Asus Transformer Pad Infinity Review and iPad Comparison (TF700T)

For a product like the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T there are literally thousands of in-depth reviews already on the internet. They pretty much all seem to agree that this is one of the best (if not the best) 10.1-inch Android tablets that you can get right now.

My First Tablet

So I am writing this as a relatively inexperienced tablet user. I've used an iPad before but not with any heavy use. I was even ready to go iPad, but at the end I went for the ASUS 10.1" 32GB Transformer Pad Infinity Tablet.



I was able to track it down a few days after it sold out at a local Best Buy store (if you are in Montreal go there on a Tuesday which is when they receive shipments of new products, at least that's what I am told).

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity vs iPad

Surprisingly, I haven't seen any Asus Transformer Pad Infinity vs new iPad comparison tables, so I'll give it a shot here and focus on the features that mattered to me. So here's why I went Asus instead of the super popular and similarly priced iPad...

Asus Transformer Infinity Tablet $499	New iPad (3rd Gen) $499
Quad-core (12-core GPU)	Dual-core (quad-core graphics)
HD display (1920 × 1200, Super IPS+)	Retina display (2048 × 1536, IPS)
32 GB (plus microSD slot for expandable storage)	16 GB (no microSD slot)
8 MP rear camera (with flash)	5 MP rear camera (no flash)
2 MP front camera	0.3 MP front camera
10.1 inch display with 16:10 widescreen aspect ratio	9.7 inch display with 4:3 aspect ratio
Android 4.0	iOS 5.1

Android Still Catching Up

Despite of all these hardware advantages for the Asus tablet, people say that the New iPad supposedly still looks and feels smoother thanks to its iOS operating system (which is probably true, sorry Android fans). Apple's iPad is probably easier for computer noobs to use too. I personally think that Android 4.0 does the job well enough. There's not a huge difference to me, although people will swear that there is (shrug).

Apps...Meh

Apple's App Store is supposedly much larger than the Google Play App Store, but I'm not the type to use hundreds of different apps. The best ones are usually on both platforms anyways.

Build Quality

As for build quality the iPad feels slightly better I suppose, but what bothers me a little about the Asus is that it has some sharper (or less rounded) edges where the keyboard dock would normally fit. Let's hope that Apple didn't already patent rounded edges for tablets too (although it wouldn't surprise me if they already did).

Quad-Core CPU, Widescreen, Camera Flash...

In the end I couldn't turn down a quad-core CPU, a widescreen display, 8 MP camera with flash and 32 GB storage (microSD expandable) right off the bat for the same price. These are little things for some people, but for me the little things all added up. Oh and by the way I think the tablet is great, no real serious complaints about it. Now I am curious to see how Apple (and now Amazon) respond with their next tablets.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity Cover / Stand

Update: If anyone is looking for an Asus Transformer Infinity TF700 skin/case/stand, I just picked up a really nice looking (and good feeling) leather case on eBay. It ships from overseas, and fits like a glove. It's also about half the price compared to what you would normally find in a store and the quality is even better (i.e. leather case vs plastic case). The case leave the ports and camera open for use, and can form a stand, while offering some protection for the Asus tablet. For my first tablet case, I think it's a good one.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity Photos

Official photo of the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity case


My photos of the case closed...

And in standing mode...

Update 2: Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) is now available for the Asus Transformer Infinity tablet in Canada. I just updated it and it does feel more responsive so far; things just feel a touch faster overall. To update your tablet just go to Settings > About > Check for updates and it'll start downloading your updates.