ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity vs. Apple new iPad: Head-to-head
- — 21 June, 2012 13:28
Apple's new iPad is the undisputed king of tablets, but there are a few challengers that offer a valid alternative. One of the best examples is the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity, the company's latest flagship Android tablet. How does it stack up to the new iPad? Let's find out.
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New iPad vs. Transformer Pad Infinity: Display
The key feature of the new iPad is its "retina" display. The resolution of 2048x1536 is double that of the original iPad and significantly higher than most Android tablets. This higher resolution gives it a pixel per inch (ppi) of 263, better than the 224ppi of the Transformer Pad Infinity.
The "retina" screen is by far and away the best display on any mobile device we've seen. Text is crisp and clear with no visible aberrations, even when zoomed right in. Photos and videos look bright and vivid but not oversaturated like many other mobile displays. The iPad's screen is so sharp that it constantly highlights the low quality of many images on the Internet.
By comparison, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity has a 10.1in super IPS+ screen with an impressive 1920x1200 resolution. On paper, it's still no match for the new iPad's higher res screen, but it's a significant improvement over most other Android tablets on the market. Up until now, almost all 10in Android tablets come with a resolution of 1280x800. The Transformer Pad Infinity's higher res should mean crisper and sharper text and much higher levels of detail.
New iPad vs. Transformer Pad Infinity: Design
The new iPad features a near identical design to the iPad 2. A single-button front fascia, a brushed metal rear and a flat back are all highlights. The edges of the iPad curve as they meet the front edge of the device. The new iPad is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2. Wi-Fi models are 51g heavier, and the Wi-Fi + 4G models are 49g heavier.
If you consider the iPad design a little stale, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is likely to appeal to you. The TF700T measures just 8.5mm thick and is constructed from an attractive, "spun finished" aluminium. It's also far lighter than the new iPad (586g) despite having a larger screen. Previous ASUS tablets, specifically the Transformer Prime, experienced widely reported issues with Wi-Fi and GPS performance. The company claims to have eliminated these issues in the Transformer Pad Infinity, so we can only hope that is the case.
New iPad vs. Transformer Pad Infinity: Software
Apple's iOS software is easy to use, simple and effective. The iPad has more apps than any other software platform, but more importantly, it has a large range of excellent, quality apps built specifically for a tablet device. The user experience is generally positive, despite some annoying limitations. During day to day use we didn't notice a significant speed increase in the new iPad compared to the iPad 2, but this is an efficient tablet that shows no signs of lag or slowdown during most tasks.
The ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity runs the latest Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 version of Android, which admittedly is a big improvement over previous editions of the platform. You can expect performance to be much improved and flexibility is a strong point. The Android OS isn't as smooth or slick as iOS, but it is definitely less restrictive. Disappointingly, third-party tablet apps on Android remain well behind the iPad, and there is also no easy way to determine if an app in the Google Play store is designed to work on a tablet. These are general Android OS issues though, and in no way a black mark on the Transformer Pad Infinity itself.
New iPad vs. Transformer Pad Infinity: Cameras
The new iPad has a significantly upgraded rear camera to the one on the iPad 2, which was a dreadful 0.7-megapixels. The new iPad's camera features some of the same technology used in the iPhone 4S, but in a 5-megapixel lens with backside-illuminated sensor. It also doubles as a full HD 1080p video recorder. Images aren't as sharp or clear as the excellent camera on the iPhone 4S, but they are certainly good enough for small prints. The front-facing camera on the new iPad disappointingly remains VGA.
The Transformer Pad Infinity has the same 8.1-megapixel rear camera as its predecessor, the Eee Pad Transformer Prime. The good news is, that camera remains one of the best on a tablet. It snapped good quality images with reasonable detail levels and recorded good quality, full HD 1080p video. ASUS may have kept the rear camera the same, but the Transformer Pad Infinity boasts an upgraded 2-megapixel front camera. This should result in significantly better quality video for third-party apps like Skype and Tango.
New iPad vs. Transformer Pad Infinity: Internals, other features
Apple rarely focuses on the technical specifications of its products, but the new iPad is an impressive piece of hardware. It's powered by a dual-core A5X processor but has a quad-core graphics processor. The main beneficiary here is gaming and the graphics it is capable of are very impressive. The iPad has 1GB of RAM and comes with either 16, 32, or 64GB of internal memory but there is no memory card slot for extra storage.
The ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is powered by an NVIDIA 1.6GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, has 1GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory (the 32GB variant is not sold in Australia). It also has a microSD card slot on the tablet itself and a full-sized SD card slot on the keyboard dock, making it a more flexible option than the iPad when it comes to storage and memory. The keyboard dock, which ASUS bundles as a standard inclusion with the Transformer Pad Infinity in Australia, also adds a full-sized USB port, a trackpad, as well as its own built-in battery.
