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Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101 - Asus Slider ReviewUpdate - If you're wondering about a next generation Slider, we haven't heard anything. It's quite possible that Asus will move on with the Transformer tablets and not release another version. It's speculation on our part only. There still is not indication of Asus revisting this style of form factor. It appears that the slider design didn't prove popular enough. It's just a fact that all the other tablets in the Asus line-up have been updated with new models and the Slider hasn't been part of that. We didn't see a Windows 8 version yet we saw many Transformer Windows 8 Asus tablets. If we hear rumors about a next Asus has started rolling out the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update in the USA. Expect other markets to get their updates soon also. Your firmware should be updated to: v9.2.1.21. See official tweet here. You can now order the Asus Slider in many countries although quantities are dwindling. You can currently order in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, and various other European countries at various online retailers. It's available in either white or mocha. Pricing is less than $479 for the 16GB model and less than $579 for the 32GB model. No word yet on a 3G model. June 10, 2011 - Asus has officially mentioned aSlider release date. If you live in the UK at least, the Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101 release date is August. See it at the Asus facebook page. Can you wait? June 2 - Wondering about the newest and upcoming Asus SL101? Well Asus has a hands-on video review out. This review video gives multiple views of the Slider motion and mechanism that allows the keyboard to be used. Please enjoy!
May 30 - We have it. Now officially the Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101. So one of our guesses was right. How about that! We've also read a few more details. The release date is now July 2011 and the price is expected to be US$650-800. Not official pricing, but that has been the most recent rumor out there. Current Asus Slider SL101 Review Specifications:
May 26 - Asus is about to make a big splash at Computex 2011 on May 30, 2011. Asus have been releasing some teaser images leading up to this official unveiling. We know the Asus Memo is going to happen, but what about the Eee Pad Slider EP102? Sure, Asus has confirmed they will be showing it off at Computex 2011, but there is also something that we are having fun with. Check out these two images and keep in mind that we do not know which tablet they are, or if this is something completely new to the line-up. Are either of these two teaser images the Asus Slider EP102?
We aren't saying that either of these images are the Slider. It's just that out of the 4 teaser images, there isn't one that is clearly showing it. So that leads us to speculate. That's the idea of a teaser right? Nobody is right, nobody is wrong. This is what we are thinking. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine. Is it possible that Asus created the Asus Slider into a more hybrid tablet? As these teaser photos say, pad or phone. Again, perhaps neither of these images is the SL101, but why would Asus leave the slider out of the teaser portion of this campaign? It doesn't make sense. So now have a look at the teaser photos from Asus. See how they are cropped? Oddly enough they don't show the back or the top portion of the tablet. Coincidence or not? Is it no possible that Asus made a change from including the bluetooth handset (MeMic) with the Eee Pad Memo to now the Eee Pad Slider? We think that's actually quite possible. Afterall, the Memo has the stylus included so why not have the handset connect into the chasis of the Slider? Here is another thought to ponder (wow will this be funny to go back and read after next week eh). If you recall, the Asus Slider was rumored to have the new upcoming Intel Atom processor. What if in fact it does have the Atom. Is it possible that there is a Windows phone instead of an Android handset? Is it even possible that it could be a Windows OS tablet now? These are all possibilities and heck it's fun thinking about this. Heck, with the delays in getting out the Asus Eee Transformer, isn't a Windows 8 tablet possible in the form of the Eee Pad Slider? Why not. It's not like anyone knows! May 25 - Some great new teaser photoshave been released by Asus. No, we did not crop these photos. This is how they were released on their official website.
