ASUS Eee Pad Slider: Hybrid Gadget

Hybrid Gadget

The ASUS Eee Pad Slider was initially planned to be released together with its sibling, the Eee Pad Transformer. However, ASUS had to push back the release due to some technical issues with the Slider. Our first hands-on with the Eee Pad Slider was during the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 in January, where it was showcased together with the Transformer. While the Transformer features a detachable keyboard docking station, the Eee Pad Slider comes with a slide-out keyboard underneath the tablet - kind of like a slider smartphone. We were duly impressed during our review of the Eee Pad Transformer as it brings mobility and functionality of tablets to the next level. Naturally, we had high hopes when the review unit of the Eee Pad Slider came in. Read on to see if the ASUS Eee Pad Slider can one-up the Transformer and the rest of the tablets.

Design Aspects 

On the outlook, the Eee Pad Slider looks just about the same as any other tablet in the market and there seems nothing outstanding about it. In fact, the Eee Pad Slider has a rather thick black bezel around the 10.1-inch display just like the Eee Pad Transformer which makes it look bulky. Along the top center portion of the bezel, a 1.2-megapixel front camera and light sensor are embedded. As for the main 10.1-inch display occupying most of the Eee Pad Slider's front face, it continues to attract fingerprints easily, just like most tablets. The screen is also too reflective for our liking.

Considering the fact that the Slider has a built-in keyboard, it is not surprising to feel the weight and thickness of the tablet in your hands. Tipping the scales at 960g, it is currently the heaviest single-device tablet in the market (the Eee Pad Transformer and Acer W500 are two-piece devices), hence we highly recommend using the Slider with both hands. Incorporating a sliding keyboard also means that the Eee Pad Slider is far from being thin as it measures 17.3mm - that makes it the thickest tablet at the point of writing. For comparison's sake, the Eee Pad Slider is almost twice as thick as the Apple iPad 2, which has a slim profile of 8.8mm. In terms of handling, it does not perform as well compared to the Transformer and the other tablets in the market due to its bigger bulk and build.

Next, we explore the tablet's sliding mechanism of the keyboard. Unlike what most people would have come to expect (including ourselves), the sliding mechanism does not work the same way as those in slider phones such as the Motorola Milestone 2. On slider mobile phones, you tend to use your thumb(s) to slide the screen out to reveal the QWERTY keyboard. Unfortunately due to the size and bulk of the ASUS Eee Pad Slider, you will have to lift the top part of the tablet a little to slide up the tablet and reveal the keyboard. When passing the tablet to many colleagues in the office to give it a shot, we noticed that all of them instinctively tried to slide the screen out like a mobile phone without success. To overcome this, it's a good thing that ASUS included arrow stickers on the black bezel and body of the keyboard to guide users on this aspect. Apart from this minor quibble, the sliding mechanism worked fine and locks the tablet firmly in place with a "click sound". 

The built-in QWERTY keyboard is quite a looker with its bronze tone and brown keys. Compared to the Transformer keyboard docking station, the keyboard on the Slider is smaller and feels slightly cramped. Fortunately, the keys are sufficiently raised for good tactile feedback. In the end, the overall typing experience leaves us wanting more as tactile feedback couldn't compensate for the cramped keyboard layout. While your typing experience is definitely faster than just relying on the onscreen virtual keyboard on most tablets, it's not able to match that of a good keyboard. So don't expect to write essays on the Slider, but it will suffice for updating your social media needs quickly.

Connectivity Options on the ASUS Eee Pad Slider

On the left side of the keyboard, you will find the microSD memory card slot, a reboot button, volume controls and the power button. Similar to the Transformer, we would have prefered the memory card slot to be covered and protected. While we have no problems accessing the volume controls, we found the Power button a tad too small. The location of the Power button also puzzled us as most tablets have their Power buttons at the top corner whereas on the Eee Pad Slider, it is located at the bottom left corner.

At the top of the keyboard you will see the proprietary connector and the mini-HDMI port. The proprietary connector allows you to charge the Slider and perform data transfers. As mentioned in the Transformer review, it is inconvenient for users to bring a proprietary connector for the purpose of charging and performing data transfers when most tablets nowadays use microUSB ports. A universally used connector would mean easy replaceability and a far higher chance to be you might already have that cable or be able to borrow one in an urgency.

No Love from Android 3.2 Yet

Although ASUS announced that Google Android 3.2 updates would be arriving to all its Eee Pad tablet devices, it is unfortunate that the Eee Pad Slider still runs on Android 3.1. At the point of the review, there was no update available for the Slider although the Transformer got updated to Android 3.2. However, we are willing to overlook on this minor aspect as Android 3.2 is not a significant upgrade. Android 3.1 itself is also an incremental upgrade from the original Android 3.0 Honeycomb platform as it has roughly the same user interface and stock features but comes with some refinements and new features. For this section, we will look at several improvements of the Android 3.1 which are relevant for the Eee Pad Slider. 

