Help Does anyone know whats going on here?

[pragmatous]

I was fairly shocked when I saw this. I have a theory that asus, to resolve the gps/wifi issue, is redesigning this thing. It makes sense why you can't find it anywhere. Also Asus announced the new transformer prime with the different back. Maybe asus is doing the same for the prime.

Any thoughts, opinions, or other theories?

Deactivated. This item is currently out of stock and it may or may not be restocked.

Newegg.com - ASUS TF201-C1-GR Transformer Prime - Gray NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.30GHz 10.1" Wide XGA 1GB Memory DDR2 64GB Flash HDD Integrated Graphics

 

[UNSCleric]

From what I've seen, it's looking like they discontinued the Transformer Prime. I'm going to return mine to Amazon.

 

[androidfonefan]

From what I read they stopped making the current run to correct the construction problem that is causing the GPS, WiFi and BlueTooth problems, that being the aluminum casing.
The new model sounds like it might be the same unit with a different back. Info on the new prime is sparse so I guess we'll find out when the new Prime rolls. But if you are having problems with your TP it is said if you call Asus and complain they will fix it.
Probably easier to just take it back and let them redo the backs and then let them resell them as used, they will still make more money than they cost to build so let them take the loss.
Have not heard any thing about the Prime, but if it has a all aluminum back like the TP does they probably are redesigning it as well.

 

[theandies]

Who cares, I love my Prime, it's a keeper. GPS is no big deal to me and I've had ZERO other problems with the device except for the fact that I cannot put the damn thing down.
If Asus recalls them or whatever I'll participate though.

 

[andygu3]

Who cares, I love my Prime, it's a keeper. GPS is no big deal to me and I've had ZERO other problems with the device except for the fact that I cannot put the damn thing down.
If Asus recalls them or whatever I'll participate though.

+1

Besides gps being spotty, I haven't had any other issue with the Prime but if ASUS decides to do something for us 1st gen Prime buyers, then I'm not going to say "no", you can't fix my tablet

 

[rz22g]

Coming up next.. the Prime price drop. Glad I returned ours and got my full investment back.

My how tunes change as situations change. People going from not caring about a feature and basically saying its not broken to sending it in to get it fixed. How can one send something in to be fixed if its not broken

 

[andygu3]

Coming up next.. the Prime price drop. Glad I returned ours and got my full investment back.

Isn't that how it works? Even with the gps problems, eventually the price would drop. Glad you got a full refund though, I would be pissed if they didn't honor that

 

[andygu3]

Coming up next.. the Prime price drop. Glad I returned ours and got my full investment back.

My how tunes change as situations change. People going from not caring about a feature and basically saying its not broken to sending it in to get it fixed. How can one send something in to be fixed if its not broken

Wow, nice Yea, my gps is spotty on my ics rom running evo but who knows maybe future development and updates will help. If not, it's hard not to be disappointed in a feature they said was to be there but for some, gps was never a selling point. For others, it's the biggest lie in the world. As far as I'm concerned it's disappointing that ASUS put out a device that didn't have functional navigation ability but I'm not going to be mad at the prospect that they tried to make a device with an aluminum backing and have gps working, spot on. To me, this is the development process and the possibility that future devices will have aluminum backing and not some plastic backing with a window for gps to work. I'd rather have a solid piece of hardware than to have gps work, but that's obviously just me.

 

[rz22g]

Wow, nice Yea, my gps is spotty on my ics rom running evo but who knows maybe future development and updates will help. If not, it's hard not to be disappointed in a feature they said was to be there but for some, gps was never a selling point. For others, it's the biggest lie in the world. As far as I'm concerned it's disappointing that ASUS put out a device that didn't have functional navigation ability but I'm not going to be mad at the prospect that they tried to make a device with an aluminum backing and have gps working, spot on. To me, this is the development process and the possibility that future devices will have aluminum backing and not some plastic backing with a window for gps to work. I'd rather have a solid piece of hardware than to have gps work, but that's obviously just me.

I did not mean just you directly. There are plenty of users who have shot down the GPS issue when someone complains about it with statements like "why would someone use this as navigation anyway?" ... "GPS is only for widgets and apps and it works fine for that" and "I have no issues with wifi, its just as good as my xxx phones wifi" . Provided Asus does recall for shell replacement, those same people will be first in line to have their already perfect product fixed and all the while will somehow try to merit the action.

I have become very skeptical of Asus due to their way of handling the Prime so even if a fix is offered I will be waiting to see if it actually fixes it before going out and buying one.

I do hope that everyone gets their Primes fixed though, even the ones that are not broken

 

[Ninjak]

FWIW, Asus themselves have said a few times that the Prime is not being discontinued. They reiterated that the stopping of production is a false rumor on their US facebook page as well and that the TF700T is not a replacement. It's just supposed to be their higher tier device sold alongside the Prime, although it does address the Prime's shortcomings. Plus the TF700T won't be out until probably June, if not delayed, so it's not as if Asus will just stop making and selling Primes and leave that large of a gap between available products. As for Newegg's status, they've previously marked items as deactivated if they weren't sure when/if they'd be getting in significant stock or if something like a model number or packing has changed. Seeing as Asus will be removing GPS as a feature from the descriptions and it will now include ICS, that alone may be a justification. Mind you, I'm just speculating, but it's quite likely.