May 4 - Digitimes, the news souce which seems to have pretty reliable information regarding ASUS, indicates that things are a go ahead for a May release of the Eee Pad Slider EP102. Perhaps this story was from a time before this parts shortage came about, but time will tell. We keep on top of news so stay tuned with us! May 2 - There is a rumor about production issue for the Eee Pad Transformer due to parts shortages. This will push back the filling of the pre-orders most likely. How this relates to the Asus Slider? Simply said if the Transformer is pushed back, you would think then that the Slider would also be pushed back. There hasn't been a nugget of information regarding a possible Eee Pad Slider EP102 release date and we think the originally discussed release date of June 2011 is not going to happen. We hope that they can stay with that release date, but we are a bit pessimistic at this moment. News will be posted here as we learn more about the status of the Asus Slider production. April 28 - It's interesting in that the Eee Pad Transformer is extremely popular and extremely sold out right now. It makes me wonder who will be left to buy these other Asus tablet models. It's going to be interesting to see what happens. The EP102 looks amazing from all previews so far! Perhaps it will be delayed longer because of the success and delays on the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 launch. Stay tuned for news and updates! April 18 - Another Update: Asus has told Liliputing that the Eee Pad Slider will NOT be getting a different processor. Not now, not later, not ever. However, they are planning a completely separate tablet with the new Atom Z670 processor. In that case it would seem most likely that there is another Eee Slate coming because it's most likely that Asus would combine the Atom processor with Windows OS like has been done with netbooks. People hear Atom processor and they assume Windows OS. April 15 - Update: Regarding the news below about the Asus Slider showing up on the Intel press release page about the new Z670 Atom processor, the tablet has now been removed. No official word out there from anyone as to whether it was a mistake and that it will not have the Atom Z670. Stay tuned as we get updated information about what processor will be used after the initial launch with Tegra 2. There is some very interesting news coming out of the IDF Beijing 2011 show. Intel unveiled it's new Atom Oak Trail processor, named Atom Z670. Big deal? Regarding the Slider, yes this is big news. The rumor is that the initial launch in May 2011 will have the Tegra 2 dual core processor. After the initial launch, there is expected to be a new release of the Slider which features new hardware upgrades. We are about 100% certain that this rumored hardware upgrade is in fact the Atom Z670 processor. How are we so sure? Check out Intel's press release and details page: Screenshot from Intel's Official Website Clearly Shows Asus EeePad Slider So it certainly appears to be a certainty about the Slider being released, perhaps in its second generation in September 2011, as coming with the new Atom Z670 processor. We did notice something else that might be worth thinking about. What OS will it actually come with? Sure, in May, it will come with the popular Tegra 2 processor along with the Android OS. But isn't Atom + Windows the combination that is a certainty? Perhaps. If you look further at the Intel press page for the ne processor, the Asus Slider is listed with many other tablets. I did also notice that a lot or most of the other 5 or 6 tablets show also had a Windows logo on the screen. Did I see an Android logo on any of the tablets? No I didn't. Now Intel does mention that this Z670 can be used in Google Chrome OS, Android, Windows and MeeGo devices. This leads me to believe that it's possible, and I say only a theory, that the Eee Pad Slider could see a Windows OS. If that's the case, then you may see it become the Eee Slate EP102 or something similar. Again, just speculation on my part. I'm guessing about this and having some fun with it. As we know, things change. Configurations change and names change. We do that the Windows OS tablets will be using Slate in their descriptions regardless of the manufacturers. Just something to think about as we move forward. April 13 - With all the excitement around the Eee Pad Transformer, the poor little Eee Pad Slider is somewhat forgotten about. We think the Slider has a real good chance at being the best Asus tablet in terms of portability and functionality. We expect there to be some more news in the coming weeks, most likely coming as the Transformer marketing and launch subsides a bit. It's understandable that Asus want the Slider to have it's own spotlight and that's next to impossible as the Asus Transformer is about to launch next week in the UK.
March 1 - Based on our home page poll, the interest in the Slider is dwafed by the Transformer. The reason for this might simply come down to exposure. I suspect a lot of people are unaware of this nifty slide out tablet. However, it's going to be interesting to see how the Asus Slider fares against the seemingly titan of popularity in the Asus Transformer. With all that said, let's get into what we know about it so far.
a) EP101 At this point we are speculating. From the start, this was referred to as the Asus Eee Pad Slider EP102. Asus does change model numbers and naming at the last minute so we simply are putting forward our guesses. Which one do you think it's going to be? April 1 - Eee Pad Slider Specs (unofficial):
Note: Updates to the specs of the Asus Slider EP102 as they become available! January 4 - The Eee Pad Slider was launched at CES 2011 by Asus today. This was formally known as the EP102 and we do not know if Asus is doing away with Eee P ad EP102 all together. Personally, we like the Slider the best. If they want to have a 7" Eee Pad Slider, we think it's better and more sensible for people to understand which product or Eee Pad is being discussed. Here are the details so far! Price: $500 to $800 Slider Release Date: May 2011 SL101 Specs:
December 29 - Well today is the day Asus has taken the veil off of the Asus Eee Pad EP102. Sure, it's not a true press release, but it does tell us or show us a bit about the EP102. We don't know specifics just quite yet as these will be announced at CES 2011. The fact is, this is evidence that the EP102 is real and it's coming. How soon is a release date we do not know.
Judging by the EP102, we can assume that this is another 10" Eee Pad which has been speculated about over the past few months. We think the "102" is the dead giveaway! Expect this to be an Android Eee Pad. Looking at the image of the Eee Pad EP102, the touchscreen moves upward. Rather it slides upward to expose a keyboard. This begs the question about whether the EP102 is actually just a tablet, or is it a tablet/keyboard combo device. Guess away! It would seem that the EP102 comes with the two pieces attached together which are held together by what appears to be a slide out mechanism like the smartphone QWERTY keyboards.
The first sightings of the Eee Pad Slider from the Asus Promo video!
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generation, we will post about it. Until then, you can pick up a SL101 for a cheap price and you get the updated Android OS version.
Before we get to specific or technical details, let's talk basic. What's the model name for the tablet? Is it:
