ASUS Transformer Prime & Tegra 3 Details

[sciwizam]

NVIDIA's Tegra 3 Launched: Architecture Revealed

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5073/asus-transformer-prime-detailed-quadcore-tegra-3-tabletASUS' Transformer Prime Detailed: Quad-Core Tegra 3 Tablet

Looks nice!

Only surprise was the $499 version includes 32GB storage, I don't think this was leaked earlier.

Also, the Tegra 3 5th Companion Core Workload clip is pretty cool.

 

[Bateluer]

Nice.

There's not a 399 16G Prime? Only 32/64GB versions for 499/599?

 

[sciwizam]

Nope, no 16GB Prime. The Prime line starts at $499. I assume, they'll keep selling the OG Transformer @$400, or maybe even less to compete with the cheaper tablets.

 

[makken]

it looks like the 16gb original transformer will continue to be sold to address the $399 price point. Dunno if they're going to update it at all hardware wise.

the 32gb makes the $499 price tag a bit easier to swallow tho.

disappointed in no ICS at launch and the fact that the original dock doesn't work with the new transformer.

I was planning on getting a tablet on black Friday, and the transformer was on the top of my list. However I got in on the $99 touchpad fire sale, and I think it will tie me over until native ICS or win8 tablets.

 

[sciwizam]

n/m

 

[poofyhairguy]

Wow. Looks great. I will buy one as soon as I can get it locally.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Nice.

There's not a 399 16G Prime? Only 32/64GB versions for 499/599?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[MagickMan]

Expect a $100 price drop for the 32GB Prime within 90 days, mark my words. $500 is too much for an Android tablet, if they want to sell them at any real volume. The old 16GB for $400 is too much. It should be; old 16GB - $300, 32GB Prime - $400, 64GB Prime - $500.

 

[Aikouka]

Kal-El processor... Super IPS? Heh. I'm in for one.

EDIT:

I wonder if something such as Apple could be preventing them from releasing a 16GB model? It's only a thought, but given how people say that Apple tends to "hog the supply", what if Apple is doing that with the 16GB NAND? It seems like their 16GB parts are the most popular, which means they'd order the most to support them, and that may mean not enough supply in the channel. :|

 

[Soccerman06]

From what I gathered, that super ips is just a brighter version, take that as you will. Im just disappointed we didnt get a brief demo of the things performance like we usually get with anand.

 

[goog40]

Kal-El processor... Super IPS? Heh. I'm in for one.

EDIT:

I wonder if something such as Apple could be preventing them from releasing a 16GB model? It's only a thought, but given how people say that Apple tends to "hog the supply", what if Apple is doing that with the 16GB NAND? It seems like their 16GB parts are the most popular, which means they'd order the most to support them, and that may mean not enough supply in the channel. :|

It's such a common component I doubt there's any shortage of them, who knows though. Apple appears to be stocking up on LCD panels though:

The display resolution remains unchanged at 1280 x 800. It turns out that all of those high resolution tablet panels we've been waiting for are in very low supply and very expensive right now. Whatever is in good supply appears to be bought up by Apple for the next iPad.

 

[Krynj]

This is exactly why I held off on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. I'll be ordering/picking on up on launch.

 

[luv2liv]

im very disappointed it didnt come out today!!!!!!! dammit
otherwise, im amazed what this tablet can do! just WOW

 

[jaydee]

Does it come with keyboard/docking station for $499 base price?

 

[alent1234]

Does it come with keyboard/docking station for $499 base price?

are you kidding?

the $499 is the break even price for that product and the $150 keyboard is the 1000% profit accessory for them and their retail partners to make money on

 

[Red Storm]

I'm only disappointed because I thought it was going to launch today, not next month.

It's probably for the best. I'll have more money to spend in December. :awe: D:

 

[Aikouka]

are you kidding?

the $499 is the break even price for that product and the $150 keyboard is the 1000% profit accessory for them and their retail partners to make money on

While I certainly don't think the keyboard dock costs close to $150 to make, I think it's a bit more elaborate than how some $2 accessories get marked up to $20.

From what I gathered, that super ips is just a brighter version, take that as you will. Im just disappointed we didnt get a brief demo of the things performance like we usually get with anand.