 

[DankNugz]

I kind of like the fact that ill have a limited edition model. From the sounds of it ALOT of people still have ot recieved their primes. Other than the GPS my Prime runs like beast. And since I have never used one of my tablets for GPSit doesnt really matter for me. Out of the 4 different tablets ive owned including the Ipad2, I by FAAARR get the most solid feeling experiance ive had with a tablet. The Prime has absolutey replaced my laptop and im in my senior year of college as a Computer Information Systems major. I have much love for my <3 Transformer Prime <3

 

[pragmatous]

That is missing the point and is off topic.

It appears newegg and Amazon have discontinued the TP.

The question is why?
Follow up question is what are your theories and opinions?

I do not have the TP because I cannot find it and I want to buy one.

Who cares, I love my Prime, it's a keeper. GPS is no big deal to me and I've had ZERO other problems with the device except for the fact that I cannot put the damn thing down.
If Asus recalls them or whatever I'll participate though.

 

[pragmatous]

Typically when items get deactivated it's because they don't plan on restocking that model ever.

I like your speculation tho that it could be because of ICS and the GPS. perhaps they need to re-add the item to the inventory and couldn't update it.

I'm still worried I'll never see a TP in my hands

FWIW, Asus themselves have said a few times that the Prime is not being discontinued. They reiterated that the stopping of production is a false rumor on their US facebook page as well and that the TF700T is not a replacement. It's just supposed to be their higher tier device sold alongside the Prime, although it does address the Prime's shortcomings. Plus the TF700T won't be out until probably June, if not delayed, so it's not as if Asus will just stop making and selling Primes and leave that large of a gap between available products. As for Newegg's status, they've previously marked items as deactivated if they weren't sure when/if they'd be getting in significant stock or if something like a model number or packing has changed. Seeing as Asus will be removing GPS as a feature from the descriptions and it will now include ICS, that alone may be a justification. Mind you, I'm just speculating, but it's quite likely.

 

[TheKricket]

Isn't that how it works? Even with the gps problems, eventually the price would drop. Glad you got a full refund though, I would be pissed if they didn't honor that

"Eventually" - versus "Less than a month after release" are two different things.

Sure, 6 months to a year from now, a price drop would be inevitable (as they are with ALL electronics). Not even a full 30 days after release, though - that's pretty new territory...

 

[flyjbaker]

Show me where the price drop is?????

 

[UNSCleric]

My Prime didn't have any problems, but it seemed that the Champagne dock was never going to happen, and I'm not going to have my big purchase be "updated" less than a month after it comes out and have the company treat it like it didn't happen. It went back to Amazon today and I returned my warranty and case as well.

 

[beallpatrick]

To each his own, I guess. I for one won't be returning a perfectly functional tablet based on a rumor based entirely on a circumstantial observation that an ASUS rep already shot down.

Honestly, people. Just because NewEgg (one lonely website) changed the status of the product page you've been absolutely convinced in less than a 24 hour period that ASUS is killing the Prime and leaving everyone stuck with worthless, obsolete, malfunctioning tabs?

 

[pragmatous]

? its not in stock anywhere.

To each his own, I guess. I for one won't be returning a perfectly functional tablet based on a rumor based entirely on a circumstantial observation that an ASUS rep already shot down.

Honestly, people. Just because NewEgg (one lonely website) changed the status of the product page you've been absolutely convinced in less than a 24 hour period that ASUS is killing the Prime and leaving everyone stuck with worthless, obsolete, malfunctioning tabs?

 

[beallpatrick]

GameStop has them available to buy at this very moment.

Best Buy, Office Depot, and Amazon have made online ordering unavailable multiple times since December, which means its not odd that they aren't taking orders today. I haven't seen online ordering available for the Prime even once at NewEgg since the week before Christmas (although I heard they did take orders for a very brief period of time).

The only thing different than what's been going on for the last few weeks is that NewEgg changed the status from "Out of Stock" to "Deactivated". Hardly anyone had them to order before, so I'm not sure why everyone's suddenly acting like everything is suddenly different.

 

[ndenning]

GameStop has them available to buy at this very moment.

Best Buy, Office Depot, and Amazon have made online ordering unavailable multiple times since December, which means its not odd that they aren't taking orders today. I haven't seen online ordering available for the Prime even once at NewEgg since the week before Christmas (although I heard they did take orders for a very brief period of time).

The only thing different than what's been going on for the last few weeks is that NewEgg changed the status from "Out of Stock" to "Deactivated". Hardly anyone had them to order before, so I'm not sure why everyone's suddenly acting like everything is suddenly different.

