Customer Reviews on Amazon.com

1. 2215 of 2240 people found this review helpful

   By Alex Tamulis on Amazon.com 27 April, 2011

   Best Honeycomb 3.2 tablet so far (updated August 3rd 2011)

   I was lucky enough to wake up early today and go to Memory Express in Edmonton and they had one. Stores received a limited amount of tablets and they were all sold out within hours, including here on Amazon. I've been playing with this thing for hours now and so far I've only had great experiences with it.
   
   The main feature for me is the remote desktop: you can access your PC, whether it's a Mac or a PC, if they're both connected to your home wi-fi connection. You can control your PC from anywhere and use all of its features. I watched a HD movie and worked on MS Word docs, everything went smoothly.
   The tablet doesn't weigh much for its size and the IPS screen is amazing, it's the same screen used on the iPad 2. I'm not a person who needs to buy products made by just one brand. I like Apple and I own a iPhone 4, but when it came to deciding which tablet to buy, I went for the Transformer because it offers me a tablet/netbook function, the best of both worlds.
   The tablet itself has a microSD card slot so I already have 32GB more to use it. The docking station (which can be purchased by 149.99) has 2 USB ports and 1 SD Card slot.
   You can edit Microsoft Office docs on it using Polaris Office, it's great and this app comes pre-installed on it. Playing mp3s or acc files on it it's great too. You can use the app MyNet to play music from your own PC or Mac, via bluetooth.
   
   I'm playing SNES games using SNESoid app and using a Wiimote/Classic Controller via Bluetooth and everything works great! It has native email (which Blackberry Playbook doesn't) and you can sync your calendar and contacts easily. It has full flash compatibility. For $399, there's nothing on the market with these specs. The Motorola Xoom has similar specs and it costs $200 more. It doesn't give you the option to attach a docking station with all those slots. When I buy computers, I want to be able to upload content to it easily, or transfer files from it easily as well. The Apple system is ok but needing iTunes for everything is kinda like a dictatorship. I had to jailbreak my iPhone to be able to play SNES games on it, or even listen to music on Grooveshark. That's where the Android Market comes in.
   
   You can download any apps you want, any developer can create apps for it, it's a "free" system. It's not as wide as the App Store, but it's getting bigger and bigger by the minute. I downloaded the Kindle app and already transferred all my e-books to it (I also own a Kindle and I love it).
   
   There are some quirks that have to be tweaked with Honeycomb 3.0 OS and that's something Google is working on. That's easy since updates will be released (an update is scheduled in 2 days). So that will improve the overall performance of the OS. But I honestly didn't have any issues with it, I really like Honeycomb 3.0 so far.
   
   I definitely recommend this thing for people who want to use their tablets as an extension or even a replacement to their laptops. Asus has hit a home run with this one, since it costs much less than anybody else and its specs are great. It's hands down the best purchase I've had under 400 bucks.
   
   The docking station is sold out anywhere else but I pre-ordered it on Amazon and I'm hoping to get it in a couple of weeks. I'll post a video with the combo once I get everything up and running. I'm a iOS person who's welcoming Android with open arms!
   
   Review Update: Apr 29 2011 - Ok, so I've been using my Transformer for a few days so I'd like to add a few pros and cons to this review.
   
   Pros: beside what's been mentioned above, I noticed that:
   
   - multitasking is really easy on the Transformer. You can quickly jump from one app to the other, check e-mails, browse something on Wikipedia, listen to music and even have your Skype session open at the same time. I was chatting with my dad and multitasking and had no issues. The Skype app needs updates, but that's nothing to do with Asus.
   
   - File Manager: this feature is great! You don't have to hook up your Transformer to your computer all the time to move, copy or paste files. You can create new folders and even transfer files from your microSD card straight to it. I transferred a movie from my microsd Card folder (path is root\removable to access microSD files) to my Movies folder and it was very quick. And I didn't need to plug it in in order to access or move the files.
   
   - Widgets: Your Desktop Area (Or Asus Launcher) is very wide so you can add many widgets to it, and they're very handy. That's something that can't be done on the iPad 2. Mind you Widgets can affect the speed a bit, but nothing noticeable at all. Those people running speed tests between iPad 2 and the Transformer need to bear that in mind.
   
   - Weight: believe it or not, it doesn't feel heavy at all for its size.
   
   Cons: ok, so here it is:
   
   -smudges on screen - it's a fingerprint magnet but all tablets are, so not a big deal. I'm cleaning it whenever needed using a nice cloth (the one that I use for lenses) with a bit of water/alcohol and it looks pristine after that. Let me know if you find a better way to clean fingerprints.
   It doesn't need wiping on a daily basis. I looked it up and for IPS screens, the best way to clean it is to use a mix of distilled water and alcohol, but I'm using tap water. I like this thing so much that I would buy another one tomorrow if something happened to it! (wait, maybe not tomorrow, it's still sold out everywhere)
   
   -HD video playback in Fullscreen mode using the YouTube App: ok, this might be Honeycomb-related and therefore something that can be dealt with via future updates. You might notice a bit of choppy frames here and there. I find the iOS more stable for this type of playback. But there's no problems playing HD video from your microSD card or even if you upload a HD video to the Transformer hard drive, you won't have problems watching it. There's more than enough RAM to support HD video streaming.
   
   -charger: I'm planning on using it all the time, so the cord is not long enough. If I have it on a desk, I need a power bar or outlet really close by, to leave it plugged in if I wanna save some battery. Well, tablet + docking gives you 16 hrs of battery... so you really don't have to have it plugged in. But this suggestion could be emailed to Asus so they could release a charger with a longer cable, that would be sweet.
   
   Other observations: Camera: not that great, it's an average camera. Am I gonna use it for super important pics? Definitely not, I got a nice camera for that. But for daily use, it's not too bad.
   
   ***UPDATE June 13*** - I've been using the TF for 6 weeks now, and I also have the keyboard dock, which I got 2 weeks ater getting the tab. I can safely say it has become my main "go to" device: web browsing, music, movies, games, word processing, reading books and comics, news, remote desktop, you name it. I still use my PC and my smartphone but not as much as I use the tablet.
   
   - For people who wonder if light bleed gets worse as time goes by: I was lucky enough to get a unit with no light bleed other than a tiny spot (barely noticeable) on the left side of the tablet, and it's been the same since day 1. But compared to my friend's iPad, I can safely say mine has no light bleed whatsoever. Some of the newer batches got units with really bad lemons but I think this was due to ramping up the production like crazy. I heard they manufactured 300,000 units in June so I think they'll improve their quality control dept and make spanking sharp units now.
   - Honeycomb 3.1: Asus was one of the first ones to release the 3.1 update and it fixed the YouTube app HD video issue (at least on mine). I think 1080p is overkill on a 10.1 inch screen so the 720p HD on the YouTube app works like a charm. Playing movies straight out of a SD card or USB drive is easy and there's no lag either, so feel free to pack lots of multimedia and play straight out of them without having to use your device's internal memory.
   
