ASUS Eee Pad Slider Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on October 4, 2011 6:48 PM EST- Posted in
- Tablets
- Eee Pad
- Tegra 2
- Asus
- Honeycomb
- Mobile
- Android 3.2
- Eee Pad Slider
- NVIDIA
Battery Life
The Slider's battery life just isn't as good as the Transformer. There's the obvious lack of a second battery holding the Slider back, but even compared to the Transformer sans dock I found the Slider wouldn't last as long on a single charge. The situation worsens when you slide out the keyboard. The Slider has to actively poll the keyboard for input, which in turn reduces battery life.
In our video playback test the Slider and Transformer were basically equal, however in our general use test (web browsing + email + music playback) the Slider only lasted 8.2 hours compared to the Transformer's 9.3. Obviously there are many variables that could be at work here. The big news is the impact simply having the keyboard open has on battery life. The Slider still lasts longer than most high-powered notebooks, but in the ARM-based tablet world it's below average.
Software & Performance
The Slider is running Android 3.2 putting its performance on-par with the Transformer. Back when Android 3.2 first came out we noticed a dramatic increase in GLBenchmark 2.0 performance scores, likely due to a GPU driver optimization. The move to GLBenchmark 2.1 appears to have reset that performance back to Android 3.1 levels, perhaps indicating the use of an app detect driver optimization in Android 3.2. The rest of the performance figures are pretty standard for a Honeycomb tablet. The 1GHz Tegra 2 performs no differently in the Slider than it does in the Transformer.
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dagamer34 - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - link
It's pretty much only a matter of time until Chrome OS gets folded into Android as the "docked" experience for tablets. Not only that but I can see ICS letting you run ICS apps in "smartphone" mode docked on the side so you really start multi-tasking.And because of all of this stuff, you'll start to see Chrome OS become a viable third platform to compete with the Mac and PC. Maybe it's 5-10 years down the road, but it's definitely the future.
TrackSmart - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - link
Yep, as I stated, but possibly less clearly. These devices promise productivity, but the software ecosystem just isn't there yet. I also agree that it will be a while, but I hope we are more like 1-2 years away, rather than 5-10 yrs...LoneWolf15 - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
"Obviously you can do the same on a notebook or desktop, the tablet form factor combined with a responsive touch UI simply means you can do these things in a more relaxed position."I think that's fairly subjective. I can use my laptop in a very relaxed position.
I'd prefer an ultralight like the Latitude E4200 or E4300 over a tablet. A 12" display that is bright and easy to read, a full-size keyboard, an option for a WWAN card, and a 64 or 128GB SSD that when coupled with a low-voltage Core 2, makes it a plenty fast system. I also get the choice of Windows or Linux and all of the apps available for both, easy connectivity to local or networked printers, etc. and it's easy to use laying back, and easy to carry around.
I'm not saying tablets aren't interesting, but aside from e-book reader and casual surfer, still haven't found a great use. My smartphone can do all the small things I'd do with a tablet, my notebook can do anything I'd use the larger display for.
TrackSmart - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
Agreed. I'm in the same boat.I seriously hope something akin to the Samsung Galaxy Note comes to Verizon. Sure it would be huge phone (with a 5.3" screen), but it would still be pocketable and have a high-enough resolution to make the large screen useful (1280x800). Plus, I wouldn't have to pay for two data plans if I wanted internet access everywhere.
Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote
Rick83 - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - link
If it were cheaper, I'd consider the note as well.But wtf, 800 euro....Guess I'll be waiting for Archos to finally replace the A5IT, and pay 300 euro for pretty much the same performance, but better video.
dagamer34 - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - link
I think it's only a matter of time until your tablet and your laptop are literally the same thing like the transformer, and then you'll have a dock at home so you can work in a desktop setting. SoC performance needs to improve by a few generations, but it'll be here soon enough. When it does come, the "one OS to rule them all" mindset Microsoft has for Windows 8 will pay off in spades then.sjael - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
Just a pity that the Slider came so late in the cycle. If it was packing Kal-El, I'd snap one up in a heartbeat.On the topic of your video review/commentary, I will say that while you are actively talking about the Slider (or whatever future gadget,) it could pay to be a bit more hands-on with it. Making a criticism and then vaguely gesturing at the device in question doesn't do anything to convey the significance of the issue to the viewer. And no matter how sexy you are, the video *is* about the device, after all. :D
Other than that you can across as very knowledgeable and more importantly, genuine. Something very few video reviewers seem to be able to manage these days.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
Thanks for the feedback, I'll do my best to incorporate some of it in the next video :)Take care,
Anand
IlllI - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
good concept. But two issues :tiny key size, and I see a lot of dead space in the keyboard section. A seemingly huge section under the area when the panel is in the 'up' position. They probably could have put an extra battery pack in there or -something-knickerbocker - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
a little off topic, my apologies. the bit about next-gen android tablets sporting 1920x1200 screens - when / where was that announced, if i might ask?