Please put all Comparision info (this device vs that device) Here

[TNJ9]

Well this is certainly interesting. They've unveiled another TF except this time it's going to have a plastic window to boost reception and of course the much higher-res display. Since I couldn't order the Prime, I think I'll hold out for this one. What about you guys?

 

[FordVW]

My wife just got her prime last week and she's extremely happy with it, and I'm happy with it as well. The higher res screen would be nice, but I'm wouldn't want to wait until Q2 to get it. Plus the added price isn't too appealing either. Maybe if it comes down in price I'll pick one up.

 

[jstcynske]

I could care less about the gps, how is your wifi reception? My prime just shipped, not sure if I should keep it or not. If wifi is good, I will be happy with it.

My wife just got her prime last week and she's extremely happy with it, and I'm happy with it as well. The higher res screen would be nice, but I'm wouldn't want to wait until Q2 to get it. Plus the added price isn't too appealing either. Maybe if it comes down in price I'll pick one up.

 

[jzk]

My wifi seems to work well enough everywhere I tried it, but I didn't compare it to anything. The GPS is a big problem though. I posted another thread about how one might use their cell phone as an external bluetooth GPS.

The resolution is already very nice, but more is better I guess, but not worth the wait and another $100.00.

 

[FordVW]

I could care less about the gps, how is your wifi reception? My prime just shipped, not sure if I should keep it or not. If wifi is good, I will be happy with it.

Wifi has been pretty solid. Of course, I've got one of those Linksys 802.11g routers that has insane range, but even at coffee shops and at work the wifi is solid and dependable. Now that I think about it, I'll try to snag it from my wife tonight and install the Wifi Analyzer and get some hard numbers for you to compare with.

 

[FordVW]

Wifi has been pretty solid. Of course, I've got one of those Linksys 802.11g routers that has insane range, but even at coffee shops and at work the wifi is solid and dependable. Now that I think about it, I'll try to snag it from my wife tonight and install the Wifi Analyzer and get some hard numbers for you to compare with.

Ran a very unscientific test and found that my Galaxy Nexus consistently got about 5-7 dBm better reception than the Transformer Prime. Not bad, but not great. Overall it was very close but the Galaxy Nexus definitely got better reception in the same exact place.

 

[andoird213]

I'd just like to say that Wifi has improved IMMENSELY with the ICS update if anyone is interested. I have 0 problems with Wifi, and to be honest, I'm not having much trouble with GPS either. The only annoying thing is first establishing a connection after you reboot. Other than that, it hasn't been great, but not unusable. Definitely not worth an extra $100 folks.

 

[androidfonefan]

The window is speculative, no one knows for sure just exactly how they are going to correct the issue caused by the all metal backing of the TP. For all we know they may attach something to the back and make the whole back end the antenna. Nah.....that would make things worse.
Any way, we will have to wait till pictures of the new Prime come out or until it hits the shelves.

 

[TNJ9]

I don't think the extra 100 bucks is just for the GPS issue at all. It's for the major upgraded high definition beautiful screen which I'm going to hold out for.

 

[androidfonefan]

From the what I have read the upgrade to the TF700T screen was done to make it comparable to the I Pad 3 that is due out in the next few months.
No one knows what the specs are on the IP3 as yet.
As for other Android tablets I don't think there is anything that matches the TF700T.
Comparisons would be near apples to oranges.
What would be nice is if there was a sight that could to the side by side tablet comparisons like PhoneArenas side by side phone comparisons.
And seriously... I With the news of all the new low cost 9.7 and 10.1 inch tablets this year. With specs looking better than average with each new one. I Companies like Motorola, Samsung etc are going to have to do a few things.
Either lower their prices to sell what they have or up the anti on newer tablets to stay competitive with the TF700T specs and price.

 

[ylexot]

The window is speculative, no one knows for sure just exactly how they are going to correct the issue caused by the all metal backing of the TP. For all we know they may attach something to the back and make the whole back end the antenna. Nah.....that would make things worse.
Any way, we will have to wait till pictures of the new Prime come out or until it hits the shelves.

Uh...it's not really speculative.
ASUS Eee Pad MeMO ME171, ME370T and high-end Transformer Prime TF700T revealed -- Engadget

we've been informed that this new Prime will come with a new back panel design (pictured after the break) that should enhance WiFi, BT and GPS performance.

And there have been pictures since the announcement...
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF700T hands-on - Engadget Galleries

 

[androidfonefan]

Uh...it's not really speculative.
ASUS Eee Pad MeMO ME171, ME370T and high-end Transformer Prime TF700T revealed -- Engadget

And there have been pictures since the announcement...
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF700T hands-on - Engadget Galleries

Where is the window? These pictures prove my statement. The fix could have been a window, and I saw a post or article where someone said that that might be what they were going to do to better the signal to the antennas, but it was speculation. In these pictures there are no windows.
Looking at the TFP here

we see the original back.
Here the TF700F appears without the Asus name on the metal unibody but on the plastic strip? the antennas are probably at the top near the camera, replacing the material there opens the unit back up to the outside and better signals.

They cut about 3/4 if an inch off the top of the unibody and replaces it with plastic or another material that will not impair the signal. While this does the job it is not a window.