   Touchscreen is much more responsive, browser is faster, animations flow more smoothly, full gamepad compatibility via USB, better "relationship" between dock and tablet. What really bugged me about 3.0 was that when I used the dock a lot of features seems to be toggled on/off. That has never happened after 3.1. So, overall, the update fixed a whole bunch of bugs and made the experience even better.
   
   - Wrapping it up: battery life is great, using the keyboard to type long texts is handy... and I was able to tether the TF to my iPhone via w-fi, so now it works as a 3G-like tab. I've done both bluetooth and wi-fi tethering. Wi-fi is faster but bluetooth saves battery life. I basically do it to use Google Maps and GPS, and it's been great so far. I know they're releasing a 3G Transformer in the summer, but I don't need one since I don't wanna pay more fees to my carrier, and sign another 1 year contract just for more data plan. I can use this as a 3G alternative whenever I need a bigger screen. It works with the iPhone and I know it does work with Android devices, but I'm not sure if works with Blackberry phones. Let me know if you wanna know more about tethering and I'll be glad to help.
   
   6 weeks after purchasing the TF, I'm still very pleased with my device.
   
   UPDATE August 3rd 2011 - Honeycomb 3.2 main features - I got my 3.2 update a few days ago... there's just a few things that were updated, or changed. It wasn't as significant as 3.1, but here's what I noticed about 3.2: compatibility zoom for fixed size apps - it helps with apps that are not designed to run on larger screens like 10.1 inches. I tested it and it's actually a great improvement, compared to what it was in 3.1
   Media sync from SD - I already did that before, but now you can load any media straight from the microSD card (this is more for Xoom owners)
   I don't think there were any changes on high def videos, I think it still outputs in 720p, no true 1080p yet on youtube and stuff, but like I said before, 720p is more than enough on a 10 inch screen.
   Better hardware acceleration, updates to widgets and Movie Studio app, now Honeycomb can also run on 7 inch tablets, and some other minor ones... I'm enjoying Honeycomb while it lasts, since it will phase out in a few months (Ice Cream Sandwich is coming). Overall, I'm still having loads of fun with the Transformer!
2. 276 of 290 people found this review helpful

   By V. Phan on Amazon.com 29 April, 2011

   Excellent and Affordable Android Tablet UPDATED 5/4/11

   I am a previous owner of the Archos 101, which was a decent tablet during its time, but as time goes by..it became sluggish and multitasking on it was a drag so I sold it on ebay and saved the money for my next tablet purchase. Then I heard about this tablet and I was anxiously anticipating its US release. I was one of the lucky ones who were able to grab one on Amazon on release day(April 26th). I received my package via OnTrac on the 27th. I opened my package and tried it out for about an hour before deciding to do the OTA update. A few people on the xda forum reported that they have bricked their Asus TFs because of the update so I was hesitant. However, everything went well for me and it was updated within five minutes.
   
   -First thing first. Sorry, no iOS vs Android comparison here. If you are looking at this item, you SHOULD already know the advantages and disadvantages for both OS.
   
   -The screen is AMAZING!! Viewing angle is superb. High resolution IPS LED LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass for the win.
   
   -Only $399. $200 less than the Xoom. $100 less than the iPad 2. $50 less than the Acer Iconia a500. With equal or better hardware/features. You make the decision.
   
   -Android 3.0 is great. Very smooth usage. Very open-ended. Customizable to the max. True multitasking; with as many apps running in the background as the CPU can handle. Asus included some exclusive widgets and apps. Games run beautifully with no lag. I am new to Honeycomb, and I am enjoying it a lot.
   
   -Asus included a roll of numbers on the android virtual keyboard. That is very handy as i dont have to click an extra button to access the numbers. Most of my passwords have numbers and that saves a lot of time.
   
   -Flash 10.2. You can browse the internet without feeling left out. Yes, you get flashy ads also. I would say Flash works 95% because sometimes flash videos get laggy when maximized to full screen. Youtube app videos stutters when you play it fullscreen in HQ. However, there is supposedly a fix of that issue coming soon for Honeycomb. Other than that, every flash based websites load fine.
   
   -Apps for Honeycomb is lacking right now but it should kick off soon. Some apps are not compatible with Honeycomb and will crash after installation. If you are a news junkie, Pulse is the app to get. Mobo player is the best video player to me. Many of the free games are very fun to play.
   
   -MyCloud was not there when my tablet came. I needed to do the OTA update for MyCloud to appear in the apps folder.Since the remote desktop in MyCloud can only connect to the PCs in your LAN network, I was excited to find out about LogMeIn ignition on the Android Market. You can buy the app to remotely control any PCs anywhere.
   
   -Plays back basic video formats like avi. Compared to my Archos 101 which is made by a French company, can play many video formats natively, even mkv. (I love European devices with their video playback capabilities)
   
   -Has built in GPS with a free downloadable text-to-speech plug-in on the Android Market.
   
   -Build quality is good for the price although not as good as iPad 2. The texture design on the back is nice and gives better grip.
   
   -Big bezel. Initially, the big bezel turned me off, but now I understood why Asus made it bigger than other comparable tablets. My old Archos has a thin Bezel and because of that I would accidentally touch the screen with my thumbs, wrecking havoc. With this tablet, my thumbs rest on the bezel and that problem was solved, and also my thumbs get some rest.
   
   -Two good cameras, on front and back. Picture quality is great, but video recording is average.
   
   -MicroSD slot and miniHDMI. I also ordered the keyboard so that I will have two USB ports.
   
   -Charging connecter is shorter than I expected. It can be a hassle if you want to use the tablet and charge it at the same time.
   
   -Power button and speakers are on the side. Unlike the Archos 101 and Moto Xoom, having speakers on the side means that when you put it flat down, your sound does not deteriorate. The right speaker is louder than the left for some reason. Hopefuly an update will fix that.
   
   -Battery life is good. Around 8-9 hours depending on your usage. Battery life can be extended with the keyboard dock, while transforming into a netbook.
   
   The Asus TF is hot at $399, and I am enjoying it very much so far. This thing is in another league compared to my Archos 101. This product is rare right now and I hope Asus can ship more units(or maybe it's just a marketing strategy for more hype).
   
   Anyhow, this tablet is great and I am looking forward to future Android updates to make it even better. Five stars for a good tablet.
   
   Hope this helps and have fun with your tablet(s)!
   
   *UPDATE 5/2/11* So, I have noticed that occasionally, apps force close in Android 3.0. I know this is a software issue with Asus and that there should be updates coming soom to address this. I have heard that the Acer a500 is more stable as of right now.
   I was at a shopping mall and saw an Apple show store so I decided to come in and play around with the iPad 2. One thing I want to mention is that you will never see any checker-boarding when surfing the net with the Asus TF.
   
   *UPDATE 5/4/11*
   So the stuttering 720p video after recording has been solved after the OTA updates. It is much smoother now.
   
