Suggestions on what to do about my prime - Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

All,
I am open to suggestions on what to do with my prime. Some background:
I bought it because I wanted an Android table that I didn't have to hack to make work and that I didn't have to keep plugged in all the time. I had a Viewsonic Gtablet and that was such a turd I was totally disgusted with having to support it anytime I wanted to use it. I just wanted it to work, but as I am an Engineer by trade I liked the flexiblity that came with an Android tablet vs an iPad.
I was one of the early ones to get the prime, and as such I thoroughly tested everything, screen bleed, dead pixels, battery, bluetooth, wireless, GPS, the whole 9 yards. Then I got the patch that came out around New Years Day and never got GPS back. I called support and they wanted me to send it in for at least 7 days. I found that to be ridiculous and decided to live with it. I got hopeful that as other people got theirs working with newer patches mine would too.
I just got the new patch the other day, still no GPS and as I was trying to use my tablet tonight, it was slower than dirt. I run a speed test and I get 1.5Mbps down, and I pull out my phone and run a speed test over wireless (802.11, not 4G) and I get 15Mbps down. Ran the same tests a few times with consistent results.
I just want a tablet that works and everything works as it should. I don't want an Apple product as I take long flights and like to be able to watch mkvs as well as a couple of other things Apple doesn't do easily. I really thought my Prime would be the solution for me.
So your thoughts on my options:
Return it to ASUS for service, how likely am I to be satisified with those results?
I see that there is a potential fix for GPS, is there one for WIFI? I don't want to hack it to get my stuff to work, but it is an option.
Sell it and buy an Apple Product.
My wife has an iPad and anytime I have issues with my Prime, I pick hers up and it just rocks and rolls. I really like Android and the features it offers over an iOS device, not to mention I really HATE iTunes.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin

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I understand about itunes, it drove my away from apple also. But it seems as if the Prime really isn't the tablet for you. I don't know if its just hardware or bad luck, either way I sorry to hear your having problems.
I don't think anyone can make the decision as to what you should do, however it seems as if you have made up your mind already. If you think ipad is a better solution then that might be the better pad for you. Good luck.

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unlock it, throw a custom rom on it. worries will be over

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IMO, try to return it for a device with C20 or above on the serial number.

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Check and see if you can get an exchange, or refund. Refund is probably the better idea over exchange.
For GPS.. if the feature is important to you, Transformer Prime simply isn't the right tablet for you. Look for other alternatives .....
As for WIFI:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5688/apple-ipad-2012-review/18
It could just be Anandtech's Prime (however, mine is similar to Annandtech.. slightly better or worse on each given day)... but either way, you will be taking a chance if you wish to re-purchase Transformer Prime.

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shinzz said:
Check and see if you can get an exchange, or refund. Refund is probably the better idea over exchange.
For GPS.. if the feature is important to you, Transformer Prime simply isn't the right tablet for you. Look for other alternatives .....
As for WIFI:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5688/apple-ipad-2012-review/18
It could just be Anandtech's Prime (however, mine is similar to Annandtech.. slightly better or worse on each given day)... but either way, you will be taking a chance if you wish to re-purchase Transformer Prime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is GPS so important? If you really have this device mounted in your car, you should be shot. A 10 inch screen has no place in your car. Look at the road, for christ. Buy a decent smartphone that has GPS. There's really no reason for a tablet to have GPS anymore, with the Wifi system.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201

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here is my suggestion~
Prime isn't perfect, nor the new ipad is and its hard for every user to expect its do all the things it supposed to do (I know its on the spec and we all want it working fine... but u know ipad wasn't perfect too, though it came with a extra egg-cooking function which is not on the spec list) I guess in other few patches, Prime will finally work the way u want it be, but u know, getting other tablet may disappoint u in other ways as well. chances are always there~
so if u really want GPS then refund it~
if u can bear the difference of 1.5 mbps and 15 mbps, then it worth the wait ~

