Worst launch ever?

**richardschris** · 04-26-2011, 11:53 AM

So who else thinks this has got to be one of the worst device launches ever?
Asus said the transformer would come out on the 26th and gave us a list of retailers, they did not however mention that the majority of those retailers wouldnt be getting the transformer (im looking at you best buy.)
So it seems to me the only people lucky enough to get this great tablet were those who were able to stay up until 2 A.M and hit the order button by 2:05.
Anyone else agree?

**dchawk81** · 04-26-2011, 11:55 AM

I've never felt that a launch day purchase of a gadget is critical to my overall well-being.

**jerrykur** · 04-26-2011, 11:57 AM

Not a big deal. I have my order in and it will ship when it gets in stock. I am not someone that would camp out at a Apple store for the newest chunk of tech.

**richardschris** · 04-26-2011, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by jerryk

Not a big deal. I have my order in and it will ship when it gets in stock. I am not someone that would camp out at a Apple store for the newest chunk of tech.

Neither am I, I have mine preordered, I just want it soon lol.

**BigTex** · 04-26-2011, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by richardschris

So who else thinks this has got to be one of the worst device launches ever?
Asus said the transformer would come out on the 26th and gave us a list of retailers, they did not however mention that the majority of those retailers wouldnt be getting the transformer (im looking at you best buy.)
So it seems to me the only people lucky enough to get this great tablet were those who were able to stay up until 2 A.M and hit the order button by 2:05.
Anyone else agree?

They blew a chance to generate a ton of BUZZ from happy owners of the Transformer....

**ds2dale** · 04-26-2011, 12:16 PM

The quality of the launch really depends on your point of view. From the techie, su, fully gadget-ted nerd (actually, one of us...) the launch sucks because there weren't enough of 'em. But, from ASUS's point of view, it's an incredibly great launch because they sold out in minutes and there was no advertising at all.... Maybe even enough to turn a really marginal profit/loss situation into enough of a profit to bankroll the next batch. ;^/

**wynand32** · 04-26-2011, 12:23 PM

Personally, I think this launch was to make the early adopters happy, and to give Asus a tiny bit of breathing room while they ramp up production. I think they were taken by surprise with the demand, and it's taking them a little time to catch up.

Once they do, I suspect we'll see tons of inventory all over the place, and sales to match. Forever, analysts and such have been arguing that Apple owns the tablet market because they're able to sell the iPad 2 at $499. Okay, so, by that logic, the Transformer should make a killing at $399.

When will supply finally catch up? I have no idea. It depends entirely on what the holdup is--if it's just that Asus underestimated demand, then it should happen pretty quickly. If there's some component that's in short supply because of the Japan earthquake, however, the who knows.

**axoid** · 04-26-2011, 12:23 PM

Welcome to the vapor sale, where we sell products that we don’t have.

I think this has the makings of a small scandal. Handing out eval units to reviewers and generating a bit of buzz about the product and then on release day having few to no units to actually sell. Even Apple doesn’t screw up this big.

Of course thing are not much better for the other Honeycomb tables from what I saw today. The over priced Xoon is hidden way with the netbooks while the iPad has a big display out front. Meanwhile the poor Acer Iconia, that was released two days ago, is still in the back of the store and isn’t on display at all.

**hanano17** · 04-26-2011, 12:28 PM

I think people are making too big a deal out of this, the launch was fine. Asus told us when it would be available. Did they go all out and have commercials, lots of advertising and pre-orders? No, but they don't need to. They never once said it would be available for pre-order at any time, they just said it's coming and they would tell us when. They told us, and told us that was the day it would be available. End of story.

**Suntan** · 04-26-2011, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by axoid

Welcome to the vapor sale, where we sell products that we don’t have.

I think this has the makings of a small scandal.

Hardly. More like, the nerds on the net are unhappy that we can’t make more of them.

I didn’t see a big flyer on the BB weekly claiming to have them, nor Staples, etc. Most people that don’t comb the net for tech gadgets have no idea the thing even exists.

They announced the date that US shipments would begin. They didn’t write you a custom signed guarantee that you would be able to get one on your way home from work.

Chill out people.

-Suntan

**QuantamPulse** · 04-26-2011, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Suntan

Hardly. More like, the nerds on the net are unhappy that we can’t make more of them.

I didn’t see a big flyer on the BB weekly claiming to have them, nor Staples, etc. Most people that don’t comb the net for tech gadgets have no idea the thing even exists.

They announced the date that US shipments would begin. They didn’t write you a custom signed guarantee that you would be able to get one on your way home from work.

Chill out people.

-Suntan

Incorrect. ASUS made it a point to give a list of vendors that would have the device on launch date and the fact is that a good numbder of those vendors have not received a single physical unit, online / instore or otherwise.

Even some of the ones that did accept orders did not actually receive their stock in order to fill them.

**DroidCake** · 04-26-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Suntan

Hardly. More like, the nerds on the net are unhappy that we can’t make more of them.

I didn’t see a big flyer on the BB weekly claiming to have them, nor Staples, etc. Most people that don’t comb the net for tech gadgets have no idea the thing even exists.

They announced the date that US shipments would begin. They didn’t write you a custom signed guarantee that you would be able to get one on your way home from work.

Chill out people.

-Suntan

I think the line is blurred here. The announcement was that starting today a specific list of retailers would be carrying it. Sure there is no guarantee that everyone would be able to get one but Asus was vague about the difference between online retailers and local stores. So far not one local store in asus list has or had any in stock and the majority of them have no ETA or evidence of an order from the manufacturer in their system.