   **For those in the dark or have finally came out under the rock: This tablet retails at $399, so do not be a victim and buy it at $500+ from sellers on Amazon Marketplace. Also, you should not rate this item down because of third party sellers jacking up the price.**
3. 83 of 86 people found this review helpful

   By Ananke on Amazon.com 5 May, 2011

   Currently, the best tablet

   I have the tablet for a week already. I have tried some apps and so far I am impressed.
   
   1. The design is gorgeous. The metal frame is sturdy enough and the knobs are metal too. The plastic back is solid. The device overall looks and feels luxurious.
   
   2. The screen is IPS, the viewing angels are perfect, i.e. 180 degree, colors are well saturated, etc etc. Screen response is fast.
   
   3. I haven't tested the full battery depletion, I have always used it heavily for 6-8 hours straight with active GPS, WiFi,Skype, games and/or movies, live wallpaper and some other background applications running, and it has been down to around 30%. It can last a day of usage, apparently, and then it can be charged at night when not in use. It charges for around 2 hours from zero to full.
   
   4. GPS works, it is as fast or faster as standalone GPS navigators /I have Magellan 3250/. I am using lucos free, and I haven't figure out yet how to properly download an US map, but eventually the offline GPS navigation shall work on this. Paid apps are less then $10 anyway.
   
   5. WiFi worked straight, it is not even worth commenting here. I am on WPA2 wifi N. It is fast.
   
   6. Installed flash 10.2 - I haven't bumped into anything that doesn't play yet. I browsed and read numerous web sites, most of them with heavy flash. I watch YouTube in the browser and within the app - both work, HD also works but it is limited by the WiFi throughput. That is not caused by the tablet. I am yet to see a device that passes smoothly HiDef video through WiFi.
   Vevo works smoothly too. It has to be installed AFTER the flash 10.2 installation in order to work.
   
   7. Played several movies with Mobo player. Avi, DivX worked perfect - nothing to comment. I tried h264 mkv 720p main - it played smoothly, but I have no sound - I think it is Dolby coded though. I haven't had time to try another file. Given the limited storage capacity though, I will most likely use DivX files or h264 mkv lesser than 1GB each, so I can store more when travel. The 1080p discussion in the forums is kind of irrelevant - I don't need the tablet to be capable of playing 1080p when the file size is at least 6GB anyway. I will need that HiDef when the storage of tablets achieves 1TB :) at the same or lower tablets price.
   
   8. Kindle app works perfect and it is very easy. Amazon app store works perfect. Google Android Market - works perfect, easy to navigate and the icon was pre-installed anyway.
   
   9. The sound is stereo, it makes difference in videos and movies, and it is pretty loud. My daughter can and she is watching movies on the road, and plays Angry Birds :).
   
   10. Skype works - no video yet.
   
   11. It is visible immediately as "Asus Transformer" external storage in Windows 7 upon USB connection. It is visible in the WiFi network. DLNA works as it should be. In Win 7 Home Premium you right click on a media file and chose PLayTo Asus Transformer. For comparison DLNA doesn't work on my SONY DLNA certified TV :):)
   
   I haven't tried the remote terminal, i.e. the Splash application yet, since I haven't updated the tablet. It is stock 3.0.1.
   
   I have used iPad, iPad2 and this Asus. For a GPS unit you need iPad with 3G. The iPad build quality perception is better, since it is solid aluminum unibody. Anything else is on par. iTunes is a joke, I would never install that malware on a Windows computer again, never. So, the preference is highly subjective, but in the Android field this is the best right now. If you like iTunes, i.e. you feel more comfortable and easier to use - you will be better off with Apple. To me Apple OS is too restrictive and useless. I personally have much more practical application for this device since my usage (connectivity, applications, etc) is pretty much unrestricted by the OS. I use the tablet as a standalone computer, I don't need to sync it or connect it to a desktop to be functional.
4. 55 of 56 people found this review helpful

   By Hakeem R. on Amazon.com 3 May, 2011

   Best Tablet on the Market...PERIOD!

   I do not generally write reviews but this tablet is worth it. I have owned(and returned) and Motorola Xoom and have tested the Ipad 2. BOTH are nice devices for sure but a tad bit overpriced and I am not a huge fan of the boring iOS customization options. For $399 (Asus Transformer 16gb version) you get the 10 inch tablet, you get the Tegra POWER, the nice sound and the latest Android tablet operating system (honeycomb) which is the perfect combination.
   
   Device feels very solid in hand, not too light, not too heavy, all of the apps from my previous Mytouch 4g work on the tablet and it functions very well. Battery life is GREAT, I set it to leave wifi on permanently without disconnecting and took it off the charger at 9pm yesterday, used it to tweet, browse and type a paper while listening to non stop music until about 1-2am. Woke up today at 9am, my new emails were synced and gtalk was running.....STILL had 69% left. It is now going on 1pm, i haven't used it much besides for my alarm clock and listened to another 10 songs and tweeted while i got ready for class and its sitting at 63% now.
   
   PROS:
   - Great Battery Life (Without the Keyboard dock's extra power source)
   - Nice weight, does not feel cheap
   - Android 3.0 for tablets is a great step forward to set it apart from everyone else just using the phone OS
   - SPEED
   - Can handle ALL tasks( Recreation, Games, Music, Work documents, homework, etc) My laptop has been put to rest since owning a table.... R.I.P.
   - PLENTY of apps for everyone and everything you are interested in.
   - Google talk video chat works like a charm
   - Cameras take good quality pictures
   - EASE OF USE
   
   Cons:
   - Not a fan of the placement of the speakers since they put them towards the bottom. My hands sometimes blocks them while holding the device but i can still hear the music just fine(even though not as loud)
   
   - The charger is kinda short, that is acceptable but it seems like when you plug the Tablet to the computer it stops charging when you have the screen on, i found that a little strange. Safety reasons? im not sure.
   
   Final Verdict: If you want a GREAT tablet that is affordable, has video chat, music, games, apps, full internet browsing abilities and PLENTY of customization options then this is your device! Easily replaced my new laptop, much lighter, better battery life and can do the same things...literally.
   
   *SideNote* Those 3g/4g radio tablets seem to have less battery life because of the data connection. this Wifi only tablet is the best solution and i can STILL have internet on the go by simply using the Wifi hotspot option on my t-mobile Android device. Tmobile offers the ability to legally use the wifi hotspot on your existing Android device for only 9.99 a month, thats MUCH better than paying an extra $40-$60 for a data plan on a tablet alongside with a 1-2 year contract. #ThinkAboutIt
5. 52 of 53 people found this review helpful

   By Sluggo on Amazon.com 17 May, 2011

   I am completely blown away

   Okay, so my biases up front: Compared to most people buying this tablet, I might as well be half-Amish. I've got a cheap ol' pay-as-you-go cell phone that takes pictures and, I assume, can text but I've never used it for that, an old desktop computer, a Kindle, and until a week ago when it died, a 3 year old first-gen eee netbook. I haven't played around with smartphones or ipads other than a couple of times playing a tower defense game on an itouch, so despite having a pretty good ability at sorting tech things out (I use Ubuntu and that sort of thing) I've been comfortably behind the times when it comes to what gadgets can really do these days. If you're used to tablets you might not be as blown away by the transformer as I was, but if you're even a little bit behind the technological times this little device will leave you with your mouth hanging open in stark disbelief that you live in "the future" and that you're lucky enough to be able to afford something so feature-rich for 400 dollars (if you're lucky enough to find it in stock somewhere at retail price!).
   
