Transformer Prime: Five Other Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

By Anthony Myers | December 29 2011 4:09 PM

Photo: Samsung

#1 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - Transformer Prime: Five Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

The Galaxy Tab leads the list because it should be the first tablet to get the Android 4.0 update. It doesn't have a quad-core processor like the Prime, but it doesn't cost $500 either. It's got good resolution, 16 gigabytes of storage, up to nine hours of battery life and the TouchWiz overlay from Samsung. Best Buy and Amazon have it for around $450.

Photo: Reuters

#2 iPad 2 - Transformer Prime: Five Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

Transformer Prime stands up well to the world's most popular tablet because of its fast processor, good screen resolution and thin design. But, if you're going to spend $500 on a tablet, you have to consider the iPad because it starts up quickly, gives you access to the App Store and can be plugged into an HDTV with an adapter.

Photo: Asus

#3 Asus Eee Pad Transformer - Transformer Prime: Five Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

The Prime's predecessor is also a 10-inch tablet, and it can be had for $400 because it's been out for a while now. Like the Prime, there is a keyboard dock available for $150 that turns it into a notebook computer.

Photo: Acer

#4 Acer Iconia A500 - Transformer Prime: Five Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

The A500 is down to almost $300 on Amazon, but for that price you get a 10-inch touchscreen, mini-HDMI port and microSD card slot, but only middling battery life. Depending on how you use it, you may need to charge it often, but it's at a great price for that kind of trade off.

Photo: Toshiba

#5 Toshiba Thrive - Transformer Prime: Five Tablets to Consider Before You Buy One

Another $400 10-inch tablet, the Thrive stands out because it has full-size ports for your USB, SD card and HDMI needs. It's a bit thicker than other devices, in part due to all those ports, but again, the price is right.

Photo: Toshiba

Daily currency analysis - Feb 11

by Darrell Jobman, Editor-in-Chief, TradingEducation.com, LLC

Daily currency analysis for Friday, February 8, 2008

EUR/US$

Consolidation was a dominant theme on Friday following the substantial Euro losses seen over the previous few days and especially on Thursday. The Euro found support close to 1.4450 against the dollar, but was struggling to break back above the 1.4520 resistance level. Sentiment was still being undermined by speculation that the ECB will cut interest rates during the second quarter.

There were no major data releases and the comments from Fed officials will continue to be watched very closely in the short term. Fed Governor Yellen stated on Friday that she was not confident that the US could avoid recession. Remarks from voting members will be watched closely as markets look to assess whether the Fed wants to send a signal over a pause in rate cuts. In this context, the testimony from Fed Chairman Bernanke next Thursday will be very important for market sentiment.

The German trade surplus declined to EUR10.8bn in December from EUR19.5bn the previous month which will cause some concern over export trends as there was a monthly decline in shipments. There was a rebound in German industrial production, although the annual growth rate slowed slightly.

Source: VantagePoint Intermarket Analysis Software

Yen

The dollar was being hampered by increased exporter selling towards the 108.0 region in Asian trading on Friday, but held above 107.30.

The Japanese economic data was weaker than expected with a 3.2% December fall in core machinery orders which gave a 3.3% annual decline. There will be further concerns that Japanese economic conditions are deteriorating.

Given the economic vulnerability, Japanese officials will be wary of further yen appreciation and comments from the Finance Ministry will be watched closely at the weekend G7 meetings. Even with European concerns, G7 members are likely to focus on measures to support credit markets and minimise recession risks rather than address exchange rates.

A lack of rhetoric would tend to weaken the yen slightly next week. The yen was confined to narrow ranges over the remainder of Friday as activity slowed.

Sterling

Sterling found support close to 1.94 against the dollar on Friday, but hit selling pressure above the 1.95 level as major technical levels held. The UK currency strengthened to highs around 0.7425 against the Euro before drifting weaker.

The UK inflation evidence will be watched closely next week to assess the scope for flexibility on interest rates. If there is higher consumer prices data and more serious inflation warnings in the quarterly inflation report, the Bank of England will continue to oppose rapid cuts in interest rates.
There will be additional pressure on the central bank to cuts rates aggressively if there is evidence of serious economic deterioration. There was a reported increase in housing repossessions during 2007, although the total was slightly below the expected level.

The Bank of England stated that it would not shift policy to announce the vote split with the MPC announcements.

Swiss franc

The Swiss currency found support close to 1.11 against the dollar on Friday and strengthened back to 1.1040 in New York. The franc fluctuated around the 1.60 level against the Euro.

The KOF institute warned that Swiss GDP growth was liable to slow during 2008, although forecasts were not downgraded aggressively. Wider fears over the European economy will have some negative impact on the Swiss currency.

Consumer prices rose 2.4% in the year to January compared with expectations of a 2.2% annual rate which will dampen expectations of lower interest rates.

Source: VantagePoint Intermarket Analysis Software

Australian dollar

The Australian dollar was unable to strengthen back above the 0.90 level against the US dollar, but held firm on the crosses.

General US currency strength stifled Australian dollar gains, although the local currency held relatively firm. Yield support will remain intact in the short term, especially as Australia is the only major economy where the central bank still has a tightening bias.

The Australian dollar secured support from the strength of commodity prices on Friday and settled close to 0.8955. There will, however, still be further unease over global growth conditions which will curb strong demand for the currency.

Read Other Recent Articles by Darrell Jobman

Asus' Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet is having its moment in the sun. Due to its quad-core system and tech geek appeal, the Prime is an underground hit before it even hits the shelves. Some retailers have given a Jan. 6 date for release, but that isn't soon enough for many tablet-crazed would-be buyers.

It's a crowded field in the Android tablet world, so there are plenty of options you could turn to if you don't want to wait another week (at least) to grab a Prime. Even if you don't mind waiting, you might as well go over the competition one last time to make sure you aren't overlooking another winning tablet just because it isn't the latest and greatest.

For this list, we'll keep it to only 10-inch tablets because that is what the Prime is. However, you should truly not overlook the BlackBerry PlayBook if you are shopping for a tablet. It's a seven-inch tablet, but it doesn't run Android. The 16 gigabyte version is on sale for $200, and it's a steal at that price. Start the slideshow to see five tablets you should consider before you buy a Prime. Tell us in the comments if you have exhausted your tablet research or if you are just getting started.

Must Read: iPad 3 will be Thinner Because of IGZO Panels: Real Deal or Rumor?

Must Read: Leaked Photo Indicates iPad 3 Retina Display

MUST READ: Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs Acer Iconia A500: Tablet Shootout

MUST READ: Facebook for the 99%: Why Occupy is Making its Own Social Network

MUST READ: Apple and Steve Jobs Archives on Display at Stanford