yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Locri:
Hey everyone,

I've been looking closely at the Transformer and it looks like an excellent tablet. The only qualm I have is if I'm going to have it replace some of my other devices for frequent use, it needs to handle Google Docs (or in this case, I suspect the syncing with Polaris Office is the better way to go).

Could anyone tell me how the experience is with syncing between Google Docs? Most importantly, I'm hoping that it can handle relatively complex spreadsheets.

I was going to post an example of the complexity I'm talking about, but I guess I'm too much of a noob to do so yet :P If you do a Google search for "Epizephyrii Pathfinder Character Sheet" it'll be the first result.

Regular documents are of interest too, but I suspect if it can handle spreadsheets well it'll handle text docs just fine.

Alternatively, how is direct access to docs and spreadsheets on the Transformer? I have an Archos 101 at the moment and haven't been impressed with the lagginess that seems to haunt Google Docs on it.

Thanks!
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Magnesus:
I'd prefer using Google Docs directly - it's MUCH safer (Polaris Office doesn't auto save). Could someone tell if it's fast enough?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] case0:
If you mean the Google docs website then I just tried it and it was basically unusable. Not sure why they don't have an app for it :S

Edit - just tried mobile site version and it was useable but really basic compared to the proper site
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Magnesus:
Thats really bad news. Why was it unusable? Slow? Or problems with input?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dreadnought001:
Yeah, I would forget about using the Google Docs site, especially with those complex spreadsheets. I pulled it up on the stock browser and while it would display it, you couldn't really navigate or scroll around it.

I tried to log into to my Google Docs account through Polaris, but kept getting a log in error. Not sure if others are having this problem, but meant that I couldn't really test out that example spreadsheet.

However I do have two paid Office suites available (Docs to Go and Quick Office Pro HD) so I accessed the spreadsheet through those. Docs to Go struggled, in fact made the file read only since there were so many elements it couldn't display. Quick Office fared much better, it displayed the spreadsheet, I could navigate around it and enter text into the cells. Not sure how close it looks to the desktop version.

I would imagine that if a paid app like Docs to Go is struggling, then the free Polaris might also have some issues. At the moment Quick Office seems like your best bet.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Magnesus:
You mean it's hard to navigate (touchpad/mouse and keyboard should help then) or doesn't work properly at all? I'm interested in the writing app more than spreadsheet (but simple spreadsheets must work too). Maybe it's better in some other browser? Firefox?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] case0:
I found it hard to navigate because of lag, but text input didn't work for me either. Firefox displays websites in their mobile formats so couldn't test it on that browser.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Locri:
Now that a few more people have the Transformer in their hands (lucky arses :P), can anyone answer this question? How well does Polaris Office interact with Google Docs and especially spreadsheets?

I don't care so much that it doesn't auto-save, I can do that myself, but considering the poor showing of Google's Docs app, I'm hoping there will be something much better.

Thanks!
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Lukehluke:
I have the Eee Pad Transformer and I have used the Polaris Office, however you can access the files and download them. I cannot seem to sync it back up though and so that means that the word doc has to be sent via gmail. Does anyone know what you are meant to do to get it to sync back up with Google Docs?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dan76:
Polaris Office syncs very well with Dropbox... you open any Dropbox Doc or Spreadsheet, it opens, you make changes, close Polaris and Dropbox automatically uploads the doc with updated changes. Dropbox handles this very well. (I imagine the same is true for HD & QuickOffice)

However, Polaris's ability to edit Excel spreadsheets is very limited. I had been hoping to use this on the go, but in my few days of experimenting Polaris changes the format of cells and does not retain formulas, etc. For example, I have billing spreadsheet for work that need to update on the fly. I can update from the TF on Polaris, and access pretty quickly, view the spreadsheet fine. Dropbox uploads the edits just fine, but when I get back to the desktop I have lost formatting, the time and date formatted fields have changed to decimal numbers, date fields are no longer dates (as in 05/07/2011 changes to .40670). It is really more frustrating than useful, so for me it is not usable.

I'd love to hear more about others experiences with other Office apps.

I'm still experimenting with Google Docs... there is a new Google Docs app that I'm hoping will be my solution (although I haven't had a chance yet). I'll update in this thread when I do.

Edit: I also learned Polaris does not like .xlsx spreadsheets... saving as .xls 2003 format seems to work much better; although not fix the formatting problem
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] strikethreeout:
I dled one on the market made by Google...

But yes, it's very simplistic with no options. Not even bold or font change.

