Well people, it's official. I got mines preordered at GameStop just now. Put $50 dollars down on it for and guaranteed to get it on Dec. 19th for in store pickup. Yeahhhh!
The display model was off when I saw it. I powered it up and it hasn't been charged n less than 2% battery power left SMH hence the quick hands on..lol. For starters, this is the thinnest tablet I've ever held. It's amazing how thin this is. I'm a tall guy, 6'4 so any tablet really thin to me. But I have an iPad also and this thing is wayy thinner and lighter than it. It felt solid but weird to me considering how thin it was. Thin like a sheet of paper..lol After power up, I feasted my eyes upon the most beautiful and detailed display on a mobile device I've ever seen. This was in regular IPS mode also. I cut on Super IPS+ and this thing is bright and detailed as a Mofo! Swiped through the home screens and it was like slick as oil. The fastest and smoothest screen transitions I've seen. Even faster than my iPad. No signs of slowdown at all swiping through various screens or bringing up menus or apps. I check the about section in settings and it is running honeycomb 3.2.1.
I checked through the apps and saw the games thats been on all the reviews shown on TF Prime. First one I played was RipTide. Now mind you I also have the iPad version and seen tegra2 version also. This tegra3 optimized version has a lot more done to it than some added water and blur affects. This game really looked great compared to other versions. It looked more high quality or detailed. Looked like a regular home console game. The framerate was very fast also compared to my iPad version. Definitely impressed with the improvements on that game.
Then I saw the infamous Glowball game. I started it up and realized the volume was off or down n couldn't hear anything. So I cut the volume up to max. Once level started this thing was loud and clear as a Mofo n I had to cut it down. Too loud for in the store. The graphics and special lighting fx in this game was killer. With the high screen resolution and super IPS+ mode on, this game really popped out the screen. The videos reviewers showed on this can't do this game enough justice. Playing and seeing it in person is amazing to see. Haven't seen any ipad1 or ipad2 games yet that can produce this kind of high quality lighting fx and graphics. This tegra3 has really set the bar high for next generation tablets.
To conclude, truly impressed overall with tablet. Even for the brief moments I messed with it. Still hard to believe how thin it really is and how beautiful and high definition looking the display is. I'd say we have a winner here with the Asus Transformer Prime and I cant wait to pick mines up on the 19th. From GameStop.
Thanks, was especially interested to hear your comments of the physical size, thickness, and weight, compared to an iPad.
Awesome, glad to see someone say the colors popped off the screen. I was really concerned about this coming from a Xoom which has some of the most bland colors I've seen. Comparing the display to an Ipad2, do the colors look as vibrant and beautiful as on that tablet? I think I'm getting a TF Prime for Christmas, and I'm getting my fiance an Ipad 2... I don't want to give her any bragging rights lol. Thanks.
This sounds like everything I've imagined it would be and more. Now that I know my GameStop location has a demo in-store, I'm definitely giving it a test. I'm delighted to hear about the fast-screen transitions and that it is indeed running Honeycomb 3.2.1.
The tough part will be leaving the store...
Yeah when I held it too it was remarkably thin. I even touched the galaxy tab 10.1 that was next to it compare the thinnest; Prime looked twice as thin as the Tab. There was a Shooter game on it as well I think called Shadowgun or something. Looked good but didn't play it all that much. There were 2 apps that looked like they needed the internet to work. I believe all the apps are on the video that one guy took when he was in gamestop, on one of these threads in here.
I, TF, sent this on behalf of my owner
That's all i needed to hear!!! Gamestop will get my $50 this week...Thanks for your review!!!!
eL_777 said:
Awesome, glad to see someone say the colors popped off the screen. I was really concerned about this coming from a Xoom which has some of the most bland colors I've seen. Comparing the display to an Ipad2, do the colors look as vibrant and beautiful as on that tablet? I think I'm getting a TF Prime for Christmas, and I'm getting my fiance an Ipad 2... I don't want to give her any bragging rights lol. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On paper and in person, the Prime display is clearly the best of all tablets. I've seen ipad2 displays and they are nice but not as nice as what I saw. Plus the prime has a higher screen resolution and uses a more higher quality/advanced IPS display. Ipad2 uses IPS display. The prime uses Super IPS + display. That's 2 grades higher than iPad 2 display. Very rich in details and colors and definitely bright as a Mofo with super IPS+ mode on. Reason ipad2 display colors look vibrant is because the color palette it uses is ver saturated looking. Cartoon looking. The prime has more natural looking colors and it still pops out very much. Almost 3d looking cuz it looks so good n clear.
So annoying that Gamestop's in my area are so tiny and have no tablets on display. Heck, our Gamestop's are so small, they don't even have demo video game systems either.
so theres no sound issues?
blaziner18 said:
so theres no sound issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounded loud n clear while I was playing Glowball. Actually too loud n had to cut it down.
demandarin said:
Sounded loud n clear while I was playing Glowball. Actually too loud n had to cut it down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats great to hear, i used my ipad for nothing but youtube and music.