   So. Lots of well-informed and clever people have typed a whole lot of words that you've probably already read about what makes this tablet different from other devices on the market. There are also many good video reviews that you should search for before committing yourself to tracking one down. What I can offer in my review that I haven't noticed mentioned much elsewhere is just how intuitive I found the Honeycomb experience. It took a little bit of playing around with it, almost as if I had to train my brain to do things *intuitively* and trust my instincts instead of looking for the "right" way to do things, which is not how we are really used to relating to technology.
   
   I showed my 63-year old mother. Everyone has someone in their lives something like her. The type that is afraid to touch the keyboard for fear that it will break and she will end up with a virus that will delete the universe. The kind that calls you up saying "ADOBE WANTS TO INSTALL SOMETHING IS THIS OKAY WHAT SHOULD I CLICK HELP HELP HACKERS". and that sort of thing. She had it figured out in 5 minutes and was ooh-ing and ahhhh-ing over how simple and slick and user-friendly she found it. When I showed her that she could search the internet with her voice, I started to wonder if I would ever get to hold my precious new toy again. Even my just-turned-three "big boy" figured out how to get "his" game working on his own.
   
   It's hard for me to imagine a better end-user experience, though I have yet to get my hands on the keyboard dock or try out any stylus program. As it stands now with my only uses being watching videos, listening to Pandora, playing some games, reading pdf papers, checking email/internet, and goofing around with some seriously fun applications, it already rates as my all-time favorite gadget. Once I've had a chance to use it with the dock and have the full experience of laptop plus tablet, I'll have to invent some new superlatives for my excitement. It feels a little weird to be living in the future, but I like it!
   
   Edited to add: My one complaint, if you can really call a tiny quibble a complaint, is the much-commented on fact that the charging cord is hilariously short. This is stupid and ASUS should have some people give them dirty looks until they change this on the next-gen transformer. There are workarounds if it really is an issue for you, but it's an idiotic design decision that flies in the face of common sense, especially when they have such a nicely designed product.
   
   Slightly later edit:
   Writing notes with a stylus (I grabbed a Boxwave) is smooth as silk and the camera and video functions work like a dream. I've noticed a little bit of bugginess from time to time resulting in a couple applications crashing; I am not sure if that is the fact of the applications or an issue with Honeycomb. Regardless, it happens very infrequently and hasn't caused me any headaches so far.
   
   Even later edit:
   I've been using it with the keyboard for a couple of days now and have fallen even more in love with it. It's hard for me to imagine ever going back to a standard laptop (or, for that matter, settling for a pad device without a fully functional keyboard for when I want to write long emails or documents. I really could not be more impressed with the design of this product and I know a couple of my friends have seen this baby in action and immediately started trying to hunt down Transformers of their own. The only other disappointments I have found in the interim are that the Android app store as some catching up to do for people using this device (but that will come with time and with more people using Android machines as their primary computers for work _and_ play) and the fact that for the unfortunate people with hardware issues ASUS is making them pay for one-way shipping for a product that is damaged right off the bat. Boo to them for that appalling policy. For someone that gets a fully working unit as I did, there's really very little to be upset about as any apps you could possibly hope for will be developed with time.
   
   Oh, and finally, I've also started using this as a comic book reader and it is a total delight. I looooooove this machine!
   
   FINAL EDIT No really I mean it this time: We've been using our lovely little pad for a few months now and it's still the darling of our technology collection. We got Ubuntu up and dual-booting (don't try this if you don't know what you're doing) and I can safely say that it's the perfect machine for my family's needs. If you have the know-how I highly recommend rooting it and installing Ubuntu alongside Android so you can have a robust OS for times when you need to work and the fun tablet for when you just want something fun. If you are getting this as a second computer, you don't need to worry about rooting it but if you are really looking for something that can replace your desktop then you may want to think about dual booting.
6. 57 of 59 people found this review helpful

   By Clyde McShizzle on Amazon.com 27 May, 2011

   A Rough Diamond in the Rough

   After playing around with my new Transformer for the last 48 hours, here is what I have come to find out about it...
   
   Positives:
   
   + The screen is gorgeous. Assuming you don't get a defective unit with dead pixels and a lot of light bleed, you will be very happy with the screen. Amazing viewing angles and rich colors are the two most notable characteristics. Hands down, the Transformer has the best screen on the market right now, and that includes the IPad2, with its inferior dimensions and resolution.
   
   + The battery life is pretty good. I can't compare it to anything else on the market because this is the only tablet I've used from a full charge to nearly empty, but I can't complain. I picked it last night at 9:30pm and played Super Nintendo roms on it until 4:30am without stop, until it flashed a 'low battery' warning on the screen telling me it was down to 4%. At that point I put it on the charger and called it a night. Running emulators is a significant drain on batteries that 7 hours didn't seem too short a time for me. Under normal usage I could easily see my Transformer hitting 9 hours or more.
   
   + The build quality, from what I am reading on two different and very dedicated Transformer forums, is decidedly hit or miss. The majority of people are having no problems, while a vocal minority is having issues with creakiness and rattling. As for me, I love my Transformer and am not having any build quality issues. It doesn't flex, creak, or rattle. While it does have a sort of hollow, plastic feel to it, the rigidity of the unit doesn't feel compromised. It feels solid and balanced in the hands, and the rough texture pattern they used on the back seems to prevent scratching just as well as it provides grip while in the hands.
   
   + Honeycomb operating system is quite nifty. Before using it, I read a lot about it being geared more toward tech savvy people who like to tinker with things, but that's not necessarily true. An idiot could use and customize Honeycomb. Seriously. Honeycomb is new and is going through some normal teething issues, so you will run into some force closes and other minor issues, but it's not that bad or disruptive. Every force close I've had so far has been quickly remedied by restarting the program, and that takes all of about five seconds.
   
   + Price. The bang for the buck with Transformer is off-the-charts. I bought the more expensive 32GB version and still feel like I stole it. It does so many things and is so much more convenient than my slow, annoying laptop. I honestly believe Asus could have priced each version a hundred dollars higher and still had a hit with the Transformer. It's that good.
   
   + Google Earth on the Transformer is.. simply... awesome. It's like digital crack. I can't stop playing with it once I start! If you love travel, geography, cartography, and just seeing the world from a bird's eye view, you have to download Google Earth to your Transformer. Even with 3D buildings turned on, it runs pretty smoothly and loads up entire cities in just seconds. Words don't do any justice to just how cool this app is.
   
   + Gaming on the Transformer is outstanding and is only going to get better. Some of the games this platform can run with the Tegra 2 processor are jaw-dropping. Downloading and using the classic system emulators (NES, SNES, Gameboy Advance, PS1) adds so much value to the Transformer. I've only had my unit for two days and I'm already up to my neck in great games, and most all of them were free.
   
