I got myself a prime last week, promptly ordered a keyboard because nobody had one in stock and I didn't feel like paying a $70 dollar premium on amazon to get it in the future anyway, and received the dock yesterday.
Electrically, the dock seems fine - all of the keys work, it charged normally, it's discharging normally, etc. - but it appears to have a physical deformity at the front of the unit. I took a picture of the unit to demonstrate... unfortunately, as some of you are no doubt aware, taking close-focus pictures of smallish things with an android camera is a little tough. Still, see attached image for the illustration. Note the gap between the rubber stopper and the fact that you can see the palm rest surface despite looking at the tray head on.
The question is, of course, "is this normal?" Does anyone else have a warped dock? It seems like the trackpad buttons don't quite click as easily as I think they should, but I don't have anything to compare it to. None of the local Best Buy stores have a dock on display, either.
[edit]I started this thread in the wrong forum and moved it here, then forgot to attach the file. Here's a link to an imgur-hosted copy:
http://i.imgur.com/Bn0la.jpg
nurrwick said:
I got myself a prime last week, promptly ordered a keyboard because nobody had one in stock and I didn't feel like paying a $70 dollar premium on amazon to get it in the future anyway, and received the dock yesterday.
Electrically, the dock seems fine - all of the keys work, it charged normally, it's discharging normally, etc. - but it appears to have a physical deformity at the front of the unit. I took a picture of the unit to demonstrate... unfortunately, as some of you are no doubt aware, taking close-focus pictures of smallish things with an android camera is a little tough. Still, see attached image for the illustration. Note the gap between the rubber stopper and the fact that you can see the palm rest surface despite looking at the tray head on.
The question is, of course, "is this normal?" Does anyone else have a warped dock? It seems like the trackpad buttons don't quite click as easily as I think they should, but I don't have anything to compare it to. None of the local Best Buy stores have a dock on display, either.
[edit]I started this thread in the wrong forum and moved it here, then forgot to attach the file. Here's a link to an imgur-hosted copy:
http://i.imgur.com/Bn0la.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When mine is closed, the lid touches the rubber bumper on the keyboard which is what I would expect. Yours doesn't seem to close properly.
Thanks - that's what I suspected. It contacts the two rubber pads on the sides, so this poor thing is the victim of a god-knows-what. The box was completely undamaged so I guess someone sat on it at the factory.
Obviously anyone else that wants to weigh in is welcome to do so - on this topic, anyway, I don't recommend actually weighing in on the keyboard dock because I guess it will bend.
Yep, looks bent, as if it was laying on a soft rocking chair, couch or something undocked and someone sat on it. You could take your knee to the back of it with a hand on each side and try to bend it back You may end up with a creased unit afterward though... I'd send it back as a return and try to find one somewhere else.
My keyboard dock also came with a slight bend to it (from a UK Grey BC0KAS batch). I didn't notice it at first, but when I put the keyboard on a flat surface when closed, it wobbled. Towards the back the centre of the metal was coming into contact with the table, so the rubber feet were slightly raised.
I was able to gently apply pressure, using a soft cloth, to the metal around this area and correct this so it's not really noticeable now.
Also, when the tablet is docked, and closed, there is a slightly larger gap on the right side between the screen and keyboard than the left. It makes contact with all 3 rubber pads, but it's definitely there.
I'm still contemplating returning the whole lot to Comet, as I have 3 stuck pixels, and have been experiencing poor WiFi and some crashes.
Quality control definitely could have been better here.
SO! I went to another Best Buy that actually had docks in stock, did an exchange, and the second dock is bent as well. That said, the buttons on the trackpad actually click easily on this unit, so I think I'm going to keep it especially given how difficult it is to find anything with a TF-201 in its model number in stock.
It'd be interesting to see how many docks have warping or if it's supposed to be there. I guess it could be Asus' way of giving us space to fit our fingers in to open the unit...
Turns out mine was slightly bent too. I never would have noticed had it not been for this thread... Lol, anyway...mine was bent slightly in the middle. The middle rubber stopper didn't touch when cosed. It is really, really easy to bend this though...i just put pressure in the middle from behind and pushed slightly and the gap has disappeared.
