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Engadget Transformer review

Still significant external storage and USB issues with Honeycomb, that even Asus have not fixed. They are usually a resourceful OEM.
 
Somewhat fair. Apple bias still present. Very evident in the <cringe> proprietary connector comment. It's ok for Apple, but for a laptop like docking port it's bad? Don't think I'ver ever seen a true laptop dock have a non proprietray connector. And the conector on the w500 is cheap and flimsy. I'll take secure and proprietary. Completely left out a rash of features and the things it can do. And it focused more on the hardware issues. Didn't even do a proper battery test. Or how about check out the Polaris office suite that can help bring it some legit netbook like status and functionality that elevates it from toy status.

Also seemed like some of the usb issues was solved with a reboot. Maybe some of the docking and connection issues with the dock could be solved (for now) by connecting and disconnecting when it's shut down. So no hot docking and undocking for now. Solves the symptoms then worry about solving the problem.
 
dbpaddler said:
Somewhat fair. Apple bias still present. Very evident in the <cringe> proprietary connector comment. It's ok for Apple, but for a laptop like docking port it's bad? Don't think I'ver ever seen a true laptop dock have a non proprietray connector. And the conector on the w500 is cheap and flimsy. I'll take secure and proprietary. Completely left out a rash of features and the things it can do. And it focused more on the hardware issues. Didn't even do a proper battery test. Or how about check out the Polaris office suite that can help bring it some legit netbook like status and functionality that elevates it from toy status.
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I agree about the proprietary comment, though I think the review mentioned that it came in specific use with the keyboard. Still, it was the only Apple bias I noticed and even then, Apple= loads of accessories, new Asus Transformer= hopefully a few good accessories that work with it and won't cost too much

I wished they had gone more in-depth on the Asus apps too though (mycloud, mynet) and polaris, but those don't exactly seem ready for primetime. Isn't mycloud 'still coming' and 'mynet' still in spanish for a lot of users who bought it? They could've been pretty harsh on that front, but they seemed to just ignore it. That definitely sucks, but doesn't show bias. Then again, they got theirs straight from Asus, so they probably had no problems and would've had to search forums to come across it.

And the 'phd dissertation' comment about the keyboard was just weird. Why not???

Also it's normal for engadget not to go in-depth on battery life. That's why we have AnandTech. And you have to keep in mind that Joshua did the Xoom and iPad 2 reviews, and Vlad did this one. So what one may find unimportant, the other one may find important.

dbpaddler said:
Also seemed like some of the usb issues was solved with a reboot. Maybe some of the docking and connection issues with the dock could be solved (for now) by connecting and disconnecting when it's shut down. So no hot docking and undocking for now. Solves the symptoms then worry about solving the problem.
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It's a review. The product should work as advertised. It's not engadget's job to tell people how to tinker their way around a released product's shortcomings.

So, a fair review in my opinion, but a poor one.
 
I metioned the docking/connection issues more for us than a knock on the review. Just my impressions of a workaround for when we have it in our hands.

And Vlad's an Apple guy. There were many more positive things to talk about instead of just focusing on the negative. I just think had it been an Apple product, he would've played up more of the features Jobs tells us are unique, new and revolutionary so the negatives get glossed over.

And yes on the keyboard. Made more of a effort to find things to knock as opposed to "wow, a completely integrated keyboard solution no one on the market can touch yet!" Even knocks the lengthened bezel on the tablet with the quick one sentence of it being because of the keyboard. I would say the reason many will choose the Transformer is because of the complete solution it is. And that aspect just seemed to be glossed over. Was hoping for more. Almost like he drew the short straw to test it.
 
dbpaddler said:
Even knocks the lengthened bezel on the tablet with the quick one sentence of it being because of the keyboard.
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I made the same observation weeks ago when defending the bezel's size against Xoom fans, who were complaining about the bezel. And I will admit they had a point. Without the keyboard, it would be wasted space.

http://androidforums.com/2515750-post97.html

Not to start a debate or anything, but keep in mind about the bezel on the Transformer is that it has to match up with the keyboard or else it'll just look awkward when used together (the tablet wouldn't cover the keyboard fully like a laptop or the keyboard would have to be smaller).

Vlad-

ASUS' concoction is markedly longer than either of those slates, with plenty of room on either side of its already widescreen (1280 x 800) display. This is justified once you jack the Transformer into its keyboard dock, which needs the extra space to give you a fully fledged keyboard, but it does make the Eee Pad a rather less compact tablet.

dbpaddler said:
I would say the reason many will choose the Transformer is because of the complete solution it is. And that aspect just seemed to be glossed over. Was hoping for more. Almost like he drew the short straw to test it.
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I agree with that. And while I understand perfectly why they don't go in-depth into the Android versions on new Android phones, since this is only the second HC tablet released, a refresher would've been nice.

