Asus Eee Pad Transformer Launches in Australia [Asus' Hybrid Netbook/Tablet Gets A Release Down Under; Does This Mean Asus Supply Issues Are Now Fixed, But Why The High Price?]

Posted on TFTS by J. Angelo Racoma on Wednesday, 25. May 2011 under: PCs, Notebooks, Netbooks & Tablets

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer seems to be a popular little wonder, what with the flexibility of having both a tablet and netbook (and with a long battery life at that). The company seems to have solved its supply chain issues, and launched the device in more countries.

Asus has launched the Eee Pad Transformer is showing up at more US retailers, which means the company has been able to address the supply/demand issues that were previously hindering the mass release of the Transformer. Stores down under have started stocking the tablet-only and tablet+keyboard combo, which are priced at A$599 for the 16GB model and A$799 for the 32GB model. That’s equivalent to $630 to $838, respectively.

The A$599 is for the tablet only, though, while the A$799 model will include the keyboard. Asus says the keyboard will be available for A$199 soon after, which means you’re getting a better deal with the 32GB model.

At these prices, the Transformer is much more expensive than the $400 price for the 16GB model in the US. Why the premium? Gadgets are said to be more expensive in Australia than elsewhere, so that’s not so great for our friends down under (I personally know a few).