Globally, ASUS sells 3G model and 4G LTE models of the Transformer Pad Infinity, but these variants won't be available in Australia. The Aussie model is a 64GB Wi-Fi-only version that will come in "champagne gold" and "amethyst grey" colours.
What do you think about the new iPad and the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity? Let me know in the comments below!
Related content
• Exclusive: ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity to sell for $899 in 'early July'
• Apple new iPad review
• ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity preview
• The new iPad ultimate buying guide
Comments
Bear
1
When comparing the CPU/GPUs of the Apple iPad and Asus Infinity,
when saying that the iPad has dual core CPU and a quad core GPU,
it is important to point out that yes, the Infinity has a quad
core Tegra 3 CPU. But with a *12* CUDA core GPU. With that,
games written expressly for the Tegra 3 simply fly!
When mated with the keyboard dock, memory life grows to near
18 hours.
I own one and love it.
Julien
2
practicality of the dock (stand + real keyb/mouse) is the key diff to me. Ideal for 'kitchen internet'. About resolution, I wonder how much power is lost on the extra pixels on the Ipad. I prefer the Infinity compromise of great battery/resolution. One could wonder how much power is lost on the Quad core aspect though (if you're not using it).
Rey 305
3
I cant wait for this tablet. I have been waiting to buy a tablet for a years now. I need something portable and powerful and this seems like the winner !
iNeedATablet
4
@Bear How do you already have this tablet. It hasnt came out yet!
Jason
5
@iNeedATablet - It has been available on a Swedish site earlier this week and has been shipped to various customers, but the 'official' release is expected next week.
rockface
6
The iPad has a 4x3 aspect ratio. So, HD movies are cropped and therefore loose about 20% of that awesome screen! The Infinity has a 16:10 aspect ratio and plays 1080P movies at full screen. So, if iPad gets a point display resolution it should loose it for the aspect ratio!
jad
7
Once comparing CPUs >> quad+android Vs dual+Apple iOS its like comparing Ferrari engine carried big trailer(android) Vs previous Ferrari engine model carried private car - who will do you think will be faster and comfortable?
Asus Transformers owner
I found it
8
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12
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Hoopster
13
Not interested in anything that doesn't allow at least a 3G connection.
I was really looking forward to the ASUS pad release but now it's become a non event for me.
There's no mention of being able to insert a phone into the back of the pad like was being reported.
3G_Wait
14
Guess the wait for 3G (let alone 4G) in AUS continues - why?
sam
15
the asus in america has 32 gig options, as well as 3 and 4g, so its a winner.
Antonio
16
the decision needs to be based on OS preference perhaps. The IOS 6 has features that are not really that impressive at all compared to what Google has planned for android and do not forget Android Jellybean 4.1. I love both devices but the thing is, Itunes is something you dont need with Asus. I also think its quite silly comparing resolution and saying IPAD wins, because it seems if both devices are helt in normal viewing distance alot of people claim you cannot tell the difference yet infinity allows higher brightness. The other features Asus have on offer such as sd card etc compatible movie formats , its tempting, Ipad seems to have a better touch interface. The decision seems mostly to do with OS/APPS I do not like paying for simple office APPS or any in general, this infinity comes with an office app for free, apple charges 20 dollars for the same thing. Both are pretty tied, but for games Asus will dominate but I dont require a tab for games. Tried to make this comparison very neutral
David
17
3g version has been delayed in Aus due to a world wide shortage of Snapdragon S4 chipsets. The Tegra 3 does not have a built-in 3g radio. We'll have to wait until Qualcomm can ramp up production.
Insert name here!
18
@Hoopster you are talking about the Asus Padfone
irena
19
Can ANYONE pls tell me if the 700T will work in Australia? 3G and 4G what's this about? Sorry, only a novice but I want a good tablet.
ANYONE, pls help!
irena
Warren
20
Can't you tether with your phone via bluetooth to get 3G/4G capability?
DJ
21
I think the thing most everyone misses here is that the iPad screen may be higher resolution, but it is the wrong aspect ratio for HD video. It is a 4:3 ratio and good for books and magazines, but it is terrible for HD video. There are HUGE black bars at the top and bottom when watching HD video, and if you zoom to fill the screen, then you cut off a big portion of the horizontal picture! The transformer is virtually perfect for watching HD video which let's face it, media consumption is probably the biggest reason that you will get a tablet.
Jay
22
Texts are clear even when zoomed in.
This was what the salesperson told me at the apple store as well.
To me that sounds like an absurd marketing feature. Who's going to zoom in on texts?
Transformer wins on practicality and usage. I can't imagine doing real work on a tablet so limited as the ipad.
saeed
23
only asus transformer pad infinity tf700t