Asus Windows, Android tablets set for UK

The Eee Pad Transformer uses Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the first version of Google's Android operating system to be optimised for tablet use.

Held vertically, the OS looks similar to the iPad's iOS operating system. Indeed, Asus's tablet has very similar dimensions and weight to the first-generation iPad — it also has a 10-inch IPS [in-plane switching] screen, and it also weighs 680g. Likewise, it has a dual-core processor, except the Asus uses Nvidia's Tegra 2 chip rather than Apple's A5.

However, the Android 3.0 tablet is slightly cheaper — the lowest-cost iPad 2 is £399 — and has better cameras, with the rear camera having a five-megapixel resolution and the front-facing camera 1.2 megapixels. The keyboard attachment for the Transformer also looks less odd than that available for the iPad, as it uses the tablet in its horizontal rather than vertical orientation.

The Transformer also has a slightly higher screen resolution, at 1,280 by 800 pixels to the iPad 2's 1,024 by 768 pixels. However, the iPad 2 is lighter at 600g, and thinner at 8.6mm to the Transformer's 13mm.

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Honeycomb users can choose live Google Maps for their background. However, this does not make much sense without embedded 3G connectivity, and an Asus spokesman told ZDNet UK that it will be a couple of months before that variant of the Transformer arrives.

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For those who need Microsoft rather than Google powering their tablet, Asus is about to bring out the Eee Slate EP121.

Based on Windows 7 Home Premium, the EP121 has a 12.1-inch screen, a low-powered Intel Core i5-470UM processor and a fat stylus to help the user navigate Microsoft's non-tablet-optimised OS. It has 4GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD.

As with the Transformer, the EP121's screen is built using Corning's very tough Gorilla Glass. The slate costs £999 and will go on sale on 10 April.

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The Eee Slate EP121 has a soft keyboard option, but any real keyboard would need to be wirelessly connected by Bluetooth.

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As can be seen here, the Eee Pad Transformer is a lot more portable than the Eee Slate EP121.

The Transformer, on the left, measures 271 by 177 by 12.98mm and weighs 680g. The EP121 measures 312 by 207.2 by 16.95mm and weighs 1.16kg.

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This shot demonstrates the difference in thickness between Asus's Android and Windows tablets.

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This shot demonstrates the relative sizes of the Transformer and EP121, while also showing off the backs of the devices.

See more tablet photos on ZDNet UK.