   Negatives:
   
   - Sharp edges. Yes, sharp edges. Don't laugh. After holding this thing in your hands for a couple of hours, especially if you are playing games or texting frequently, you will definitely feel it. It's not a deal breaker or anything, it was just a poor design decision on the part of the product engineers at Asus. And when I say "sharp", I don't mean "knife-sharp", I mean "teaspoon-sharp", or "not conducive to holding tightly in your hands for prolonged periods of time-sharp".
   
   - Relatively weak app store at the moment. Look, if you must have a bottomless well of apps to choose from RIGHT NOW, the Transformer isn't for you. Apps optimized for Honeycomb are in short supply. I have no doubt in my mind this will be rectified in the coming months, but right now the options are thin. On this point, the IPad2 throttles the Transformer.
   
   - The included-in-the-box proprietary charging/USB cable. Really, Asus? I mean, really?!?! It's about three feet long, which makes it almost useless when you need to charge it! Whoever it was at Asus that made this decision (probably the same genius who insisted on hard, sharp edges) needs to be taken out and flogged. Asus, if you are reading this, give us a six-foot cable, not three.
   
   - The speakers on the Transformer are underwhelming. While I appreciate the fact that they are front-firing speakers, they just don't sound very good at all. The sound they produce is a bit tinny. If you are planning on using the Transformer as a full-time multimedia device, I highly recommend some decent cans.
   
   - The lack of Transformer-specific accessories on the market is surprising, and not in a good way. Good luck trying to find the Asus keyboard dock, working car chargers, extra cables, and cases. As of right now, late May, the options are Slim and none, and Slim has been sold out nearly everywhere I've checked.
   
   I hope this helps you tablet shoppers out there.
   
   Edit 1: I found out that the short charging cable problem can somewhat be solved by buying a separate USB 3.0 female to male extension cable. This will make the pathetically short Asus Transformer charging cable longer. Since I don't have one yet, I am instead currently using a basic electrical outlet extension cable. That way I can still use the Transformer from the comfort of my couch while it is charging.
   
   Edit 2: I also found out about a free app in the Android market called "Quick Settings" that allows my Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V phone (unlimited $25 data plan) to act as a wifi hotspot for my Transformer. This is AWESOME and adds so much mobile functionality! I can now take my Transformer wherever I go and get internet access through my phone. So if you are in the market for a phone and a tablet, this is the undisputed, bang-for-the-buck pair to get.
   
   Edit 3: Just found an available Transformer keyboard dock and ordered it along with a 32 GB microSDHC memory card. Will update this review when they arrive.
   
   Edit 4: OK, I have the keyboard dock and have been playing around with it for a few days and my recommendation for the majority of prospective shoppers is to SKIP IT. Unless you absolutely need the USB ports, keyboard capability, or extra battery life, this thing isn't a must-have by any measure. I am going to guess that most people will use their Transformers for apps, games, casual web browsing, multimedia, and basic communication, none of which require the keyboard or extra battery juice. The regular battery in the Transformer will last a solid nine hours - and maybe even more - if you don't have the screen brightness jacked up all the way and aren't running graphics-intensive games all day.
   
   Only buy the keyboard if you don't have access to another computer, need it for work/productivity purposes, need the USB ports, and will be more mobile with the Transformer than normal, and away from charging sources for long periods of time. The best bang-for-the-buck buy here is the 16GB Transformer without any overpriced Asus accessories.
   
   Edit 5: If you are looking for a working, large-capacity microSDHC memory card, the 32GB Patriot Signature class 4 plays very nicely with the Transformer. It comes in retail packaging with a nice case and SD card adapter. It's a little more expensive than other 32GB options, but it's Patriot quality and speedy enough for large file transfers that it won't drive you nuts.
   
   Edit 6: Because I've been on my Transformer for many hours per day since I purchased it, I've had a little bit of time to work my way through the app market. Here are some quality titles I recommend...
   
   For music: PlayerPro is currently the best music app available. It puts the stock music player included with the Transformer to shame. If you are planning to put a lot of music on your Transformer, this is the player to use, organize, and interface with it.
   
   For video: I'm not real ecstatic with any of the options available, but MoboPlayer seems to be the pick of the litter at the moment.
   
   For games: There are so many more options than I was expecting. Here are a few that really shine on the Transformer or are just great time-wasters in general...
   
   Battleheart - This is a total gem and plays like a champ.
   Radiant HD - Beautiful neon graphics, 80s nostalgia, funny story.
   Angry Birds Rio - A great all-around game.
   AirAttack HD - Not a lot of depth but amazing visuals. Casual game.
   GRave Defense HD - Challenging at higher levels. High-quality game.
   Gem Miner - I sunk four hours into this without even realizing it.
   Game Dev Story - Well worth the price of admission. Entertaining.
   Super Dynamite Fishing - Hilarious game. Never knew blowing up seafood could be so fun.
7. 72 of 76 people found this review helpful

   By A. Dent on Amazon.com 3 May, 2011

   Freedom (breakthrough)

   Finally, a non iPad tablet that's both technologically on par (and here and there superior) with the 'leader' AND reasonably priced AND doesn't force us, the paying customers, into some 'ecosystem' mandatory straightjacket.
   
   While not perfect, the Transformer offers a great deal when it comes to features and expandability and it's the clear price leader at this time. And, of course, there's the open Honeycomb and the freedom that a reasonably open OS gives you without having to wait for jailer's okay - no need to jailbreak. You are free by default as you should be. I so wanted an open Wi-Fi tablet so maybe I am a little overenthusiastic but I totally jumped on this one when it became available because it's the first non-iTablet that actually makes sense IF you don't care about 3G/4G.
   
   I've only been using the Transformer for a couple of days and I haven't reached the top of the learning curve so I'm not going to write a lot about the various apps but I've had enough time to get to know the hardware part and basic capabilities and, for someone quite skeptical when it came to 'tablets' all I can say is that I am impressed, especially when comparing it with the other tablets out there. And this is why (I rated each feature on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is bad and 10 is best):
   
   -- PRICE (8) - the 16 GB model beats all the others at the time I'm writing this. This TF101-B1 comes with 32 GB and costs $100 more for an additional 16 GB - $499 list price - but it's still a good match for everything else that's out there. There is a separate listing for TF101-A1, the 16 GB version.
   -- DISPLAY SIZE (10) - 10.1", 16x9 (wide screen). Can't really compare it with the iPad because iPad's 9.7" screen is in a 4x3 format - more square inches but movies show much better on a 16x9 screen.
   -- RESOLUTION (10) - 1280x800 translates in 30% more pixels than iPad's and it's a beautiful, bright image. However, you can't really use it outside unless it's a cloudy day. For reading on the beach, there's the Kindle :)
   -- INTERNAL MEMORY (8) - 1 GB is not overwhelming but it's twice as much as iPad's (better multi-tasking) and on par with the more expensive Xoom.
   -- PROCESSOR (8) - 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 (2 x Cortex A9) is on par with Xoom, clock speed similar with iPad 2.
   -- STORAGE (10) - 32 GB for this model, expandable through microSD to 64 GB. The 16 GB model may be the better value but you are limited to 48 GB.
   -- WEIGHT (7) - about 1.5 lbs., comparable with iPad's and Xoom's. It doesn't feel heavy to me.
   -- CAMERAS (7) - 5MP rear camera for picture or video-taking and a 1.2MP front facing for video chat. Quite happy so far but there is no flash.
   -- SPEAKERS (8) - 2 SRS on the sides so they won't be muffled if you lay it flat. I believe the iPad has only one.
   -- CHARGING (8) - via wall connector or USB but it took overnight to fully charge the tablet over USB - understandable because a tabled requires significantly more power than a phone. The dedicated port does it in a couple of hours.
   -- BATTERY LIFE (8) - I was able to do 7-8 hours on a full charge, not as good as iPad but close.
   -- PHYSICAL BUILT (7) - It's okay but the plastic on the back feels a little 'thin'.
   
