ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T 32GB Tablet Review

A glorious display with the second highest resolution currently available in the tablet market, What more could you ask for? For one, the upgrade from the original Transformer Prime is Corning’s Gorilla Glass 2, used in a few other devices such as the highly popular Samsung Galaxy SIII phone.

Full disclosure, I have a real world story about the screen. One of my nephews was over watching 3 Ninjas on my Infinity and started scratching the screen, for no apparent reason, with a coin. After a quick panic, I noticed that there wasn’t even a scratch on the screen. Needless to say, my nephew doesn’t get much time with my electronics these days.

Minor flaws with the screen so far are on par with every tablet we’ve encountered; its a fingerprint magnet. Keep a lens cleaning cloth handy as you will need one. Also, very minor light leakage on a solid black image around the edges bleeds out from time-to-time.

TO THE EDGE OF INFINITY…

If you have ever seen the original Transformer Prime you will notice the Infinity is slightly less curvy than its predecessor. Personally we liked the old look, but the current is a much-needed upgrade from the Prime, especially when it comes to the ports. Regardless of its visual appeal, the Prime was absolutely horrific for inserting a micro SD card or plugging in headphones/HDMI cables. Everything was too loose of a fit and would fall out with the slightest nudge. The Infinity fixes that problem by having a slight squared edge that gradually becomes more curved. Luckily, this makes it slightly easier to hold despite there being a weight increase by making the edges thicker.

Now that the micro SD fits snug and secure, we dont worry about losing another micro SD card down the line. They also repositioned components, as the volume slider now is located to the top right of the device. On the left, the micro SD slot remains and just below sits the micro HDMI port and 2-in-1 audio jack headphone/mic, which allows easy connection to an external monitor or speakers (capsule speakers come to mind). Again, the headphone jack is where ASUS failed again. Its better but it just doesn’t hold a cable properly. Throwing the Infinity into a backpack and going for a walk; one needs to stop and plug-in headphones again and again.

On the bottom the Infinity has three ports that plug-in with the optional (but extremely recommended) dock. We do not have the TF700T dock in my possession, but do have the TF201Mobile Dock (keyboard) which works just fine for both. If you own the TranSleeve for the original Prime, it’s not compatible. Don’t get sold one just to take it back; wait and make sure it’s an official TF700 TranSleeve if that ever comes out.

Now to the back of the unit. The Infinity looks very familiar to its predecessor, almost identical, minus the hard plastic backing on the top. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing addition but it’s a very necessary addition and does not contrast too much with its overall design. I was among the many unlucky who had a lot of problems with the original Prime, the Prime suffered from very poor Wi-Fi reception and next to non-existent GPS. With a very positive enthusiasm, we can state that Wi-Fi and GPS work very well now with the Infinity.

This is a better solution next to the ugly dongle work around that didn’t let you charge the unit or add the dock/TranSleeve for protection while trying to use the GPS. The design is still very stylish it feels solid even the plastic backing is of a high quality. The only other negative is that the back also attracts smudges from holding. Even after a day or two of minor use it can start to look kind of funky. Hence a lens cloth is recommended. Though the back is aluminum and pretty rugged, the Infinity still susceptible to scratches. Once they embed into the surface, no amount of buffing/praying can remove them. Consider a skin or protective case to keep it looking new and shiny.