Asus Transformer Prime - Tegra 3 Quad-Core Beast

Asus finally revealed the secret behind the new and improved Transformer Android Tablet... If you thought the first Transformer was great, just wait until you see the new Transformer Prime, the first Tegra 3 quad-core tablet.

But Asus also knows that specs alone are not enough to make customers fall in love for their devices, and if looks are what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed by the Transformer Prime. Available in amethyst gray and champagne gold, this tablet is one of the sexier ever built - and I do mean "ever".

It's thickness is just 8.3mm, and it weighs just 586g - yep, slimmer and lighter than the iPad 2.

But, looks don't mean much if there's nothing inside, and this Transformer Prime really packs a mean punch when you look at what it has to offeri:

• LCD Super IPS+ 10.1" (1280x800) LCD - wider viewing angles, visible outdoors, improved brightness
• 8MP camera - FullHD 1080p, continuous LED Flash, enhanced auto-focus, F2.4 lens
• Super fast Touchscreen response time: 50ms
• Extended battery life: 12h (18h with dock)
• Improved sound - Larger speakers, improved fidelity
• oleophobic  anti-fingerprints/smudges - on screen and metallic casing
• Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core - FullHD video, improved 3D graphics, over 2x the processing power of the previous Tegra 2 models
  

The Prime will be available in 32 and 64GB models, and will exist alongside the current Transformer model: 

• Asus Eee Pad Transformer: $399 and $449 (16 or 32GB)
• Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime: $499 and $599 (32 or 64GB)
• Dock/keyboard: $149 for both models

Asus said the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwhich will be available for the Transformer Prime in December (and that the current Transformer will also get it as well).

We were also shown a new SuperNote App, that allows text and drawing input; as well as the Polaris Office, each allows users to edit and create MS Office files, turning the Prime into a powerful "office" machine.

Now I just have to wait until Asus sends me a review unit and I can actually put my hands on one of these beauties. For now, I'll have to do with a regular "old" Transformer that Asus was kind enough to lend me to assist on my official coverage of the biggest tech event in Portugal: Sapo Codebits. And now that I mention it... I'll only have a couple hours of sleep before traveling to the event for the pre-launch preparations... Oh well... I do love it anyway. :)