   Other features/capabilities include HDMI port, Bluetooth, GPS, Flash (haven't installed the upgrade yet), remote control of Windows and Macs (it works).
   
   ERGONOMICS
   
   The Transformer is slightly heavier than the iPad but not significantly so. The 16x9 format is very good for movie viewing and, because it's wider, it makes for better integration with the dock expansion.
   
   I like the mostly glass front with a little metal on the edges but the plastic back is so-so. It's solid but you can squeeze it if you really try - it gives to pressure.
   
   The screen is responsive to touch. I haven't been a heavy 'touch' user until the Transformer so I am not going to make any comparisons but I am pleased. The fine resolution makes serious multitasking not only possible but also practical. The Transformer has more pixels than the iPad and it shows.
   
   THE DOCK
   
   I must confess that even though I'm the current user, I bought the Transformer for one of my kids - because he did so well in school but he's getting it in a month or so on his birthday - and I decided to splurge a little, ordering the 'dock'. Hasn't arrived yet - back ordered - but someone I know has one and I was able to test-drive it for about one hour.
   
   I haven't used it extensively but, anyone who's used netbooks will immediately recognize one as soon as the Transformer plugs into the keyboard-plus expansion. Besides the physical keyboard which integrates well with the OS and adds lots of dedicated buttons, the dock has a built-in battery, 2 extra USB ports and a SD card port. My impression is that, once plugged into the dock, it charges the tablet and all power comes from the dock's battery for as long as the battery has power. As for how it feels... let me say that I'm a lot more comfortable with a full size keyboard.
   
   When docked you can actually fold the Transformer closed with the dock as the keyboard bottom and you end up with something that's hard to distinguish from a netbook, only it's running an Android OS.
   
   MY EXPERIENCE
   
   I am still getting myself used to a touch-driven OS and the built in apps and I didn't get a lot of third-party apps but not everything ran - tech support told me that not everything 'Android' will automatically run on Honeycomb so... try before you buy :) . However, whatever ran it did so without major problems. Except... playback was sometimes choppy when on full-screen mode but maybe it was so because I was running half a dozen other things at the same time.
   
   I should note that WiFi integration was flawless and, indeed, once on my local network, I was able not only to stream from media servers but to also open remote sessions on some of our Windows 7 and Windows Home Server machines.
   
   MY EVALUATION
   
   After a few days of use I am very happy with my purchase and I am considering a second for my other teen kid - but I may wait for the next great tablet because I don't expect the Transformer to stay the top non-Apple tablet forever. I wrote 'top tablet' because this is the best WiFi tablet deal you can get today.
   
   The Transformer has a few minor issues: USB charging, the not-so-hard back, a little on the heavy side but the pluses overwhelm the 'issues' and the dock expansion is extremely innovative and it can even be a good 'transition' prop for those familiar with netbooks - but it does come at a price.
   
   I love my Transformer and Amazon's rating for 'I love it' is 5 stars.
   
   --
   >> Brush your teeth, it's the law! <<
8. 39 of 40 people found this review helpful

   By C. M. Plante on Amazon.com 21 October, 2011

   This is the computer I've waited my whole life for.

   I'm a nerd. Let's get that out of the way right now. I grew up using and working with computers, I pursued a career as a computer repair technician and I spend almost every minute of my free time on a computer. I love technology.
   
   But I also live with severe social anxiety disorder (pre-existing condition, not a result of spending too much time with computers. sorry, pseudo-psychologists, no fodder here), which inhibits me in telephone usage. Meaning, I don't have a smartphone. Until six weeks ago, I didn't even know what Android was, because I'd never handled anything that used it. I left the repair industry five years ago, after being "promoted" to a deskside support position for a facility with 2500+ on-site clients, and before the smartphone/tablet boom began. As a result, I was utterly in the dark about things of this nature, so I see a device like this from two perspectives, as an enthusiast and as a neophyte.
   
   Coming from the desktop platform, I initially scoffed at the "meager" 1GB of RAM and 1Ghz CPU speed, the "paltry" 16-32GB of on-board storage and the "tiny" 10.1" LCD. I'd grown accustomed to big numbers attached to my hardware and a big display on my desk... and then I remembered that I used a PDA with a fraction of those specs and a laptop which wasn't much faster or "better", and realized that what I was looking at wasn't merely a phone with a bigger screen, or a scaled down laptop, but the evolution of computing. 20 years ago, I told someone that we'd have devices like these in our hands in the not-too-distant future, but until a few months ago, I just never noticed that we'd already reached that point. The more I read about tablets, the more impressed and intrigued I was, and finally, six weeks ago, I convinced myself to take the plunge.
   
   I think what impresses me most about this tablet is how seamlessly the hardware and software are integrated. There's a layer of abstraction, of separation, in using a "normal" computer. You click a button, press a key, do everything through the proxies of input devices. It's just how most modern OS' work. You use the computer, but you don't interact directly with it, it's a usage distinctly segregated from the machine itself. Android is different. It's fundamentally different, even though it uses the same basic principles in many ways. You interact directly with the tablet, without external devices to slow you down or force you to do things in a specific way, and that interaction is no different from what we, in our modern, high tech society, are trained to do practically from birth. Push buttons and turn pages. It's as simple as that with Android, you're pushing buttons and turning pages. No need to search for your mouse pointer before you click something, no keyboard shortcuts to memorize, nothing to drag your eyes away from the screen, everything is right there, at the tips of your fingers. Using a tablet is an entirely different experience from using a desktop, or even laptop, computer. This is what blows the neophyte in me away, the part of me which is completely unfamiliar with Android and touchscreens (aside from primitive resistive devices, such as POS' and ATMs). It's intuitive and intelligent, and it's... beautiful. The "click" part of the point and click interface has been discarded, simplifying everything in such a manner as to make it seem like it should always have been done like this.
   
