We knew it was coming, but Asus has confirmed that the Tegra 3-powered Transformer Prime Android tablet is now available.
More: Asus Transformer Prime Review: The Android Tablet You’ve Been Waiting For
Pricing is exactly as expected, with the 32GB version selling for $799 and the 64GB version costing $899. Both versions ship with Honeycomb and the attachable keyboard dock, although the Ice Cream Sandwich update is available as an over the air update now.
With the 1080p version of the Prime expected to arrive in just a few months, Asus may have priced itself out of the market with this version. And that’s not even factoring in the Aussie tax, which has already upset potential buyers.
If you do want this version of the Prime, here’s a full list of Aussie retailers:
Betta Electrical, WOW Sight and Sound, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Leading Edge Group, JB HiFi, Bing Lee, Radio Rentals, Leading Edge Computers, Retravision, MLN, Austin Computers, Scorpion Technology, Principle Computers, PLE Computers, Digitalstar Computers, J&W Computers, K.S. Computers, CPL, Centre com, Computer Alliance and Online Centre.
Who’s buying one?
Azzman
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:48 PMUsing mine now and love it =)
Christian
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:54 PM3G??? 4G versions?
Vince Walker
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:56 PMWas thinking about buying one for the wife. She really needs a 64gb version. I think the $900+ price tag is far too steep for an android tablet. I’ll wait to see what arm based tablets are released when win8 arrives.
Rowan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:58 PMI bought one for my wife. The high cost is because it’s coupled with the keyboard dock.
They say there’s no 3G version coming
Dan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 6:01 PMJust to clarify, the higher cost is in part due to the keyboard coming as part of the bundle? (ie. the $899 64GB Prime includes the keyboard dock)
Is it sold without the dock?
(I do want the dock, I’m just curious what the price comparisons are)
Tom
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:58 PMGot mine on Monday. 64GB version for $820 from JB HIFI :)
Andy
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:58 PMNo 3G at that price = no deal. For that money I could buy an ultrabook that’s infinitely more useful.
Cameron
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:59 PM$800 for a tablet? Dreaming.
light487
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 9:36 AMWhat about the iPad 2? And the upcoming iPad 3.. :)
Jaezass
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:02 PMDoes it have a fix for the WiFi issues it was having with that Aluminium (stupid friggin spell check trying to get me to Aluminum) case?
Rossco
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 10:06 AMGot mine from JB on Tuesday (had it pre-ordered for a week before that). The Wifi on mine has been flawless. The GPS only works outside but it works quite well. So far it has exceeded my expectations and I personally think that the issues that people are seeing are not design issues but issues with their units (ie faulty), and as always these become overblown in forum discussions.
noko
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:09 PMAww too expensive. Was really thinking of buying one. Oh well, might as well wait until mid-June when hopefully all the other quad core tablet comes out.
Charlie Kelly
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:21 PMI would have definitely bought one if it had 3G.
Now I shall not be buying one and look for something else.
OzHuski
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:23 PMI’d love to buy one but im not paying extra for a keyboard I’ll never use.. That and the fact there is already a new model, bleh.
Paul Walker
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:32 PMNo 3G is a dealbreaker!
Lichbane
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 6:04 AMJust tether it to your phone. Why pay for a separate plan?
Tru 'dat
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 9:48 AMAgreed, I bought a 3g tablet and never used the 3g :(
fortunately I payed the same price as the non -3g version :D
Will
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:35 PMGot my 32gb through Computer Alliance yesterday. Best investment I’ve made in a long time. I can see why some people would be hesitant (the not so tech-savvy). But who doesn’t have a smart phone these days? I just wifi tether to my SGS2 for net access. What would you want 2 mobile bills for? Having the dock means I can scrap my old laptop. I was a bit iffy about using a tablet for office document work to start with. But after using it all day today I’m really impressed. The dual battery (with the dock) lasts really long, and the Tegra3 chip handles everything incredibly smooth. Plus ICS runs way better than honeycomb.
Dara
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:38 PMI used one at JB Hi-Fi today in the city. I was very impressed with the responsiveness of the device, it doesn’t have that slight lagg when flicking between home screens like other android tablets.
Dan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:56 PMI was going to buy one, but with the announcement of the new model at CES with a release date a couple months off, I think I will wait. Also I figure any bugs or flaws with the OS that might come up could be flushed out by then.
I was interested to see how much the Prime was going to cost here, but now I think I might have my relatives ship me one from the US and get and Aussie adapter for it. Still weighing up the costs…
Jason
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:33 PMI got mine on Saturday from JB for $850 (64GB) and although it is expensive It was definitely worth it.
I don’t have a computer (I use my partners if I need to) and I was using my galaxy nexus for all my internet access, and I have to say using the tablet with the dock has been a really great experience so far.
Much more like a small laptop than expected. The battery life is great and the performance is much smoother than any other Android tablet I have used in the past. I love the ability to use a ps3 controller to play games (I would recommend Zen pinball THD and Shadowgun THD) plus the build quality and colour are really nice.
epic
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 8:18 PMCan it be rooted?
LyndonL
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 9:35 PMPlease, can anybody please recommend any US sites/stores that ship internationally?
Alternatively, is there a US version of staticice.com.au that I can look through, and buy through one of those sites like Price-USA?
Dan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:05 PMhttp://www.bhphotovideo.com will ship internationally. they don’t have any in stock yet thought or at least that’s what they show on their website
LyndonL
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:20 PMThanks mate – will keep an eye on it :)
Dan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:16 PMno worries. i know there are some other companies that will “forward” your US orders, but i can’t remember the names. you basically set up an account with them, ship the purchase to them and then they ship it on to you. maybe someone else here knows the names.
Hotchips
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 9:39 PMFor those prices??? Pffft. Asus FAIL with the release of a faulty tablet at that price (see wifi and GPS issues due to metal backing – and newer version with “enhancements” due in 3 months which is basically the fix). Even if still worthy of purchasing, importing is the go. Aussies continue to be RIPPED OFF for no reason other than we will pay it.
I personally think the time to buy will be around March/April when there is a very good choice of quad core tablets, weighing up everything including whatever the iPad3 has to offer. Just got to be a little patient.
M0les
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 9:47 PMOsbourned!
Chris
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:38 PMNo 3G, No Good
Tom
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 12:23 AMFrom the states a 64Gb version is $599 plus another $150 for the keyboard dock and another $70 for shipping. $819 total. $1 less than I got it for at Jb hifi.
Mike
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 5:15 AMAhh so it does include the dock. I was wondering why it was so much more than the US.
light487
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 9:37 AMI’ll give it another 6 to 9 months and pick up one of the old Transformers when tehy do their clearance sales for Chrismtas 2012 :)
Maxwell
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 2:02 PMIf anyone wants to know I purchased a 64 from JB for $900 with 2 years extended warranty. Updated to ICS straght away, then camera firmware, then GPS firmware. No issues with wifi (Better than my Nexus S). GPS locks onto 10-12 satellites instantly outside, havent tried navigation yet.
Overall build quality is great IMO. ICS is great on the tablets as well as the phone.