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
Camera & Network Performance
Remember the camera issues with the original Eee Pad Transformer? Nonexistant on the Slider. You can record videos at 720p30 via the rear camera without issue. I'm not sure how useful video recording on a tablet is but it's sort of an expected feature these days so I'm glad to see that ASUS was able to deliver it trouble-free this round. The camera app also appears unchanged from the Transformer.
Image quality out of the rear camera is good enough for sharing on the web, but at full sensor resolution the images aren't that impressive.
Network performance is in-line with other Honeycomb tablets, I measured peak transfer rates of 36Mbps on a 802.11n (2.4GHz) network. The Slider doesn't support 5GHz. For the first time I was able to test a Honeycomb tablet in an environment with two APs sharing the same SSID (an extended network configuration). The Slider doesn't do all that well here, I found it all too often connecting to the weaker AP rather than one with a much stronger signal. I didn't see any obvious workarounds for the issue, but it is something to keep in mind if you use the Slider on a network that uses multiple APs behind one SSID to cover a large area.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
35 Comments
View All Comments
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?