Asus Transformer Prime Review
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Garnering plenty of attention from almost every critic, thanks to its combinational stellar pricing and expansive functionality, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer managed to rise to the top of the ranks within the Android Honeycomb landscape last year. For round two, Asus isn’t simply going to be content with making the usual set of iterative improvements, oh no, but instead, they’re aiming to grab a firm grasp on the market while setting the benchmark for everyone else.
Perhaps, it’s the allure of being the very first to feature the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, or maybe that it’s one of the few devices to offer the most up-to-date Android experience in Ice Cream Sandwich, whatever it is, the Asus Transformer Prime is here to tantalize us with its all-encompassing magnificence. Knowing it’s packed to the roof with dreamy hardware, the $500 pricing it’s sporting is simply icing on the cake – though, all talk is nice, but let’s find if it can walk the walk.
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- Proprietary USB cable
- Wall Charger
- User’s Manual
- Cleaning cloth
Design:
Impressively, Asus went all out this time around with the design of the Transformer Prime seeing that they didn’t leave any stone unturned in crafting this beauty. Simply put it, the Asus Transformer Prime is one of the best-looking tablets we’ve seen to date – hands down! Needless to say, that’s some serious talk from us, but after scoping out the premium choice of materials it’s using, like the metallic spun finish of its rear casing, it’s easily on par to the iPad 2 in terms of quality and durability, though, it’s marginally lighter (20.67 oz), but not as light as the airy Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (19.75 oz).
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Feasting our eyes on its industrial design, we adore that it has an overall clean appearance, but even more impressive is the fact it’s able to pack everything into its compact 0.41” thick body – and it’s uniform too! For the most part, it’s comfortable to hold with both hands for an extensive period of time, however, its edges are a bit sharp feeling and can become slippery to grasp. Beyond that, we have to applaud Asus in crafting something so beautiful and easily exude the top-notch qualities we’d expect out of a $500 priced tablet.
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The Asus Transformer Prime is comfortable to hold with both hands | ||
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On its left edge we find most of the tablet’s ports, like its microSD card slot and microHDMI port, while the microphone and stiff feeling volume control are also located closeby. Towards the top left corner, the lonely narrow looking dedicated power button pops out, and its response is better when pressed. Meanwhile, the directional microphone is perched directly in the middle of the top edge, while the 3.5mm headset jack is the sole thing taking up the right side of the tablet. Lastly, the proprietary data/charging port and dock connecting notches are all positioned on the bottom edge.
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Data/charging port and dock connecting notches (bottom) | Left edge | Power button (top) | 3.5mm headset jack (right) |
The sides of the Asus Transformer Prime | |||
Above the display, a 1.3-megapixel camera sits squarely in the middle ready for all of our video chatting needs and self-portraits. Strangely, even though it’s running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, face unlock is nowhere to be found as an option with the tablet. Flipping over to its backside, the tablet is treated to one very respectable 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, which features an F2.4 lens and backside illumination. Finally, the tablet’s sole speaker is found nearby towards the left edge.
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Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel rear camera |
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The Transformer Prime sports a convertible style design with the aid of its optional keyboard dock | ||
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Dock lock button | Keyboard touchpad | |
The chicklet style buttons on the keyboard are tiny | ||
Display:
We’ve seen plenty of tablets utilizing IPS displays of some sort, like the iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, but the Transformer Prime goes beyond them both by offering us a 10.1 WXGA (1280 x 800) LED backlit Super IPS+ display. Yeah, we know that’s mouth full, but there’s good reason for that. Frankly, this is the sharpest looking display we’ve seen to date on any 10-inch tablet, and rightfully so, it deserves a lot of recognition thanks to its wide-viewing angles, realistic color production, high contrast, and superior clarity while outdoors. Obviously, its resolution isn’t as awe-inspiring, since it’s the typical thing we tend to see with this size category, but nonetheless, it’s adequate enough to produce sharp details that are legible to the eye. Two modes are available, IPS and Super IPS+ mode, but the latter tends to be the better option while using outdoors with the sun present. Gorgeous! That pretty much sums up its display.
