Asus: No 3G Variant of Transformer Prime Planned

After speculations that Asus would be introducing a 3G GSM variant of its Transformer Prime flagship quad-core tablet this Spring, Asus is coming forward and saying that no such model is part of its roadmap. Users looking to obtain the Transformer Prime will have to settle for the WiFi-only model, which will be available in either 32 or 64 GB capacities and in two different colors.

Despite not delivering a 3G-enabled version of the Transformer Prime, 3G may be coming to other ‘high-end products in the Transformer family.’ It’s unclear what that statement means as the only two products right now in the Transformer family are the Transformer Prime and the original Eee Pad Transformer introduced at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

If Asus had offered a version of the Transformer Prime with an embedded 3G chip, users could connect to compatible cellular networks with a data plan and not have to be within connection of a WiFi signal to get on the Internet.

The Transformer Prime had recently suffered a setback, forcing Asus to change its marketing for the tablet. The unibody aluminum construction of the tablet had interfered with GPS reception for users of the tablet hoping to either use the Transformer Prime for satellite navigation or for location-based services, and Asus had subsequently removed the GPS listing from its specs sheet to avoid confusion.

The tablet is the first quad-core tablet in the world and succeeds the dual-core Transformer tablet.

Via: SlashGear