CES 2011: Tablets at CES 2011 Asus Eee Pad Transformer
The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is a tablet that can be docked into, and the folded closed upon, a keypad - much like a regular netbook or laptop
The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is one of four tablets announced by Asus at CES 2010. It has a 10-inch display, runs Android 3.0 and uses a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. Here our first impressions.
What makes the Eee Pad Transformer unique is its design. Where most tablets stick to the tried and tested, the Eee Pad Transformer comes with a detachable keyboard that when attached effectively turns it into a netbook.
It even folds into a clamshell for easy transportation, and features a touchpad for navigating the interface without using the touchscreen.
It's an intriguing concept, one that evokes the possibility of a 'best of both worlds' scenario, but it's not without its challenges.
Asus Eee Pad Transformer first look video review
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No keyboard shortcut support
For one thing, the version we saw had a keyboard taken straight from a laptop. This means it has all the same function keys, and consequently one immediately wants to use PC-style shortcuts to copy and paste and select text. Unfortunately, Android doesn't support such shortcuts, so many of the keys seem somewhat redundant.
Asus still has time to rectify the issue, either by removing those keys or enabling shortcuts in Android somehow, but the version we saw hadn't progressed this far.
Impressive hardware, lots of potential
Aside from this potential issue, however, there's a lot to like about the Eee Pad Transformer. The option of a fully-functional keyboard is still tantalising, as it could make this tablet more than just a device for casual browsing and note taking. We found it easy enough to type on the Transformer, as the keyboard is actually quite large considering the space available.
The hardware is impressive, too. Leading the way is an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, which allows the Transformer to play 1080p video and support Flash 10.1 as well. The Eee Pad Transformer's screen sports a sharp 1,280 x 800 resolution, which looks fantastic, and Asus has used a high-quality IPS display that ensures excellent viewing angles.
Also included are two USB ports and memory card reader, so you can connect external devices and load photos from your camera. Front and rear-facing cameras ensure you can take your own photos and videos, and chat over the internet using Skype or another VoIP service.
Overall, so long as Asus can fine tune the keyboard experience, the Transformer has a lot of promise.
Asus CES 2011 photo gallery
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