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The Asus Transformer Prime offers a 10.1'' WXGA LED backlit Super IPS+ display | |||
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50 Comments
1. bloodline posted on 27 Jan 2012, 06:10 4 0
fantastic review. Looking forward to seeing if the ipad 3 can match it
6. bobfreking55 posted on 27 Jan 2012, 07:21 5 1
i'm not much of a biased person, but following the success of the ipad 2, people will buy the ipad 3 even if it has the same specs as this tablet and it will definetely run smoother on iOS.
Apple will surely advertise it's camera, quad core, display and design.
I'm not saying the Prime is fail though, I LOVE IT. It is just a signal that Android is just warming up and the Soldiers of the android army is ready to fight.
(Hoping for Nexus Tablet just to fight the iPad 3 off lol)
10. SleepingOz posted on 27 Jan 2012, 08:36 6 0
ipod touch 9" 3gen will never be able to match this!
16. pooked posted on 27 Jan 2012, 11:17 5 0
Its the first gen quad core device out there, i just cant see Apple with its closed ecosystem lasting much longer in the world where customisation is such a huge deal.
Lets see how that Pad 3 looks like, maybe nicer rez screen as oppose to the previous s**tty ones.
23. ghost__uwi posted on 27 Jan 2012, 15:46 1 0
I actually like apples ecosystem to android.
I also love this tablet
32. cheetah2k posted on 28 Jan 2012, 16:07 2 1
Why no 3G Asus?? Surely Phonearena, this has to be a con??
39. mikenco posted on 02 Feb 2012, 14:37 0 0
the 3g enabled tf202 was reported for sale in asia by members of one of the android t.prime forums. it was discussed during the ces show by asus but for some reason has taken them longer to release than the base wifi only unit.
2. sorcio46 posted on 27 Jan 2012, 06:27 2 0
I've preordered it @ Amazon italy a week ago and honestly with my old transformer i did't used the GPS or navigation.
Can I ask why "So-so video recording & photo quality" !?! Is the BEST camera that a tablet can offer NOW !
3. darac posted on 27 Jan 2012, 06:46 2 0
THAT'S what I'm talking about.. :-)
Now waiting the 700 series with ICS.
That review will be epic!!
Google tablets are the next biggest thing, just wait and see
19. neptune.joel posted on 27 Jan 2012, 12:28 0 0
im not sure but Windows 8 may be playing there too.
5. henrickrw posted on 27 Jan 2012, 07:05 7 1
Phonearena; Thanks for being honest... I would have gave it a 9.5...
Ipad: Lookout, Android is coming for you...!!!!!
8. Maeve posted on 27 Jan 2012, 07:46 2 0
I have one and I love it. Simply brilliant. I have used other pads before and this is just better all round. Everyone i've shown it to has been really impressed as well, and I've got some hard to please friends! For anyone who wants Android, this is the one.
11. Jeradiah3 posted on 27 Jan 2012, 08:37 0 0
Are you able to write documents like term papers.....and if you have the keyboard dock, are you able to print from the tablet to the printer??
17. John.V posted on 27 Jan 2012, 11:22 0 0
It'll suffice for most things, but it's very cramped....like what you find on some 10-inch netbooks. It's tedious to say the least, but usable.
40. Birds posted on 05 Feb 2012, 11:32 0 0
Hey, It thought this device was "0.31" inches thick?
33. brainsturridge posted on 28 Jan 2012, 16:44 0 0
yeh have to say that i agree. I have had a motorolla xoom and a galaxy tab and ended up selling them on. the prime has been the first tablet device that i want to keep
9. Jeradiah3 posted on 27 Jan 2012, 08:12 0 0
Ive been waiting for a device to replace my 4yr old computer and its looking like the Prime is on the top of my list. I like the functionality and how smooth the tablet is. With the addition of the keyboard dock, not only can i use it as a laptop for school, i can also keep the amt of apps i currently have thru android and amazon
Unlike the HTC Jetstream and Motorola Xoom, the Transformer Prime is reasonably priced, even with the keyboard. im looking to buy both the tablet and keyboard dock in the near future!!
15. ryan5609 posted on 27 Jan 2012, 10:39 2 0
I am going to be perfectly honest with you. I would not recommend the Prime for what you need it for. I just sold mine a few days ago. The Prime is great for what it is, an expensive novelty, but I cant see being that productive on it. Check out my full review and thoughts on Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/review/R25Z1WR9JBDZC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
I had the original Transformer and the Prime, I just don't think that Android tablet are where I want them to be yet.
