ASUS Transformer Prime reviews are now available.

Also we finally have an official launch date of December 19th (sadly later than everyone expected).

http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/google/android/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-first-impressions-video/
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2601558/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review
http://www.slashgear.com/asus-transformer-prime-hands-on-and-unboxing-01199030/
http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Asus-Eee-Pad-Transformer-Prime-Preview/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review/
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5163/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-nvidia-tegra-3-review
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-57334316-251/hands-on-with-the-asus-transformer-prime/?tag=cnetRiver

Here are some of the highlights.

* There are 3 performance profiles you can select for the Tegra 3 quad core processor.
- Normal: Runs at 1.3GHz on multiple cores or 1.4GHz on a single core (depending on the need)
- Balanced: Runs at 1.2GHz
- Power Save: Runs from 600MHz on four cores up to 1GHz on a single core
* The Super IPS+ display also has a couple modes. Normal mode displays up to 360nits of brightness and Outdoor mode boost the brightness up to 600nits. And it apparently helps quite a bit outside.
* Only one speaker, again poorly located under the right palm when holding normally.
* 8MP back camera with F2.4 aperture lens and LED flash. Not iPhone 4S good, but seems to be better than most tablets.
* Most reviews say it has an aluminum back. Technobuffalo said "plasticy" though, but that's probably incorrect.
* One reviewer mentioned that the keyboard lag is still there (this seems to be a Honeycomb problem).
* The tablet has a "hydro-oleophobic coating", which is an improvement over the apparent "no coating" the first Transformer had. But multiple reviewers made note it seems to attract finger prints more easily than other tablets.
* Battery performance seemed to be mixed. Some reviewers like Engadget said it was excellent (second only to iPad 2) others like The Verge and Hothardware found it very disappointing (but both are also retesting).

Hmmm, I wonder if I pre-order one of these if I can get it by xmas...That date seems a tad late for me.

 

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Welp Amazon finally gave me a ship date for my order. I pre-ordered on November 22nd and they are saying I'll get it January 6th. *sigh* That's really crappy.

I'm gonna have to try Best Buy or GameStop I guess.

PS. It's still not completely known if Amazon is giving correct dates yet.

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It's been rooted already. Seems a one click app that works on the original Transformer also works on the Transformer Prime.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1373031

Amazon just sent out a bunch of cancellation notices for people that pre-ordered from then. Appears to be just people that ordered on 11/22 (believe that was the last day they had pre-orders available).

Which included me, I got cancelled.

Apparently the fault is with ASUS. They promised Amazon a certain number of tablets, but then cancelled part of the order to Amazon.

On maybe a related note. Some reviewers found battery life and wifi issues with their tablets. Anandtech got a replacement use that mostly resolved both issues (seems there is still somewhat of a wifi issue that could also be a design flaw).
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5178/an-update-on-transformer-prime-battery-life-wifi-issues

The early batches of original Transformers had some quality issues as well. I know I had to go through 2 or 3 myself. This might be affecting their supply.

Sounds like better off waiting abit anyways.

 

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I'm not so much freaking out or really even care that much my pre-ordered got cancelled, because I don't think the Transformer Prime will be truly great until it gets the Android 4.0 update anyway. So maybe getting one in early January that comes shipped with Android 4.0 and has the hardware quirks ironed out isn't a bad thing.

Appears ASUS may be having a bigger issue with the wifi than expected. Quite a few XDA forum posters have heard back from Memory Express, NCIX, Fry's Electronics, and NewEgg that their orders are being delayed again. NewEgg said they are expecting it on the 27th, Fry's saying up to 4 weeks.

And Memory Express supposedly was told by ASUS that they are working on the wifi issue.

"ou’re receiving this email because you’ve expressed interest in the Asus Transformer Prime, Asus next-generation quad core high performance tablet. We just received word this morning directly from Asus Vice President for North America Sales and Distribution that the production on the Transformer Prime has been temporarily delayed. Asus focus has always been on high quality and with the Transformer Prime being their flagship tablet product they’re spending some additional time and resources to ensure that the Transformer Prime reflects that at launch. We have also been informed that the gold version will not be available in Canada at launch.

At this current moment we don’t have a solid ETA on when pre-order stock will be arriving, as Asus updates us I will forward the information your way."
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1382827


Since my Amazon order got canceled I haven't even tried to pre-order else were. Figured it was likely too late anyway. And now I'm think I am just going to wait for CES and see what else is out there. Also Apple may announced the iPad 3 in February.