   The nerdy part of me is thrilled with Android. I've spent more than my fair share of time tweaking and twisting various iterations of Windows, Apple OS' and desktop versions of Linux to fit my "needs", but none of them ever approached the flexibility and simplicity of Android. I've got a B70 tablet, one of the ones which can't be rooted (yet), but for the first time, I don't feel an overwhelming need to dig into the guts of the OS and change dozens of things just to make it work "correctly". It already does everything that I want it to do, and every time I think of something new, I realize that it's already got that functionality built in or someone else has made it available as a third-party application. Installing a program, an app, is as simple as visiting the Android Market or Amazon Appstore (or downloading a package (a .apk file)), picking what I want and letting it install itself. Minimal prompts to slog through to get to the meat of the matter, no forced reboots, BSODs or kernel panics, no drivers to bother with, apps just install and work. And the look and feel of Android, specifically Honeycomb, is magnificent. It's not the haptic adaptive interface portrayed in Mass Effect or Minority Report, but it is a step in that direction and it's actually enjoyable to use and interact with.
   
   My inner geek is also more than satisfied at how well this OS runs on the hardware. Will it let me play Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Left 4 Dead, Mass Effect or Portal 2? Nope. But that's why I still have a desktop. What I can do is almost everything else that I currently do, or used to do, with my other devices. Video, music, note taking, mileage logs, reading books, catching up on news, weather reports, surfing, e-mail, spreadsheets, planning trips, indulging in amateur astronomy, timer, clock, alarm and even "casual" games and more than I can think of without making a list. The Transformer has replaced my PDA, camera and laptop, and is now my default device for daily computer usage. About the only thing I do with my desktop is watch television (Dscaler and a TV tuner card acting as a pass-through device for a DirecTV box), rip my DVD collection and play "serious" games. Well, and write reviews like this, because I haven't adapted to the on-screen keyboard yet. >.>
   
   Wi-Fi connectivity is excellent. I'm picking up networks all over my block, far outside of the range at which I should be seeing them, and where I do connect, it's stable and usable even at bar. Battery life is at least twice what my laptop could ever achieve. I conducted an impromptu test, running a two hour movie all the way through on a full charge and ended up right at 75%. That was with Wi-Fi on, indicating that I should have 8+ hours of video time if I turn off Wi-Fi. In sleep mode, with Wi-Fi set to turn off when the screen does, it consumes practically no power and can sit for days without being recharged. The screen is brilliant, so much so that I keep it turned down to 25-33% for normal usage and only turn it up when watching videos or showing something to someone with vision problems. Touch response precision is excellent, and it's almost too sensitive (tends to respond to the slightest brush or twitch, but that's as much me as it is the tablet).
   
   Two of the main selling points for me were the GPS functionality and ability to charge via USB. Other than going to work, grocery shopping or trips to the bank, I almost never leave my house, largely due to a fear of getting lost and having to ask someone for help to get home. Having a tablet with fully functional GPS gives me a freedom that I've never had before. I'll be turning 40 next year, and for the first time in my life, I'm actually planning a trip that takes me farther than a few miles away from home. I dug through dozens of reviews before I decided to buy the Transformer, learned that "assisted GPS" was no less functional than "true GPS", and that people had tested the Transformer specifically and found that it worked as well as "true GPS", then tested it myself after I got the tablet. With Wi-Fi turned off, I was still able to track as many as nine GPS satellites. From my bedroom. It works, it works without requiring a 3G/4G cell tower nearby, it works without being connected to the Internet. So, while it is assisted GPS, it's not limited to only working if you meet the right qualifications or jump through the correct sequence of hoops. It works, period.
   
   USB charging was important to me because, if I'm going to use a tablet to enable me to go on long trips and camping expeditions, it had to be possible to charge it without being next to an AC outlet. As with GPS, I spent a lot of time researching which tablets could be charged without a wall wart or other AC source, and it turned out that the Transformer was capable of USB charging. It's only a trickle charge if it's plugged into a USB 2.0 port, and even that only works if it's turned off, but that also means it can be charged via solar panels or car cigarette lighter adapter, and that satisfies my second primary requirement for a tablet. There were other tablets which accepted a charge through USB, but none at this price point, and that was my third specification for the tablet I was going to buy, a reasonable price. The Transformer was the only one which met all three.
   
   It's not all sunshine and roses, of course. The Transformer isn't without its flaws. The location of the power/data port was not well thought out, as it makes it uncomfortable to use while plugged in unless you turn it upside down or use it in portrait mode, and it makes finding (or making) a stand for the tablet a difficult process. The power cord itself is far too short and thin. The built-in microphone is also poorly located (really should be somewhere on the front, rather than on the right side). The mini-HDMI slot and micro-SDHC slot are too similar in size and shape, and both located on the right side, making it very easy for a new user to confuse them (guilty). My Transformer has a a few very small spots of clouding (what others refer to as "light bleed") on the bottom, and it does creak a bit if I give it a squeeze right above the power/data port. Initially, in the first week, I would have also said that the screen not responding to touch and activating while in sleep mode was an oversight or flaw, but I've come to prefer that it doesn't work that way, as it prevents it from constantly turning itself on when stowed for transit or moved, which would impact battery life. The IPS LCD is also prone to "burn-in". It's not permanent (unlike old monochrome CRTs, or the ATM i use at the local grocery store), but it can be disconcerting to see. The default wallpaper selection tool, the Gallery app, is horrid, just awful for setting wallpaper (use Wallpaper Wizardrii, it's free and works a thousand times better). You can't remove the Google Search widget, it's bolted into the home screens, but that's a personal preference, not a flaw. Um... the Water live wallpaper that Asus included doesn't properly register a level surface... and you can't completely get rid of some of the useless or unwanted bloatware apps without rooting. I could probably come up with at least a dozen other minor quibbles, but on the whole, none of the things that I've covered actually impact the performance or usability of the tablet. It's stable, reliable and versatile, and whatever complaints I might have, they're really little more than a list of "things I would've done differently if I were making a tablet".
   
   Some of my dislikes are likely to be addressed in the Android 4.0 update, Ice Cream Sandwich, which has been confirmed to be coming to the Transformer some time in the next few months. It shouldn't be much of a departure from Honeycomb, based on what I've seen thus far, more of a change for phones than tablets, really. I'm rubbing my hands eagerly in anticipation of it, even if it won't be much more than some minor improvements or new apps for tablets.
   
