ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 hands-on

Although the Eee Pad Transformer is a difficult tablet to come by, what with it being back ordered just about everywhere, Alex managed to get some hands on time with it recently.  In particular, he takes a good look at how the optional keyboard/battery attachment works, which brings Honeycomb dangerously close to netbook territory.

As an added bonus, the Motorola XOOM makes a brief appearance, just for comparison’s sake. You can also check out some still pictures and the official ASUS press release below.

The Eee Pad was released on April 21st, and the 16GB model is the lowest priced Honeycomb (Android 3.0) tablet currently available at $399.99. Sadly it is currently sold-out everywhere but once more stock arrives you can pick one up in Canada at NCIX, Canada Computers or Staples. The keyboard dock is extra, and runs for $149.99.

ASUS Launches the Eee Pad Transformer in North America

Innovation meets Versatility as ASUS introduces the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 tablet
with a unique expandable keyboard docking station

Fremont, CA (April 21, 2011) – ASUS is excited to announce the North American launch of the Eee Pad Transformer, the best tablet choice for users looking for media consumption and mobile productivity in an elegant yet versatile design. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer features the powerful and responsive Android 3.0 operating system, NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core processor, an optional expandable keyboard docking station, Adobe® Flash® 10.2* support and ASUS’ intuitive Waveshare user interface that results in an exciting portable tablet for content creation, social communication, high-definition media playback and smooth realistic game play.

Exciting entertainment performance on-the-go
The Transformer browses the web at blazing speeds while providing snappy response times and excellent multi-tasking performance. An 10.1” IPS (in-plane switching) LED backlit Panel with a resolution of 1280×800 is made from durable and scratch-resistant glass is viewable at angles up to 178°, perfect for sharing your favorite photos, web pages, work documents and more with co-workers, friends or family next you or across the room.

Built-in SRS Sound technology provides a dynamic 3D stereo audio experience, with maximum bass response and a wide sound field from the discrete speakers housed in a thin 0.51” thick chassis that only weighs 1.49lbs. A 1.2MP front-facing camera is perfect for video conferencing while the rear-facing 5MP camera can shoot and record HD video, which can be played back on HDTVs via the mini HDMI output port, making the Eee Pad Transformer a true mobile entertainment device.

Transform from pad to notebook mode with optional keyboard docking station
The Transformer sets itself apart from other tablets on the market by featuring an optional docking station. This unique docking station provides access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys, instantly turning the Transformer into a mobile content creation device.

A touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports as well as a built-in SD Card reader for easy file sharing and storage expandability makes the Transformer a versatile media content hub. The docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours* of battery life up to 16 hours*, so users can use it all day for work or play. In addition, the ultra-convenient ASUS WebStorage* with one year of unlimited storage space provides worry-free cloud computing.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Availability and Pricing
Please visit www.facebook.com/ASUS for pricing, configurations, and availability at leading retailers and e-tailers.

*Adobe® Flash® 10.2 support requires an upgrade available online at the Android Market. Asus WebStorage and My Cloud applications will be available via online updates shortly after product launch.

**9.5 and 16 hour battery life estimates based on specific hardware setup and media playback test. Battery life will vary depending upon hardware setup and application usage.