Should also fix the GPS issues of the original Prime

Jan 10, 2012 07:52 GMT  ·  By
Asus Transformer Prime TF700T tablet with 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display
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   Asus Transformer Prime TF700T tablet with 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display

Availability of the Transformer Prime may still be lacking, but this hasn’t stopped Asus for developing an updated version of the tablet, dubbed the TF700T, that will sport a new 1920x1200 high-resolution display and improved wireless performance.

The new Prime was presented by the Taiwanese company at this year’s CES fair and it keeps the same form factor, dimensions, screen size and weight as the original Transformer Prime.

On the inside, things have also remained pretty much unchanged since the TF700T keeps the quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-a-chip (SoC) device running at 1.3GHz used for the current Prime, which is paired with 1GB of RAM.

Just as the TF2012, the Prime TF700T will be available with 32GB or 64GB of storage space, while battery life is rated at the same 12 hours.

Adding the optional keyboard dock will expand autonomy to 18 hours, and the good news here is that the TF700T will be compatible with the current Transformer Prime dock, so there is no need to buy an extra accessory if upgrading from the TF201.

As far as the changes between the two models are concerned, the most important addition is that of a 1920x1200 resolution Super IPS+ panel, with Gorilla Glass, which enables the playback of 1080p video at full resolution.

Nvidia’s Tegra 3 seems to do more than a nice job at playing back such high-resolution content and can even run Shadowgun at 30fps or more in the 1920x1200 mode, according to AnandTech.

Another new TF700T feature is the inclusion of a 2MP front-facing camera, but the change that will get most of the attention is the new RF transparent plastic strip added to the back of the tablet.

This is said to improve wireless and GPS performance, since, as some of you may recall, the all-aluminum back of the original Prime made the GPS behave so poorly that Asus has removed it from the Prime’s specifications.

Asus expects the Transformer Prime TF700T to be available in North America in May or June of this year, with MSRPs between $599 and $699 (469 and 547 EUR).

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Asus Transformer Prime TF700T tablet with 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display
Asus Transformer Prime TF700T tablet with 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display running Android 4.0.3 ICSAsus Transformer Prime TF700T tablet with 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display - Rear with RF plastic strip said to improve WiFi and GPS performance
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