Prime Review - Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Never posted here and perhaps this post isn't necessary but felt compelled. I preordered from Amazon on 11/22 and was salivating for a month until the GPS issues started to be reported. The salivating turned to apprehension. On 1/3 I received the Prime and it is indeed gorgeous. Sadly I'm suffering the same problems as most. No need to beat a dead horse. The GPS issue I can stomach since I have a bluetooth Garmin that works fine with the Prime. However the poor GPS performance is extremely disappointing. Simply transferring files from my laptop to the Prime over wi-fi was much slower that transferring between other devices in my home. In fact so far I'd say it's unusable in that regard. I should add that I'm sitting less than 3 feet from my router when transferring.
Perhaps my expectations were too high but with the keyboard my plan was that this device would replace my laptop for all but the most rigorous tasks. That's not going to happen and now I'm not even sure I'm going to order the keyboard.
BTW BT is weak as well. If all of these issues are indeed due to the aluminum case it's just unbelievable to me that a company could screw up this bad. I'm hopeful that someone comes up with something even if it's just providing instruction on how/where to take a drill to the darn thing. But my expectations aren probably too high on this front too.
In short unless someone has disposable income I'd advise they steer clear and wait for a better offering. I'll likely keep mine until something better appears then I'll be putting it on Ebay.

That's not review, you are beating the dead horse....

justwonder said:
That's not review, you are beating the dead horse....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess you're right. A mod can remove and my feelings won't get hurt.
I guess I just wanted to get my shots in on that horse.

ride the dead horse.

a drill won't fix it. you need to point the screen at the router.
the entire foundation of the tablet is built into the aluminum case. everything is screwed into it.
the antennas are on either side of the front-facing camera. want better reception, point the tablet screen in the direction of your router or BT tether

How to Bluetooth tether?

>How to Bluetooth tether?
Put phone in one can and tablet in the other (use bigger can for tablet)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
To activate connection, sing the "Get Connected" song.

Related

interesting WIFI Bug

I noticed today that my WIFI was exceptionally slow on my device. Being 4 feet away from my wireless router, i was getting 1-5 mbps speed..
my router has a function that lists connected wifi devices and the assumed connection speed.. it said my Transformer was connected at 58mbps.. so something was fishy
Everything was exceptionally slow, even browsing. after a simple full shutdown and startup it was back to normal. maybe this is the wifi bug some people were having? anyways, a restart made it exceptionally better
anyone else come across this?
Haven't seen this yet but it does sound like your unit has a wifi defect. :banghead: I can say the following two things:
1. The operating channel/frequency does seem to make small differences. Probably noise in my environment.
2. Wireless range seems to be short. I'm getting no where as good of range as my iPhone can. I'd say its short by a good 25 feet or so.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Look at the face staring at the wall...
Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium
DaRacerz said:
Haven't seen this yet but it does sound like your unit has a wifi defect. :banghead: I can say the following two things:
1. The operating channel/frequency does seem to make small differences. Probably noise in my environment.
2. Wireless range seems to be short. I'm getting no where as good of range as my iPhone can. I'd say its short by a good 25 feet or so.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the weird thing, im normally fine. i play was playing spotify (high BW audio) in my driveway (through two walls and total about 50 feet) and was getting great reception.
just had this one issue. weird.
It's not a bug. The 58Mbs is the reported link rate, not the actual throughput. Many people mistake the link rate for bandwidth.
I think some of the lag mentioned (elsewhere) are due to poor wifi connectivity.

Could Asus just release an external antenna for 1st gen owners like this one?

I have been thinking of way to extend the range of my gps and wifi and I managed to find this online. I'm suffering from poor wifi and gps on my prime so I was wondering if Asus could release an external antenna similar to the one in this link? I really don't mind using a large antenna on my prime if it means that I will be able to use the prime more than 20 feet from my router.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-laptop-wifi-antenna-mod/
No offense, but there is no way on f****** hell I would use that. No way. I draw the line at something like that.
lol........
>I have been thinking of way to extend the range of my gps
Disconnect the pigtail from existing main wifi antenna. Run new ant's pigtail through a hole in the shell and snap it in place of old pigtail. The obvious choice is the speaker grill. Just enlarge one of the existing perforations. For aesthetics, you can paint the wire silver to match the back.
Leave aux antenna in place, since you want to have an ant on each side of the shell for diversity. Find a means to affix new antenna onto top of shell, probably same place as old ant, but on the outside. Don't place it directly on the metal shell.
The largest difficulty is removing the shell. You'd be doing very minor alteration, which is reversible.
Edit: This is for wifi. You can repeat procedure with GPS antenna. Go to eBay and search on "GPS patch antenna" and look for suitable pigtail connector. You may need to splice.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-TYCO-La...359?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6e3ca907
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
10x easier, for GPS, to just get a BT GPS box. As small as a matchbox, rechargeable, no wires, no blah blah blah... just the little box, a BT connection and 1 piece of software on your tablet. Sit it on your cars dash or whatever and connect the 2 via BT and viola... wireless usage of the BT GPS units GPS signal.
thetruth1983 said:
I have been thinking of way to extend the range of my gps and wifi and I managed to find this online. I'm suffering from poor wifi and gps on my prime so I was wondering if Asus could release an external antenna similar to the one in this link? I really don't mind using a large antenna on my prime if it means that I will be able to use the prime more than 20 feet from my router.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-laptop-wifi-antenna-mod/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
give back that tablet bro
do yourself the favor
spend the 100 extra bucks on a good solid tablet like the new Transformer Prime TF700
If you can't use WiFi 20 feet from your router you have a faulty unit, get an RMA for it.
If you can't live without GPS then get another tablet or use a portable Bluetooth GPS.

