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Did the Asus Transformer Pad just pop up early on Amazon?

The Tegra 3-based follow-up to the Transformer Prime costs $100 less, unless you absolutely must have it this week.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Expertise Solar, solar storage, space, science, climate change, deregulated energy, DIY solar panels, DIY off-grid life projects. CNET's "Living off the Grid" series. https://www.cnet.com/feature/home/energy-and-utilities/living-off-the-grid/ Credentials
  • Finalist for the Nesta Tipping Point prize and a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Eric Mack
Sometimes it's cool to show up early. Amazon

Last week the Asus Transformer Pad 300 -- the follow-up to the acclaimed Transformer Prime tablet that drops the "Eee" branding, as well as about $100 from the price -- started popping up on some retailers' sites for preorder, with an anticipated available date of April 22.

Now, as of this morning, the Transformer TF300 is listed as "In Stock" on Amazon, with three different merchants -- including Amazon itself -- saying they'd be happy to sell you one.

Of course, if you're thinking you can order one with your Amazon Prime account and have it at your house tomorrow, there is one little glitch: Amazon says the tablets will ship within "10-12 days."

However, California-based Mobile Advance, which has a very high satisfaction rating from over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, claims it can ship them right away and can also expedite. The catch? At $449.99, they're charging $50 more than Amazon.

So if everything in the listing is accurate, and you absolutely can't wait to get your hands on this Tegra 3-based tablet running Android 4.0 that converts into a full-blown laptop with the separate docking station, even for $50 more, then this is your lucky day.

Thanks to the CNET reader who spotted this. If anyone out there orders one, please let me know how it works out.