According to Android Developers, the Android 3.1 platform has some user interface (UI) refinements that make it more user-intuitive.  For example, there are better UI transitions such as better optimized animation of the Launcher app. UI elements are tweaked in terms of color, positioning and text appearance to make them easier to view, understand and use.

The multitasking tab in Android 3.1 is improved over the one found in Android 3.0. Instead of showing the five most recent apps, the multitasking tab can now show up to 17 apps at one time. This is dependent on individual apps as we found that the Eee Pad Slider could only handle 16 apps on an occasion. Nevertheless, we certainly welcome the expanded multitasking tab which allows you to run more apps at the same time.

In Android 3.1, you also have the ability to resize the widgets on your home screen. Depending on the widget you choose, you can alter the size horizontally and/or vertically. The stock Android email widget (not ASUS E-mail widget) allows you to resize it both ways while the 3 x 3 Bookmarks widget can only be altered vertically. To resize a widget, just press and hold. 

The web browser of Android 3.1 has a redesinged Quick Controls user interface, which helps to maximize the screen for a wholesome Internet viewing experience. When it is not in use, it will not appear anywhere on the browser. To activate and use it, just swipe from the left or the right, hold it there and select the settings you want to change. For first time users, we noticed they found it difficult to adapt as the Quick Controls widget disappears once your finger is off the screen. It's a little annoying so it takes time to get used to it.

The additional feature in Android 3.1, connectivity for USB accessories, is especially relevant for the ASUS Eee Pad Slider as it comes with a full-size USB port. With the broad platform support for a range of USB-connected peripherals and accessories, you can attach a mouse or even a thumb drive to the Slider. This is useful especially when you want to transfer big files via a thumb drive. However, do take note that the support for USB on devices may vary and is dependent on device makers.

Last but not least, running on top of the Android 3.1 OS is ASUS' Waveshare User Interface, which made the tablet easier to use. Part of that also includes ASUS adding its own widgets and apps to enhance the usability. We particularly liked the redesigned virtual QWERTY keyboard which makes touch typing much faster. If you want to know more about the ASUS Waveshare UI, its apps and widgets, you can check them out here.

Slider in Action

Having come from the same family of tablets, it's not surprising to find the ASUS Eee Pad Slider having the same hardware components as the Transformer. It has a NVIDIA Tegra 2 (1.0GHz) dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM, which is standard among most Android tablets. For this section, we will compare the Slider with the Transformer and the Motorola Xoom to evaluate its performance among the Android tablets, especially since they too use the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. Of course not to forget is the customary comparison with an Apple iPad 2. The following benchmarks are used for raw performance evaluation:-

• Quadrant evaluates the CPU, memory, I/O and 3D graphics performance. This is an Android OS based test.
• Smartbench 2011 is a multi-core friendly benchmark application that includes both the Productivity and Games Indices for a more complete gauge of the overall performance of Android devices.
• SunSpider JavaScript benchmark measures the browsing performance of the tablet.

Based on the results from the above benchmarks, you can see that the Slider was trailing behind the Transformer and Xoom and there's no performance boost from having Android 3.1 OS. In fact, it was slower than the competition leading us to think if the updated Android OS had made a negative impact.

The Slider is roughly on par with the competition in the SunSpider Javascript benchmark, which gives you a gauge of the web browser performance. As these benchmarks are conducted with stock firmwares, the results do not reflect a reliable account of the tablet's performance during day-to-day usage conditions. 

Putting the numbers aside, the Slider gave us a rather good impression during our review. It was smooth and fluid in its operation and there was barely any noticeable lag. The web browsing experience was no different from the other Android tablets that we had tested, and it still edged out the Apple iPad 2 in terms of Adobe Flash support. 

It's Play and Work Time

The ASUS Eee Pad Slider takes on multiple roles as a tablet, switching between an entertainment device and a mobile work horse. ASUS believes in empowering the consumers to decide what they do with the device regardless if it is for entertainment or work.

The Slider is equipped with a generous 10.1-inch display, which provides plenty of room for viewing multimedia content and office documents on the go. To further enhance the viewing experience, ASUS uses the scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and a brilliant In-Plane Switching (IPS) display to give crisper and more accurate colors. In terms of resolution, the Slider is similar to the rest of the Android slates at 1280 x 800 pixels. Unfortunately, the Slider suffers from an inherent problem as many other tablets do - a reflective screen. The problem becomes more apparent when you are using the physical keyboard. As the screen is fixed at a certain angle and position, you cannot adjust it to minimize the reflection.

