We saw that Asus are set to release the Padfone in Australia next month, but if you really can`t wait then head over to Mobicity who have the Padfone and Tablet dock on sale for $899 + shipping, they also list the Asus transforming bluetooth headset pen as an optional extra for $89.95, they haven’t got the keyboard dock available as yet but they advise ‘it’s expected to come in somewhere between $150 and $250.’ so I’d probably budget for the higher end of that quote if you’re at all worried.
Just to recap on the Padfone specs :
- Padfone : 4.3inches, qHD 960×540, Super AMOLED with Capacitive Multi touch panel Scratch Resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass with HCLR Film @ 256ppi
- Padfone Station : 10.1inches, WXGA 1280×800, TFT with Capacitive Multi touch panel Scratch Resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass with HCLR Film
- Dual-Core 1.5 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4
- 16GB storage, 1 GB RAM with MicroSD Card Slot
- 8MP
- Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
- Lithium 1520 mAh
- PadFone : 128 x 65.4 x 9.2 mm @ 129g(With Battery)
- PadFone Station : 273 x 176.9 x 13.55 mm @ 724g
It’s certainly a very intriguing device and no-one can accuse Asus of not trying out something different in the form factor stakes. If you’re interested in the Padfone ahead of an official July launch from Asus, then head over to MobiCity and check it out.
Is it possible to use the tablet and phone separate. when the phone is not docked?
No, it is not. The phone is the “brains” behind the tablet. It essentially means no requirements for syncing etc. It basically gives the phone a much bigger screen and extends the battery life. Actually I think it may also charge the phone itself. For the price, you really cannot complain however.
I’m still determined to wait until July in hopes I can get a good deal through a carrier (would have to be optus or an MVNO as their is no 850mhz support). Temptation is killing me though.
The reason i haven’t bought an android tablet yet:
Phone: 960×[email protected]
Tablet:1280×[email protected]
when you account for the big bar at the bottom of honeycomb/ics with the time and android buttons the tablet dock really is just an expensive magnifying glass.
I love the idea, but without Quad-band 3G, a HD screen or NFC I can’t pass up the Galaxy S3