I have solved MY weak GPS problem

This may not be the solution for you but I got a GlobalSat BT 368 that is about the size of 2 match books longways and thick ways. I use the free bluetooth gps in the market and I now have GPS better than my epic 4g or my wifes 4g touch. In fact I am now thinking about getting a full size navigation program like copilot or sygic any thoughts on a good program
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018YZ836/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Looks good. How long battery last?
Can't tell you from experience I only got it thurs. Its rated at 11 hours continuous use but cuts off after 10 mins. if not connected. If it's anything like a speaker phone with the same ratings and features it will probably need charging every three weeks. 2 hour charge.
I have been thinking about just leaving it plugged up in my glove compartment and on continuously. Once locked it doesn't lose signals for anything that I have been able to try in the house.
HI,
Glad you got your GPS working. I don't know type of phones you have available, but if they are Win6-7 phones, there is a program out there called WiFiRouter (costs, but it works great....use it all the time), then you can use a free program called WAZE that uses online data. I find the routes selected, but the the nice thing is that it is "user-interactive"....that is, users identify construction/police/slow-stopped traffic. It should work great in DC. Other than that, I'd go with CoPilot for now because it's cheap. Magellan and Garmin have operation apps for the iphone, but not the Android Market yet, and those are the 2 companies that I would recommend.
Personally, my current setup is a Garmin 4390 standalone, with WAZE running to let me know where the traffic and cops are. Haven't had the Prime long enough to see if there's any others available....The other company to look at is Tom-Tom.
If you're going to connect the Prime to the internet via the phone, then you probably need to apply this fix, so ad-hoc networks are available. ICS stock has them locked out.
If you have an Android phone, there are apps similar to the WiFiRouter, I'm sure.
Good luck,
Bob

Xperia Tablet Z death grip?

Hello!
I really love my new tablet, it looks so slick and cool!
But the wifi on this bad boy is really disappointing.
I can almost kill the entire signal by holding the tablet in one hand (the death grip).
This is reception with no hands
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Down to one bar and DC's, and this is just my fingers blocking!
Also happens if I lean it against myself on the couch (as a normal tablet user)
I would like to point out that my router is standing in the crack between the wall and cabin in the far end of the picture, no walls betwen
It also happens when I hold the tablet out in the air in one hand.
Is my unit at fault or is this a general thing?
Sent from my SGP311 using XDA Premium HD app
If the signal drops when you are holding it that way, it does seem that there is something wrong. What make of router do your have?
My signal drops to one bar if I go upstairs or out back, but I can still connect to internet, and the play store fine.
I have compared my xperia and nexus 7, and there is not really any major difference in wifi signal, I would say you have a faulty tablet, or a dodgy router
Yep, sounds like you might have a faulty unit. I don't get a drop in connectivity no matter what way I hold it. I often sit on the couch with it leaning against me and have no issues.
dirtyjeff said:
Yep, sounds like you might have a faulty unit. I don't get a drop in connectivity no matter what way I hold it. I often sit on the couch with it leaning against me and have no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Aid777 said:
If the signal drops when you are holding it that way, it does seem that there is something wrong. What make of router do your have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Western Digital My Net 600
Hi.
I got my Tablet Z a few days ago and have noticed my Wifi connection becoming incredibly weak (even when I'm in the same room as the router) sometimes. Although, I haven't been able to reproduce the issue. I'm more concerned about the Wifi/Bluetooth bug that renders the tablet unusable when I'm using my Bluetooth headphones.

Gear S charging problem

So my Gear S does not fully latch on to the charging cradle anymore it only adheres to the back what has happened. I don't want to get a new one that I have to pay alot for so for now I have a hair tie to hold it together that is the only way it will charge for now. However I don't want it to ruin my watch to the point where it will not charge at all. Any ideas or solutions
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
?
Uniquebarbee said:
So my Gear S does not fully latch on to the charging cradle anymore it only adheres to the back what has happened. I don't want to get a new one that I have to pay alot for so for now I have a hair tie to hold it together that is the only way it will charge for now. However I don't want it to ruin my watch to the point where it will not charge at all. Any ideas or solutions
View attachment 3221754?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this .....
Ok so I just saw the charger the top piece broke off a little which holds the cradle in place. So for now I will try the pill bottle method if not hair tie it will be.
Both my clips broke
Both of mine broke and now it's a real PIA.
I really can't believe Samsung came up with such a horrible design when such a simple and effective method like what LG or even Apple is going to use exists. I still enjoy my gear S but now that both clips are broken, I really am ticked as it's making charging a PIA.
I've already made the decision to switch to the LG Urbane LTE the moment it's available in the US and while I don't know when that will be, I'm definitely going to make the move. IMO it looks 1000% better too.
In the mean time, I just jumped on Amazon and via Prime ordered the cheap charger only cradle for the Gear S. Due to arrive Tuesday so I'll post back the findings but the dozen plus reviews show it works perfectly. I don't really use the built in battery on the existing one much if at all since the Gear S holds a charge so long.
look here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-s/general/broken-cradle-mod-fix-gear-s-dock-t3020294
Just call Samsung and they will replace it.

Categories

Resources