Sounded out
On the subject of music the SRS-equipped speaker fires from the top of the base section and sounds pretty impressive when the screen is up, though things get a little muffled when you fold it flat.
SplashTop remote access is on-board
Asus has been mercifully restrained when it comes to preloading it’s tablets so the Slider only comes with a Splashtop remote access app, Polaris Office, a handy little DLNA rig called MyNet and a Swype-like trace virtual keyboard.
Using Polaris, I wrote this entire review on the Slider proving it to be an effective replacement for my slower, heavier Ubuntu-running Atom netbook even if the typing experience was not as rewarding.
Works well as an e-reader too
I had hoped that the Slider would be priced between the Transformer costs with and without keyboard but sadly Asus decided it should set you back exactly the same as the former. As a package, it is smaller and lighter than a Transformer plus keyboard and more convenient if you are mobile. However, for the same money the Transformer is more versatile and the superior keyboard brings with it an extra 7-odd hours of battery life too.
A long time coming and a bit pricey too
Verdict
Though thicker and heavier than the fondleslab-norm the Slider makes a lot of sense if you intend to do any serious typing or are always looking for a way to prop your tablet up while watching a video, making a Skype video call or reading a book. It’s a bit of shame it has taken so long to make it to the UK market and that it’s rather expensive but it still makes sense for anyone who wants an Android tablet for productivity as much as fun. ®
More Tablet and Reader Reviews |
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Tablet S |
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Kobo Touch |
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Android tablets |
 Amazon
Kindle 4 |
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Iconia A100 |
Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101
COMMENTS
Come Back Psion Series 7/Netbook!
no track pad, check - touch screen, check - colour, check, screen half across keyboard, check
I guess 2001 was just too early!
Hmm
Android is interesting, but can this thing run full-on GNU/Linux?
The legendary folks over at xda-developers have got ubuntu running on the transformer (the slider is very closely related).
The big problem is that nVidia have only released drivers for an out of date version of X and as a bonus they are buggy as an overcrowded ant hill....
It would certainly make it more interesting
The basics probably work, but I've not heard of anyone trying. The main problem is that nVidia haven't seen fit to provide a linux driver for the GPU, so you're left with an unaccelerated framebuffer. If they'd used OMAP 4 it would be another story!
from the author....
@bigphil9009 - it's the built-in reader app. It's called Asus MyLibrary. If it's a re-brand of another ereader app it's not one I'm familiar with. It is very good though.
@ Craig12. H.264/MP4 files will play at 1080p but, MKV, AVI and WMV files will only play at 720p. That's from a combo of MoboPlayer, V Player and the stock video player.
@ jedit. I think you underestimate the potential. I took the Slider down the London for a day of meetings last week and the option to either use it as a regular tablet or set it up on a desk to bash away at my mails came in very handy. It's the first tablet - iOS or Android - I'd actually consider buying because it could earn it's keep at work and replace my netbook.