I don't have the dock yet but this will be on my new dock QC checklist when I do get one. I'm not planning on getting one for a while so hopefully stuff like this will be ironed out by Asus and stocking levels are better. I'm thinking August (my birthday).
Related
Hi guys, i've noticed recently when connecting the dock that the two slots on the bottom of the twblet are becoming slightly chipped/scratched. Does this happen to anyone else? Its only a mijor thing but its slightly annoying.
Mine's not chipping/scratching, yet. But, then again, if you saw how carefully I dock/undock, you would understand why. Looking forward to my first scratch/chip, so I can relax a bit and stop being so careful...
One of my slots has a slight nick on it from the dock. But you really have to go looking for it to see it. I would suggest just being careful how well you line up the keyboard and the tablet when you connect them in order to minimize any scratches that would annoy you. There are alignment arrows on the center of the dock and the bottom of the tablet.
well after dropping my first one from about a height of 4 feet (in the neoprene sleeve in the accessory section) and watching with horror as it bounced on an edge...and luckily was able to return it due to other issues....looked with less fear...
then my wife accidently dropped the new tablet..again in said neoprene sleeve...and although dinged on the edge..not nearly as bad as the first.
Moral? the harder you try to keep something pristine..the more likely it will get blemished faster :S
Having something like the dock feature..you are fundamentally going to get scuffs...it's the way it works when you introduce metal on metal.
worse case is when you take out the dock...and the gel's are available...put one on after undocking..that's what i plan on doing..as this thing is a slick bugger.
Hi all,
Today I suddenly noticed a click sound when putting my keyboard on the side and I found out that the case on the side of the hinge would come apart with little force.
It is easily replicated when you push the hinge push the hinge to the bottom and while holding the back case.
The problem is shown on the video below,
http://youtu.be/XS9zTEvvbzk
now, is it normal ? it seems like there are no screws holding that part together so it seems like it is bound to happen!
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For the Fix
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Just curious, how long have you had the dock? And how often do you connect and disconnect the prime from the dock?
My guess (and it's just a guess) is that the chassis on the edge uses snaps to keep the plate seams together. If this is true then it could be that something caused the snaps to break.
From what you're showing in the video, it definitely does not seem normal to me. I'm really hesitant to reproduce the issue with my own dock, so hopefully someone else in the forums whose had experience opening up the keyboard will provide some insight. In the meantime, if I were you, I would avoid any actions that would forcefully pry apart the chassis edge like that; it could aggravate the problem.
like i said, I barely need to use any force at all, just a a very small push.
I also figure out that the position of the hinge makes a difference as well.
If the hinge is in the "closed" position (imagine tablet docked with screen closed), it will not snap open.
it's when the hinge is opened up, the problem appears.
oO_SwooP_Oo said:
My guess (and it's just a guess) is that the chassis on the edge uses snaps to keep the plate seams together. If this is true then it could be that something caused the snaps to break.
From what you're showing in the video, it definitely does not seem normal to me. I'm really hesitant to reproduce the issue with my own dock, so hopefully someone else in the forums whose had experience opening up the keyboard will provide some insight. In the meantime, if I were you, I would avoid any actions that would forcefully pry apart the chassis edge like that; it could aggravate the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone ?
just a yes or no so I can try to return it !
babadudu said:
Anyone ?
just a yes or no so I can try to return it !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two weeks ago I started having this same problem. The slightest pressure pops it right back together. I don't know that I'll bother to return it. I would assume there is a good chance they all do, and that it may have something to do with the way we insert it and remove it from the dock.
I just noticed this problem the other day. It does it about half way when opening or closing. Kinda like the pins of the hinge push it open just a little.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
looks like it's not just me then, i am baffled that they didn't design screws to keep it together......
I have the same issues. The dock is generally just not well made. the back panel is too flexible, it pops open at the edges, and Ive noticed the hinges have gotten looser, and have a dead spot now, where the tablet can flap back and forth, similar to most laptops.
Same problem here. Just went to the shop on saturday and they sent it to Asus. Don't know yet, what happens.
Bought the prime about 10 weeks ago, so they don't want to exchange it without sending in here in Germany. I just wish there'd be ASUS-stores like Apple stores, where this would have been handled more easily...
