Asus Transformer Prime Quad-Core Tablet

The Asus transformer prime is a high spec table with a mobile docking station that converts it to a netbook format.

Asus Transformer Prime

Quad Core Tablet with Optional Keyboard Docking Station

The Asus Transformer Prime is the next hot tablet in 2011 (following the cheap Kindle Fire.) The Transformer Prime is a 10.1" tablet with a high spec, great design and the ability to convert into a Netbook with its mobile docking station.

The success of the previous Asus Transformer tablet means that the Prime is going to be in demand. Asus have announced that the tablet will be released in December 2011 and they hope to be shipping in time for Christmas.

The Transformer Prime will be a hot tech toy for Christmas 2011 and is set to be a popular tablet for 2012.

ASUS TF201-B1-GR Eee Pad Transformer Prime 10.1-Inch 32GB Tablet (A...

Only $599.0

ASUS Transformer Prime

TF201-B1-GR

ASUS TF201-B1-GR Eee Pad Transformer Prime 10.1-Inch 32GB Tablet (A...

Only $599.0

ASUS Transformer Prime Spec

The Key Facts and Features

The Asus Transformer Prime is a 10.1" Tablet PC with capacitative multi touchscreen
It has the NVIDIA Tegra 3 Mobile Quad Core Processor (leading edge for a tablet)
The Prime runs the Android OS. It is expected to ship with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). It will be upgradable to Android 4.0 ICS - Ice Cream Sandwich.
Wireless Wifi access
Weight: 1.29lbs
Thickness: A third of an inch.
Cameras: 1.2MP front camera and 8MP
There's an optional keyboard docking station to turn the Transformer Prime into a laptop.

Asus Transformer with Keyboard Docking Station

The Asus Transformer Prime is a handsome 10.1 inch tablet with a high spec and a sleek design. But it's really cool trick is that you can add a mobile docking station with a keyboard and turn it into a Netbook. This is an excellent feature. You don't need both a tablet and a Netbook you can have one device that does both.

If ASUS hadn't pulled this trick off successfully with the earlier ASUS Transformer model then I'd be suspicious of whether this would actually work. But the ASUS Transformer has been hugely successful - the form factor actually works.

ASUS Transformer Prime with Docking Station ASUS Transformer Prime in Laptop mode

Here you can see that the Mobile Docking station for the ASUS Transformer Prime has a keyboard and a hinged fitting that the Transformer Prime tablet slots into. In this form you can use the Transformer Prime as a Netbook and close it just like you would a laptop. Very neat.

ASUS Transformer Prime Mobile Docking Station

TF201

Asus Transformer Prime TF201 Mobile Docking - Amethyst Gray (TF201-...

Only $241.59

ASUS Prime Keyboard

You buy the ASUS Transformer Prime Mobile Docking Station as an optional extra for the Transformer Prime tablet.

The design of the keyboard matches the back of the tablet and allows the tablet to be used in laptop mode. There's also a touchpad on built into the docking station.

The mobile docking station also adds extra battery capacity to the Transformer Prime - up to an extra 6 hours.

And you also get an SD card reader and a USB port on the docking station.

Asus Transformer Prime Video

Who is the ASUS Transformer Prime for?

The ASUS Transformer Prime ticks all the boxes for a high end 10.1" tablet - it's certainly an iPad competitor for those who prefer or are happy with the Android operating system. If you want to be able to watch movies, play apps and surf the web from the sofa or a cafe then the Prime will happily do that. Add the keyboard and you'll be able to send long emails, and update Facebook in comfort.

The ASUS Transformer Prime could be handy for business trips where you don't need a full laptop. You can use Polaris Office for mobile wordprocessing. I wish I'd had one of these instead of lugging my heavy laptop around the world just so I could check email and read documents while I was on the move.

The Transformer Prime is also worth considering as a teen and tween tablet / netbook combo. It's cheaper than buying them a tablet and a netbook and there's a lot you can do with Android.

Where to buy the ASUS Transformer Prime?

ASUS TF201-B1-GR Eee Pad Transformer Prime 10.1-Inch 32GB Tablet (Amethyst Gray)

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime is ultra-thin at 8.3mm (0.33") and lightweight at 586g (1.29lbs) while featuring a stylish metallic swirl design with class leading ...

Only $599.0

iPad 2 KeyFolio Pro

Kensington Apple iPad 2 KeyFolio Pro Performance Case with wireless...

Only $19.99

iPad2 with Keyboard Case

When we talk about high end tablets, the iPad2 obviously comes to mind. Apple is well-established in the tablet market and has a huge library of apps. There are definitely people who will prefer an iPad to the Android OS

You can add a case with an external keyboard for the iPad to get close to the Netbook form factor. It's not quite as slick as the Asus Transformer Prime docking station.

Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 10.1" Convertible Multi-Touch Laptop / Tablet

Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 10.1 Convertible Multi-Touch Laptop/Tablet (...

Dell Convertible Tablet / Laptop

The Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 10.1" Convertible Multi-Touch Laptop / Tablet is an interesting alternative to the Transformer Prime.

This machine runs Windows 7 so it's a touchscreen Netbook with a detachable tablet. The Dell Inspiron Mini Duo is worth a look if you want to be running Windows rather than a mobile operating system.

Updated: 12/02/2011, TerriRexson

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