Eee pad transformer Prime - missed opportunity by asus

Ecco

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Given the launch of the new iPad with LTE etc, I still wonder why Asus chose not to go with 3G on the transformer prime.

Clearly the way forward is mobile data connectivity but yet those to ignore this and go wifi only.

I would have been a customer for the transformer prime for sure - but now it looks like the new iPad is the way to go. Will give the other tablet manufacturers some time to challenge the new iPad, but i am not holding my breath.
 

Elimentals

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See comparison chart http://i.imgur.com/ebBU5.jpg

I do agree on the 3G issue, but I can understand ASUS point as it interferes with the updates. for example see the old Transformer Eee Pads. the TF101 has ICS for some time now and the TF101G is still stuck on 3.2 because of ASUS waiting for the go ahead from SP's all over to get the go ahead to go to 3.2.1 not even mentioning 4.0.3

Anyway good luck with your iPad, personally I am looking forward to a Padphone http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/asus-padfone-hands-on-video/

Edit: Forgot to mention, before you rush along to get an iPad purely because of the 3G go see the comments on how people complain that the iPad 3G have limits and refuse to download anything over 50 MB. Also how some apps only work on WiFi. Then there is also the problem of not getting the OOB sms seeing that 3G iPads can not send and receive sms's.
 
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grim

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See comparison chart http://i.imgur.com/ebBU5.jpg

I do agree on the 3G issue, but I can understand ASUS point as it interferes with the updates. for example see the old Transformer Eee Pads. the TF101 has ICS for some time now and the TF101G is still stuck on 3.2 because of ASUS waiting for the go ahead from SP's all over to get the go ahead to go to 3.2.1 not even mentioning 4.0.3

Anyway good luck with your iPad, personally I am looking forward to a Padphone http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/asus-padfone-hands-on-video/

Edit: Forgot to mention, before you rush along to get an iPad purely because of the 3G go see the comments on how people complain that the iPad 3G have limits and refuse to download anything over 50 MB. Also how some apps only work on WiFi. Then there is also the problem of not getting the OOB sms seeing that 3G iPads can not send and receive sms's.

3.2.1 has been available since December for the TF101G, 4.0.3 should be arriving this month.
 

Elimentals

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3.2.1 has been available since December for the TF101G, 4.0.3 should be arriving this month.

Thanx for the update, I don't have a 3G and did not see the 3.2.1 update announcement for the 3G, guess I missed it.
 

JoseP

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I think the main reason for this is the Tegra platform only supported wifi. Nvidia is working on it now but seems too late. The new 3G tablets from Asus are using S4 snapdragon chips and the wifi only ones are using Tegra.

But I agree, Asus lost out here and seem to be behind again when they had an opportunity to be ahead of the game.
 

Elimentals

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Oh forgot to mention if you really want a high end Android Tablet with 3G maybe you should look out for the Huawei Mediapad 10 FHD coming out Q2.

I dont know if we will get them in SA, but they sport 1920x1080 IPS display's with 1.5GHz Quad Core CPU and 2 GB of RAM. It looks very close to the iPad 2 and is about the same thickness but with 10.1" display.

You can read more about it over http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/44642/huawei-mediapad-10-fhd-pictures
 

Ecco

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I was really keen on the Transformer prime - and Asus generally. While the mediapad looks good, I am not sure on Hauwei yet.

As i mentioned, i will give the competition some time to counter the new iPad. If nothing promising shows up - iFollow the sheep.
 

iDenTiTy

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I think the main reason for this is the Tegra platform only supported wifi. Nvidia is working on it now but seems too late. The new 3G tablets from Asus are using S4 snapdragon chips and the wifi only ones are using Tegra.

But I agree, Asus lost out here and seem to be behind again when they had an opportunity to be ahead of the game.

Nope.
Tegra 2 is used on the TF101G...
 

xrapidx

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Yip - the lack of 3G is what is now pushing me to iPad... and the lack of updates on Android devices.. it seems the policy is to either lag with updates, or release a new device.
 

JoseP

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Nope.
Tegra 2 is used on the TF101G...

This thread is about the transformer prime, so i am talking about tegra 3. Google. They are only now working on 3G/LTE for Tegra 3 which is in the prime and infinity models.
 

iDenTiTy

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This thread is about the transformer prime, so i am talking about tegra 3. Google. They are only now working on 3G/LTE for Tegra 3 which is in the prime and infinity models.