The main usability highlight of the Slider is its built-in keyboard. While the keys are raised sufficiently and provide great tactile feedback, the keyboard did feel a bit cramped for for anything more than quick messages. Another gripe we had with the keyboard is the groove below the last round of keys. It felt uncomfortable brushing the bottom of our palms against the groove. Nevertheless, the overall typing experience was a positive one - compared with other tablets stuck with a virtual keyboard only.

Next, we put the Slider's 5-megapixel rear camera through our color and resolution tests. You can even consider video conferencing on the Slider as it has a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera.

Lastly, we put the Slider through our battery test to determine how long it can last on a single charge. The battery test includes running a 720p video with the screen brightness and volume at 100%, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity turned on, and regular data streaming through email and Twitter.

As seen from the graphs above, the Slider managed a decent battery life (for an Android tablet) of 322 minutes, which is close to five and a half hours. It was able to outlast the Transformer by about 30 minutes but fell behind the Motorola Xoom by nearly an hour. However, the Slider fared worst in the Portability Index with the lowest score of the comparison. The Slider was let down in this aspect due to its hefty weight of 960g and its bulky dimensions.

In terms of overall battery performance, the Slider did a fair job if you are willing to cut it some slack due to its built-in keyboard. Even so, we felt that ASUS can do better in the area of power management for its Eee Pad tablets. Generally, we have not seen excellent battery performances from Honeycomb tablets and this may be one of the reasons why Apple iPad 2 is still selling favorably. Optimization of battery life should be one of the top priorities for ASUS or any tablet manufacturer if they wish to put up a credible challenge to Apple.

Under normal usage conditions, we were able to squeeze about a day of usage from the Slider with occasional Web surfing, checking emails, playing games and downloading of apps. For those who are looking for a simple portable work station, you can consider the ASUS Eee Pad Slider provided you keep a close watch on the battery level. It's also worth a mention again that the keyboard isn't meant for prolonged use. Having said that, it is important to note that how long the tablet can last will vary according to what you do with it.

A Truly Innovative Product  

ASUS has done it again! We thought that the Transformer was a great device with its optional keyboard docking station but the Eee Pad Slider took it up another notch with its built-in keyboard that actually worked somewhat reasonably. We were duly impressed with ASUS' style of bringing innovative products into the market to differentiate itself from the rest.

Before the arrival of the Slider, we had our doubts on using tablets as decent portable workstations. ASUS nailed our concerns with the introduction of the Eee Pad Slider as it provides a rather comfortable typing experience - well at least compared to virtual keyboards. For the first time ever, you can actually do some light productivity work (e.g. check emails and reply emails, type out documents) on a tablet as the user experience is comparable to that of using a small netbook. It is not far fetched to say that the Slider is one of the first gadgets to blur the line between tablets and notebooks. The keyboard size however is a little cramped, so we won't recommend it for essay writing or typing off it for a long time.. Keyboard aside, we also liked the inclusion of a full-sized USB port on the Slider as we can now easily transfer files to and from the Slider. This will be handy for users who plan to take the Slider for meetings and work-related activities. Also, the ability to plug in a mouse is also really convenient. Design-wise, the Slider looks fine and has a solid build.

For all of the Slider's unique selling points, you cannot yet have the best of both worlds at the moment. While you gain the extra functionality of a built-in keyboard, you have to lose the portability that makes tablets so popular. With a thickness of 17.3mm and a weight of 960g, it is easily the heaviest and thickest tablet in the market. It feels as though you are carrying a netbook around. The thickness and weight will bog you down further especially when you are using the Slider in its tablet form-factor. One-handed operation of the Slider will tire your hand quickly and holding it with both hands does not improve the situation much either. Another issue we had with the Slider is its reflective screen. With the screen locked at a fixed position when using the keyboard, we often find ourselves adjusting the Slider to minimize the reflection. While the battery life of the Slider is better than that of the Transformer, we would prefer ASUS bumping up its efforts in optimizing power management on its line of Eee Pad tablets. This will in turn strengthen their offerings as viable alternatives to the Apple iPads.

The ASUS Eee Pad Slider is available now for a list price of S$899, but we reckon you can get if for S$799 without much trouble. Compared to the Eee Pad Transformer that costs S$898 (with the keyboard docking station), it's a decent price point. Furthermore, compared to the Apple iPad 2 16GB Wi-Fi (S$668) and the Motorola Xoom 32GB Wi-Fi (S$888), the ASUS Eee Pad Slider comes across as a valuable purchase. If you don't mind the heft of the device and can benefit from a fully functional built-in keyboard, this is one tablet that's hard to ignore. On the other hand, if you need the flexibility to travel light, there are other options, including the Eee Pad Transformer from ASUS. Had the Slider been slimmer and lighter, the choice would have been really a no-brainer. For now, you'll have to choose between portability and functionality.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.