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Asus Transformer Pad TF300 review: A cheaper Prime?

The Asus Transformer Pad TF300 is the latest tablet in the Transformer line, but does it live up to its namesake?

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Some would say the Prime had GPS "issues." Others would say the GPS didn't work at all. Thanks to its plastic body, the TF300 had no problems accessing satellites when outside in my testing. Josh Miller/CNET

The Asus Transformer Prime was the great silver hope for Android fans -- and by "silver" I mean "champagne gold" or "amethyst gray" or whatever awkward-sounding color combo Asus assigns to its tablet.

Arguably, the Prime marked the first time Android fans could hold up a tablet to their iPad-owning frenemies and say, "Now I own the most powerful -- on paper at least -- tablet in the universe!" Or something like that.

Asus Transformer Pad TF300 (photos)

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Aside from some GPS and Wi-Fi issues, the Prime was a robust and powerful tablet, but was probably too expensive for most wallets. Enter: the Transformer Pad TF300.

The TF300 ditches the Prime's metal body for a plastic one; removes the LED flashlight from the back camera; and unfortunately loses access to the Prime's sometimes helpful Super IPS mode.

Starting at only $380 (for 16GB), though, those loses might not be such a bad trade-off. Check out the full review of the Asus Transformer Pad TF300 to find out if the TF300 is a worthy bearer of the Transformer name.

Watch this: Unboxing the Asus Transformer Pad TF300