ASUS Eee Pad Slider SL101 - Sliding into Home, via Tablet

A tablet with an external keyboard attached? Now,there’s an intriguing concept! With Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101 tablet computer, you actually can “slide” out a QWERTY keyboard (hence the name) and avoid the nuisance of trying to type on a tablet screen.

Looking at the Slider from the front, it seems very similar to any other tablet. On closer examination, you can see an arrow right above the 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera that points upward to a mysterious groove. This groove unlocks the secret of the Pad Slider. By pulling up, you’ll discover that the screen of the tablet slides back and, voila! There’s the keyboard!

Even though the keys are a little smaller than conventional keyboards, it’s still possible get used to them to the point where you can type with a high degree of accuracy, although someone with larger hands may find that it feels a little cramped. There are also a few issues because of the awkward position of a structural lip that tends to interfere when your thumb is searching for the space bar.The keys are gray, with light-gray text that indicates function. There’s no touchpad, which can be pretty inconvenient when you need to edit something you’re working on (like a missed space), but keep in mind you’re dealing with a tablet computer, not a laptop.

To help with the keyboard tasks and keep productivity mobile, Asus has included Polaris Office with the Slider so that users will have an interface for editing Word docs, PowerPoint presentations, and spreadsheets. A file manager interface is also included, which enables users to view items on their storage drive,as well as any removable storage that may be attached to the Slider.

Added to the keyboard feature, the Slider has many of the most desirable features in tablet computers . With its Android 3.2 Honeycomb Operating System, you have an enhanced opportunity for smooth scrolling of Web pages and direct loading of files from the microSD card.There is also an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with Dual Core technology. This model offers 32GB of storage and 1GB RAM. It hasUSB 2.0, so that you can attach an external hard drive or a mouse (which would compensate for the lack of a touchpad).The Slider’s wireless connectivity is 802.11n, plus it has Bluetooth 2.1 EDR support.Other features include a gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, GPS, and a digital compass. The 3.2 Honeycomb feature is also upgradable to the 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Slider’s audio/video features include both rear-facing and front-facing cameras with 5 and 1.2 megapixels, respectively. Unfortunately, there is no LED flash on either camera, so any picture-taking has to be done in good light. The speaker is adequate, but it could use a higher volume threshold and some additional bass, despite the fact that Asus’s promotion touts the maximum bass response of the Slider’s audio.

As an additional enticement, Asus is providing one year of free access to Asus MyCloud so that users can store and share unlimited data in Asus WebStorage. This feature also enables users to have remote access to Mac or PC desktops, as well access to music and radio service through @Vibe. In addition, there is the MyLibrary interface,where you can purchase and read new books, and the MyNet interface, which allows you to stream videos to DLNA-enabled apparatus on your network.

The Slider’s battery has a runtime up to 8 hours, and the 10.1 inch glossy screen of the display provides wide viewing angles as well as vivid colors and brightness. The touchscreen has plenty of capacity, and it’s responsive and precise. It has the capability of distinguishing 10 different points of contact, and also has the durability of Gorilla glass reinforcement.

So, with everything the Slider has going for it, is there a downside? Well, that depends. If you love the tablet experience because it’s a thin, cool, lightweight way to get some work done or enjoy some recreation, then you may be somewhat disappointed in the Slider. Because of the keyboard, it is a little bulkier and a little heavier than other tablet computers. In fact, it’s almost twice as thick as iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1. But all things considered, at 2.1 pounds it’s still relatively lightweight and portable, so if the convenience of a keyboard is important to you, the Asus Slider may just be the best of two worlds.