ASUS Transformer Infinity - Alternative to laptop?

errlloyd

Hey I couldn't find a thread on this.

I am looking to replace my laptop for college this year, I was wondering does anyone know how good something like the ASUS Transformer Infinity is at general office stuff.

Does it have a decent word processor, by which I mean could I write essays on it?

If not, does it at least have a good enough word processor and file browser to allow me to take lecture notes on it. If it does, it could be perfect.

akamossie

yes it does, you can use quick office https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qo.android.am3&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5xby5hbmRyb2lkLmFtMyJd

handy app and same as any MS office.

Atomic Pineapple

Should be good enough for word processing and the like. Have you seen them for sale? How much are they in Ireland?

pickarooney

I wouldn't really recommend it, to be honest. The keyboard is a little small for any lengthy typing and a tablet is less robust than a laptop for daily use and being carried about a lot. A laptop would probably work out at the same price or even a bit cheaper and let you multitask better.

errlloyd

draffodx wrote: »

Should be good enough for word processing and the like. Have you seen them for sale? How much are they in Ireland?

Komplett for 700 euro or so. But there is an official retailer in Prague and I'll be there next week. I have a good desktop which i can do the big essays and stuff on, but for note taking and then subsequently studying i thought it would be nice. Plus i wanted a tablet.

Garvan

errlloyd wrote: »

draffodx wrote: »

Should be good enough for word processing and the like. Have you seen them for sale? How much are they in Ireland?

Komplett for 700 euro or so. But there is an official retailer in Prague and I'll be there next week. I have a good desktop which i can do the big essays and stuff on, but for note taking and then subsequently studying i thought it would be nice. Plus i wanted a tablet.

Did you buy the Infinity in Prague?

What do you think if it?

G

vibe666

i'm looking at this as a possible replacement for my wife's netbook which just finally died.

i'm wondering if it could be a proper replacement for a netbook and as a bonus if it would function well as a tablet.

she has a kindle fire already (i rooted it and it's currently running CM10), but that's only 7" and i think a 10" tablet would be more use to her, i'm just not sure how well it would do as a laptop replacement.

it would just be for web browsing, email and office docs and playin the odd video, but i'm wondering if it would be powerful enough to do a good job or if i should continue with my previous track of getting a windows based ultrabook instead. you can get a refurb 13.3" one off dell in the UK for not much more than the infinity, or the samsung ultrabook has a good cashback deal which places it pretty close to the same price.

jonny_b1

Anyone using this? Have you got the UK/IRL version? Close to getting one and just want to hear your thoughts.

errlloyd

Sorry for not replying straight away vibe.

I am using this as a college laptop now, and I find it ok. The word processors available are a bit poxy at the moment but that's software and I think it's the kind of thing that will improve. The tablet itself is fantastic and I find the keyboard easy to use and I am well up at 45 words per minute on it when I need to be, I have average sized male hands, but I am a relatively good typist.

Every now and then you come across something which is simple on a PC but awkward on tablet. Like opening zip files for example. Flash heavy websites may also soon be a no go, but for now they are fine when you use the default browser instead of Chrome.

I never use the mouse, I have had it disabled since the day I got it. People give you weird looks when you use the touch screen because it looks so much like a laptop, but its grand!

The battery life is stunning, I went through 4 hours of lecture on Tuesday, 5 hours yesterday and I am in today with 50% left between keyboard and docking station. That with the screen always on, a medium level of brightness and full connectivity. Its very very impressive.

jonny_b1

Thanks for the reply,sounds great!

vibe666

i'm ready to pull the trigger on this, but amazon are being a bunch of cnuts and not putting it *officially* on sale for some reason.

there's some amazon seller flogging a french one (with an azerty keyboard) but no sign of the UK one yet and apparently amazon have an exclusive deal in the UK.

hoping it doesn't include ireland and that a UK spec one will turn up here very shortly.

i don't suppose anyone has a source for buying one here do they?

Jarren

http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/tablets/80007744/asus_10_transformer_infinity_64gb_%2b_dock/details.aspx

jonny_b1

+1on komplett. Haven't used them but they seem reliable. I'm about to "pull the trigger" too but had hoped for a real world store would have it by now and with a 32GB model. but I can't wait much longer!!

jonny_b1

vibe666 wrote: »

i'm ready to pull the trigger on this, but amazon are being a bunch of cnuts and not putting it *officially* on sale for some reason.

I presume that's because of the kindle fire release. I did think Amazon was the official retailer for it on release though, silly Asus.

Must check Dabbs and pixmania see of its there too.

vibe666

Jarren wrote: »

http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/tablets/80007744/asus_10_transformer_infinity_64gb_%2b_dock/details.aspx

they're not selling the UK one though, theirs is the euro one and they don't have the 32gb one yet.

jonny_b1 wrote: »

I presume that's because of the kindle fire release. I did think Amazon was the official retailer for it on release though, silly Asus.

