Asus Eepad Transformer Is A Hit! Tegra 3 Powered Sequel Due Out By October?
Its official. Asus’ Eepad Transformer was a hit in the (non Apple) tablet world. According to Digitimes, they managed to ship over 400,000 units in the first half of 2011, making their way to the top spot of largest (non Apple) tablet brand on the globe and it’s all thanks to their Android powered Eee Pad Transformer.
Asus has been doing so well that they’re already preparing for the second generation of Eee Pad Transformers powered by Nvidia’s new Tegra 3 quad-core Kal-El processors and the new version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. Supposedly, it could ship as early as October, which would make it just in time for the holidays. Things move fast in the PC world and it looks like Android tablets are no different.
Asus will also take the top spot from Acer this year and become Nvidia’s number 1 customer, placing around 2.5 million orders for their Tegra 2/3 CPU’s. But why so many? Well, word on the street is Asus will be using some of those Tegra 3’s in their new Chromebooks due out later this year.
What I also found interesting is that sources are claiming Asus is barely breaking even when it comes to their Eeepad Transformer. Apparently the low $400 price tag and Asus’ use of above standard components is resulting in a very thin profit margin. In fact, where Asus is making most of their money is from the optional keyboard dock and is the main reason most people buy the Transformer to begin with.
2011 is looking like a good year for Asus. With the upcoming release of their Padfone, a Tegra 3 powered, Ice Cream Sandwich running tablet/phone device, they may have more than a few hits this year. Lets just hope for less brown color schemes.
[Via Digitimes]