ASUS Transformer Prime: Pre-Orders Hit UK, U.S. for Dec.19 Release Date [SPECS]

The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime has finally opened pre-orders for its Tegra 3 tablet in the U.K, signaling to a launch in the U.S in the coming week.

The Android tablet has opened its orders to the U.K market priced at £449 with shipment schedules for January 2012.Asus announced that the 32GB Wi-Fi addition will be the only model available in the U.K.

Pricing in the U.S will range from $499 (32GB) to $599** (64GB), with the optional mobile dock accessory priced at $149.

The launch was delayed after Asus recalled 300 of its EeePad Transformer Prime Tablets due to Wi-Fi Connectivity issues. The problem was only found in the first batch of tablets sold in Taiwan, according to the company.

The Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the first tablet to herald the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor. It is ultra-thin at 8.3mm and weighs only 586g and comes with state-of-the-art SonicMaster Audio technology, an HD 8MP rear auto-focus camera with LED flash. And all with an 18-hour battery-left when combined with the mobile dock.

The combination between the Eee Pad Transformer Prime and Tegra 3 is the perfect fusion to deliver an uncompromising tablet experience. Together, we bring a whole new mobile computing experience to consumers around the world, said ASUS CEO Jerry Shen.

The Tegra 3 processor provides smoother multitasking capabilities, fast app loading and a fast fluid web experience, according to the company. Full 1080P allows high quality video playback and gaming experience.

A 1.2MP front camera allows for instant photos or high-quality video conferencing and the 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash takes stunning photos or video thanks due to its wide angle F2.4 aperture, back illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus depth of field and low-light noise reduction.

The mobile dock is heralded as one of the best specs of the tablet it seamlessly provides the user with a keyboard and touchpad for superior content creation capabilities, longer battery life and incredible expandability options via the USB port and SD card slot.

The SonicMaster technology is another top spec. It provides crisp and acoustically accurate audio.

Both the 32GB and 64GB flash storage tablets include a micro SD card slot, 3.5mm combo audio jack and micro HDMI port so sharing both what's inside and on-screen is quick and easy.

The tablet will be be released in the U.S on Dec.19, ASUS announced.