As we reported early last week, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer — the Honeycomb packing tablet come laptop/desktop — is finally hitting retails shelves in Australia, starting — you guessed it — today.
I’ve called both my local Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi and neither have any stock or really had any idea of what I was talking about. Then again, I am about an hour out of Perth so stock isn’t going to be readily available anywhere near me, and if stock isn’t there, I doubt the staff will know anything about it unless they are real enthusiasts like us. If you do happen to pop into your local JB or Harvey Norman and have a play, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
I went into JB Hifi Joondalup and was told there were NO 32GB models with Dock in the whole of WA (true?). They had the 16GB model in stock but this does not include the dock. I placed my pre-order for the 32GB model but I have no clue when it will be in stock 🙁
Picked mine up yesterday from HN. They only had 2 others in stock and they were booked out. Good luck to everyone else! I’m very happy with it so far.
JB brisbane has about one per store atm, only the 16gig variants, no docks. I couldn’t bring myself to paying 600 for the 16 gig when for 200 more i get double the capacity AND the dock (and we all know the dock will be more like 200 here anyway). HN still hasn’t seen one, they’re telling me June 8 is a “maybe”. On the interest free front, HN just started a 50 month thingy through GO, but you might need to toss a few extras in (like another eeepc) to make the 1250 minimum. JB seems to be running… Read more »
anyone seen this in SA? Harvey Norman didn’t have it yesterday. Importing from Taiwan is looking really good now.
Update 3.1 is rolling out…. Just need some hardware to upgrade now!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-gets-android-3-1-update-right-on-schedu/
Guy in the brisbane city JB told me “june” release, and said that the release was also delayed for the states. I then had to inform him that it was indeed out in the states, and some $200 cheaper.
HN guy told me i meant the acer, not asus. :p
Picked one up from Canada last week from Staples. 32GB Model with dock for about A$620. Had $30 off vouchers so it helped with tax! Definitely worth getting one if you are travelling to the US or Canada.
Apparently Harvey Norman stock hit Bris distributor on 31/5, packed on trucks same day and should hit selected stores this (Wed) arvo or Thurs morning.
Profiteering at it’s finest. I would rather import…..
Checked JB in Brisbane city today and no luck 🙁
The did have the XOOM though which was nice but rather heavy, I’m hoping the ASUS doesn’t feel so heavy.
I have both a Xoom and a Galaxy Tab 10.1v and think they are both fantastic devices in their own right! As you say, the Xoom is heftier, but I like the industrial feel of the device – it feels like it will last. On the other hand the Galaxy Tab doesn’t feel as strong (not to say it feels bad at all, and it is much lighter), but it’s screen is miles ahead of the Xoom’s (even with the backlight bleed – I only have a very minor amount of this). If there’s anything you’d like to know just… Read more »
Spoke with the guys at JB, apparently Loganholme and Chermside are only JB’s getting it… They can’t confirm when though
i want one of these
http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2011/05/30/asus-padfone-hybrid/#more-185059
Tried ringing a few stores on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane… no luck. They think that its only available in the big Sydney store and the rest of them will be gradually getting stock shipped.
I Just played with one of these at CeBit, pretty cool, but I’m waiting for the Kal-El Chip
It could just be perspective, but the bezel look massive. Especially when you compare it to the Xoom or 10.1v!
It’s bezel is huge in comparison to the Xoom at least. It’s so that it fits the keyboard dock without compromising too much on keyboard size. Personal preference I guess 🙂
Damn that’s overpriced. And to think that the US has them for 399.
As I understand it in Australia the 32GB version is meant to include the dock.
Conveniently available the day after the Harvey Norman 20% off sale ends *raises eyebrow*…
Conveniently available the day after the Harvey Norman 20% off sale ends *raises eyebrow*…
too expensive!
too expensive!
Ouch…. At those prices I want the 3g version and the dock included!!!
From what I have read the $797 version has the dock. BUt I agree too expensive. (Although I want the 3g one when it arrive later this year)
Ouch…. At those prices I want the 3g version and the dock included!!!