Coming off what we heard just hours ago, ASUS has officially announced the Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Sporting the new Quad-Core Nvidia Tegra 3 chip, an Android 4.0 update soon after launch, and the inherited keyboard dock from its predecessor, this tablet is surely one to grab attention.
Here is a quick rundown of the specs:
- 10.1-inch SuperIPS+ display with Gorilla Glass
- 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor with 12-core GPU
- 1GB RAM
- 32GB or 64GB internal storage with microSD card slot
- microHDMI port
- 8MP F2.4 rear shooter with continuous flash for video recording, 1.2MP front camera
- 8.33mm thin
- 586g (1.29 lbs.)
- 12 hour battery life playing 720p video, 18 hours with keyboard dock
- Metallic spun finish
- Two available colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold (show below, respectively)
- Android 3.2 – will be updated to Android 4.0 as soon as possible after release
A few things to note from the spec sheet: display, battery life, and storage. The SuperIPS+ display with Gorilla Glass is said to be excellent in direct sunlight. It’s a very bright display. This may propose the question of how much it will affect battery life. As it turns out, the SuperIPS+ mode can be turned off to savor battery life. This would be ideal for dark rooms. Speaking of battery life, ASUS is touting that it can last 12 hours while watching an HD video, and 18 hours when docked with the external keyboard. This is astounding, and it will be interesting to see how the battery will play out in real world situations. Lastly, the internal memory options are nice. What’s even nicer? The price. The Transformer Prime will be available in 32GB and 64GB flavors at $499 and $599, respectively. This seems to be a great price to compete against the iPad 2, showing that the 16GB iPad 2 is the same price as the 32GB Transformer Prime (not even mentioning the quad-core chip inside).
The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime will be available in December. ASUS is claiming an Android 4.0 within the same month as launch. Recapping: Quad-Core Tegra 3, SuperIPS+, keyboard accessory, and starting at $499 with 32GBs… who is ordering one? Read the press release below and give us an answer in the comments.
[spoiler show=”Press Release”]ASUS Announces the Eee Pad Transformer Prime
Featuring the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 Quad-Core Processor the Transformer Prime is designed to greatly enhance the mobile computing experienceFremont, CA (November 8, 2011) — ASUS officially announces the world’s first tablet with the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor – the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime. The 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 enhancements including ASUS SonicMaster audiotechnology, an HD 8MP rear auto-focus camera with LED flash and battery life rated for up to 18 hours* when combined with the optional mobile dock. Pricing will range from $499** (32GB) to $599** (64GB), with the optional mobile dock accessory priced at $149**.
Incredibly Slim yet Incredibly Powerful
Featuring an ultra-slim form factor, the Transformer Prime is only 8.3mm (0.33”) thin and weighs in at a mere 586g (1.29lbs without dock). This makes watching movies, surfing the web, playing games, taking photos, finishing up homework or video chatting with friends or family so easy and natural that you’ll wonder if the Transformer Prime was designed specifically with you in mind. Its innovative metallic swirl design is made of aluminum for a secure yet extremely comfortable grip that comes in two gorgeous colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold.
The Transformer Prime is the world’s first tablet to feature NVIDIA’s next-generation quad-core Tegra® 3 processor. With the quad-core CPU, 12-core GeForce® GPU and vSMP technology, the Transformer Prime delivers an optimum user experience featuring smooth multitasking capabilities, lightning fast app loading, a rich and fluid web experience, full 1080P HD video for realistic media playback or recording and of course, incredible gaming performance that allows you to experience games in an entirely new way.
Fantastic Battery Life
While the Transformer Prime is extremely slim and light, ASUS did not forget about battery life. Thanks to the advanced power management features of the Tegra® 3 processor and ASUS optimizations the Transformer Prime has a battery life of up to 12 hours*, but when combined with the mobile dock, it lasts up to an incredible 18 hours*, the longest battery life of any current tablet. That’s enough battery life for a trans-ocean flight, all-night game session, viewing several movies on a long road trip or even video recording, editing, and then playing back your child’s school play all in 1080P HD clarity.
Unrivaled Visuals
The Eee Pad Transformer Prime boasts a wide 178° viewing angle IPS display, protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass, which features new ASUS technology to enhance the brightness of the screen for a better outdoor reading experience while still offering a remarkably vivid and brilliant viewing experience of photos, books, videos, movies and web pages indoors. Thanks to Multi-Touch technology, you can use your fingers to do everything from swiping through photos, surfing the web, playing the latest games, typing emails, instant messaging, reading books or magazines, and starting your favorite movie.
A 1.2MP front camera allows for instant photos or high-quality video conferencing with friends, family or coworkers while an 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash takes brilliant photos or video thanks to a large F2.4 aperture, back illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus depth of field and low-light noisereduction to provide the clearest and sharpest photos or even 1080P HD videos.
Advanced Audio
The Transformer Prime offers impressive audio capabilities in a tablet, powered by ASUS exclusive SonicMaster technology, renowned for crisp and acoustically accurate audio. It produces crystal clear sound with a wide sound stage, increased audio fidelity, and distinct vocal enhancements for an immersive audio experience with your favorite music track, video, or movie.
Unlimited Productivity
The Transformer Prime is offered with either 32GB or 64B flash storage options for quick, efficient and reliable access to your applications. Both models feature a micro SD card slot, 3.5mm combo audio jack and micro HDMI port so sharing both what’s inside and on-screen is quick and easy. However, the function that gives the Transformer Prime its namesake is the mobile dock, which gives new meaning to the term versatility. This innovative and convenient design seamlessly provides the user with a keyboard and touchpad, along with limitless expandability options via the USB port and SD card slot.
ASUS will include several innovative applications like SuperNote that is fantastic for its ability to take, draw or record notes and Polaris® Office which is great for staying productive with the ability to read, edit or create Word, Excel and PowerPoint (MS Office 97-2007) compatible files. Thousands of top rated applications and games are also available at Android Market that fully takes advantage of the Transformer Prime’s amazing features and power.
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OMG..how do I spell orgasm!
Almost perfect. Just needs USB support for those external hard drives. 720p video is great for this small a screen. Awesome price comparatively. Love ASUS
The OG Transformer had USB Support for extern drives. Don’t see why this one wouldn’t either. The HDDs may need to be formatted in FAT though.
Yeah, this is definitely the Android tablet for me. I’ve been waiting for a Tegra3 beast that is lighter than the iPad 2, and now hopefully I’ll be able to get one for X’mas. :)
I don’t care about how thin a device is, it has to be comfortable to hold. If a 9″ Tegra3 tablet comes out, I will be tempted to wait for that instead, as the current 8-9″ Tegra2 tablets are around the 400g mark. Very light!
DO want. :)
What will Amazon 10″ specs be?