The “first look” article I wrote earlier this year for the Asus Transformer tablet has become the most popular post on this site, and now we’ve produced a video for Bing Lee that covers the tablet and its unique keyboard dock in detail.
After spending a lot of time with this unit, the keyboard attachment makes a lot of sense for extended writing and input-heavy tasks. When separated from the keyboard/battery/dock, the Transformer tablet on its own is still a very impressive and well-designed device.
With Acer showing the way in terms of inputs and accessibility with its Iconia tablet, Asus have carved its own niche by way of innovation and adding features that we may not have thought we needed. Once you start using the Transformer with the keyboard, it definitely becomes second nature, and points to an even broader appeal with its netbook-like appearance and functionality.
The Transformer has also now been the recipient of the first Android Honeycomb update, from 3.0 to 3.1. Some of the improvements include the ability to add peripherals like mice, keyboards; resizing widgets to make your home screens even more customisable; attach digital cameras and manage content to and from them; and the ability to use VOIP and other audio streaming services. This progression takes the Honeycomb OS a step further in cementing it as a real alternative for tablet devices.
For your enjoyment, here’s our detailed run-through of the Asus Transformer:
Dameon Jamie says
I love my Transformer! If I could find a step by step tutorial for accessing my Windows 7 desktop with Splash Remote over 3g I would be over the moon!
Ritchie says
I’ve been using LogMeIn Ignitiion and it works very simply – the app has been updated to be compatible with Android tablets. It’s amazing how many reasons you can have for accessing your desktop once you have that connectivity!
Robert Roth says
R, I tried to set-up WiFi printing on my TF101 and downloaded both HP apps and neither worked so I contacted ASUS (Kevin Zhu) and they told me the unit does not support WiFi printing. He also said that the USB port on the dock keyboard also DOES NOT support a printer. What gives with these Android devices. Do any support printing like my iPhone 3GS via HP ePrint?
Ritchie says
Hi Robert,
That is more an Android issue than an Asus one, because its the drivers and apps from Android to communicate with the printers that has been the issue up to now. I’m hoping the upgrade to ICS will address this issue, as more people are using their tablets as computer substitutes and printing – wirelessly or through USB – would be an expectation.
Thanks for the question and you may want to pose it to other owners of the Transformer Prime who have been very helpful on our Q & A page for the Prime – https://ritchiesroom.com/2011/12/01/question-and-answer-time-for-the-asus-transformer-prime/.
Ritchie