As someone who has taken their dock apart to see what makes it tick i know there are several hidden screws inside the dock part of the keyboard (under a black sticker, hard to see or find if your not looking) that help hold the hinge together. i found my screen protector was adding pressure on the dock and removed some of the material so everything fit better tho after doing what i did i dont really recommend it to others.
I too am rather unimpressed with the construction of the dock however im not going to worry too much about it, if it gets too flimsy for my liking ill just take it apart again and tighten things up again.
I had this once but i just pressed it toghether slightly and it never happened again.
Pileot could you make a small video or take pictures of the screws you did tighten to make it better?
This just happened to me last night and I'm very deeply saddened.
I take the tablet out of the dock about once every two days, Max. I've had the dock for 12 days now. C1OKA to start the S/N. Amethyst. Bought it from Amazon 3/2.
No screen protector, no added weight. I noticed it happened when I grabbed the dock with the tablet open by the Asus sticker on the keyboard, with my hands on both side of the touchpad.
Entire backend popped open, both hinges, and alongside the bacl under the tablet slide.
Im going to see if Amazon will take it back and exchange otherwise Asus will get my backend fixed.
Any ideas to those of you who have opened it that will keep it in place? i don't want to put tape on it. But i understand the weight of the tablet in the dock fully extended changes the center of gravity putting more pressure on the bottom of the dock and if it only has tabs that is the reason it is popping open.
No breaks cracks scratches damage of any kind.
I too have a clicking dock.
Got the same problem with mine. It's only a month old and it seems to be the way I hold it whilst docked. I tend to hold it one handed by the black sticker whilst opening it with my left hand. Gonna send it to asus for a repair as it seems the catch as snapped. ANOTHER desgin floor.
Is there not a screw underneath the rubber ?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
My docking station was also having this issue. THere's screws under the rubber feet of the dock. I had to tighten both screws near the hinge down and that resolved the hinge splitting. Who knows if it'll happen again, but it's a pretty simple fix.
Hi,
No issues with the dock whatsoever, however I did notice that at a 45degree angle the prime just closes by itself. Not sure if it was like that from the beginning but it seems like opening and closing does loosen the hinges hold a bit.
Anyone experienced this?
Hinge FIX
I meant to write this a few weeks ago.
So I have a C3 keyboard....My C1 from Amazon worked great for 13 days...then it "popped" at the hinge and i was like...oh ****...
In the pictures you can see where it pops and the hinge came apart.
What I found was the little old chinese lady who put these together on that specific day must have had a serious case of Arthritis....when i examined underneath the rubber feet, both screws on both sides were completely unscrewed. I got the right sized 6 star driver, popped the hinge back together (especially underneath the hinge-release area in the middle of the keyboard), and screwed them in but didn't overtighten. I checked to make sure the dock wouldn't pop out again by placing tablet in and holding it on both sides of the trackpad and it didn't pop open. Voila! Put a dollup of rubber cement on pads, stuck them back on, and let it dry. Happy again! I hope this works for you guys.
edit: screws are Phillips head, not 6 star. opened rest of dock with 6 star (not necessary for this fix); sorry for confusion. PS super glue works well too if no rubber cement
Your images are dead.
And they're back.
Perfect, thank's a lot. I had the same problem, and your solution worked 100% for me as well.
Found this on amazon - Seems nice and I quite like it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portfolio-K...H9TG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1331229951&sr=8-4
Questions:
(1) Has anyone bought this and what is it like?
(2) It says "...case fits with and without docking keyboard..." - The wording is little confusing, does it actually come with the docking cover too, or just for the tab? for the price+wording I imagine it would be just for the tab, but the pictures seem to say otherwise?
and I cannot find it being reviewed on the internet.
Ive not got that exact one but i got this: (arrived today)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leather-Por...BF9I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331233211&sr=8-2
Same brand and photos - mine came with the keyboard cover too.
the prices are the same so i would "expect" that the one you linked just comes witha screen protector aswell but im not entirely sure. Id ask the seller first.
For the MiTAB case in general one thing that worries me is the amount of leather in-between the tab and keyboard at the hinge end, it is a VERY tight fit and I'm a bit worried it might damage the hinge when closed, can anyone else confirm if they have tried one and if it has caused any damage over time?.