 

[ylexot]

Oh, you were thinking a transparent window? The plastic strip is the "window" that allows signals to pass through it...unlike the all-metal back. A "window" for signals does not have to be transparent.

 

[androidfonefan]

Not thinking transparent. The word window put to mind for me something that is rectangular in shape.
That is more a bar or strip used to open up the unibody, If you wish to call it a window, guhead.

 

[AndyOpie150]

That's a strip if I ever saw one.
Any word yet on possible accessory's
Hard case for keyboard and and screen with foam.
Something that can be opened up and have device in lid section with keyboard in bottom, connected by USB cable. Weather tight of course.
Now that I would buy.

I'm really intrested in this device. Assumlng it gets a hard plastic top shell.

 

[wisjohl]

Great pictures and links. I just got my prime and so far so good. What struck me here is that if they are potentially only modifying the back plate to improve the product, could they not offer that to prime users? I would understand it if they had to re-engineer the 'guts' but if the change is as cosmetic as it appears, bring it on!

Thoughts?

 

[androidfonefan]

From what I have read on other forums, Asus has started shipping new TFP 201s with a new unibody. This does not help those that already have a TFP or a for those who purchase the units that were shipped before the change. I have also read that if you want your unit fixed.. You can call in to Asus and file a warranty claim, you will have to ship your tablet to them and they will fix it.
Again, I this is only what I have read. If you have a current model you will have to call them to be sure.
Also the new back shown in the picture. Is for the up coming TF700F and it has much more in store than just a new unibody.

 

[snuggles]

Will the 201 have a functional GPS now?

 

[Crocky]

My wife just got her prime last week and she's extremely happy with it, and I'm happy with it as well. The higher res screen would be nice, but I'm wouldn't want to wait until Q2 to get it. Plus the added price isn't too appealing either. Maybe if it comes down in price I'll pick one up.

I agree. Now rather than 6months time please!

 

[Crocky]

From what I have read on other forums, Asus has started shipping new TFP 201s with a new unibody. This does not help those that already have a TFP or a for those who purchase the units that were shipped before the change. I have also read that if you want your unit fixed.. You can call in to Asus and file a warranty claim, you will have to ship your tablet to them and they will fix it.
Again, I this is only what I have read. If you have a current model you will have to call them to be sure.
Also the new back shown in the picture. Is for the up coming TF700F and it has much more in store than just a new unibody.

I haven't seen this story. From reading ASUS statements I don't believe this to be the case. Cheers C

 

[androidfonefan]

Not saying I'm right or the comments on the other forum are correct. However I believe they are doing this since they have a fix for the TF201 if you make a warranty claim and ship your tablet to them.
Since they have a fix which would have to be a modified unibody of some kind, and it only makes sense that they would use that same thing on the current production line for the 201s, correcting the problem and eliminating future warranty claims, saving them big bucks down the immediate road.

 

[AndyOpie150]

Merged thread as it was more of a comparison between the TF201 and the TF700T

 

[kronie]

My week old prime is working almost perfectly. WIFI is just as good as my laptop and phones, GPS, while not as good as my phone, (sees less satellites and takes longer to lock) works well enough that I can use Navigon in my car with no problems. My dolphin browser does crash occasionally but after a week of testing and using that is really the only think I noticed. No other issues....Knock on wood...

I find that 700 back ugly compares to the 201 and personally I dont really want higher resolution on a 10" screen. Especially since most of the android apps are up stretched for tablets.

If the 700 gets glowing reviews and seems like it blows the 201 away then I might just sell the 201 for a slight loss and get the 700.... we will see...

 

[sdgmcdon]

You can call in to Asus and file a warranty claim, you will have to ship your tablet to them and they will fix it

The problem I have is what is the "fix" that they will do? I can totally see a company taking the unit in, adding a firmware update or maybe going so far as to replace the wireless radios, testing it to ensure it transmits then sending it back with the EXACT SAME PROBLEM (wifi range sucks) calling it "fixed".

I say this because this is a design flaw, not an anomally in production that produced defective units within the line.

I called ASUS support when I first got my prime, they told me "send it in, we'll fix it" but couldn't say at all what they would do to fix it. If they said "we would replace the back panel with one with a plastic strip on top" I would have sent it in for the repair and been perfectly happy with it. It's because they couldn't tell me what the repair would be combined with it likely taking longer than I had in a return window to get it done that caused me to return all THREE that I had (all of which couldn't get a wifi signal to save it's ass).

When the problem is a design flaw, it's very evident and being talked about on all the forums, you'd figure if their "fix" was to replace the back panel with one with a plastic strip over the antennas then they would tell their support people to tell people that so they would know it would REALLY be fixed. What's so damn tough about that?

If anyone did send it in for that "fix" and got it back with a new back panel with a plastic strip please let us know, I would gladly get it again and send it in rather than wait for the TF700 and pay an extra $100.

 

[rgiskard]

I guess the consensus is to now wait for the 700T vs buying 201 now?

I had planned on buying the original, but after months of thinking/waiting decided WTH, get the Prime. Upon delving into the Prime reviews, the WIFI issues have almost scared me off. If the 700 is the one to get, I figure I can wait a little longer.

Though after finally deciding, and actually ready to buy, now waiting possible another 3 months is frustrating...