Joined on 08/15/07
Warning: shiny screen
Pros: Single-point touch works quite well in Linux. It also works when used as part of a multi-monitor array once you've configured the xinput device with the right coordinate transformation matrix.
Cons: The glossy finish gave me headaches until I bought an expensive anti-glare film. Now the viewing angle has suffered somewhat when compared to the inexpensive matte-finish monitor next to it. This is a disappointing result for a touch-screen technology whose main benefit is that it doesn't require extra layers of film on top of the display surface. Another problem with the glossy finish is that the finger doesn't glide along the surface very smoothly. Anti-glare film fixes that, too. Screen-touching registers when your finger or pointing object is roughly a millimeter from the display surface. This takes a little getting used to, because of unexpected results while pressing or releasing.
Overall Review: Unless you're a fan of glossy screens, plan to spend money and time for an anti-glare film to stick to the surface. It is difficult to apply a filter to such a large screen even with an abundance of caution and patience. Can we start listing glossy/matte finish in product specifications, please?
Partially obstructed space bar
Pros: The bottom of the keyboard is a close approximation to the back of the Nexus, so when you have the combined device closed, it really does look rather nice. Plus, you only have one thing to carry around instead of having to pocket a separate Bluetooth keyboard. The Bluetooth connectivity sets up easily and works well. The layout of the keyboard is mostly sensible. The backspace key hasn't shrunk as it has with some similar models. When the device is set up on a table, the device feels very stable. The tablet rests at a fixed angle that's reclined roughly 30 degrees from the vertical. This isn't adjustable, but I find it a very comfortable angle that requires no adjustment. The device feels much less stable when put on the lap because the center of mass is so far back that it wants to roll down your knees. Still, I found it usable this way even when being jostled inside a moving car.
Cons: There are protrusions around the edge of the keyboard when in use, due to its other role as a case. One of them is in the way of part of the spacebar. If you are in, or can develop, the habit of spacing with your left thumb, you might not even notice. If you're right-thumbed, you can reach the very edge of the spacebar, but your thumb is going to be bumping up against that clasp all the time, contributing to a cramped, claw-like typing experience. The key in "Esc" position is not "back", but "home". I found this counterintuitive. The left Ctrl key isn't found at the very corner of the layout, but has been displaced by the Fn key and one of two "back" buttons. This probably only affects you if you like to use terminal emulators in Android.
Overall Review: Though you can carry the case and Nexus around as a unit, when you open it for use, you either have to set it up or set the keyboard aside. It's not like a flip-cover that can be put out of the way when not in use. On the other hand, it connects via Bluetooth and not via dock, so if you have a need to put the tablet somewhere other than in the keyboard slot during use, you have the freedom to do that. On balance, I'm happy with it, but only because I picked it up cheap.
Nope.
Pros: Works when used with a keyboard
Cons: Quits working after a few minutes when used with a hub, keyboard, and mouse.
Overall Review: I tried this cable for use with an arcade gaming peripheral, which comes with separate USB outputs for keyboard and mouse. Using keyboard alone worked fine, but both used with a hub (I tried two of them) for some time would quit responding until unplugged and replugged at the computer end. The problem did not occur if I replaced the cable with a daisy chain of USB hubs.
Must be experienced to be believed
Pros: This was my first Android 4 device, and everything about it just plain fits well together. The interface is satisfyingly snappy and responsive, and plain fun to flick around. The screen resolution is just beautiful. There's 1920x1200 packed into this space, which accommodates the tablet's system bar (including the back, home, menu, find buttons) and leaves you a full 1080p for doing actual things.
Cons: Battery life is understandably limited, and the built-in sound is unimpressive. I have found neither of these things terribly inconvenient.
Overall Review: The keyboard dock is a great help. The screen keyboard works fairly well, but I think of it as an "in a pinch" sort of thing. I greatly prefer matte screens to shiny ones, so I bought a screen protector and I'm pleased with the result. I am looking forward to jellybean.
Nearly mandatory for the TF-700
Pros: Turns the TF-700 into an admirable little Android netbook. The pad and dock look and feel like a single unit when docked. The extra battery helps a lot, and I think justifies the expense. The keyboard layout is exactly right: backslash in the right place, big backspace, arrow keys easy to find by feel. The touchpad works very well, in case you don't feel like reaching up to touch the screen.
Cons: Touchpad gets in the way while typing, but this is easily mitigated by the anti-touchpad key on the top row.
Overall Review: If you use ConnectBot, search for the Transformer-specific fork of this app discussed on Google Code. Then the keyboard works great over SSH, including Ctrl-keys and Esc.
Works great, once it's on
Pros: Fits the TF700 perfectly, down to the cutout for the front camera and light sensor. A 3-pack means 3 chances to get it right. The film doesn't interfere with touch detection at all, and I greatly prefer the feel to that of the naked screen: the finger glides more reliably, and doesn't tempt you to use your nail just to get consistency. You also get a nice matte finish. I intensely dislike glossy screens, and the film takes care of that problem for me.
Cons: Mine shipped in a manila envelope marked "DO NOT BEND". Unfortunately, it arrived with an inch-or-so crease through all layers of the packaging and product, leaving two small intractible bubbles blemishing an otherwise beautiful application. It's a chance you take.
Overall Review: If you've never applied a screen protector of this size, it takes preparation and patience. The included instructions call for a "dust-free environment", and if you try it without one you'll see why. You can make a poor man's clean room by running a hot shower for a few minutes and then waiting for the bathroom to cool. Whatever dust was in there has been pulled to the floor by condensation.