there's a calendar / task manager app called iProcrastinate, and it has a Mac version and iOS version, that can be used to keep track of your homework assignments and class schedules. I assume some Android apps also has Windows/Mac versions, but there's just more iOS apps that offer such desktop compatibility.

All in all, my basic instinct is that a student needs a notebook first, and then a tablet, if there's enough left in your budget. If you are set on having a tablet, and you are sure you and your Mom can comfortably share the iMac, then have you considered an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard? As I think other posters have mentioned in this thread, the hardware is secondary to software. If you go for the Transformer, make sure there are Android apps avaiable for what you want to do, and check how they integrate with Mac apps.