Apple's iPad, Motorola's Xoom, Acer's Iconia. The list goes on. Are you tired of all the tablet talk? Are you familiar with tablet PCs? Asus has the latest Windows-based tablet. We go over its features and show how it compares to more familiar tablets.
Update 10/11/11: Asus has released a version of the EP121 specifically for the US market. It carries the model number B121, but it's exactly the same as the EP121, except that you get Windows 7 Professional and Computrace LoJack.
There are tablets, and then there are tablet PCs. Do you know the difference? Tablets like the iPad use a mobile operating system and touchscreen. Tablet PCs like the Axiotron Modbook are more equivalent to the notebooks with which we're familiar, as they support desktop operating systems and rely on a digital pen in lieu of a mouse.

Vanilla tablets continue gaining momentum. They're small. They're sexy. They're generally fast-enough for basic content consumption. But the underlying software infrastructure is a continuous source of frustration for many people. With a Modbook, I can run any OS X-based program. The iPad limits me to apps from the official Apple App Store.
If you're not willing to compromise on software compatibility, dipping your toe into the tablet pool is going to be a chilling experience. The only way to enjoy a similar form factor without trading out your favorite applications is to slide into the more comfortable jacuzzi of tablet PC bliss. Despite a promising introduction by Microsoft, these mobile computers are really pretty rare, which is somewhat surprising given their simultaneous portability and interoperability with Windows-based programs. The performance of a tablet PC is limited only by the hardware a vendor can cram inside.
The latest Windows-based tablet comes from Asus. Dubbed the Eee Slate, it offers something different for those of you tired with all the iPad and Android-based tablet talk.
| Specifications | Asus Eee Slate |
|---|---|
| CPU | Core i5-470UM (Arrandale), 1.33 GHz, 3 MB Smart Cache, 2C/4T, 18 W TDP, 32 nm |
| Screen | 12.1" WSVGA (1280x800) |
| Memory | 4 GB DDR3-800 SO-DIMM |
| System Drive | SanDisk P4 SSD 64 GB, SATA 3Gb/s |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics, 166 MHz Base Frequency, 500 MHz Max. Dynamic Frequency |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Home Premium |
| Wireless | 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth |
- Tablet PC Takes On The Tablet
- Meet Asus' Eee Slate
- Windows 7: Tablet PC Features
- Navigating, Training, Writing, And Typing
- Touchscreen And Digitizer Pen: Asus Eee Slate
- CPU Performance: Core i5-470UM
- GPU Performance: Intel HD Graphics Versus HD Graphics 3000
- PCMark 7: SSD Performance Disappointment
- Real-World Performance Against Tablets
- Display Quality: Color Gamut
- Display Quality: White And Black Uniformity
- At The Desk: HDMI Output & Stand
- Wireless Performance
- Final Words

... AMD's Fusion would be a better choice...
When the hardware gets to a good enough standard then the peoiple will flock to a REAL operating system.
... AMD's Fusion would be a better choice...
I just bought an Asus Transformer 16gb for $394. It's a gift to my mother. It'll do everything necessary while on the go or while on the couch. Printing will be done through Google's cloud printing. Anything she can't do, can be done on a pc.
You can buy an Asus Transformer (substitute with most tablets / netbooks / some notebooks), and build a custom desktop PC for less than the cost of a single Asus Tablet PC. I think it's a no brainer.
Ideas?
The only real complaint I have about the one my wife uses is that the SSD performance is poor compared to what was available at the time. It has also been a little buggy in places, relating to the touch input, but hasn't acted up for a while at this point.
This is a real good example of how the industry is constantly trying - with a fair success - to create new "needs" and launch products, that are miles away from being good enough.
People must be very bored and have way to much money these days...:-)
Good thorough review though.
ZzzZzzz.
Something tells me that you haven't used a Windows 7 touch based tablet at all otherwise you'd know that you have gestures or can even touch 'hold' then move up or down, side to side.
My mailman/GLS-driver have hed a little hand-held thing for that for years:-)