Pretty much just sold me even more on the Prime. I can't believe how much people like this thing in its old state. I can't even begin to think of how fast it will be and how high its benchmarks will be on ICS. ICS will bring both hardware acceleration and optimized multi-core support, so I can't even predict how fast the Prime will be then.
My thoughts so far have been: if the TF Prime is being hailed as the best Android tablet in its short-lived launch state with Honeycomb, what will it be like with ICS?
Ok thanks for you review. I am sold!
demandarin said:
For starters, this is the thinnest tablet I've ever held. It's amazing how thin this is. I'm a tall guy, 6'4 so any tablet really thin to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, so things seem thin when you are tall? I figured things would seem short
I'm curious as we all are BUT
hell even my Compaq Ipaq looked great when I tried it in store somewhat 10 years ago.
But I can count with one hand how often I used it cause it was terrible.
Sure we know the Android user experience and so can somewhat guess what is coming.
But still you don't know the specifics of the Prime hardware.
What if all have those Wifi issues or anything else.
It is just to early to lift this on a throne. Calm down people and come to your minds
Thanks demandarin. I did my pre-order from in-store on Saturday too. It was a store that had a tablet section, but no TF201 on display, nor did they know what I was talking about when I asked about it. They thought it was a console game of some kind.
Luckily, the GameStop directly across the street from my work in downtown Boston has one for display, supposedly. I'm going to swing by at lunch to see if I can get some hands-on time as well.
The Janitor Mop said:
I can't even begin to think of how fast it will be and how high its benchmarks will be on ICS. ICS will bring both hardware acceleration and optimized multi-core support, so I can't even predict how fast the Prime will be then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like any speed increases from ICS will come from optimization and not from ICS being inherently better at hardware acceleration than Honeycomb.
https://plus.google.com/105051985738280261832/posts/2FXDCz8x93s
I'm not even sure the ICS will improve all that much over Honeycomb in terms of multi-core support, but I don't remember seeing anything on that.
Not saying ICS won't be great, just not sure that we're going to see the kind of improvement over Honeycomb that some folks are expecting.
jimtong said:
Ok thanks for you review. I am sold!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I wish I would've spent more time with it but had my woman n daughter waiting in the car for me. It's been a very long time since I preordered something to get it release day. I think the last time I did so was when NBA jams tournament edition came out for the Sega Genesis..lmfao.
Still amazed at how thin it was. I definitely have to find a nice case for it. The Asus widgets like myzine looked pretty nice also. I have some sick wallpapers I'd love to put on that beautiful display. I might wait till after ICS to root although I'll be able to root as soon as I take it out the box. It will be hard though. I just don't want to root now then ICS comes out OTA and it throws up some b.s. That it can't install. I think I can be patient enough to wait. My main reason for rooting my phone was to get wireless tether and barnacle working. This tablet is wifi only so not as pressed. Unless developers come up with a sick rom to over clock this Mofo to like 2GHz or more per core
I spent some time with one at GameStop tonight. The browser isn't nearly as fluid as it is on my iPad 2 but I'm going to hold out hope for some magic with ICS.
I played with some of the other tablets in the mall - Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the 8.9 with the 1.5Ghz dual core, and they felt very sluggish compared to the Prime. The Prime is very smooth in the UI, so it feels like they have headroom for some browser optimizations.
UI looked unfettered with the typical oem crap, and the hardware was beautiful.
Will it replace my iPad 2 for casual use? Hard to say, I'm crazy in to Infinity Blade II right now, and don't (yet) see anything comparable in the Market, but this is unquestionably the best android tablet yet, and I'm really excited to get mine and get to know post-Gingerbread Android.
fraeone said:
I spent some time with one at GameStop tonight. The browser isn't nearly as fluid as it is on my iPad 2 but I'm going to hold out hope for some magic with ICS.
I played with some of the other tablets in the mall - Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the 8.9 with the 1.5Ghz dual core, and they felt very sluggish compared to the Prime. The Prime is very smooth in the UI, so it feels like they have headroom for some browser optimizations.
UI looked unfettered with the typical oem crap, and the hardware was beautiful.
Will it replace my iPad 2 for casual use? Hard to say, I'm crazy in to Infinity Blade II right now, and don't (yet) see anything comparable in the Market, but this is unquestionably the best android tablet yet, and I'm really excited to get mine and get to know post-Gingerbread Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you feel the Transformer Prime display fares against the ipad 2 display? Does it look colorful and vibrant in a way similar to the ipad 2? Looked at the original transformer display in a store the other day and wasn't all that impressed. Thanks for you input.
I thought that since we finally have some inventory going out the door, it would be interesting to see a mix of colors and sizes, and everyone's impression. Nothing scientific, of course. Just for kicks.
Obviously only answer if you've actually received a Prime and have spent at least a little while checking it out.
