CES 2011: Tablets at CES 2011 Asus Eee Pad Slider
The Asus Eee Pad Slider is a 10.1-inch tablet with a full slide out Qwerty keypad
The Asus Eee Pad Slider is a 10-inch tablet with a slide-out keyboard. It runs on Android 3.0 and plays 1080p and Adobe Flash video. Here are our first impressions.
In essence the Eee Pad Slider is based on the same design as the Eee Pad Transformer. It's got a sharp 10-inch display with a 1,280 x 800 resolution, and uses the same 1GHz dual-core processor – Nvidia's Tegra 2 chip. Where it differs is that it has a slide-out keyboard, as opposed to the netbook style docking keyboard of the Transformer.
Which is superior is largely personal preference, but the pre-production Slider we saw had similar limitations to the Transformer – namely that the keyboard doesn't support normal PC keyboard shortcuts, despite having the keys for them.
We expect Asus to rectify this issue before launch, though, and the keyboard itself – while smaller than that of the Transformer – is adequate for occasional typing duties.
Asus Slider first look video review
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Good connectivity
Connectivity includes a USB 2.0 port, microSD for expanding the internal memory, and a mini HDMI port for connecting to an external display. There's also a headphone jack, and there are stereo speakers for listening to music and watching videos without headphones. As standard the Slider will not feature 3G connectivity, but Wi-Fi is included and a 3G version is possible in future.
Like most tablets at CES, the Slider features both front and rear-facing cameras, although the stills camera lacks an LED flash so may prove of limited use.
At 886g the Slider isn't the lightest tablet, but the sliding mechanism means you needn’t use it as a tablet 100% of the time – it can be set on a desk, or balanced on your lap. And, unlike a laptop, it won't toast your thighs when you do use on your lap.
Outstanding display
Probably the best feature of the Slider is the screen. Its 10-inch display has an ultra-sharp 1,280 x 800 resolution display and Asus has furnished it with a high-quality IPS LCD panel, resulting in excellent colours and wide viewing angles. This makes it perfect for watching videos on, be it on your own or with a friend. Web pages also fit very easily in both landscape and portrait modes.
The Asus Eee Pad Slider will launch in the US in May for between $499 and $799. No UK price or release date has been confirmed.
Asus CES 2011 photo gallery
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