And maybe it was bias that he didn't go at all into Polaris office and the keyboard. It was definitely a 'poor' review. He didn't test the HDMI either, his comments on Asus's webstorage were pretty vague and could easily have been gained from Asus's website, and so on. But he also praised the keyboard and screen, so to me it could just be a bad review or a biased one.
 
Bad or biased, tae your pic :) He does get slammed in the comments too. It's a shame fanboys in both camps just release the venom. I think it's a combo of both B's more so than all one or the other.

Would be nice if they took advantage of that extra bezel and threw in usb or a full size SD slot. The docking port takes up space, but there should be room. Two slots on the tab would be nice. So many full size cards out there. Most people have full size cards in their cameras. The convenience of viewing pics off the cam withbout the keyboard dock would be a big plus. I'd more likely be standin and showing someone the pics than sitting at a table with it. Would be easier to swap files and share from the tab, and you'd free up a little space on the dock for something.
 
I'm just happy to see the hardware being just fine. Some Xoom fans had me freaked out a little bit, regardless of how little sense they made :D, that Asus's quality wouldn't be as good as Motorola.

Software wise, it'll get better. With Google keeping a tight leash on HC for now, I don't see them getting testy about one live wallpaper and ignoring Asus not updating the device to the latest HC, etc.
 
If the external storage and input control is not hot swappable' and disconnects randomly, those are a "tad" worse than a shortcoming. Honeycomb is the problem, but why to OEMs release hardware features that semi-function? Seems best to wait and not frustrate customers.
 
Well it is what it is at this point. If the short term solution is a shut down befoer connecting and disconnecting, I'm fine with it as they work the bugs out. I've been an early adopter for most of the electronics I own. I'm used to it. And we can't assume it's a widespread issue just because it happened to their test unit.
 
dbpaddler said:
Well it is what it is at this point. If the short term solution is a shut down befoer connecting and disconnecting, I'm fine with it as they work the bugs out. I've been an early adopter for most of the electronics I own. I'm used to it. And we can't assume it's a widespread issue just because it happened to their test unit.
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We can use Asus as a litmus of how Honeycomb will be. Asus is one of the better companies for staying on top of firmware issues. If Asus can not make the USB and external storage function as designed (USB 2.0 standards and media funtion), then Google are being big aholes about non-contained storage and input devices and contradictng the entire premise of their OS.

There is zero reason for the problems, besides Google's weak effort in supporting USB 2.0 standards and external storage mapping in Honeycomb's framework. Google is their own worst enemy ATM.

added:

Have Apple folks snuck into Google's Android ranks? Only thing that seems to make sense.
 
sookster54 said:
Proprietary? haha that's coming from an Apple biased writer.
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Proprietary sux, regardless of the company. Asus should have put a USB on the tablet, rather than trying to be too modular in function and assume folks would buy the keyboard (they are basically forcing you to, if you want the USB 2.0 function).

Still, I will get this device IF the USB, microsd and card reader issues are fixed. This is not an issue with Asus, but an issue with Honeycomb in general. My gTablet functions fine and is hotsappable with 64gb thumbdrives, 500gb hard drives and micro sd cards.

Catch is for the G, having to hold the display in a specific angle for best view is getting old.

Heck, if I could have complete USB and storage funtionality, I would take Gingerbread on the Asus. Honeycomb seems more trouble than it is worth, IMO.
 
rushmore said:
Catch is for the G, having to hold the display in a specific angle for best view is getting old.
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Oh I hate those TFT dual scan screens, my Acer laptop back in the 90's had that and I wanted to throw it against a wall sometimes because of how hard it was to read unless you looked at it from the right position.
 
sookster54 said:
Oh I hate those TFT dual scan screens, my Acer laptop back in the 90's had that and I wanted to throw it against a wall sometimes because of how hard it was to read unless you looked at it from the right position.
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Yep, that and Viewsonic deciding to pee on the dev community by locking the boot loader (when most that bought it, rooted it) is the final straw.

No more Viewsonic products. I put them right up there with crappy Lexmark ink sucking, resource locking printers.
 
I read a report over at the XDA forums that the short delay that's been experienced was due to Asus fixing some things before picking the pace back up. It looks like they've done whatever they wanted to do and are now going to be shipping in volume again.

If the report is true, then that bodes well for the Transformer's future. Given the heat Asus has been getting for the (very short) delay, their choice to fix things now rather than fixing after shipping (unless it was a hardware problem) is laudable.

Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on this thing. Haven't been this excited about a new gadget in some time.
 
Good note from the anandtech review and of course missed in the engadget review. The keyboard dock sent to reviewers is a firmware revision behind what we'll see as customers. Nicee of them to mention that. Also mentioned he'd get a retail one to test.
 
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