ASUS Transformer Prime: Clove Pulls Tablet Until Performance Improves

Online retailer, Clove, has suspended sales of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime in the U.K, until the tablet's performance issues have been addressed.

The tablet and phone retailer has cited WiFi and GPS performance issues as the reason for pulling the tablet, and says it will test its stock thoroughly before putting the tablet back on the market.

We are at this time not satisfied that all units we could provide you with are working correctly, and performing to the standard we expect of the unit. We have therefore taken the decision until further notice stop selling the Asus Transformer Prime, the company said in a statement.

GPS issues on the ASUS Transformer Prime have been reported globally since the launch of the tablet some 2 months ago. ASUS issued the following statement:

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites. Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device, and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and surrounding environments. Please understand there are limitations when using the GPS function.

ASUS claims to have not been aware of the tablet's WiFi issues. After extensive checks we can confirm that no units have been supplied to the UK with a known WiFi issue, the company said in a statement. However, a U.K help number has been issued for those with WiFi complaints: 0870 1208 340

In an email to the Inquirer.net ASUS said customers could send units back for a refund or an extended warranty could be applied to their tablet.

Meanwhile, ASUS recently launched a software update for the Eee Pad that claims to boost GPS performance, but many customers continue to report problems about the scope of GPS coverage.

The Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the first tablet to herald the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor. It is ultra-thin at 8.3mm and weighs only 586g and comes with state-of-the-art SonicMaster Audio technology, an HD 8MP rear auto-focus camera with LED flash. And all with an 18-hour battery-left when combined with the mobile dock.

Next Generation of Tablet Unveiled

Amid its problems, ASUS revealed its next generation of Transformer Prime TF700T at this year's CES event in Las Vegas, blowing away ASUS enthusiasts with its 1920×1200 resolution that beats most laptops. The new TF700T dubbed the ASUS Transformer Prime HD has a resolution doubles that of its predecessor, which came with 1,280x800 pixels.

The TF700T is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2012, priced at $600 for 32GB and $700 for 64GB, CNET reported from CES in Las Vegas. This could infuriate ASUS customers who only just purchased the Eee Pad Transformer Prime with all its glitches.