I was able to pick up my prime yesterday and have been playing with it none stop. The thing is stupid fast, the games are very impressive, and the screen is really bright. I got the bundle with the Gamestop controller and it works great with every game so far. I really do like this better than the ipad 2. When ICS comes out and the true potential of this device is revealed, Android will finally make a lasting impression that even Apple fan boys won't be able to dismiss.
I give this thing two thumbs way up!!
Jason
Mac Book Pro
Iphone 4
Asus Transformer Prime
i got my TP the other day, its a 32gb champagne version. so far so good i guess. it runs pretty well compared to he xoom i used to have. i had been using an ipad 2 right before i received the prime, and while the ipad seemed a bit smoother in animations and a bit better with battery, i am very happy with the prime. i wish it had launched with ics as i have been using some great nexus s roms recently, and the only issues i have are just buggy honeycomb system things like occansional browser crashes that i think will be gone on ics. i can also honestly say that this thing is real close to a stock nexus type experience. while there is some bloatware, most of the changes and apps asus has included are useful. it seems some preloaded apps are able to be deleted while others arent.
hardware wise this thing is slick. i am a mobile app designer and see a ton of new hardware, but this thing is really nicely made. while i found the weight of the ipad to be a bit too much at times i have not had the same issue withthe prime. it is also extremly thin, so thin i find when i play riptide or similar games the corners feel like they almost cut into your hand. he aluminum back is pretty nice, but its so smooth it makes me think it could easily slip from my hand. the only issue i have hardware wise is that he power button can be a bit tough to find and press, but i find myself finding it a little better each day, so maybe thats just me.
hope this is useful to someone. overall i would say this is much better than the xoom i used to own and very much on par with the ipad 2. gaming on the prime is excellent, and thats a first imho.
Would love to keep this one going...
Anybody else care to weigh in?
Zenonia 4 is out with much improved graphics from 1-3
Its free and plays better then previous ones
http://goo.gl/wwJaV
game isnt the cause for the reboot, its thanks to the .14 firmware
idunno, gameplay is kind of annoying for me, ranged attacks mean you have to be lined up with the mob your attacking... items that fall on the ground dissapear too soon IMO, overall i dont think im going to be putting a lot of time into this game.
I played the 2nd one way back when I had a crappy phone with a small screen and I wished I had a better device. I was looking forward to playing this new one on the Prime, so I checked it out. First time I died I saw the screen where you can either lose gold, xp, equipment durability to revive or pay for some cash item...
NOPE.
uninstalled.
Great graphics and the gameplay speed is awesome, but the battle controls are annoying. I keep accidentally hitting the home icon trying to run downwards.
BUYMECAR said:
Great graphics and the gameplay speed is awesome, but the battle controls are annoying. I keep accidentally hitting the home icon trying to run downwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That happens to me on almost any game with fixed controls
zurui said:
I played the 2nd one way back when I had a crappy phone with a small screen and I wished I had a better device. I was looking forward to playing this new one on the Prime, so I checked it out. First time I died I saw the screen where you can either lose gold, xp, equipment durability to revive or pay for some cash item...
NOPE.
uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been playing it on my DX for convenience. The death system is the same as in Zenonia 3, and it isn't a huge problem, although it's a bit annoying. You can get by without paying anything for the game, but I ended up putting a bit down to make my bags bigger. Worthwhile in my mind for a well made game I"ll probably replay at some point.
Found this vid on youtube of this game. Looks pretty cool and controls well with the S-pen. There is a demo too. I find it works better with the S-pen as your finger does not cover up the screen
Gameplay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k2P31RWMmw
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.int13.shogunlite&feature=more_from_developer
"Sketchit" is also a good game on the note. Its like isketch or pictionary. The S-Pen makes your drawings look 50 times better. Plus playing on a large screen makes everything that much easier (faster typing / more room to draw). It definitely takes advantage of what the note has to offer. I recommend it.
Sweet thanks. I'm gonna check it out.
@Vcolassi God damn that's a beautiful game on the note. Thanks for the heads up!
cartoonmonkey said:
@Vcolassi God damn that's a beautiful game on the note. Thanks for the heads up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Prob. I actually came across it by accident yesterday on Youtube. I haven't played with it alot yet, but the few minutes i did i was very impressed. Especially how well you could move the ship around with the S-pen.
Real Racing is on play Store at 80% of discount. Has anyone bought it? does it work fine?
I downloaded it. It occasionally crashes. Pretty good game aside from that.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
Argh, I was going to buy it right now and the offer has ended
I haven't played it on the tf300 yet but I'm rinsing the balls out of it on the One X. It's quite simply the finest racing game I've played on any portable platform. It looks amazing, handles beautifully, great choice of cars and the tracks are good fun. My only criticism, other than the waiting for a download the past 4 months while EA get a server that works, is that the races are way too easy. There really isn't much of a challenge from the AI and whilst a 1:49 lap time puts you 16th on the grid in qualifying, it's still enough to see you win the 3 lap race with a 30 or 40 second lead. But who cares, it's feckin epic!! Haven't had this much fun with cars since Gran Turismo
Sent from your mums house using your mum.