ASUS has come out with the Android-powered Eee Pad Transformer that snaps into a special dock to become a laptop. The Eee Pad Transformer is a pretty decent tablet to start; a half-inch-thick, 10.1-inch NVIDIA Tegra 2-powered unit that's running Android 3.0 or Honeycomb.
Like ASUS' other Eee Pads, the Transformer is full of custom software. ASUS Waveshare is made up of MyNet, MyLibrary & MyCloud and from the short time that I have spent with these apps, DLNA, WiFi sharing and ASUS Webstorage are integral to their theme. There is also a custom e-mail app, a big-screen calendar app, a custom music app with DLNA sharing and streaming, MyZone and a few ASUS applications that help you access personal information like your media or calendar.
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What makes us pay attention to this device is the fact that it transforms. The big deal here, of course, is the transformation. The Transformer is a half-inch-thick tablet with a metal back. The transformation occurs when there is a metal snap to physically attach a keyboard so that you can close it to look like a laptop. It's a seamless transformation.
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The real question of the day is around the price point and its global availability. It's already up for pre order here in Taiwan with availability in April, but there is no word on when it will be shipping globally. As for price point, Taiwan pricing is $14,900NT ($500USD) for the tablet and an extra $3000NT ($100USD) for the keyboard dock.
US & EU pricing is a lot more interesting. I was told at the event that we will be seeing it ship for $400USD/Euro for the tablet. That's right - the Europeans are getting screwed on this one! ASUS has been known to change their mind on final pricing for other markets, so let's hope that this is one of those instances.
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