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kjp1231 said:
All,
I am open to suggestions on what to do with my prime. Some background:
I bought it because I wanted an Android table that I didn't have to hack to make work and that I didn't have to keep plugged in all the time. I had a Viewsonic Gtablet and that was such a turd I was totally disgusted with having to support it anytime I wanted to use it. I just wanted it to work, but as I am an Engineer by trade I liked the flexiblity that came with an Android tablet vs an iPad.
I was one of the early ones to get the prime, and as such I thoroughly tested everything, screen bleed, dead pixels, battery, bluetooth, wireless, GPS, the whole 9 yards. Then I got the patch that came out around New Years Day and never got GPS back. I called support and they wanted me to send it in for at least 7 days. I found that to be ridiculous and decided to live with it. I got hopeful that as other people got theirs working with newer patches mine would too.
I just got the new patch the other day, still no GPS and as I was trying to use my tablet tonight, it was slower than dirt. I run a speed test and I get 1.5Mbps down, and I pull out my phone and run a speed test over wireless (802.11, not 4G) and I get 15Mbps down. Ran the same tests a few times with consistent results.
I just want a tablet that works and everything works as it should. I don't want an Apple product as I take long flights and like to be able to watch mkvs as well as a couple of other things Apple doesn't do easily. I really thought my Prime would be the solution for me.
So your thoughts on my options:
Return it to ASUS for service, how likely am I to be satisified with those results?
I see that there is a potential fix for GPS, is there one for WIFI? I don't want to hack it to get my stuff to work, but it is an option.
Sell it and buy an Apple Product.
My wife has an iPad and anytime I have issues with my Prime, I pick hers up and it just rocks and rolls. I really like Android and the features it offers over an iOS device, not to mention I really HATE iTunes.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you can live a few months without a tablet, return it and wait for the infinity... It should resolve most of the issues.

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rorytmeadows said:
Why is GPS so important? If you really have this device mounted in your car, you should be shot. A 10 inch screen has no place in your car. Look at the road, for christ. Buy a decent smartphone that has GPS. There's really no reason for a tablet to have GPS anymore, with the Wifi system.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen!!, This should be stickied and placed in bold. Anybody who buys a wifi device (like the Prime) that would have to be tethered to another device with a cell radio (like a cell phone) to be used properly, but complains that the GPS won't work, needs to rethink the purpose for a wifi tablet.
GPS on a tablet is a gimmick feature at best and I don't blame Asus for removing it from spec. It certainly isn't worth the headache it has casued.

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ill1 said:
Amen!!, This should be stickied and placed in bold. Anybody who buys a wifi device (like the Prime) that would have to be tethered to another device with a cell radio (like a cell phone) to be used properly, but complains that the GPS won't work, needs to rethink the purpose for a wifi tablet.
GPS on a tablet is a gimmick feature at best and I don't blame Asus for removing it from spec. It certainly isn't worth the headache it has casued.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part of the problem with the Prime forum is ill-informed posts like this one, and the post that prompted it. Note, I'm not singling out the individual posters here as this seems to be a very common sentiment on the Prime forum these days, but just using these posts as an example.
There are many reasons why someone might want GPS on their WiFi only tablet beyond navigation, and even if you did want to use it for navigation in a vehicle, there is absolutely *no* requirement for it to be tethered if you have offline maps.
There are plenty of apps out there that rely on GPS for things like marine navigation, hiking, geo-tagging photos etc that don't need data access, but require having working GPS. Something like the Prime with its IPS+ screen is ideal for those sorts of uses, *if* the GPS worked correctly. Saying that it is a "gimmick feature", or doesn't matter because the WiFi iPad doesn't have it, is patently absurd.
Ok, so Asus have stopped advertising the Prime as having GPS, but that doesn't help those who purchase the Prime beforehand, or those like the OP who had functioning GPS which was nerfed by an update.
It's incredibly short-sighted to just assume that because *you* don't have a use for GPS on a WiFi tablet, no one else does.
Can we please stop with attacking people who just want their tablets to work as they expected?
Regards,
Dave

