Monday, January 23, 2012

Asus Transformer TF101 - initial review


I just bought the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 last week, and here is the first look at this Android Device.

The following is the specifications.

Display

10.1” LED Backlit screen with IPS (1280 x 800) 10 point multi-touch input
Memory

1GB
Storage

16GB /32GB(1)eMMC + Unlimited ASUS Webstroage(2)
Wireless

802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Camera

1.2MP (front), 5MP Auto focus (rear)
Interface

2-in-1 Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)
1x mini HDMI 1.3a port
1 x Micro SD Card Reader
1 x Internal Microphone
1 x Stereo Speaker
Sensor

G-Sensor, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, E-compass, GPS
3G Module

Optional
Flash support

Yes(3)
Multi-tasking

Yes
Special App

ASUS launcher, MyLibrary, MyNet, MyCloud, File manager, Kindle, Zinio Magazine, PressReader, Polaris Office, ASUS sync
Battery

9.5 hours; 24.4Wh Li-polymer Battery(4) 16 hours with Eee Station


My first thoughts of this Asus Transformer is the weight, this tablet is HEAVY. Compared to the Galaxy Tab 10.1, this is indeed a heavy tablet.

I was indeed going to use Ice Cream Sandwich, but there seems to be issues.
Issues Facing Asus Transformer Prime Android 4.0 Update

Apart from the weight and ability to use Android 4.0, the Asus Transformer is the first device to use Nvidia's new Tegra 3 quad-core mobile processor, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime is, arguably, the tablet to beat when it comes to raw computing power.


The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is not as powerful, but the Asus Transformer is not much faster. There is an occasional lag. The angle of viewing is very good and screen is bright and crisp.


I've used this tablet non-stop for 13+ hours using 3G and playing games, and the battery is still running. I'm quite impressed with the battery life and the way the tablet does not get hot after use.

Looking at the ports, the tablet has a micro-HDMI and a Micro-SD. And the dock with the keyboard has 2 USB ports and a SD card slot. Somehow, after using the tablet for sometime, I rather enjoy the keyboard and build quality.

I've brought the tablet for a weekend trip, and the battery lasted the whole weekend, sharing wifi with everyone.


Overall, I like this tablet and the way the keyboard extends the battery life. The design and build quality is good and the tablet just feels solid.

I would recommend it if you need a tablet as this still is the first quad-core tablet.

-- Robin Low

1 comment:

F3lix85 said...

Looks like you bought the TF201 not the TF101.
TF101 = Tegra2 Dual-Core 1.0GHz processor.
TF201 = Tegra3 Quad-Core 1.3GHz processor.