The Transformer Up Close
The Transformer Pad TF300 case is all plastic, whereas the Prime uses aluminum. The TF300 is also 0.11lbs (58 grams) heavier, though Asus says the physical dimensions are identical. Naturally, the Prime's aluminum housing looks a lot nicer, but the plastic is cheaper and being more of an aesthetic concern, bargain hunters aren't likely to care much.
The plastic housing flexes a little if you push hard enough, but nowhere near enough to be a problem. Asus made critical components such as the hinge on the docking station out of steel to improve durability.
Combined, the dock and pad measure 10.3 x 7.1 x 0.76" (263 x 180.8 x 19.4mm) and weigh roughly 2.6lbs (1181g). The tablet itself measures 10.3 x 7.1 x 0.40" (263 x 180.8 x 10.4mm) and weighs just 1.2lbs (546g).
As mentioned, both the tablet and dock have their own battery. These are charged using a proprietary interface that connects using USB. The same 40-pin connection is also used to connect the tablet to the dock.
Those who want a tablet to serve as their main on-the-go PC will love the dock. It adds extra connectivity such as USB, increases battery life and makes your tablet more productivity-friendly with a keyboard and trackpad solution.
The trackpad measures 3.2 x 1.5" (82 x 39mm) which is a reasonable size and certainly not small by netbook standards. Usability is excellent in our experience. The black cursor glows blue and is easy to follow on the Android OS.
The dock also improves typing productivity, and in our opinion, is a must-have if you intend on typing for an extended period. We found the on-screen keyboard too slow even for short emails, but your experience may vary.