Asus Transformer Tablet Primed With Quad Core Chip

Computer maker Asus has joined the ranks of those offering an Android tablet rival to the iPad, but thrown in a powerful Nvidia quad-core Tegra 3 chip.

Asus’ 10.1-inch Eee Pad Transformer Prime, announced 9 November, is an ultra-thin device, coming in at 0.33 inches thick, and lightweight, at 1.29 pounds. It features a metallic swirl design with enhancements including the company’s SonicMaster audio technology and an HD 8-megapixel rear auto-focus camera with LED flash.

Pricing will range from $499/£312 (for the 32GB version) to $599/£374 (64GB), with the optional mobile dock accessory priced at $149/£93.

Powerful Unit

Initially, the tablet will run Google’s Android 3.2 Honeycomb operating system, but will quickly be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, according to reports.

With the quad-core CPU, 12-core GeForce GPU and vSMP technology, the Transformer Prime allows for full 1080p high-definition video recording and playback, and due to the power management features of the Tegra 3 processor and Asus optimisations, the Transformer Prime has a battery life of up to 12 hours. When combined with the mobile dock, it lasts up to 18 hours.

The Transformer Prime also boasts an IPS display with a wide, 178-degree viewing angle that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which features Asus technology to enhance the brightness of the screen for a better outdoor reading experience while still offering a vivid viewing experience of media and Web pages indoors. Due to Multi-Touch technology, users can use their fingers to do everything from swiping through photos to surfing the web, typing emails, instant messaging, and reading books or magazines.

A 1.2-megapixel front camera allows for photos or high-quality video conferencing with friends or coworkers while the 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash takes photos or video thanks to a large F2.4 aperture, back illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus depth of field and low-light noise reduction to provide for clearer and sharper photos or 1080p HD videos.

Mobile Dock

The Transformer Prime is offered with either 32GB or 64B flash storage options, and both models feature a micro SD card slot, 3.5mm combo audio jack and micro HDMI port. However, the function that gives the Transformer Prime its namesake is the mobile dock.

The design provides the user with a keyboard and touchpad, along with expandability options via the USB port and SD card slot.

Asus will include several applications, such as SuperNote, which has the ability to take, draw or record notes, and Polaris Office, with the ability to read, edit or create Word, Excel and PowerPoint (MS Office 97-2007) compatible files. In addition, thousands of applications and games are also available at Android Market, the company noted.