My Asus Transformer Prime came a few days ago. There’s more learning ahead, but I understand this slab of digitalia much better than I did Thursday. It’s obvious this is the next logical step beyond laptops especially with people for whom typing is incidental.
The electronics work well. There’s no heat coming from the unit I can feel. The shape is nice and it feels exceptionally sturdy.
The screen is more prone to fingerprints than anything I’ve ever used. It’s not a real problem when you’re using the tablet, but it’s disconcerting to see when the tablet is waiting to be used.
Everyone who picks it up comments on how light it is. I wish it was a little lighter.
The screen doesn’t have the intense blacks of my Samsung Galaxy S2 which uses OLED technology. It is responsive and will differentiate between ten fingers at once!
With a quad core Nvidia CPU it’s fast though this isn’t a multitasking machine.
This tablet has a 1280×800 screen. That’s comparable to a laptop and can easily display most websites when in landscape mode.
Many sites see my browser’s signature and move me to their mobile presentation. Terrible! Not all Android screens are alike. Sending me to a mobile site is wrong.
The same goes for some Android apps I’ve tried–even a few made for tablets. I’ve already given up on the NY Times Android app in favor of their regular website. The app is supposed to be an enhanced experience. In reality you’re trading down if you use it!
HuffingtonPost has an excellent Android tablet app. Using it gives a taste of what tablets will be.
I downloaded a sample chapter from a book. It’s a pretty good paper book replacement. Will it hold up to long reading? Not sure.
The SlideIT keyboard has been installed and works pretty well. You type without lifting your fingers! Just slide from letter-to-letter and the program mostly understands what you’ve typed.
I’ve taken a few photos of Doppler with it. Like my phone it does a good job and makes you wonder who will ever purchase a point-and-shoot camera? I haven’t used the video cameras yet though I’ve downloaded Skype.
In many way using this tablet is like being the first homeowner in a new development. Everything’s going to be there, just not yet.
I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces.
You have summed up the tablet experience pretty well. It IS a laptop replacement for those of us who don’t do a lot of typing on them. I can’t see myself buying another laptop after using my xoom for the past six months.
As for the mobile/desktop page issue, you can use your browser’s settings to force the desktop view on most sites. However, the dolphin browser seems to be far more successful at it than the stock browser. Give it a try, you might find yourself never going back to the stock browser.
You captured the experience well. Sites that have made a mobile app, haven’t necessarily caught up with the need for separate settings for the tablet… and I hate dumbed down experiences… I also agree about the finger prints…. so disconcerting to see!