I can't wait for Anandtech to put the new Tegra3 and S4 versions through the paces and see how they compare. I just wish they put in the the awesome S4 "Pro" with the Adreno 320 in this thing!
This is starting to get infuriating. Asus is now one of several companies to release a product under a single name, and then use widely different SoCs among the sub-variants. As a result consumers are getting the short end of the stick as the products aren't necessarily what they think they're getting.
Pick a SoC and stick to it. And if you can't do that, then don't name different products the same thing.
The idea is that what counts for the customer is the "transformer"-thing. The actual hardware inside should less important for actual use of the device. Well, I'm not saying this is the best or even a good idea..
Isn't this what we see for PCs and notebooks already? Tablets are going to go the same route. So long as retailers can keep the specs straight, the usual "buyer beware" applies. If Transformer "A" is $100 cheaper than Transformer "B," some sort of warning should be going off in people's heads.
I assume ASUS did it to ensure compatibility with the (presumably) more efficient LTE modem that's available with the 8960. There is a separate modem available as Anand outlined in the 8960 article; however, I don't recall nVidia's statement (from last week) including Qualcomm in their dedicated LTE compatibility.
In other words, ASUS could probably put up with the headache of ensuring the newer Qualcomm LTE modem works fine with Tegra 3 or just go with the SoC that it's literally built into.
I have to agree. They should've just used Qualcomm's solution in both variants, rather than sticking those who don't want 3G/LTE connectivity with the older Tegra and it's single-channel memory controller.
Ford makes the F150 with more than 5 engines, yet the rest of the truck is virtually identical. Should they quit calling all of them F150's? Consumers can usually read, and it's not like one soc is the porterhouse and the other is a hotdog even if they were too dumb to know.
Krait. Read the Anandtech Krait preview, its per-core performance is often over double Tegra 3's, so the latter can only compete in tasks which get all 4 cores going which are very few in number right now.
ASUS originally said about the first Transformer that the dock would be compatible with all future 'Transformer' products... and then it wasn't with the Prime. So is the Infinity compatible with either of the previous docks, or was ASUS's promise simply a load of BS?
The 'super' variant provides off-angle viewing without a color shift. The '+' indicates a high brightness mode that is generally only used outdoors since it sucks the battery and is generally not needed in environments that aren't exceedingly bright.
You really want to tell us that IPS in and of itself cannot provide off-angle viewing without a color shift? I really don't think all those IPS displays in desktop monitors are Super-IPS and nonetheless provide 178/178 degrees of color-shift-free images.
I seriously doubt the GPUs on BOTH SoC variants can drive a smooth experience throughout with various workloads on that high resolution (since the UI is hardware-accelerated)... the SGX543MP2 was needed on the iPad2 to get 1024x768 to run a smooth 60fps... the cpus, on the other hand, should be just fine (probably more than enough)...
I believe they should stick with the Transformer Prime (1280x800) for now with its Tegra3, and delay those products till the Adreno 320 is ready for production... They might as well unite the platforms on these releases, where mainstream transformers use quad core T3, and the Infinity transformers use quad-core krait (with LTE)
Where can i order or preorder one of the above...why is it so hard to get an ASUS? ASUS needs to have easier access they are losing good customers....due to our impatience. However...I will wait....lol
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
20 Comments
Back to Article
Rits - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I can't wait for Anandtech to put the new Tegra3 and S4 versions through the paces and see how they compare. I just wish they put in the the awesome S4 "Pro" with the Adreno 320 in this thing!ViRGE - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
This is starting to get infuriating. Asus is now one of several companies to release a product under a single name, and then use widely different SoCs among the sub-variants. As a result consumers are getting the short end of the stick as the products aren't necessarily what they think they're getting.Pick a SoC and stick to it. And if you can't do that, then don't name different products the same thing.
MrSpadge - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
The idea is that what counts for the customer is the "transformer"-thing. The actual hardware inside should less important for actual use of the device. Well, I'm not saying this is the best or even a good idea..MonkeyPaw - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
Isn't this what we see for PCs and notebooks already? Tablets are going to go the same route. So long as retailers can keep the specs straight, the usual "buyer beware" applies. If Transformer "A" is $100 cheaper than Transformer "B," some sort of warning should be going off in people's heads.Aikouka - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I assume ASUS did it to ensure compatibility with the (presumably) more efficient LTE modem that's available with the 8960. There is a separate modem available as Anand outlined in the 8960 article; however, I don't recall nVidia's statement (from last week) including Qualcomm in their dedicated LTE compatibility.In other words, ASUS could probably put up with the headache of ensuring the newer Qualcomm LTE modem works fine with Tegra 3 or just go with the SoC that it's literally built into.
ViRGE - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I'm agree that's probably the reason. But in that case both Infinities should be using MSM8960, not just the one with a modem.chrnochime - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
Then don't buy it if it's so infuriating for you. Either that or go be a director at Asus and make them change their ways.kyuu - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I have to agree. They should've just used Qualcomm's solution in both variants, rather than sticking those who don't want 3G/LTE connectivity with the older Tegra and it's single-channel memory controller.Stormkroe - Friday, March 2, 2012 - link
Ford makes the F150 with more than 5 engines, yet the rest of the truck is virtually identical. Should they quit calling all of them F150's? Consumers can usually read, and it's not like one soc is the porterhouse and the other is a hotdog even if they were too dumb to know.prophet001 - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
Which SoC is expected to be faster?prophet001 - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
Never mind. Just read the review from last week. The Qualcomm chip is a beast.tipoo - Monday, April 2, 2012 - link
Krait. Read the Anandtech Krait preview, its per-core performance is often over double Tegra 3's, so the latter can only compete in tasks which get all 4 cores going which are very few in number right now.piroroadkill - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I just think a 28nm dual core with a better architecture is going to be a great choice.I don't really see what we need quad cores on a toy tablet for anyway.
Astounding - Sunday, March 4, 2012 - link
Because you're an imbecile.KitsuneKnight - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
ASUS originally said about the first Transformer that the dock would be compatible with all future 'Transformer' products... and then it wasn't with the Prime. So is the Infinity compatible with either of the previous docks, or was ASUS's promise simply a load of BS?solipsism - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
What are the differences between IPS and Super IPS+?mcnabney - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
The 'super' variant provides off-angle viewing without a color shift. The '+' indicates a high brightness mode that is generally only used outdoors since it sucks the battery and is generally not needed in environments that aren't exceedingly bright.gerryka - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
You really want to tell us that IPS in and of itself cannot provide off-angle viewing without a color shift?I really don't think all those IPS displays in desktop monitors are Super-IPS and nonetheless provide 178/178 degrees of color-shift-free images.
lilmoe - Monday, February 27, 2012 - link
I seriously doubt the GPUs on BOTH SoC variants can drive a smooth experience throughout with various workloads on that high resolution (since the UI is hardware-accelerated)... the SGX543MP2 was needed on the iPad2 to get 1024x768 to run a smooth 60fps... the cpus, on the other hand, should be just fine (probably more than enough)...I believe they should stick with the Transformer Prime (1280x800) for now with its Tegra3, and delay those products till the Adreno 320 is ready for production... They might as well unite the platforms on these releases, where mainstream transformers use quad core T3, and the Infinity transformers use quad-core krait (with LTE)
Brazjion - Sunday, May 13, 2012 - link
Where can i order or preorder one of the above...why is it so hard to get an ASUS?ASUS needs to have easier access they are losing good customers....due to our impatience.
However...I will wait....lol