Other reviews have covered tech and specs, this review is how it feels to use this transformer in November of 2014. There has been, by history, a problem with how the tablet attaches to the keyboard. Many reviewers around the Internet have loved this machine and found this connection problem to be the most notable flaw. The machine I got was manufactured in March of 2014 and I am thinking they have done some correcting work on this problem or I just got lucky. The connection is acceptable. If you wiggle the keyboard section with the tablet attached the tablet will wiggle a little bit- but ti certainly isn't an issue and doesn't cause a problem.
I wanted a 10 inch screen because I wanted a smaller unit with me to take anywhere. The obvious issue with a ten inch screen is that some applications, like Facebook, will seem cramped on this smaller screen as compared to how they present on larger screens. And while you can run multiple applications at once you are not going to be doing any split screen work on this tablet.
The keyboard feels cheap next to the tablet, which is of high quality with great finishing. Let's go with cheap feeling but functional. The buffed metallic surface of the unit resists fingerprints. If you are like me, though, you are going to get fingerprints all over the touch screen. Best to pack a glass cleaning cloth with you.
The screen quality, as other reviewers have noted, it is just stunning. This machine came out in 2013 and it still has one of the best screens around. Who knows, ASUS may come out with a new model any day- and having gotten a bargain price with a Black Friday deal and having this lovely screen- I won't be bothered in the least if they do. Watching a movie on Netflix or catching something on Hulu really gives this very high quality screen a chance to shine and makes the viewing very enjoyable.
I don't know why they put a single speaker on the back of the unit just about where you put your hand to hold the unit. Better with earphones.
There is a camera, front and rear facing, with this model. I don't have any intention of taking photographs with a tablet. My only concern with the camera is that it functions adequately for Skype for those long distance family get togethers. The camera is adequate for that job.
There are a lot of apps and games to choose from. The one I find surprising that I like is the Google voice command widget. It is pretty good at understanding what I want for simple searches. I leave it on the desktop and just tell it where I want to go and I get there without having to type in search terms in Google.
The weight and thickness are not like some of the super thin models that have come out this year. At around two and a half pounds it is not going to weigh me down and is certainly lighter on the pocketbook than some of the recent slimmer models.
This transformer certainly has "fun factor" going. There are lots of things you can do with it and it is responsive and lively. Using it- it almost seems like the tablet itself is kind of like an eager puppy that wants to play. It is colorful and speedy and has lots of options to play Android games and play with software and widgets. I feel more happy and playful using it than I do with my more staid Macbook Pro.
I had read that ASUS tech support was pretty bad repeatedly. So when I had to cal them (because I was experiencing a problem that was my fault) I found the tech support guy I spoke with to be friendly and helpful. The first thing he said was- "This is such a great little machine that I am sure you are going to want to take with you everywhere- so let's get it going so you will be able to do that!" Wow. Enthusiastic about the tablet, his job, and helping me- and very knowledgeable and kind. What more can we ask for in tech support? (By the way the number for ASUS tech support in the USA, 24 hours a day is 1 888 678 3688 )
The last thing I will mention is that the documentation and manual that comes with this transformer is pitiful. If you are not used to doing searches to find the documentation you need and checking out YouTube videos about the machine and this is your first tablet- I hope you have a tech savvy friend who will help you find your way.
| Standing screen display size | 10.1 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1600 Pixels |
| Processor | 1.9 GHz tegra_4 |
| RAM | 2 GB DDR3 |
| Hard Drive | 32 GB |
| Wireless Type | 802.11bgn |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 13 Hours |
