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Having seen people use the Asus Transformer, they really like the fact that they can have both a tablet and small laptop in the same device. Of course the OS li

Having seen people use the Asus Transformer, they really like the fact that they can have both a tablet and small laptop in the same device. Of course the OS limitations of a tablet usually mean you can't use it for some serious work like typing (although that isn't too much of an issue with some web apps these days).

krakensden 14y ago
I've got a Transformer at work, and it's a really nice device in a lot of ways. The UI is much snappier than standard desktop operating systems, and the build quality is head and shoulders above the netbooks you can buy at, say, Best Buy that seem to already be crumbling when you get them home. But it's worth noting that it's suprisingly heavy and the weight is poorly balanced, because they need all that super thick glass over the screen. Furthermore, after you use it for awhile, you don't ever really want to touch the screen, because it's faster to type or use the trackpad. Hopefully there is some third way where we can get a snappy OS, vague nods towards physical quality, and a netbook that doesn't feel like an accident waiting to happen every time you pick it up.
- yonaguska 14y ago
  How does the transformer work as a power tool? Can you open up a simple development environment easily and actually get work done or is it more of a media consumption device? I've been using a cheap netbook running arch(with just a wm, it's snappy enough) as my primary device, but I really want a practical reason to get a more portable transformer.
  - hammersend 14y ago
    I have a Xoom but I've found https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui&#3... this remarkably capable for Android development. You can even open up an Eclipse project directly in it and edit and install right on the device. Not sure if this is the kind of development you're looking for but developing for Android on Android is a reality with surprisingly few compromises. The IDE is called AIDE by the way.
  - runn1ng 14y ago
    I have tried to do that, but I have ended up with just connecting to server and running vim (with some hacks like nerdtree that make life easier) I can imagine having that as primary device, but only with some other computer to connect to via SSH (and constant internet connection). oh, connectbot probably had some problem with Transformer's keyboard AND it doesn't have "esc" button (which is kind of useful in vim), so I used some custom-build version that maps the search key to "esc" (since you don't need the search key anyway). But they maybe fixed it since then and I am still using some ancient version.
- keeperofdakeys 14y ago
  It's more likely the battery that is causing all that weight. Nearly all tablets are about 1/2 to 3/4 battery (in terms of mass and volume).
Auguste 14y ago
For me, the Transformer Prime is not so much a tablet as a netbook with Ice Cream Sandwich and ridiculous battery life. I generally have no interest in tablets because of the OS limitations you mentioned, but the well-designed keyboard that ships with the Transformer made the deal for me. Like the Brydge, it has a solid hinge, and it also has a second battery that charges the Transformer as needed, providing an extra 10 or so hours of battery life (for a maximum of 18).

krakensden 14y ago

I've got a Transformer at work, and it's a really nice device in a lot of ways. The UI is much snappier than standard desktop operating systems, and the build quality is head and shoulders above the netbooks you can buy at, say, Best Buy that seem to already be crumbling when you get them home. But it's worth noting that it's suprisingly heavy and the weight is poorly balanced, because they need all that super thick glass over the screen. Furthermore, after you use it for awhile, you don't ever really want to touch the screen, because it's faster to type or use the trackpad. Hopefully there is some third way where we can get a snappy OS, vague nods towards physical quality, and a netbook that doesn't feel like an accident waiting to happen every time you pick it up.

yonaguska 14y ago
How does the transformer work as a power tool? Can you open up a simple development environment easily and actually get work done or is it more of a media consumption device? I've been using a cheap netbook running arch(with just a wm, it's snappy enough) as my primary device, but I really want a practical reason to get a more portable transformer.
- hammersend 14y ago
  I have a Xoom but I've found https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui&#3... this remarkably capable for Android development. You can even open up an Eclipse project directly in it and edit and install right on the device. Not sure if this is the kind of development you're looking for but developing for Android on Android is a reality with surprisingly few compromises. The IDE is called AIDE by the way.
- runn1ng 14y ago
  I have tried to do that, but I have ended up with just connecting to server and running vim (with some hacks like nerdtree that make life easier) I can imagine having that as primary device, but only with some other computer to connect to via SSH (and constant internet connection). oh, connectbot probably had some problem with Transformer's keyboard AND it doesn't have "esc" button (which is kind of useful in vim), so I used some custom-build version that maps the search key to "esc" (since you don't need the search key anyway). But they maybe fixed it since then and I am still using some ancient version.
keeperofdakeys 14y ago
It's more likely the battery that is causing all that weight. Nearly all tablets are about 1/2 to 3/4 battery (in terms of mass and volume).

Auguste 14y ago

For me, the Transformer Prime is not so much a tablet as a netbook with Ice Cream Sandwich and ridiculous battery life. I generally have no interest in tablets because of the OS limitations you mentioned, but the well-designed keyboard that ships with the Transformer made the deal for me. Like the Brydge, it has a solid hinge, and it also has a second battery that charges the Transformer as needed, providing an extra 10 or so hours of battery life (for a maximum of 18).