Buying Asus Transformer TF101

**dd0yl3** · 10-18-2012, 06:38 AM

I have been looking to purchase a tablet, just to see if I would really use it or not. I don't want to spend a lot on one yet and I want something bigger than the nexus 7. I found a good deal on a TF101 transformer and xoom. Any advice which would be a better one to try out?

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**lostchord83** · 10-19-2012, 08:25 AM

I have the 101, super unit, it's my first and only ASUS and I am extremely happy with it. I'll be due for phone upgrade soon and I am definitely going to look very closely at the ASUS 300 PAD/PHONE. Not familiar with Xoom. It's probably a good machine, I think the market has got to the point where all these machines are VG. Enjoy the hunt knowing you can't really make a mistake, the process is fun, don't rush.

**Vito2000** · 10-19-2012, 09:54 AM

The TF101 with the keyboard dock is probably the most versatile tablet out there, along with the newer versions of the TF101. I use mine daily. The keyboard doc allows me to use it for work and for classes, which is really convenient. The dock also serves as a stand if you want to set the tablet on a table while watching a movie or reading or listening to music, etc.

If you aren't interested in the keyboard dock, then I agree with lostchord83 - it would be hard to go wrong with either tablet. The one spec advantage that the Xoom has over the TF101 is a full size usb port. The TF101 has those on the keyboard dock, but not on the tablet. Connecting a USB thumb drive, mouse, keyboard or game controller can come in handy.

feel free to let us know what you decide and how you like your new tablet once you get it. Happy hunting!

**druiddb2** · 10-22-2012, 10:37 PM

I had the same choice picks last year when I decided to eventually buy the TF101. Hardware-wise, I like the TF101 better, because is tad slimmer and with the dock, which I might say that it is a must that you buy a TF101 with the keyboard dock, it is more productive. I normally keep the dock charged at home and at the end of the day just attach the TF101 at night and then I have a fully charged tablet on the next day. And if the internal memory is not enough you have the microSD (tablet), SD card (dock) and 2x usb ports (dock) to add your external memory. You can even hook it to a portable 1TB hard disk, if you have one. I also find the Asus GUI faster than the one in Xoom.

As to the software side, yes there were issues at first but the latest ICS release seems to have stabilized already. I don't get crashes anymore and the battery life and sleep functions are working as expected (same stability as the Honeycomb version). I would really recommend the TF101 over the Xoom based on my experience with it. I still find it hard to upgrade to the new Transformers because I still find this one very much useful.

**dd0yl3** · 10-26-2012, 09:25 PM

Well I picked the Tf101 and it arrived in a yesterday. Its my first tablet and must say I love it. Its a great a device so far and couldn't be happier. I have one question, right now its running a ICS ROM. Is there any jelly bean ROMs out there that is stable and worth trying?

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**robneilhendrix** · 10-27-2012, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by dd0yl3

Well I picked the Tf101 and it arrived in a yesterday. Its my first tablet and must say I love it. Its a great a device so far and couldn't be happier. I have one question, right now its running a ICS ROM. Is there any jelly bean ROMs out there that is stable and worth trying?

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It is really a great tablet. My kids mom got it when she decided she hated the 7 inch tablet size for anything more than ereader apps and we found it for $229 brand new at ToysRus. She has yet to get the dock though. Have to find a new one I think is her hang up and probably might be a problem.

Anyways to answer your question, there is a rumor Jelly Bean might officially come to the Transformer BUT if you don't want to wait on a rumor there is a ROM at the following link OR check out the XDA
forums.

**thamenacing1** · 10-30-2012, 02:19 PM

You can also try the Cyanogenmod 10 rom... although it is not listed as "stable", I have not had any issues with it and is actually performing better than stock ICS for me.

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**jrwatson** · 11-06-2012, 03:08 AM

how bulky/heavy is the TF101-A1? when you have the keyboard attached, there's probably no elegant way to use it vertically, right (e.g., can the keyboard can't fold all the way back)?

I have the N7, and I was interested in a larger tab for more substantial note-taking. Groupon has the keyboard + tablet refurbished for $270, which is almost too good to pass up. Though, my ASUS laptop is 13" and pretty slim, so I'm kind of debating whether or not I'd need a larger tablet..

**dd0yl3** · 11-07-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by jrwatson

how bulky/heavy is the TF101-A1? when you have the keyboard attached, there's probably no elegant way to use it vertically, right (e.g., can the keyboard can't fold all the way back)?

I have the N7, and I was interested in a larger tab for more substantial note-taking. Groupon has the keyboard + tablet refurbished for $270, which is almost too good to pass up. Though, my ASUS laptop is 13" and pretty slim, so I'm kind of debating whether or not I'd need a larger tablet..

I purchased the transformer off swappa.com. It didn't come with the keyboard. The price was low enough so I didn't really care. The tablet itself is not heavy and feels nice. I went with a bigger tablet because 7inches is to close to my phone size. I love it so far.
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