Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Lower Price, More Flexibility - Is it Enough?

| Jun 24, 2011 | Consumer Devices
| Analysts: Peter Han, Avi Greengart

Analytical Summary

We are taking a moderate stance on the Asus Eee Pad Transformer because its combination of price, performance and optional keyboard/battery dock makes it one of the more competitive Android tablets. However, the Transformer is afflicted with dismal build quality and a thick and heavy case, and no Android tablet is as versatile or as easy to use as Apple’s iPad 2.

The Transformer sports a $399 starting price point with a 10.1” display, dual core processor, 16 GB and WiFi, while an optional $149 keyboard/trackpad/battery/case transforms the Transformer into a netbook. The combination of a low price and the promise of versatile computing created a frenzy at its April launch: the Transformer quickly sold out wherever it was available. Amazon listed the Transformer at 3 AM ET and it sold out within minutes. It later emerged that Asus’ initial stock was exceptionally low, and now that the tablet is in full supply it appears that demand has been sated. Asus claims that sales remain strong but would not provide numbers.

The Transformer is currently the lowest priced tablet with a dual core processor. In comparison, the least expensive Motorola Xoom is $599 (WiFi/32 GB), while Samsung’s 16 GB Galaxy Tab 10.1 is $499 and the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is $449. The Transformer does not skimp on specs to achieve the low price; they all have 10.1” displays, a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, and run Android Honeycomb. However, the Transformer’s IPS display is more vibrant and clear than the display on the Xoom. The Transformer’s viewing angles are excellent and the display is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, improving impact and scratch resistance. It has a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel unit around back. Along the sides are a mini-HDMI port, a microSD slot and a headphone jack.

Android was not developed for use with a physical keyboard and trackpad, but, aside from a battery indicator glitch (mostly fixed by a software update), it is astonishing at how well the combination works. Seeing a mouse arrow on the Honeycomb UI is disorienting at first but quickly feels natural, and the trackpad can be used for multitouch gestures such as switching among home screens or scrolling within the browser. The key layout is tight and just 92% of full size, like a netbook. The dock’s separate battery acts as a charger when connected to the Transformer. When docked, the Transformer is rated to last an extra 6.5 hours, pushing its battery life to 16 hours. The dock adds two full-sized USB ports, along with an SD card slot.

However, the Transformer is far from perfect. Build quality on the Transformer is so bad that it feels like the rear case might actually break (the dock, however, is rock solid). Tablets from Motorola and Samsung may cost $100 more, but consumers who hold them may feel that the premium is deserved, especially for the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which is not only flex-free, but also significantly thinner and lighter. That makes the keyboard the Transformer’s big differentiator, but then the price advantage disappears. Like all Android tablets, it suffers from a lack of tablet-optimized apps and dearth of digital content (particularly video). The unadorned Android 3.1 UI is highly customizable but not as easy to use as iOS; putting core interface elements in each of the four corners is awkward. We have not found a keyboard case for the iPad 2 that matches the one for the Transformer, but new ones are constantly hitting the market.

Positives and Concerns

Stengths

• At $399 with 16 GB or $499 with 32 GB, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer hits a new price point for Android Honeycomb tablets. The entry-level Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is $499, the Motorola Xoom is $599 (for 32 GB) and the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is $449, so the Transformer is undercutting its competition by at least $50.

• Despite its bargain price, the Transformer has premium specifications, with a 10.1” IPS capacitive touchscreen, an nVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, a 5-megapixel camera in the rear and a 1.2-megapixel camera in the front. The Transformer’s display stands out with vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The display is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass making it more impact and scratch resistant.

• While keyboard docks deservedly have poor reputations, the optional one for the Transformer is exceptional and explains the name: it truly transforms the ten-inch Android tablet into a three pound netbook with extraordinary battery life (when docked, the Transformer is rated to a battery life of 16 hours). While the keyboard has some size and layout issues, it is far better than typing on glass. Using a keyboard/touchpad combination with Honeycomb is shockingly useful; this is what Motorola’s webtop experience ought to be like.

• The Transformer has HDMI built in; the iPad requires a $40 adapter. The Transformer has a microSD card slot, while the iPad and many Android tablets have no storage expansion options. When used with the optional keyboard dock, the Transformer adds a four-in-one SD card slot and two USB 2.0 jacks as well.

• Asus has been quick to fix bugs and provide upgrades. A keyboard bug was fixed shortly after launch and the Android 3.1 upgrade was available within days of launching on Motorola’s XOOM (Google’s Honeycomb launch platform).

Weaknesses

• Apple created the consumer tablet category, and, at the moment, it owns the category in consumers’ minds. Consumers are not being unreasonable: the iPad is thinner and lighter than all but Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 (which matches it), and the iPad is vastly more useful than any Android tablet. There are more high quality apps for the iPad, there is far more digital media content for the iPad, and iOS’ deliberately simple interface is better than Honeycomb’s, which places interface elements in all four corners.

• The Transformer has high-end components and a lower price point than the competition, but tablets are discretionary purchases, and consumers have not been willing to buy “cheap” ones. The Transformer’s form factor is dated (thick and heavy) and its build quality is terrible. There is plenty of flex in the case – which audibly creaks when picked up at a corner – and the non-removable rear panel feels like it is in the process of being removed.

• The keyboard dock is unique, but the keys are undersized, and the right shift key is badly undersized, making sentences like this one hard to type (as it starts with a capital “T”). With the keyboard, the Transformer loses its price advantage against other tablets and versus netbooks. The user gains some flexibility with the keyboard for email, blogging and social networking, but productivity apps for Android are not full featured. The Transformer’s hinge cannot rotate around, so when carried with the keyboard, it functions solely as an Android netbook, not a convertible.

• Honeycomb is still buggy. The tablet has frozen and the browser crashed many times. There were times when the UI became extremely lethargic and a hard reset was needed to fix the problem.

• Reversing the trend towards standard connections on phones, Asus is using a proprietary USB/charger connector, making it almost inevitable that you will have to run out to Best Buy on a trip and buy an overpriced spare because you left yours at home. Asus is not alone; RIM is one of the few companies to use a standard microUSB slot on the PlayBook. Apple would get a pass here because its 40 pin connector has become a de facto standard, but the iPad draws more power than a standard PC or even many wall chargers puts out.

• The Transformer’s display is very reflective and is nearly impossible to use outside on a sunny day. However, that criticism can also be leveled at most other tablets.

Product Metrics

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Current Perspective

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