GameStop only has a bundle available that includes a controller. I don't want a controller, (well, I have one if I want to use it) and I really don't want to pay extra for something I don't want/need.

I don't think they've discontinued the product. But it's extremely frustrating to watch the amount of places that have had it in stock start to increase (even "limited stock" in some actual stores), then suddenly drop off to almost 0 and with a couple showing something like "deactivated." And this happened on Jan. 12, which was the date I had heard would be when I could expect more stock to be available. Instead, there's less than there were a week prior.

This was supposed to be a late Christmas present for me, but I've yet to be able to order one. I don't understand how a company like Asus makes this kind of mistake where the demand for their product outweighs the stock to the point of frustration for would-be customers. Somewhat limited stock can be a good marketing strategy. Far exceeding the demand vs. your actual stock -- dumb mistake.

Another dumb mistake -- not trying to limit the number bought by a single person. The one place I can easily get one of these tablets? Ebay. For at least $150 more than the original retail.

 

[andygu3]

"Eventually" - versus "Less than a month after release" are two different things.

Sure, 6 months to a year from now, a price drop would be inevitable (as they are with ALL electronics). Not even a full 30 days after release, though - that's pretty new territory...

Yeah, the price drop was already proved as a falsehood. "Less than a month" doesn't hold water and yes "eventually", there will be a price drop, nature of the business.

Look at the Moto Razr owners, 2-3 months after their phone is released, the Razr Maxx comes out with better battery life.

I'd rather have shoddy gps than crappy battery life, but that's me

 

[pragmatous]

Ya same here. I don't want to pay extra for a controller I'm not going to use.

I wanted to buy it at newegg because their bill me later plan is awesome heh.

Looking at GameStop site they say they will get the tablet only devices on 1/24. I guess I'll wait until then.

GameStop only has a bundle available that includes a controller. I don't want a controller, (well, I have one if I want to use it) and I really don't want to pay extra for something I don't want/need.

I don't think they've discontinued the product. But it's extremely frustrating to watch the amount of places that have had it in stock start to increase (even &quot;limited stock&quot; in some actual stores), then suddenly drop off to almost 0 and with a couple showing something like &quot;deactivated.&quot; And this happened on Jan. 12, which was the date I had heard would be when I could expect more stock to be available. Instead, there's less than there were a week prior.

This was supposed to be a late Christmas present for me, but I've yet to be able to order one. I don't understand how a company like Asus makes this kind of mistake where the demand for their product outweighs the stock to the point of frustration for would-be customers. Somewhat limited stock can be a good marketing strategy. Far exceeding the demand vs. your actual stock -- dumb mistake.

Another dumb mistake -- not trying to limit the number bought by a single person. The one place I can easily get one of these tablets? Ebay. For at least $150 more than the original retail.

 

[beallpatrick]

Point was that the tablet was still available at retail, so the whole "Everybody stopped selling it therefore it's discontinued!" argument didn't hold water...not that you could buy it in whatever form you want. GameStop does this with each run that comes out. They make a certain number available as standalone units, a certain number available as with a keyboard combo, and a certain number part of a tablet/controller combo.

 

[evetskirk]

Hello all, Kind of new to forum, but you all have been very helpful in past when picking a phone to purchase. Got the htc rezound and love it. Now my question is, should I be looking at serial #'s when getting my prime. It seems as though different batches of the prime seem to be experiencing less problems than others as well as those with ICS. If this is the case, which serial # should I be looking for and which ones to stay away from if possible? I have a champaign model on order from expansys. I do believe at the moment this is the best android tablet, if not all tablet platforms, to get, regardless of the problems I have with the marketing and release from ASUS. What a joke. I think that they are a strong enough company that hey will be one of the 3 or 4 that last through this android battle between manufacturers. There is just not enough room for all these players to stay in the game for the long run. Some of them need to bow out and stay in the phone business or they will just confuse and frustrate the public and they will choose to go with "branding" of which no one has done it better than Apple, at this point. I do not want to see that. It will hurt us all that like android. Money still talks.

 

[Joevarm]

So I stopped in at Best Buy last week to inquire about the TP. I was told by an employee that they had plenty in the back room, but couldn't sell them. There were a number of them shipped out with bad wifi cards and BB was waiting on Asus to check which ones might be bad. Until they got some sort of confirmation from Asus they were not allowed to sell them.

That seems to make sense to me. My bet is that there are pallets full of TP's at all these retailers, but until Asus figures out which ones are bad they've asked them all to hold them. They are being rather slow about it however.

I asked the employee if he could put my name on one somewhere and call when they are allowed to sell them. He said they couldn't do that, no way to track it or some such excuse. I left, but felt they needed to do something for me. I went back a couple of days later, planning to speak to a manager. Instead, a different employee helped me put one on order. No mention of any backlog or stacks of them in the back this time. I was able to put one on order, pay for it, and should be picking it up this Wednesday...if all goes as planned. Feel free to keep that in your prayers!