So the fact that people are getting agro about the lack of stock on one had is a little silly but on the other can be justified. Loyalty to brand is a big thing when it comes to tech and with how fickle people are these days you have one chance to get them aboard. Specially for non tech people who think Dell, Sony and the big advertised tech manufacturers are the only ones worth owning. Someone like Asus needs to be careful about new products that could go big in this market with the section of the public that are unaware of them.

I'm sitting back with my popcorn watching this all go down knowing that some will pop up in some local stores which is when I'll grab one. Entertaining to see how the tech community keeps the information flowing. Asus are you watching?

~DC

**my3chis** · 04-26-2011, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Suntan

I didn’t see a big flyer on the BB weekly claiming to have them

-Suntan

Not exactly but it was on their main page this morning under HOT NEW ITEMS with a link that doesn't work.

Personally, I went through the hype with the Dinc and Tbolt so I was prepared to wait.

**jg274105** · 04-26-2011, 12:46 PM

Launches are just as overrated as unboxing videos. (Thank you apple for both of these over-hyped phenomenon)

Yes it's nice to have that new tech on launch day, but to me personally it means absolutely nothing. I'm just as excited get a new piece of tech 3 months after it comes out as I am getting it on launch day.

**Bossxii** · 04-26-2011, 01:47 PM

I don't really mind I can't find one, but would have liked to go into a store and check out a demo model.

**sackofnoise** · 04-26-2011, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bossxii

I don't really mind I can't find one, but would have liked to go into a store and check out a demo model.

Same here

**vicw926a4** · 04-26-2011, 01:57 PM

Nothing like something you can't have right now to make you want one tomorrow.

Granted, the launch was frustrating from a customer perspective, and I didn't get mine, despite being up most of the night trying, but I'm pleased that this unique tablet has demonstrated that there is a significant market for a tablet that can double as a small laptop, despite little or no advertising or marketing, and having been ignored almost entirely in the tech media. The enthusiastic customer reception for the product should assure that it will not become and orphan, and should enjoy good support. I can't wait for some of the buzz that I think will come as units are used and discussed in the wild.

It's the only laptop I have even slightly considered buying, and this little delay in getting one hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for it a bit.

**tprevett** · 04-26-2011, 02:09 PM

To Me.. On The Shelf, means available, in store.. of which there were GOOSEEGGS, Nada, nothing, "Zero point Zero"

**marcjac** · 04-26-2011, 02:33 PM

It seems to me there's a trend lately with tablet launches. Regardless of whether they're hyped or not, the "tech" community (folks like us who keep an eye out for these products) is aware of release dates. The tablets that have been the most desired (ie iPad 2 & Transformer) sell out immediately. Those of us who considered buying one (or wanting to see one in person to evaluate) are left wanting. A few weeks after launch, these "hot" tabs start rolling out again. But by that point in time, there are new "hotter" tabs having launch dates, and since we agree we all want the latest and greatest, we ditch the "old" tab (iPad2 & Transformer) so that we can obtain the newest. And then we're disappointed yet again with another inadequate launch. I believe the manufacturers have underestimated the demand for this new technology (tabs). I also believe they will LOSE sales because many people will either (a)decide not to buy a tablet right now, (b) buy another tab because it's available, or (c) wait for the next/newest/prettiest/whateverest tablet to have a launch. If I was ordering my Transformer today and knew it wasn't going to arrive until mid-May, I might just sit and wait for something better that will launch in May. YMMV, of course! Just my .03 cents

**slopokdave** · 04-26-2011, 02:46 PM

Doesn't seem like to big of a deal so far. The Xoom was awful with the ad leaks, inflated rumor prices, the single super bowl ad then nothing for weeks.

**badrew** · 04-26-2011, 02:54 PM

I think any launch in which a consumer (namely myself) stays up until 3 am, and still didn't get the order in in time to have one shipped is a pretty lousy launch indeed. I definitely feel scorned by the fact that I barely slept last night so I could have one of these, and it was all a waste.

At the very least, how about a little INFORMATION as to whats going on ASUS? Don't these companies hire people to do press releases anymore? Can't a guy get a TWEET? I'm trying very hard to give you my money. I love ASUS mobos, my ASUS laptop is basically garbage, sent in for repair twice. This tablet is really going to make or break my opinion of ASUS having any business outside printing boards.

**Suntan** · 04-26-2011, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by QuantamPulse

Incorrect. ASUS made it a point to give a list of vendors that would have the device on launch date and the fact is that a good numbder of those vendors have not received a single physical unit, online / instore or otherwise.

I won’t disagree that it would have been handled better if they had made sufficient numbers to better meet initial demand. ASUS dropped the ball there.

But a “scandal,” I think not.

-Suntan

**QuantamPulse** · 04-26-2011, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Suntan

I won’t disagree that it would have been handled better if they had made sufficient numbers to better meet initial demand. ASUS dropped the ball there.

But a “scandal,” I think not.

-Suntan

True .. I would lean more towards incompetence than scandal.

**original00** · 04-26-2011, 07:56 PM

Lets put this in perspective. Worst launch ever??You guys do realize that this is Asus we are talking about. Who would have thought this underdog tablet would have so much buzz and hype mostly from word of mouth, blogs and forums like this. This must have blown their widest expectations of launching a tablet so close to the Xoom, I'm sure they're working round the clock to meet the demand. People staying up till 1/2 in the morning for a non Apple product!!! I hope other android manufactures see this and understand that if you make these tablets affordable. people will buy it. You will make up the money you think you'll lose for selling for less in sheer volume.

**milominderbinde** · 04-26-2011, 11:33 PM

Asus used no advertising budget but has had multiple stories posted in a list of blogs as people have found them.

If the people who wanted them would have just pre-ordered and went home and played with them, how much press would they have gotten?

Like it or not, the way to get people to want something is to tell them that they cannot have it.