The Asus Transformer Pad tablet goes on sale in the US this week. It has a list price of $379 for a model with 16GB of storage and $399 for a 32GB model — but while the $399 model is already available for $399, I haven’t seen any stores with the 16GB version in stock on Sunday, but that should change in the next day or two.
The tablet is basically a cheaper version of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime. The new model has a slightly slower processor, no LED flash, and a smaller battery.
But the Transformer Pad TF300 isn’t exactly a lump of coal. The tablet has a 1.2 GHz NVIDIA Tega 3 quad-core processor, a 1280 x 800 pixel IPS display, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, microHDMI port and microSD card reader.
It runs Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software and 1GB of RAM, a front-facing 1.2MP camera and a rear 8MP camera, and GPS.
Like other members of the Transformer family, the TF300 can be used as a standalone Android tablet, or you can attach an optional keyboard docking station to use the device like a laptop while extending the battery life.
Early reviews of the new tablet seem to be generally positive, but Droid Life suggests that if you’ve got an extra $100 to spend on the Transformer Prime instead, you’ll get a better camera and much better build quality. SlashGear, on the other hand, thinks the only reason to choose the pricier tablet would be for the camera flash — if you actually care about taking photos with a tablet.
Engadget notes that while the tablet doesn’t get the same 10 hours of battery life as the Trsansformer Prime, it still clocks in at a respectable 8..5 hours.
“$379 for a model with 16GB of storage and $399 for a 32GB model”
See… that’s a sensible price increase for the higher capacity model. I’d choose the 32GB model with only a $20 premium. Makes sense. Too bad Apple wont price their products this way.