At CES, ASUS has announced 4 new tablet PCs, 3 of them running Google`s Android 3.0 Honeycomb and only one with Microsoft`s Windows 7 - the Home Premium version. Although they did not provide too much information regarding their key features - let`s see what we have.
Eee Pad Slider
This looks like the best choice for users who want a product that combines the tablet`s mobility and a traditional laptop`s comfort. Slider has an IPS 10.1 inches capacitive touch screen with a WSVGA 1280 x 800 resolution and 1080P HD playback capability. The CPU, and GPU in the same time, is the nVidia Tegra 2 dual-core. For RAM memory there are 2 versions available 512 MB and 1 GB, while for storage there is a 16 GB or 32 GB eMMC flash. This can be extended with a MicroSD card up to 32GB. For connectivity Slider offers Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, one USB 2.0 mini port, mini HDMI video-out, audio jack for headset, and a docking port. This tablet comes with 2 cameras - a front 1.2 MP and a rear 5 MP with LED flash. As you already noticed in the picture has a slide out QWERTY keyboard which may remind you of the HTC Shift. As operating system Asus Slider runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb.
Unfortunately there are no words regarding the battery life and the 3G network connectivity is optional. Also it appears that HD recording is missing and of course the Motorola XOOM has more.If you ask me, this looks like a great device for the business environment. But we will have to see how it compares with the Cisco Cius.
Eee Pad Transformer
This tablet has almost the same features as the Slider. But if you do not like the keyboard you can detach it at any moment, which is a good thing. Another difference is the extra storage 64 GB version while for connectivity the USB 2.0 is missing (or at least is not mentioned anywhere) - a bad thing. The card slot is SD (SDHC) and unlike Slider, Transformer has an internal microphone and 2 stereo speakers. They say that has a smooth playback of HD video conferencing, fast Web access and 'incredible mobile gaming performance'. Oh, and the battery life offers up to 16 hours access. So this appears to be a good device for professionals but with nice gaming capability.
Eee Pad Memo
The Memo looks like an ebook tablet style device, especially because it comes with a stylus pen for perfect hand-written notes. Different than Slider and Transformer, the Memo has a 7.1 inches capacitive touch screen and a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm 8260 processor. The front and rear cameras are the same as these other 2 tablets and has a micro HDMI port. As OS has Android Honeycomb but comes with 2 pre-installed applications - Media Note and Painter. The first one, as you probably guessed is a scrapbook or note taking application, while the Painter allows you to use the stylus as a sensitive drawing instrument. There are no other specifications at this moment.
Eee Slate EP121
This is a totally different product in terms of hardware and software. Its getting very close to a normal laptop. The capacitive touch screen has a 12.1 inches size with LED-backlit display, 1280 x 800 resolution and 178° viewing angle. The processor is an Intel Core i5 470 UM dual-core, for storage there are 32 GB or 64 GB available SSD (expandable through a SDXC card) and the RAM starts with 2GB but can go up to 4GB of DDR3. As the Memo this has a stylus pen also. New features can be noticed in connectivity too: Bluetooth 3.0 and 2 USB 2.0 ports. The OS is a Windows 7 Home Premium with all its wide range applications compatibility. So if Motorola XOOM is the most powerful Android tablet, this is the most powerful Windows 7 tablet.