Must check Dabbs and pixmania see of its there too.

there's been a lot of people posting bad reviews on amazon because of the lack of stock. they had a small number in on launch day, but they all went to pre-orders and there's no sign of any new stock and amazon and asus are both blaming each other and sending people with sales enquiries round in circles and won't give any updates on availability. it's a proper clusterflock.

jonny_b1

has the euro one the standard qwerty keyboard? I'll hold off if it has a weird keyboard configuration.

vibe666

jonny_b1 wrote: »

has the euro one the standard qwerty keyboard? I'll hold off if it has a weird keyboard configuration.

it'll most likely come with either a Dutch or US keyboard configuration, but it' definitely not UK stock going by the other threads i've seen.

jonny_b1

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056645254?page=3#post_80845927

This guy has one

vibe666

yeah, i think i'll be holding out for the UK model, otherwise you might as well just order from the US and save yourself some money.

€475 plus shipping from amazon.com if you use a 3rd party courier (and possibly customs if you are caught).

Pop'n'Fresh

One thing to keep in mind guys is that Asus don't have a great Quality Control record and some people have had to return their tablets due to issues such as lightbleed or non responsive screens. If you are ordering from Ebay or USA it might be a problem - i.e. You will have to get Asus to repair/replace rather than be covered by a retailers 14-day guarantee.
I ordered one from Komplett the day they were released and had to send it back due to very faint lines on the screen. The price dropped €40 and I ordered another which is perfect. I'm very happy with my purchase and use it all the time. HD screen really looks amazing!

jonny_b1

Thanks Pop

I had considered getting from the US but factoring in the hassle as you said of getting it replaced/repaired is just too much of a head fup!!

Do ASUS do some sort of an "Apple Care" equivalent??

Jarren

http://asus.co.uk/support/

errlloyd

Sorry for slow responses again.

Yeah its a normal international keyboard, the only exception your standard keyboard is @ and " switched.

So far mine has been no trouble whatsoever. Used it for a full college week of 14 lectures with kingsoft word processor to take notes, took 12,000 words of notes and didn't have to charge it till the weekend.... Handy.

Anymore questions banter me a line.

Pop'n'Fresh

Errlloyd, have you bought yourself a case/sleeve for your tablet? I was looking for a while for one and thought since I generally always use the tablet with the dock a sleeve might be best and cheapest.
I was seriously considering the Kensington carrying case
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006915P22/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE) as I’d heard some positive reviews but it really is just a carrying case. Then found the Poetic portfolio cover which is made for the infinity and dock. Tablet can be used while in the case and has a detachable part if you want to just carry the tablet (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poetic-Transformer-Infinity-Keyboard-Portfolio/dp/B008LM04T6), turned out to be cheaper than the Kensington too!.

I ordered the Poetic, which with delivery ended up a shade over £20, just wondering if you/or anyone else in Ireland, has experience with any case/sleeve for their Infinity?

errlloyd

My dad had a spare sleave lying around for his Ipad, its some sort of Philips sleave, simple envelope style with a velcro flap, kinda fake leather. Works fine, but that poetic one looks beautiful, and at only 15 is a good deal!

PantaRei

errlloyd wrote: »

Anymore questions banter me a line.

Errlloyd.. or anyone else...

seems great this asus
- but also seems can't use via the mobile broadband networks ?
A pity that most if not all tablets can't be used for mobile internet browsing, (apart from Wi-Fi)...

Happy to know of any tablet exceptions,
and if anyone knows if ASUS Infinity, or the new Asus Vivo, has any 3G possibility
(Komplett and other retailers say "3G: No", and can't find any reliable online news updates)

Bluefoam

PantaRei wrote: »

errlloyd wrote: »

Anymore questions banter me a line.

Errlloyd.. or anyone else...

seems great this asus
- but also seems can't use via the mobile broadband networks ?
A pity that most if not all tablets can't be used for mobile internet browsing, (apart from Wi-Fi)...

Happy to know of any tablet exceptions,
and if anyone knows if ASUS Infinity, or the new Asus Vivo, has any 3G possibility
(Komplett and other retailers say "3G: No", and can't find any reliable online news updates)

You can get an infinity with 3G or 4G connection... but what's the point in spending more on the hardware and getting an additional data contract, when you can just use your phone as a hotspot for tne tablet using your existing data bundle and hardware...

jonny_b1

PantaRei wrote: »

errlloyd wrote: »

Anymore questions banter me a line.

Errlloyd.. or anyone else...

seems great this asus
- but also seems can't use via the mobile broadband networks ?
A pity that most if not all tablets can't be used for mobile internet browsing, (apart from Wi-Fi)...

Happy to know of any tablet exceptions,
and if anyone knows if ASUS Infinity, or the new Asus Vivo, has any 3G possibility
(Komplett and other retailers say "3G: No", and can't find any reliable online news updates)

There is plans to release a mobile broadband infinity in EUROPE but judging by the way the origional infinity release went you'll be waiting. I think if you need mobile internet a hotspot is more flexible.