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foxmeister said:
Part of the problem with the Prime forum is ill-informed posts like this one, and the post that prompted it. Note, I'm not singling out the individual posters here as this seems to be a very common sentiment on the Prime forum these days, but just using these posts as an example.
There are many reasons why someone might want GPS on their WiFi only tablet beyond navigation, and even if you did want to use it for navigation in a vehicle, there is absolutely *no* requirement for it to be tethered if you have offline maps.
There are plenty of apps out there that rely on GPS for things like marine navigation, hiking, geo-tagging photos etc that don't need data access, but require having working GPS. Something like the Prime with its IPS+ screen is ideal for those sorts of uses, *if* the GPS worked correctly. Saying that it is a "gimmick feature", or doesn't matter because the WiFi iPad doesn't have it, is patently absurd.
Ok, so Asus have stopped advertising the Prime as having GPS, but that doesn't help those who purchase the Prime beforehand, or those like the OP who had functioning GPS which was nerfed by an update.
It's incredibly short-sighted to just assume that because *you* don't have a use for GPS on a WiFi tablet, no one else does.
Can we please stop with attacking people who just want their tablets to work as they expected?
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Dave, couldn't have said it better myself.
I didn't buy the tablet so that I could mount it on my dashboard and drive around with it. My previous tablet didn't have GPS, the Apple products do as does the original Transformer. When I pre-ordered mine GPS was listed as a feature and I expected it to work right. It did right out of the box until the first patch came, Asus doesn't recognize it as a hardware problem. GPS is not just for directions, there are quite a bit of applications out there that use Location Based Services and when you aren't connected to Wi-Fi, it would be nice that the GPS actually worked as GPS is a better at Location Based Services than Wi-Fi is.
I also bought a product that supports Wi-FI, accepting that 1.5Mbps down is not really an option.
I just want a product that works everytime I pick it up. The Gtablet was not that product as the ROMS were always in development, and there was always one feature or another not working. That is why when I bout the Prime I wanted a product that just worked.
Kevin

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ill1 said:
I understand about itunes, it drove my away from apple also. But it seems as if the Prime really isn't the tablet for you. I don't know if its just hardware or bad luck, either way I sorry to hear your having problems.
I don't think anyone can make the decision as to what you should do, however it seems as if you have made up your mind already. If you think ipad is a better solution then that might be the better pad for you. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you ill,
I haven't made up my mind yet, I really really do not want an Apple product. I really want a functioning Android product. I was more posting to see what suggestions people had to get mine to be fully functioning as the product that was advertised and I bought.
Kevin

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bk201doesntexist said:
IMO, try to return it for a device with C20 or above on the serial number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
returning it is not an option as this was a pre-order and I only had 30 days to return it. I got it the last week of December 2011.

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Why not try the Samsung tab 10.1?

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If GPS is a requirement, I'd go for a cheap bluetooth GPS, if you can find one that's compatible, and rely on a mobile hotspot if you need data on the road. That being said, I dunno if the bluetooth + wifi problem affects GPS in such a configuration. The Samsung tablet is also a good alternative...that, and a good Windows tablet can be overlaid with RoadRunner or other control and give you a car-oriented interface for Nav and control of music, etc. that rivals a lot of factory control systems. From what I've seen of what's available in android thus far, the options for a control interface in android don't come close to what's available for windows...
My combination of problems differs; I never had a usable GPS, but since the .15 update, I've had no GPS at all (no satellites). That, and the no serial issue, and the bluetooth (A2DP) drops out when streaming audio or video over wifi.
I'm thinking about an RMA, but I'm not encouraged by the reports of effectiveness for forum members that have gone through the process...I'm kinda waiting on the "big announcement" from Gary before I pass judgment on the RMA. I'm kinda hoping on being able to unlock the device at some point, and at least be able to load a custom ROM if I'm stuck with no OTA updates. In the mean time, the tablet makes a great media consumption device and game platform, and I'd like to explore the keyboard option in the near future.
To those with a problem with a car mount: You'd rather someone use a 4.5" Garmin or a dash-mount 7" factory nav? You do know that it's easier to glance at a larger screen when it comes to navigating, right? I don't suggest use of the tablet while driving: Pre-program your routes (and playlists for music) before you go, and pull over for geo-tagging or finding restaurants, etc....but there's no reason a tablet can't be used for in-car purposes, so long as you use a little common sense and foresight. I run a laptop with an in-dash touch screen (7") carputer system, it works fine this way.