   So that's my six week review. Six of the best weeks of my computer-using life. I've learned a lot, and rediscovered an enthusiasm I haven't had in over a decade. Prices on other tablets have dropped quite a bit in the last month, some offering more features at a slightly lower price than what I paid for my Transformer. I still check, a habit I developed after spending several months shopping around the tablet market, and occasionally, I stop and ask myself if buying this tablet was the right decision. Then I look at what I'm holding in my hand, and that soft smile touches my lips, and I know that this was the only tablet I could have ever purchased. Whatever issues I might have with it, however low prices on other tablets might drop, even if the Transformer Prime (the next version of this tablet) had been released the day after I bought this one, I just can't feel anything but joy for what I have now. It's just that good, and better than anything I expected, wanted or thought I could get.
9. 32 of 32 people found this review helpful

   By rmc on Amazon.com 13 May, 2011

   excellent tablet

   I purchased the TF101-A1 and keyboard dock from other vendors for $399 and $129, respectively. The keyboard dock is a very nice chiclet style 92% keyboard similar to recent ASUS netbooks. I am still not famliar with all the Android quick keys, but appear to be useful. The trackpad is nice, but lacks multitouch. The tablet itself is extremely nice. The screen has vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and is very responsive. The screen rotation is fast, but sometimes a little touchy. Battery life is incredible, especially with extra battery in the dock. I am new to Android, but I am enjoying the Honeycomb experience. A more direct way of killing/stopping applications would be nice (i.e., other than downloading another app to do it). The market place is easy to use and navigate. The apps themselves are hit-and-miss. Some will not take up the full screen (optimized for phones), some only work in portrait mode, and some work fine initially but then have a messed up aspect ratio on subsequent launches. Using the back button rather than the home button to exit the app seems to eliminate this last issue. Apps that work extremely well are the browser, Skype, email, WinAmp (tested radio), Google Sky Map, Google Earth, and navigation (although I had to kill the app to stop voice-to-text directions). I have observed forced closings, but only with downloaded apps which I subsequently remove. I downloaded QuickOffice, since I did not really like the look and feel of Polaris Office. I personally have not noticed much lag, although I did close the weather widget which some claim to be the cause of the lag. I also have had no problems docking the tablet, although I have not yet tried using a USB drive. I also have not fully explored the ASUS MyNet app, but it has already grabbed a few photos from one of my pc's via wifi syncing. Could be really handy. My biggest problem now is keeping it away from my teenage daughter. Once Hulu is available, I might have to buy another one. The ecosystem of the iPad may be easier to use and a little nicer, but the TF101-A1 is a better value and has more capabilities. The only complaint that I have thus far is the low quality of video taken by the backward facing camera.Overall, I am very happy with this purchase. I had been waiting on the Notion Ink Adam tablet, but I m glad I waited.
   
   Pros: Incredible screen
   responsiveness
   smooth operation with little or no noticeable lag
   very long battery life
   very nice on-screen keyboard, as well as very nice keyboard on dock
   fast access to key applications such as market, email, and browser
   great browsing experience
   decent speakers
   
   Minor Cons: tablet may be difficult to use outdoors due to glossy screen
   picture quality not great and video capture quality is poor
   my daughters would also include lack of Hulu
   
   EDIT: Two other minor cons are the 3 ft long charger and finger smudges (need to get nice clothe wipe). NEVER using anything else to access email again (except at work).
   
   FINAL UPDATE: Couple of other apps are rather impressive. The first is DoubleTwist AirSync (from market) which allows you to use your wifi router to sync the Transformer to a PC/Apple with an iTunes account. As long as one only sync's a couple of dozen songs, the process is rather fast. I personally prefer the look of the ASUS Music player, which has nice 3D graphics with album covers, but DoubleTwist does include internet radio. Another really nice app is the Google Books for Android app provided on the Transformer. We have 2 Kindles in our household, which are amazing. The one drawback is when one wants to search for a book from a site such as feedbooks.com. The book app on the Transformer is the exact opposite. With a touch of the screen, one jumps to an android book market which includes what appears to be hundreds of free classic books. Even over wifi, the books download within 15 seconds or so. One also has the option to store the book locally so you have access to the book offline. Add in easy book navigation AND cool page turning graphics and you have something that is far easier to use than the Kindle. The Kindle does have the E-Ink screen, though. I also paid for CoPilot GPS/Maps. Google maps works great, but not offline. With CoPilot, I am able to use the offline Transformer as a GPS with text-to-voice turn-by-turn directions. Worked flawleslly and appears to be accurate to within 1/4th of a block, which is the accuracy of the GPS. I should also point out that there has been 1-2 occasions where the Transformer locked up on me. I was able to power down by holding in the power button for a fairly long time. I believe I had too many apps running and ran out of RAM. Probably just growing pains as I become familiar with Android.
   ADDED 5/27. I tried both a SD card and a USB flash drive and both worrked flawlessly. After playing around awhile I have concluded that Polaris Office is actually more capable than QuickOffice. Polaris handled technical Power Point files (with equations and figures) a lot better than QuickOffice. My initial response had more to do with the user interface. Neither appear to handle Open Office documents, at least not by default. Need to see if there is an android equivalent to Ghostscript (postscript viewer) and GnuPlot (nice plotter for data files). I've tried numerous browser (Opera, Dolphin, Firefox,..) but prefer the default. Seems to work well with all sites accept HotWheels (I have 5 yr old son) and some sites that require plug-ins that don't support Android (e.g., JumpStart). Other useful/cool apps are SoundHound (can identify song you hum), App Protector (keeps malware from changing tablet settings), and Google Body.
   6/1/11: Update to Android 3.1. Can purchase and play Movies from Google Marketplace via YouTube. Update did not include Video App for offline viewing though. That is supposed to come in a couple of weeks.
   7/16/11: Update: Google Video player included in latest update. Should now be able to rent movies and view them offline on the marketplace. Tablet is rather stable now. Super Task Killer is the only app that continues to have forced closes.
   3/14/12: Update: Initial upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich resulted in at least 1 or 2 forced restarts per day (i.e., hold power button for 13 secs to force shutdown). Last update (3/12/12 I believe) appears to have fixed the issue. Tablet appears to be working better than ever.
10. 23 of 23 people found this review helpful

    By Shawn P. Smith on Amazon.com 28 November, 2011

    A great Android tablet at an affordable price

    Before I bought this tablet, I owned an Archos 101. I loved that device, but it had enough "annoyances" that I went looking for a new one. My choice was between the Asus Transformer and the Iconia a500. I have been estatic with my choice of the Transformer.
    
    The Transformer has a beautiful 10.1 inch screen, and is very responsive to touch. Updates to the device come frequently (I've had 3 updates in the 5 months I've had it), and they have been straightforward and easy to install. The design is elegant, but is definitely heavier to hold than the Archos (which was one of the best things about it). I'm not saying it is heavy as it does feel in-line with other tabs on the market that I compared (a500 and iPad 2). When I first got the Transformer, I had issues with some apps because they just weren't optimized for tablets or not ported to work on a tablet. However, several months later, and I have very few issues with apps not working. Apps like Netflix work very well.
    
    The cameras are decent, microphone works well with searches, and the speakers sound good (but not great). I wish it came with a kickstand, but I bought the keyboard dock a couple months after I bought the tab (I have a review of that as well). The keyboard dock was one of the major factors for me deciding to go with the Transformer. Battery life is very good as you can get about 8 hours of continuous use. When adding the keyboard dock, you can get much longer battery usage (because the dock also has a battery in it).
    
    I can't really think of anything negative to say about it. The price is amazing compared to what other tabs cost, and you get a great Android Honeycomb experience. Sure, I wish it was lighter, and the screen wasn't such a fingerprint magnet, but I'd feel that way about most tablets. The Transformer is certainly a great bang for the buck. If you like this review, please vote YES so that others can find it more easily when searching. Thank you.