My main concearn is that while sitting in a bag and getting squashed all the pressure is put on the hinge. Plus attaching the tab to the keyboard half requires an uncomfortable amount of pressure.
Quality wise its fairly good, mine has navitech branding on it, and the leather around the bezel isnt too weak, I dont love the way the case cover overhangs when using the tablet alone and the camera port on the back doesnt line up perfectly.
I can take some photos if you want.
@funkus
Yeah, it looks like they are from the same seller.
After going through the forum, from what I can gather:
(1) All of the prime cases (dock+tab) have that tight fight at the hinge area.
(2) Misaligned openings-port/etc.
The reasons why I am keen to get one for both dock/tab are:
(1) There had been reports where prime's screen cracked/fractures because of undue stress when it's in the 'lid-close' position - especially around the hinge areas where there are no rubber stops.
--> So I thought by getting the dock cover, the piece of leather strip at/overlying the corners of the hinge end will provide some cushions when 'lid' is closed.
(2) But now you mentioned that the fit is very tight around the hinge area.
--> There had been reports in here that the dock came apart around the hinge area when the latch rotates with tab docked. It appears only minority suffers from this issue. But again, given the QC issue(s) with prime, I wonder if it is worth taking the chance. I imagine this tight fit will slowly loosen whatever the mechanical parts involved around that area.
Temptation right now is, given that it is cheap, is probably to get it and then sand down/trim the leather over the tight fit areas.
Your description is graphical enough and thanks for sharing the review.
Another question for you: How long did it take for the order to arrive? And was it normal or express delivery?
Sanding the leather around the hinge down might be a good idea but you'd need to be careful not to break the stitching on the leather.
To add to the negatives the overhang on the cover is a bit annoying when just using the tablet case half it hangs over the tablet by 1 inch.
I used express delivery and ordered it Wednesday in the morning, came in early afternoon Thursday.
Damages the Device!!
FYI: I've decided to stop using the case - I think its bent the socket for the screen half so now the tablet wobbles in place and sometimes doesn't charge from the keyboard until i move it about.
I wouldn't advise anyone to get this. Left a review to same effect on the amazon product page.
Hi all,
I'm just about to RMA my dock. The top and bottom halves are starting to separate and the hinge is getting looser and looser.
I've already emailed tech support and they have suggested user error - IE I'm forcing the tablet into the dock too hard! I will assure them that this is NOT the case!
I'll see what the tech guys say when I RMA it but I have to admit i'm more than a little disappointed.
Has anyone else on here noticed anything similar?
i have not seen this on mine, BUT i can see how this would happen. it honestly does not seem to have anything to do with pushing it in to hard. but more so with pushing it in when it is not aligned corretly.
it will slowely pull the hinged area apart over time, me and my mother both have the prime and dock. and she is not heavy handed at all but hers started to do the same thing yours is doing. after having her show me how she instered it into the dock. i noticed that she was not looking at the angle of the hinged area and just pushing softly until she would find the right angle for it to slide in. and as she was pushing softly the hinged area would move and seperate from just wiggling the prime till it fit in.
not saying that you doing this, but that seemed to be the cause of her dock starting to do what yours is doing. so i had to show her a better way of visually aligning the prime and dock so it would just slide in.
thats my OP anyway. hope that it gets fixed bruh
I have notice that mine pops apart if I pick it up by the front right corner. I do not mean that I am grabbing the very edge of the corner, I am merely picking it up as I would a netbook or other similar device. When I do this the dock pops apart at the USB port and along the back behind the hinge. You can tell the dock bends when it happens. It seems to be that the dock can not hold up to the weight of the tablet. I have only had this happen twice as I now make sure to pick it up with both hands. There is no damage since it just pops back together but one has to wonder how they can charge $150 for something that is so cheaply made. I will not be sending it back but I am still a little disappointed. Functionality is still great and I am still happy with the product, just wish I didn't have to be careful of how I pick it up.
While it probably could have been assembled better, I can only imagine RMA is going to consider this Customer Induced Damage and want to charge you more than the dock is worth by the time all is said and done. Good luck though.