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GernBlanston said:
If GPS is a requirement, I'd go for a cheap bluetooth GPS, if you can find one that's compatible, and rely on a mobile hotspot if you need data on the road. That being said, I dunno if the bluetooth + wifi problem affects GPS in such a configuration. The Samsung tablet is also a good alternative...that, and a good Windows tablet can be overlaid with RoadRunner or other control and give you a car-oriented interface for Nav and control of music, etc. that rivals a lot of factory control systems. From what I've seen of what's available in android thus far, the options for a control interface in android don't come close to what's available for windows...
My combination of problems differs; I never had a usable GPS, but since the .15 update, I've had no GPS at all (no satellites). That, and the no serial issue, and the bluetooth (A2DP) drops out when streaming audio or video over wifi.
I'm thinking about an RMA, but I'm not encouraged by the reports of effectiveness for forum members that have gone through the process...I'm kinda waiting on the "big announcement" from Gary before I pass judgment on the RMA. I'm kinda hoping on being able to unlock the device at some point, and at least be able to load a custom ROM if I'm stuck with no OTA updates. In the mean time, the tablet makes a great media consumption device and game platform, and I'd like to explore the keyboard option in the near future.
To those with a problem with a car mount: You'd rather someone use a 4.5" Garmin or a dash-mount 7" factory nav? You do know that it's easier to glance at a larger screen when it comes to navigating, right? I don't suggest use of the tablet while driving: Pre-program your routes (and playlists for music) before you go, and pull over for geo-tagging or finding restaurants, etc....but there's no reason a tablet can't be used for in-car purposes, so long as you use a little common sense and foresight. I run a laptop with an in-dash touch screen (7") carputer system, it works fine this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually purchased cheap Bluetooth GPS to tether to my Prime. I personally find it annoying that I have to carry multiple device & charger... =/
This will ultimately depend on the user...
As for big announcement, don't expect a miracle or hardware "solution" provided by Asus (especially on GPS).
Btw, if the OP can wait.. there are other options.
Such as this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-A510-10s...TWKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333374516&sr=8-1

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reNeglect said:
Well if you can live a few months without a tablet, return it and wait for the infinity... It should resolve most of the issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Returned mine to Amazon today and now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Infinity so that I can buy it!

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kjp1231 said:
returning it is not an option as this was a pre-order and I only had 30 days to return it. I got it the last week of December 2011.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to RMA it with Asus. If the unit they send as a replacement doesn't meet your needs, sell it on eBay. Even used you should have no problem getting $400-450 for it.
I haven't had any of the issues you have described aside from the poor GPS. WiFi works great, the tablet's performance is smooth and apps run fast with no issue. Also the latest update got rid of the annoying "Browser Not Responding" glitch after I did a factory reset.
FYI, GPS never really worked. It it seemed to either you hadn't really tested it, or the Prime was lying to you
If GPS is a necessary feature you will never be happy with the Prime. And yes, I also have an early model (BBOK) with GPS listed as a feature on the box.

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almightywhacko said:
FYI, GPS never really worked. It it seemed to either you hadn't really tested it, or the Prime was lying to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested my unit very thoroughly as soon as I got it out of the box. I was consistently getting a very fast lock on to at least 13 satellites inside my house. Not sure how the prime would have lied about that. Since the first update around January 1, I cannot get it to lock on to any sattelites outside my house in a field no matter how I hold the unit.

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foxmeister said:
Part of the problem with the Prime forum is ill-informed posts like this one, and the post that prompted it. Note, I'm not singling out the individual posters here as this seems to be a very common sentiment on the Prime forum these days, but just using these posts as an example.
There are many reasons why someone might want GPS on their WiFi only tablet beyond navigation, and even if you did want to use it for navigation in a vehicle, there is absolutely *no* requirement for it to be tethered if you have offline maps.
There are plenty of apps out there that rely on GPS for things like marine navigation, hiking, geo-tagging photos etc that don't need data access, but require having working GPS. Something like the Prime with its IPS+ screen is ideal for those sorts of uses, *if* the GPS worked correctly. Saying that it is a "gimmick feature", or doesn't matter because the WiFi iPad doesn't have it, is patently absurd.
Ok, so Asus have stopped advertising the Prime as having GPS, but that doesn't help those who purchase the Prime beforehand, or those like the OP who had functioning GPS which was nerfed by an update.
It's incredibly short-sighted to just assume that because *you* don't have a use for GPS on a WiFi tablet, no one else does.
Can we please stop with attacking people who just want their tablets to work as they expected?
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not singling out any individual posters either but since you used mine and noted the one that prompted my response then I'll respond to you.
On this forum I come across a lot of threads that get hijacked because of the GPS issue, it's a known problem Asus acknowledged it and took it off spec. You could always ask for a refund or sell it and get one that is better suited for your needs. It would be a completely different thing if Asus hadn't acknowledged it or worse just simply ignored it but they haven't.
No GPS is not an issue for me, but I understand it is for others however Asus has said it may not work properly and should not be considered in place of a professional GPS unit. There are other tablets that may be a better fit for users who need GPS . So I don't believe it's me who's being short sighted.
I never meant to attack anyone if you feel attacked I apologize but I stand by what I wrote.