Also, with Polaris, is there a quick save option on the keyboard like ctrl+something? That can be an alternative to autosave.

And how come there is no spell checker?!
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Locri:
I finally got my Transformer yesterday and have done some quick informal testing on this issue (along with some testing already done by another forum member who helped me out outside of this thread).

The big takeaway is that while you can open documents from Google Docs, you can't sync them with Google Docs. Anything you modify has to be saved in an Office format and can only be saved locally not to the cloud. For the spreadsheet I was asking about it rendered okay, but I couldn't change any numbers relating to formulas without it sputtering out on me and some sheets it downloaded wrong and left me with a mess.

I'm interested in trying a combo of DropBox and Office, but for Google Docs it sucks.

I also tested Google Docs on various browsers to see how they all performed. The default Android browser rendered everything fine, but was dog slow. Dolphin HD was similarly pretty slow, although not as bad. Opera did a better job yet, but the top of the pack without a doubt ended up being Firefox! I had some problems with it constantly wanting to pop up the keyboard and editing things was a pain, but much less of a pain then the other browsers. For viewing only it was actually really good.

I still have hopes that Google will make some improvements with both the Android browser (why is it, again, that it can't just be a direct Chrome port? why are they bothering with the Chrome OS?), but at the moment there is no way that this could be my only portable device for lack of good Google Docs support alone. Or maybe some other online docs system will work better.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Magnesus:
I wonder how it will work with normal keyboard (keyboard dock or bluethooth/usb one).

The same here. And if Google Docs doesn't work other web application will have problems too. Judging by the SunSpider test the tablet should be more than capable of working with such web apps.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] timtlm:
A quick test between Polaris and quickoffice. Polaris has a much better ui for viewing and editing docs. As mentioned Polaris only downloads from google docs. It does not save. Quickofficehas a lot more syncing features with docs, dropbox and more.

Edit : I also wanted to point out that quickoffice has a phone and tablet version. You have to buy them separately though. (Just like docs to go). It seems that quickoffice HD has been ported from the mobile version with only some basic tablet features added. This is the likely the reason the ui isn't as good as Polaris. I would hope they update it to be better in the future.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RonSykes:
I'm struggling with this too. I do all my school work (uni assignments and document storage) on google docs and I often jump between workstations (home, work, and now the eee pad). Currently the eee pad is the only one I can't just start working then stop and change where I'm working.

I'm going to try the dropbox solution.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Esoth:
I've found that Docs to Go works pretty well. In terms of Google docs integration, it doesn't auto-save, so you have to go File - Save. Unlike Polaris though, it re-saves to the cloud directly.

That means that yes, you could pick up and work on stuff anywhere you go now :D
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] michaeltryl:
I cant get this to work. How do you do?

When i opnå docindropbox it open in polaris office, but when i save i get savede on the tablet not in dropbox
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dan76:
I just re-tested it and there's no configuring necessary... it just works. You have dropbox installed, open dropbox and tap on the doc to open it, it will open in Polaris. Edit any way you like, the make sure you click "save" in Polaris on the upper left. Dropbox will then automatically upload the file. I tested and can verify that this works perfectly!

A caveat though, Polaris can only edit Word and Excel 2003 documents. So if you have newer versions on your computer, save it as 2003 first. Otherwise Polaris will crash; in my experience.

I hope that helps.
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] michaeltryl:
thanks i used office 2010 doc.it works perfekt with 2003.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
The other thread was for US Only, so i stole his format and we'll do it for Canada Too.

Thread Updated: 5-17-2011

Important Stuff (newest at the top)

- Stock is touch and go, comes and goes, i am just gonna change this post to a list of confirmed resellers.

- MemoryExpress now showing online but backordered. out of stock in all retail locations.

- NCIX out of stock for some regions but not others?

- Now listed on canada computers, no stock

- Showing on NCIX, showing in stock, also Amazon has it listed, no stock

- Staples is out of stock in most regions - orders getting rejection emails

- is on staples, same pricing as everywhere else

- it's time, YEY~!

- Memory Express taking preorders in store can pick up after 11am april 26

- Xpansys has it listed for a stupid price

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Verified Canada Resellers:

Canada Computers (Ontario)

Memory Express (Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Rochmond)

NCIX (BC and Ontario)

Staples .CA and B&M

Visions

Expansys

Amazon.CA

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

If you have any updates, reply to this post and I'll add it to the top post.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] lmtrx:
I went to Canada Computers today to see if they'd be getting it next week. The staff didn't know though the system did show SKUs for both 16gb and 32gb (no dock listed). These are not listed on their website yet.

