ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700T) Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 25, 2012 3:00 AM ESTThe Display
At 1920 x 1200 with a 10.1-inch diagonal, the Transformer Pad Infinity's Super IPS+ panel works out to a hefty 224 pixels per inch. That's shy of the iPad's 264 PPI but still a tremendous improvement over the 149 PPI of the previous generation Transformers. 1920 x 1200 is a fully supported resolution under Ice Cream Sandwich, so there's no funniness that has to happen in order to support the new display. It's still a 16:10 aspect ratio, but with a 1.5x increase in the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
The effect on the display is subtle but present. Text looks sharper, icons look clearer, everything just gets better. The browser uses the added resolution to make smaller text more legible when zoomed out on web pages:
Macro shot of AnandTech.com on the Transformer Prime, 10.1-inch 1280 x 800
Macro shot of AnandTech.com on the Transformer Pad Infinity, 10.1-inch 1920 x 1080
High resolution photos look good on the display as well, but the effect is a bit more subtle than I would have expected. It's really text that benefits the most in my opinion.
In going to the higher resolution panel, ASUS hasn't improved color gamut or accuracy. Things are a tad better compared to the TF Prime but not appreciably so. White point is kept at around 7500K across the brightness range.
Where ASUS does deliver is in contrast ratio and brightness. In its default state the Transformer Pad Infinity can deliver, at max brightness, 460 nits. Similar to the Transformer Prime, ASUS offers a Super IPS+ mode for outdoor viewing that drives the panel and backlight to just under 700 nits.
Black levels suffer a bit at the Super IPS+ setting, but otherwise the panel is actually a bit better than what ASUS used in the Transformer Prime. The result is a contrast ratio of over 1300:1, or 1135:1 in Super IPS+ mode.
The brightness and contrast improvements are appreciated as is the increased pixel density. It would have been nice to see an improvement in color gamut and color accuracy with the Transformer Pad Infinity. Let's hope ASUS is saving the best for its Windows 8 tablets later this year.
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rickcain2320 - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
And thus, Microsoft completely misunderstands the tablet market by even considering it could be a laptop.jmhart - Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - link
Too bad MS has yet to build an OS that bridges the PC/laptop gap yet. Maybe they'll pull it off with WinRT, but to date that haven't so their "understanding" means nothing.DeciusStrabo - Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - link
This might be the case some day, but WindowsRT won't be a laptop any more or less than the Transformer, thanks to internals being even weaker than this tablet shown here and its limitation to Metro (and Office Home version).Only Windows 8 Pro will be really trying to bridge the gap, and then you get the usual Ultrabook issues (fan noise, heat, shorter run time, weight). So while I would love a real tablet-laptop hybrid, I'm afraid it won't be before we see Broadwell released that this dream comes true. The best are compromises (either like the Transformer here at tablet with a keyboard attachment or like the Windows 8 Pro thin a Ultrabook with a touchscreen).
kpopat - Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - link
The question is, how will you type on the Surface tablet, if you do not have a table?(BTW - Reader of Anandtech since I think 2000 and this is the second or third times I have posted on this site - after a very long break :-D)
B3an - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
And you dont seem to understand anything. Surface already looks vastly higher quality than this, and already has FAR more interest than any Android tablet will get. Many people dont want gimmicks, they want a real PC the size of a tablet thats actually useful."Plus how are you going to use the kickstand+touch cover on your lap?"
And what kind of stupid question is that?? You simply dont. But it's there when you need it, for things like actual work/typing.
When Surface is released and sells far more than any Android tablet i cant wait to laugh at people like you.
3DoubleD - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
The question still stands though... how do you use a surface tablet on your lap with the softcover keyboard?You can't unless you brought a hard surface to prop it up on.
An ultraportable laptop/netbook/tablet that can't be used while traveling is probably the most useless thing I've ever heard of.
Spunjji - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
Tray table? That's where I use my laptop on trains/planes/whatever...3DoubleD - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
That works on planes, but what about when you are waiting to board a plane?Not all trains have the trays (I'd say most don't have them).
Bus? Car? Bench in a park?
I don't see the point of an ultra-portable that forces you to look for a tablet to use it!
The ASUS concept for the Transformer is by far the better design.
french toast - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
You don't have to use the keyboard if you don't want to, perhaps on a plane you could use the tray? Use on screen keyboard? Or perhaps by a mini Bluetooth foldup keyboard? ..I think it's great to see some innovation going on, nothing will ever suit everyone..it can't..if you don't like it..don't buy it.
Despite that it looks like a high end device imo.
Belard - Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - link
You know 3DoubleD... you have some issues. We get it, you don't like or need mobile devices.I rarely use my notebook... but I do use it. It works in cars, hotels. its a portable computer. Nothing more. Go out of town, need to do articles, print reports, etc... notebook is easier to carry than a 25lb box!
I use my iPad more than my ThinkPad... I use it on the can, use on the sofa, use on the train... I can prop it or hold it in my hand... it gets about 8 hours of use... something my notebook CAN'T do.
What works for you, might not work for someone else.