Couple notes on the R1F Convertible I just got in.

Just a few things I'd like to point out on the US R1F. I just recieved a couple units that we had overnighted to verify the configuration of the packages that we're getting on Wednesday. There are a few things that were unexpected that simply make this a better purchase and also just wanted to address one issue I noticed some others talking about....

Extras:

1. instead of simply coming with the travelers drawer, these packages are coming with the 2nd hard drive kit.. That's a $35 item that by itself can be used as a travelers drawer, but could also accept an SATA hard drive for extra space or backups.

2. The DVD burner is a slot drive..... Doesn't suit everyone's fancy, but it's only the second model we've ever had that has sported one and it's the first super slim 8x super multi burner to have a slot load.... so that's super high end in itself and expensive.

3. The system will come with a nice khaki colored carrying case and a bluetooth mouse. Also, it will come with a nice khaki colored carry sleeve, which was certainly not known prior.

Build:

The production unit is just like, if not slightly more refined from the demo we had earlier in the summer. The only concern I've seen anyone mention around the world was something about the screen wobbeling. It is on a pivot point and if you pull on the left or side side it will move around a bit, however in terms of the opening and closing, that's as solid as any other Asus notebook. I don't think this will be a problem for anyone, as it is even tighter on the pivot itself than the demo, which I thought was just as tight as any other convertible with a pivot that I've ever used. It's just the fact there is no way to support the edges to keep from having a little bit of rotational movement, but I can certainly say that it's only when you physically pull at it. So, I'm happy with the finished product. I'm just upset that we are already sold out of them.... Hopefully, we'll be able to get a bit more for next week, but even those are going to go fast. I already have a list that started on Friday that is a dozen of so people long just from this forum. If you're interested, I can certainly do my best to help out, but in the end production is limited and the US supply is pathetic and will be for the rest of the year.

 

Wow, thanks Asus! And thanks Justin for the info! Is there any chance we might see similar freebies/upgrades on other new/refreshed models?

~ Brett

 

Too bad about limited production -- it seems a lot of companies that roll out Tablets like to dip their toe in the water first to see what the demand is.

That's great news on the slot loading drive in my book though, love having that feature, especially in a Tablet PC that's designed to be even more portable and on the go than a notebook -- popping out an optical drive while standing is lame.

 

Well, Asus knows the market and they're super conservative... Basically they said they wouldn't put out a 17" system until they could get it down to a certain weight and thickness - so the W2 was two years removed from when 17"er's first came out.... With the tablet, I've seen two other prototypes prior to the R1 that go back a good three years. They wait to see how the market rolls and also to see how certain things work out for other models they make for other companies.... needless to say, I personally think the pivot hinge is one of those things that held them up. The screen is thinner than it could have been even just two years ago and that alone helps with the design of the hinge.

The carrying case, mouse and sleeve - along with the new 2 year global warranty and 30 day zero bright dot warranty are carrying over to most models I believe. I'm not 100% on the sleeve, but I saw one in the new W7's that came in today as well. The sleeve on the R1f is basically like the S6f....... while the W7 sleeve is like what used to come with the S5/M5. The R1 and S6 specifically come in giftboxes and then the notebook is actually packed in the sleeve.... which is really nice. I'm not sure which other models will get that higher end sleeve, but I'm sure it will only be the models that are coming in the gift boxes....... right now that's the R1f and S6f....

 

Justin, what's the screen like? One of my students in the MATLAB class I teach has a Compaq tablet, and there is a visible thin layer over the screen that annoys the heck out of me.. Maybe he put an aftermaket screen protector on it, though. That would be my only concern with a tablet... I am hoping they are more widespread in a couple years though, I can see a lot of uses for them.

Those Ensemble packages make me drool... It was a nice extra that the Z33 came with a carrying case, but I think if I bought one of the gift boxed S6s I would be tempted to leave it in the box as a collectors item!

 

Well convertibles are really just a stepping stone to slates, period. I was into slates atleast three years ago and I got hooked, but I also loved my notebooks and desktop. However, people just couldn't make sense of paying more for a tablet than a notebook and losing the keyboard..... so we have convertibles to get people into the market to see what it's all about without feeling like there's no way to go back. In a couple more years we may see more slates with integration of some sort of higher end bluetooth keyboard that detaches or something.... but it's deffinately not going anywhere but up.

The screen looks just like the W7 to me... at least that's what I had out on my desk when I was looking at the R1.... so I don't know. I think a lot of tablet buyers put a screen protector on and I don't like them. They slow down the movement of the stylus which will make you hate it... and the coatings on the screens now are really good and I don't think I have any scratches on my one slate and it's a few years old.... although I probably have 6 total months of use on it, pocket pc's would scratch up in a month or so.... so I don't think that's a problem.

I hear you about the S6's.... the R1 is the same way, which is nifty... certainly an awesome, awesome gift.... but for me, I don't need a box or accessories... I just need maybe extra chassis parts to repair things if I screw them up... but the packaging certainly helps prove Asus is the brand to the high end market.

 

I'm looking into buying a thin and light so I've just been browsing around, and the r1f does look good... but it looks even better in Australia! they get a version with a T7200 (2GHz) down under!
http://www.mwave.com.au/newAU/mwave...C31W97NCJNLS45KLR8UGQDHUZSFCCBE3&sku=31020099

I'm guessing the chances of seein this model on our side of the pond in the near future are pretty slim....

 

The question you ask isn't really one of "what are the chances we'll see it"... It's a matter of market and what that market can support. The market here can't support the addition cost of the T7200 in the R1 at this time... it would make for a $2,000 tablet and apparently the market research doesn't bode well for a tablet priced up there - go figure - but we'll only get in one at a time and probably won't see a jump to even 1.8ghz until a price drop on the cpus in January.