The ASUS Transformer Prime Tablet will be landing in the UK sometime in January 2012, for £499, the company has confirmed to Pocket-Lint.
We recently heard from Clove Technology that the tablet would cost around £550 for the 32GB model with the keyboard, and the same for the 64GB model sans-keyboard. However, ASUS has now confirmed that the Transformer Prime will not be available without the keyboard dock, and that the 32GB model with keyboard will cost £499.
It was initially thought that ASUS would be selling the keyboard dock as an optional extra, though due to the sales performance of the original Eee Pad Transformer Dock, it will now be coming alongside the Tegra 3-powered tablet itself. We’re assuming that sales of the original keyboard dock weren’t as good as expected, and ASUS wants everyone to see the benefits of using the Transformer Prime’s dock.
Pocket-Lint has also been informed by ASUS that the company only has plans to sell WiFi versions of the tablet in the UK, with chances of a 3G and WiFi version looking very slim indeed.
At the Gadget Helpline we’re extremely excited about the ASUS Transformer Prime, and if you look at the tech its packing, it’s easy to see why. Under the hood sits a Quad Core processor – the Nvidia Tegra 3 – making it the first tablet device to pack a Quad Core. There’s also 32 or 64GB internal storage available, plus an amazing 8-Megapixel camera on the back which captures Full HD 1080p video.
The Transformer Prime will hit the shelves running the current standard of software for Android tablets – Honeycomb 3.2 – but ASUS’ CEO has already confirmed that the tablet will be getting an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich shortly after its release.
At £499 the Prime will be pricier than the 32GB iPad 2 and most other Android tablets in that range, but you have to remember you’re getting a fully-fledged netbook-sized keyboard in the bargain, which has its own battery to bump battery life up to 18 hours, as well as adding extra connectivity options.
UPDATE:
Those in the UK can now pre-order the ASUS Transformer Prime tablet from The Carphone Warehouse, Currys, HMV, PC World and Tesco for £499 for the 32GB model with the keyboard dock. Carphone Warehouse is quoting a delivery date of January 17th – exciting!
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Source: Pocket-Lint