Category: Computer bits

Computer stuff

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Sleeve case for Transformer Prime

Rather than get one of those flip cover style cases for my Transformer Prime (it still needs a name), I opted to get a sleeve type case.

I don’t remember how I discovered Saddleback Leather Company on the internets, but they sell some really nice leather items, including a wallet I picked up from them a couple years ago. Their Classic Briefcase has been on my IWantINeed list for a while now.

When it came to sleeve cases, Saddleback Leather was the first place I went looking and was delighted to find their Gadget sleeve. I had to wait a bit for the colour I wanted to be in stock though.

Although the sleeve is sized more for an iPad sized tablet (the Prime sticks out some), the Prime still fits in there pretty nicely with some additional room to spare. A Prime with keyboard dock would probably go in there perfectly.

For now, the case holds the Prime in pretty securely so there’s not too much danger of it slipping out accidentally. Even with some light shaking the Prime stays in the sleeve. That may change as the sleeve gets broken in over the next year.

The stitching is pretty solid, and if it’s anything like their wallet, will take a lot of abuse before it starts showing any sign of wear. The leather is 2 mm thick, and the inside is lined with pigskin (I think). It should provide a good bit of protection against falls, unless it happens to fall on the open end, in which case you’d be pretty much hosed.

This sleeve case is likely to outlive every gadget I’ll ever own.

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Transformer Prime microSD

To facilitate getting stuff to my Transformer Prime, I picked up a 32GB microSD card.

It’s great that the Prime has a microSD card slot, but there’s a rather significant flaw with it that people have found and discussed on on various forums. Because the sides of the Prime tapers off toward the back, rather than being flat, a chunk of the SD card sticks out. The card holder uses the traditional push spring retention mechanism (push to lock it in, push to pop it out). It’s actually pretty easy to accidentally pop the SD card out.

MicroSD card sticking out slightly from the side of the ASUS Transformer Prime tablet

I think if Asus had recessed the SD card holder a couple more millimeters in so that the card is flush with the back part of the slot instead of the top part of the slot, problems with accidental ejection would be eliminated.

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Transformer Prime as a reader

The main reason for getting the Transformer Prime was so that I could read my ever growing collection of PDF journal articles and ebooks some place other than the in front of my computer. Places like my rocking chair on my back porch or the comfort of my couch or bed. You know, the comfy places.

First off, glassy screen -> reflections. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Particularly glaring reflections can, for the most part, be dealt with by angling the screen without affecting readability too much. If this is something that’s going to drive you crazy, you’ll want to consider something else. Hasn’t bothered me too much so far.

The brightness of the Prime means that the tablet should be readable in pretty much any lighting condition, from dark room the bright daylight. The brightness boost provided by IPS+ mode makes the screen on the Prime easily readable even in bright sunlight, although you’ll pay for it in battery life. I haven’t used it much for reading in sunlight too much, but it works.

The weight isn’t much more than a hefty book, but heavier than your typical paperback. Holding it for extended periods of reading isn’t too great a strain and so far I haven’t found it terribly uncomfortable. I find for reading, holding the Prime in portrait orientation is most comfortable.

Perhaps the biggest problem I’m having with the Prime as a reader is that it’s too easy to bounce around and do other things like surf the web, check mail when a new message notification pops up or check Facebook, or play a game. If you have a brain with somewhat ADD tendencies like mine, this can be a bit of a problem, especially if you’re reading something that isn’t quite engrossing enough to override those tendencies. With dedicated e-book readers like the Kindle or Nook, all you can do is, well, read so there isn’t the temptation to bounce around to or get distracted by other things. If your brain isn’t like that, then probably won’t be an issue.

All in all, I’m liking the Prime for reading. I think it will rank up there as one of the better purchases I’ve made.

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Transformer Prime X-ray

Transformer Prime X-ray
Transformer Prime X-ray

You knew this was coming. Orientation of the x-ray is as if you were holding it landscape looking at the screen. Click the image to embiggenate.

Easily visible is the battery in the center (which actually appears to be two batteries) and several main boards. The pair of oval things on the right are the speakers. At the top the cameras and flash LED are visible. The board between the batteries I’m guessing is the charging circuitry for the batteries. On the left side are the microSD slot, HDMI port and the volume buttons. Above the left battery, the big square thing is probably the Tegra 3 chip.

Compare the x-ray to the tear down pictures over at AnandTech.

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About: Transformer Prime

I like my new Asus Transformer Prime. It is shiny.

TransformerPrimeAbout.png

Click on the images to embiggen.

The issues with wifi range have been reported on in other online reviews, with the aluminum back being pointed at as the main culprit.

I thought I’d look at it using Wifi Analyzer.

With my Galaxy S II laying on my desk and the wireless router sitting arm’s length away, the signal is pretty strong.

SGS2Wifi.png

Transformer Prime, laying on my desk in the same spot the phone was. Note the signal intensity is down about 20dB from what my Galaxy S II was showing.

TransformerPrimeWifi.png

I’ve done this in a few spots around the house with similar results. I haven’t bothered to run any speed tests. Plenty of those already on the web. If I hold the Transformer Prime close to the wifi router with the front facing towards the router, the signal is about 5dB higher than when I turn it around with the back facing towards the router.

If great wifi range and performance is what you need, the Transformer Prime probably isn’t for you.