If you're referring to how I commented on the Super-IPS panel, that was mostly just a bad pun on Kal-El being Super Man. That's what happens when I post at 3AM!

 

[alent1234]

i personally don't see any point in a tablet/keyboard combo. i can type just fine on my ipad and don't have any accessories except a case for it. once you start buying keyboards and whatever for a tablet you might as well buy a laptop

 

[Mopetar]

are you kidding?

the $499 is the break even price for that product and the $150 keyboard is the 1000% profit accessory for them and their retail partners to make money on

While the keyboard dock is mostly profit, there's no way the tablet is only break even at $500. I'd be incredibly shocked if the actual cost of materials comes out significantly higher than $300. That's about what the iPad 2 was pegged at, and that was released six months ago, allowing for some cost reduction in certain components.

ASUS could probably sell the device for $400, but why should they? They have the only quad-core tablet available for the foreseeable future and at $500 it's better than any other similarly priced Android tablet. It's the other companies that need to drop their prices. Who's going to want to buy a Galaxy Tab 10.1 or a Xoom 2 when this is a better tablet?

Unless the product reviews demonstrate some glaring defect that's not evident at this time, I can't see any reason to purchase a different 10" Android tablet instead of a Transformer Prime.

 

[Bateluer]

i personally don't see any point in a tablet/keyboard combo. i can type just fine on my ipad and don't have any accessories except a case for it. once you start buying keyboards and whatever for a tablet you might as well buy a laptop

While I generally agree that the keyboard dock is a gimmick, if you did need to type a long document, email or something, that keyboard would be well worth its price tag. But if you're going to be doing that, you should have spent the 650 dollars on a laptop and not a tablet/dock.

There is a nice boost in battery life the dock provides though.

 

[lothar]

i personally don't see any point in a tablet/keyboard combo. i can type just fine on my ipad and don't have any accessories except a case for it. once you start buying keyboards and whatever for a tablet you might as well buy a laptop

This.

 

[Red Storm]

While I generally agree that the keyboard dock is a gimmick, if you did need to type a long document, email or something, that keyboard would be well worth its price tag. But if you're going to be doing that, you should have spent the 650 dollars on a laptop and not a tablet/dock.

There is a nice boost in battery life the dock provides though.

I think the keyboard is great for chats and emails, as well as web browsing. If I wanted a laptop, I would buy a laptop. I like the option it gives me. I can detach the keyboard when not needed (which will be good when I'm away from home) and use just the tablet for a more comfortable on to go media consumption.

 

[alent1234]

While the keyboard dock is mostly profit, there's no way the tablet is only break even at $500. I'd be incredibly shocked if the actual cost of materials comes out significantly higher than $300. That's about what the iPad 2 was pegged at, and that was released six months ago, allowing for some cost reduction in certain components.

ASUS could probably sell the device for $400, but why should they? They have the only quad-core tablet available for the foreseeable future and at $500 it's better than any other similarly priced Android tablet. It's the other companies that need to drop their prices. Who's going to want to buy a Galaxy Tab 10.1 or a Xoom 2 when this is a better tablet?

Unless the product reviews demonstrate some glaring defect that's not evident at this time, I can't see any reason to purchase a different 10" Android tablet instead of a Transformer Prime.

asus doesn't get the full $500

you are looking at $475 or so for the retailer after credit card fees. then it's a question of how much does best buy or staples pay Asus? is it $400 or $450? who pays for the area where the tablet is set up to be tested by the customer? what is the expected accessory revenue stream?

i would guess Asus gets $400 per tablet and if it's a $300 BoM then that leaves $100 for their licensing/patent fees and development costs

 

[smartpatrol]

After playing with my coworker's Transformer tablet/dock, I'm sold on the idea. He has all his technical manuals in PDF format on the tablet and takes that with him in the field. Then he can dock it later for writing emails or whatever. The full-sized SD card slot and extra battery are pretty nice too.

I really hope this idea catches on with future Android/Windows 8 tablets. It's great to have a tablet that can also be used as a laptop the 10% of the time when you want a keyboard.

 

[s44]

once you start buying keyboards and whatever for a tablet you might as well buy a laptop

You have it backwards: this makes laptops redundant.

Show me a laptop that weighs nothing, has an IPS screen, 18 hours of battery life, no fan, no overheating, and no moving parts for under $700.