No. You wrote Tegra. NOT Tegra 3.
I don't need to google. You need to read what you type.
 

JoseP

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You right. Google can't help lack of comprehension skills. I said "Tegra platform" again this thread is about the Prime and what does the Prime have? A tegra 17? Really.
 

iDenTiTy

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When you type 'platform' you don't exclude a version of said platform.
So, when you type 'Tegra platform' - you automatically include Tegra 2.
Had you typed Tegra 3 - then yes, you would have a point.
It has nothing to do with comprehension, but rather a mistake made on your part.
Get over it.

No one is disagreeing with your comments on ASUS design decisions (at least, I'm not).
 

Jola

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and the lack of updates on Android devices.. it seems the policy is to either lag with updates, or release a new device.

That only applies to certain manufacturers.

The Motorola Xoom has had Android 4.0.3 for some time.
 

EvoZA

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I think the main reason for this is the Tegra platform only supported wifi. Nvidia is working on it now but seems too late. The new 3G tablets from Asus are using S4 snapdragon chips and the wifi only ones are using Tegra.

But I agree, Asus lost out here and seem to be behind again when they had an opportunity to be ahead of the game.


The new Asus Pad Infinity with the S4 should be a decent tab. Not all developers are using all 4 cores on the Tegra 3's. But the dock with USB pushes me to get Asus again.
 

The_Unbeliever

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Given the launch of the new iPad with LTE etc, I still wonder why Asus chose not to go with 3G on the transformer prime.

Clearly the way forward is mobile data connectivity but yet those to ignore this and go wifi only.

I would have been a customer for the transformer prime for sure - but now it looks like the new iPad is the way to go. Will give the other tablet manufacturers some time to challenge the new iPad, but i am not holding my breath.

See comparison chart http://i.imgur.com/ebBU5.jpg

I do agree on the 3G issue, but I can understand ASUS point as it interferes with the updates. for example see the old Transformer Eee Pads. the TF101 has ICS for some time now and the TF101G is still stuck on 3.2 because of ASUS waiting for the go ahead from SP's all over to get the go ahead to go to 3.2.1 not even mentioning 4.0.3

Anyway good luck with your iPad, personally I am looking forward to a Padphone http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/asus-padfone-hands-on-video/

Edit: Forgot to mention, before you rush along to get an iPad purely because of the 3G go see the comments on how people complain that the iPad 3G have limits and refuse to download anything over 50 MB. Also how some apps only work on WiFi. Then there is also the problem of not getting the OOB sms seeing that 3G iPads can not send and receive sms's.

Yip - the lack of 3G is what is now pushing me to iPad... and the lack of updates on Android devices.. it seems the policy is to either lag with updates, or release a new device.

There clearly is a market for tethered devices. You have a smartphone which will allow you to tether your fondleslab to your phone via wifi. All you need then, is a BIS-like bundle where you can have unlimited [if throttled slightly] email and social network access.

The reasoning behind this is that it is easier to type/read on a fondleslab than on a tiny cellphone screen.

However, I'm not holding my breath on this.
 

hawker

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I'm looking at getting a Prime, and if I really need some mobile data, the chances that I'll have my phone with me are pretty damn good, so I'll just tether my Prime to my phone using Wi-fi hotspot and bobs your uncle :D
 

The_Unbeliever

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I'm looking at getting a Prime, and if I really need some mobile data, the chances that I'll have my phone with me are pretty damn good, so I'll just tether my Prime to my phone using Wi-fi hotspot and bobs your uncle :D

I have the ipad2 with 3g. However, I'm not going to use the ipad's 3g functionality, but rather get a new cellphone which'll allow to tether my ipad to the phone. Easier, simpler and a lot less fuss. I certainly don't want to keep topping up two SIM cards.
 

Elimentals

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I have the ipad2 with 3g. However, I'm not going to use the ipad's 3g functionality, but rather get a new cellphone which'll allow to tether my ipad to the phone. Easier, simpler and a lot less fuss. I certainly don't want to keep topping up two SIM cards.

This is what I been saying from the start, esp added with the fact that I have an iPad + Eee Pad, I don't feel like keeping track on what tablet has what data and how much is left every month.

Its just so much simpler. I use WiFi at home anyway and only need 3G on a tablet once in a while when on the move. Its kinda of pointless to add the extra drain on battery resources like a 3G modem for something I am not going to use most of the time.
 
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