ASUS EEE EP-121
Whoa wait a minute Jim. Why a Windows 7 tablet? Well, I just wanted to make sure that you saw the best of the Windows 7 tablets in case you need something that accents content creation and maybe sacrifices a little on UI and battery life. The best of these tablets was announced at CES and is the EP-121 from ASUS. Here is how ASUS describes this tablet:
With its large multi-touch display and Intel® Core™ i5 processor, the ASUS Eee Slate EP121 delivers the ultimate combination of performance and portability in a tablet design. Powered by Windows 7 Home Premium, the Eee Slate runs the same software as any desktop or notebook PC, so it’s perfect for mobile users who need to both create and consumer content.
The Eee Slate EP121 is a powerful tablet computer that meets the needs of both consumers and business users. It receiving an Innovations Award at CES 2011 is a clear testament to the innovation and technology behind it. “This unique PC provides a great combination of productivity, entertainment and social networking that we believe delivers a no-compromise mobile computing solution.”— Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President of the OEM Division at Microsoft Corporation.
Here’s how it stacks up:
|
Requirement |
Met? |
Comments |
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Light-duty internet surfing |
Yes |
Full IE9 Support |
|
E-reader capability |
Yes |
|
|
Well-developed app store |
Yes |
Runs Windows 7 so no real limit on apps that can be run |
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Netflix access |
Yes |
|
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Access to corporate email and calendar function |
No |
My employer would probably not allow this unless they purchased the tablet and rolled it to me, but I can get at email and calendar via a browser. |
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Data access when traveling |
No |
Would need mobile hotspot support like Verizon’s capability with Droid 2 |
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Playback of video content, including Media Center TV recordings and DVD rips |
Yes |
Since is Windows 7, ships with Media Center and Media Player. Could do double duty as HTPC. |
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Playback of music |
Yes |
|
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Remote access to your home server console |
Yes |
Could load the console, join homegroups, etc. |
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Gaming |
Yes |
|
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Ability to edit Excel, Word and PowerPoint files while on the go |
Yes |
Comes with Starter editions so would require an upgrade. |
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Handwriting recognition |
Yes |
Wacom digitizer included |
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Integration with One Note |
Yes |
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DLNA compatibility |
Yes |
|
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User expandable storage |
Yes |
Via SD card |
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Front and back facing cameras |
Yes |
Video calling supported |
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Integration with handset |
No |
|
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Battery life |
3-4 hours |
Ouch! |
It weighs about one pound more than an iPad and lacks 3G capability, so it’s Wi-Fi only, but it runs Office applications natively and has built-in handwriting recognition. Largest screen of the bunch at 12”, it also has only 3-4 hours of battery life. We all know that Windows 7 is not designed for touch, but the pen is expected to help out with that. It comes in 32GB SSD with 2GB RAM and 64 GB with 4GB RAM versions. It is currently available for preorder on the Microsoft Store in the 64GB version for $1,099 USD. That price is the highest of the lot, but includes a folio case/stand, a digitizer pen and a bluetooth keyboard.
ASUS Press ReleaseConclusions
So what do you think? Do any of these catch your attention? There are rumblings about an iPad2 coming soon, so I’m not sure that I’d buy an iPad until that release happens. I really like the ASUS as I could stream Media Center recordings around the house, could load up content from the server, run One Note with handwriting recognition and otherwise would have more flexibility to get real work done. However, the battery life is poor at best. I’ll want to put hands on this device in early March when it hits the Oak Brook, IL Microsoft store. Meanwhile, I’ll have to check out the Xoom in person. I’m not sure that I really want to wait for HP here; Palm did not exactly deliver the last time out. Decisions decisions!
Are you going to add the Tab2 tomorrow?
If money were no object I would get the xoom. If money is an object, it’s hard to beat the “value” of the ipad 1. Unless some major price reductions happen, I would put the ipad 1 second only to the ipad 2.
I didn’t include the Tab as it was not designed around Honeycomb, but Tab 2 would be in the mix. Let’s see what they announce.
What about the ExoPC? Windows 7, 4h battery life. See for yourself: http://www.exopc.com/
Ii recently had one of those in my hands for a few hours. Absolutely terrible performance. Laggy, slow, not very usable. Atom just does not cut it for this application.