Asus Transformer Prime vs iPad 3: What You Need to Know

Asus' Transformer Prime tablet looks to have the features people want compared to the iPad, but with the iPad 3 due out in just a few weeks, here's what you need to know about both devices.

More leaks and rumors surround Apple devices than just about any other gadgets, but the most likely features the iPad 3 should come with are 4G LTE support, a QXGA 2048 x 1536p resolution display and Siri voice recognition. That's in addition to an improved battery, better camera optics, slim body design and instant powering up with just a touch.

Those design touches account for much of the iPad's popularity, along with its role basically creating the consumer tablet market. Whether or not you like a minimalist design or just a lightweight tablet, there is a lot to like about the iPad. Design wise, so many Android tablets are boxy, chunky black boxes (think Motorola Zoom and Toshiba Thrive), and they simply don't appeal to many people at a glance. Asus looks to have picked up on this because the Transformer Prime is a sleek, handsome device running the Android 4.0 system and even adding a companion keyboard dock. The keyboard dock is sold separately for $150 and it turns the tablet into a notebook computer with a touchscreen. Furthermore, this keyboard dock idea may be catching on because Lenovo debuted their version at CES 2012, the IdeaTab S2.

Transformer Prime has one more thing the iPad doesn't. It's the first tablet to appear with a quad-core processor, and that means buttery smooth Web surfing and videos. That's not a knock on the iPad because it's plenty fast, and it there is a 3G version available for those who like consistently available Internet access. Asus will debut a 3G version of the Prime this year, but there is no word on when it will be available.

Both are 10-inch tablets with front and rear-facing cameras, but the Prime adds a microSD card slot and micro-HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV. The iPad 3 should debut in March, and most likely with a $500 price tag for the 16 gigabyte version. Prime is $500 for the 32 gigabyte version and $600 for the 64GB. Tell us in the comments if you're tablet shopping and if you're waiting for iPad 3 and other new devices.

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