Mr. iPad, Meet Mr. Slate.

[RavenSEAL]

ASUS' powerful 12-inch Eee Slate EP121 tablet has been no secret -- don't forget, it was teased at Computex and then sketched on a digital blackboard -- but here it is, with final specs and pricing information. Unlike ASUS' trio of Android tablets, the EP121 is all about Windows 7, and oh does it have the guts to run it smoothly -- it's powered by a Core i5-470M processor, packs 2 to 4GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD. It sure has the internal muscle to compete, but it also has a high-resolution (1280 x 800) 12.1-inch IPS capacitive display with a Wacom digitizer. The latter will allow you to use the included stylus to draw self-portraits or you know, take notes in class. ASUS maintains that the tablet breeds entertainment with enterprise, but something tells us the front-facing camera and HDMI port will have this one in the living room more than the board room. ASUS says the EP121 should be hitting sometime in the first quarter of the year for around $1,100, but expect us to bring you hands-on impressions way before that. Hit the break for the full specs.

 

[zerocool84]

Specs sound awesome but guaranteed not to have any decent battery life.

 

[ew915]

Android have little chances in beating the ipad if it doesn't get some real apps and good games. The only reason i own an ipad are the games available and the easy of use even jailbreak. But with android, we may be talking the same bloatware and locked bootloaders. I have enough dealing with a phone but no thx i don't want another device that i have to find decent kernels and roms.

 

[CurseTheSky]

If they can manage at least 5 hours of real battery life out of this thing, I'd be seriously interested.

I don't even know what I'd use it for, it just sounds like a cool gadget.

 

[zerocool84]

Android have little chances in beating the ipad if it doesn't get some real apps and good games. The only reason i own an ipad are the games available and the easy of use even jailbreak. But with android, we may be talking the same bloatware and locked bootloaders. I have enough dealing with a phone but no thx i don't want another device that i have to find decent kernels and roms.

That's what people said about Android phones and look where they are? A ton of Galaxy Tabs were sold and more and more Android tablets are coming out. There's dumb to believe Android tablets won't sell more because there's going to be tons more of them out there.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I dunno, put the 2 side by side in Best Buy, and I suspect the $499 iPad will sell better.

 

[ew915]

That's what people said about Android phones and look where they are? A ton of Galaxy Tabs were sold and more and more Android tablets are coming out. There's dumb to believe Android tablets won't sell more because there's going to be tons more of them out there.

Yeah sales doesn't mean people have good experience, most people that get android don't even know that google made the software.
I just see very few quality apps in android.

 

[TheStu]

Who said anything about Android? The article is about a Windows 7 slate.

 

[dlock13]

The thing is, the general population purchases whatever without actually caring what they are buying. *OH NEW DROID TABLET IS OUT! LET'S GET IT CAUSE IT LOOKS COOL!* or *OH SNAP NEW APPLE PRODUCT!* -is still essentially the motto of America.

People don't care if it's good or bad. If main stream media doesn't broadcast about tech and gadgets, then no one will stop buying the bad ones and just continue to buy whatever.

Anyway, getting back to this Slate, it looks cool, but sticking that CPU in that product is sure to make the battery last 3-5 hours if that.

 

[zerocool84]

Yeah sales doesn't mean people have good experience, most people that get android don't even know that google made the software.
I just see very few quality apps in android.

So what do you mean by beating the iPad then? Do you mean if YOU think it's better or more sales?

 

[YoungGun21]

For $1,100, I doubt this sells well. Maybe 800 would be a better price-point.

 

[MagickMan]

Too big, too expensive.

 

[aceO07]

The specs are nice. Except the RAM and storage space, it's better than my current Thinkpad tablet. If there was a nice/easy docking station, it'd be really nice. HDMI to external monitor, and hookup wireless keyboard/mouse. Then I could dock to do work/misc, or take it out to lounge around.

A lot more flexible than Android or Apple since I would be able to do everything I could do on my current pc/tablet except it'd be thinner/lighter.

 

[Bateluer]

Android have little chances in beating the ipad if it doesn't get some real apps and good games. The only reason i own an ipad are the games available and the easy of use even jailbreak. But with android, we may be talking the same bloatware and locked bootloaders. I have enough dealing with a phone but no thx i don't want another device that i have to find decent kernels and roms.

Err, wut? Post makes no sense at all. Android has plenty of excellent games, especially now, with more on the way. We all know Android Market has around 200K apps, plenty for most people to find anything they want. You bring up bloatware and locked bootloaders, and then sing about the iPad? Makes no sense.

 

[MrX8503]

I think price and battery life will the downfall of this tablet.

 

[zerocool84]

I think price and battery life will the downfall of this tablet.

At that price they have to know they won't sell that many. Maybe it's for business people since it has the stylus. I really don't know who it's for though at that price.

 

[kaerflog]

Too big, too expensive.

I'm in total agreement.
If I want something that big, I'd settle for those 11.6 notebook that does everything.
They shouldn't make tablets bigger than 10" IMHO.

 

[BoberFett]

Windows without a keyboard is a failure.

 

[zsdersw]

At that price they have to know they won't sell that many. Maybe it's for business people since it has the stylus. I really don't know who it's for though at that price.

They're aiming it at those who want the power of a laptop, the capabilities of Windows 7, but don't want the conventional (and boring) hinge/physical keyboard/touchpad trio that has always defined mobile computing.

I don't know how large this group of people is, though.

 

[Anubis]

For $1,100, I doubt this sells well. Maybe 800 would be a better price-point.

for 1100$ id just buy a laptop

 

[Pliablemoose]

for 1100$ id just buy a laptop

I'd buy a refurbed laptop and pocket the difference...

 

[Patranus]

Why did they leave out the weight specification?

Edit: After a quick googleing it is 2x the weight of the iPad.

 

[slag]

Needs an OTA TV tuner or awesome IP based TV app and about a $300 diet.

 

[Deeko]

Awesome specs, probably the first Win7 slate device with enough power to really provide a good user experience - that price point is killer, though.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

The thing is, the general population purchases whatever without actually caring what they are buying. *OH NEW DROID TABLET IS OUT! LET'S GET IT CAUSE IT LOOKS COOL!* or *OH SNAP NEW APPLE PRODUCT!* -is still essentially the motto of America.

People don't care if it's good or bad. If main stream media doesn't broadcast about tech and gadgets, then no one will stop buying the bad ones and just continue to buy whatever.

Anyway, getting back to this Slate, it looks cool, but sticking that CPU in that product is sure to make the battery last 3-5 hours if that.

It says 10 hrs. I'm skeptical, but if its true my TM2t tablet might get replaced by this baby. Taking notes on TM2 = Awesome.
Taking notes in Slate =Most likely legendary