Yatyas said:
I have notice that mine pops apart if I pick it up by the front right corner. I do not mean that I am grabbing the very edge of the corner, I am merely picking it up as I would a netbook or other similar device. When I do this the dock pops apart at the USB port and along the back behind the hinge. You can tell the dock bends when it happens. It seems to be that the dock can not hold up to the weight of the tablet. I have only had this happen twice as I now make sure to pick it up with both hands. There is no damage since it just pops back together but one has to wonder how they can charge $150 for something that is so cheaply made. I will not be sending it back but I am still a little disappointed. Functionality is still great and I am still happy with the product, just wish I didn't have to be careful of how I pick it up.
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Click to collapse
I suspect that this is the case - the tablet and dock have always been correctly aligned and no excessive force has been applied to the dock mechanism.
I've cancelled the RMA as ASUS wont tell me what the charges might be for sending the dock in. however its being UPS'd from the UK to Czech Republic so i cant imagine it would be cheap.
I've put up with all the issues so far, but this is the last straw for me. Tablet is great but build quality sucks big time. No more ASUS products for me
Since a few months I own a prime, and in general I'm not very satisfied. Wifi, GPS and overall speed problems are the cause.
But now I found out that the dock touchpad is damaging the screen of the pad. I noticed because my screenprotector was damaged precisely where it touches the touchpad when the ensemble is closed. I thought this was because my screenprotector was too thick, so I ignored this.
But just some days ago I removed the screenprotector, and now there are some tiny marks on the screen exactly where it touches the touchpad. After close inspection I found out that the 'upper' part of the touchpad and the ridge above it (between the touchpad and the space key) are sticking out slightly, touching the screen. So whenever I close the ensemble, the touchpad and ridge will be touching the screen, thereby damaging it.
I'm curious if more user have this problem.
Should I RMA?
Also, I bought the transformer in Malaysia, but I live in the Netherlands, so I won't be able to return it to the retailer.
It is a design problem and all units are affected by this. I added stoppers to my unit so this would not happen, if you plan to rma, do so before the scratching damage causes the glass to crack completely.
heres a photo of my 'workaround'
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
qwertylesh said:
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
Yeah I have too had screen scratches from dirt on the upper lip area and it made me pretty angry that they designed the rubber stoppers to be so ridiculously pointlessly thin.
I just purchased a second Dock today actually, same thing happens with it (I closed it once) so I wont be using that dock as a spare until I add extra stoppers to it either.
Adding stoppers should help prevent the glass from scratching from dirt but it's still a good idea just to ensure the upper part of your dock is clean when you close it.
I've had the exact same issue with the dock damaging the screen protector.
qwertylesh's stoppers idea sounds great and I am considering implementing it myself
But for now I am using a type of screen protector I got off Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MDTURG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
Does the job of protecting the screen, however the Prime and the dock do not feel very flush when closed.
I have done the same mod for my spare dock now, it works great, there's a similar stopper mod form all the corners but I find two on the glass is fine
DaLongTjeu said:
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
ratman6161 said:
I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That also crossed my mind, but how easy and fast is it to disconnect the screen from the dock? Do you have to take it out of the portfolio case or can you leave it in?
ratman6161 said:
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
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Click to collapse
I don't expect it to be different. Or maybe I do, if this damaging of the screen issue is something many people complained about. Perhaps they use slightly higher stoppers on the dock that comes with the Infinity? But you're probable right, the dock is most likely exactly the same.
Still I would exchange my TF for an Infinity without thinking, just because the other issues with the TF (Wifi, gps, performance) drive me insane! Or better still, get a refund and spend my hard earned money on something that's actually worth it. Of course, a refund will only happen in my dreams...
they (TF700) use the exact same stoppers and have the same issue.
was also getting the scratches. quick fix for me is just putting a screen cleaner wipe in between the Prime and the dock. i do intend to do a similar mod to Qwertylesh soon.
I did this^ for quite some time, I had a thinner one then what came with my TF201 that I used.
Word of caution, if you have the silver tablet, dont use a cloth that is a darker or notable color, it can (oddly enough) discolour the touchpad eventually.
My silver touchpad has some dark staining, its no big deal (especially now that I have 2 docks), just want to let you know that i've done what your doing and it does work as a stopgap just dont use a black or dark cloth, stick to white/sliver microfiber if you can.