16gb: $449 :(

32gb: $549

Maybe someone can confirm this...so much for parity.

Edit: Grammar fail.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] RMXO:
I have a friend living in Canada. Might ask her to get me one if I can't get one in the US.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] HideYoKids:
I seriously hope this isn't true.. $50 more isn't a deal breaker, but I bet the keyboard will be more as well..
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
Wait a sec... if they raise the Transformer $50 and the keyboard $25 or 50, we're talking well over $600, $700 with tax. The cheapest Honeycomb tablet is quickly becoming the most expensive! :(

EDIT: Just checking some US prices on other tablets - they are the same price in both Canada and the states for the Playbook and Xoom. If Canadian dealers are going to play games with pricing because of popularity, the transformer will be my last purchase at the store which overcharges.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] lmtrx:
The exchange rate is currently around $1US to $0.95CDN and Asus posted that $399 press release with Canada in mind. Here's hoping to that price being a premature placeholder until they get stock (which was 0 when I went). Hopefully, there'll be deals coming out in the next few days and price matching opportunities too.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
Let's hope it's just a temporary price. I don't think so though. Futureshop raised the price of the Asus A500 $50 and I can see others doing the same with the Transformer.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] lmtrx:
Maybe shipping from the states would be cheaper. :rolleyes: Or a road trip would be nice, assuming a $75 difference with tablet and dock, I'd say that's enough gas money.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
I would rather pay $399 + $50 to ship than $449 + tax. :p I've ordered 6 packages from the US over the past month and the shipping costs ranged from $5 - $20 (large box).
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
it's 1 retailer, don't get excited.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
I wouldn't be bothered except for the fact that Canada Computers has a reputation for having LOWER prices than the rest :eek:
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
you think any real retailer (staples for example) is going to charge above MSRP? unlikely.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] Locri:
Actually, you have that flipped around. It's $1.00 CAD to $0.95 USD right now. If anything we should be paying less.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] marinierb:
As of right now, we should be paying $379.81. :p
[Eee Pad Transformer General] lmtrx:
No, I'm pretty sure I had that right. You can check xe.com. (can't post links yet since I've lurked too long but: imgur.com/Wpzzg.) But yes, we should be paying less.

Regardless, I hope we don't get ripped off.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] marinierb:
Hmmmm... The Acer Iconia 10" just appeared on the Staples web site this morning. 32GB at $499.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] aqus:
expansys has a preorder on but priced at $689.99 for 16G

expansys.ca/p.aspx?i=207806
[Eee Pad Transformer General] marinierb:
It was $829 last week. They are idiots.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] Locri:
Unfortunately, I can't post links yet, but it looks like you are reading the xe.com chart wrong. Do a specific currency conversion of 1 CAD to USD and you'll see what I mean. I'm not trying to be pendantic or anything, but the conversion rate is something I follow closely for various reasons.

As you said, though, Canada tends to get screwed over regardless. I'm pretty sure I dropped an extra $50 or so on my Archos 101 when I got it compared to the US, but it ended up being worth it for the shipping expense I would have had otherwise. It looks like Canada Computers is mostly closed today, so hopefully I can call tomorrow and see if I can get a verification.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
you both said it right, you just said it the opposite way... please keep this thread on topic

I have added Expansys to the OP, even though they are quite ridiculous.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] dictionary:
Same, lol.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] JROCxvl:
I'm gonna be checking this page all day tomorrow, so if you get your hands on one let us all know where you got it!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] hbk19:
I will for sure. In the meantime, however, I think I'll get some sleep. Tomorrow will come faster that way. :D
[Eee Pad Transformer General] JROCxvl:
Yup. And I have a final at 8am :) oh boy!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] Izvid:
I went on Sunday to preorder the tablet for tomorrow and they said they will call me if they get them this was at memory express Edmonton
[Eee Pad Transformer General] bluezz:
NCIX orders open naaaoowwww

FINALLYYY!!!

For those who're online .. this is how you order on NCIX NOW!

the link is still dead (http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60066&vpn=TF101-A1)

but go to "view cart" on top right (or try: http://secure1.ncix.com/cart/)

and then click "add item by SKU"

enter "60066" and VOILA!!

EDIT: Also, these links works for me right now : http://secure1.ncix.com/products/?sku=60066&vpn=TF101-A1&manufacture=ASUS

or here: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=60066&promoid=0

your welcome :D
[Eee Pad Transformer General] eviltuna:
You can just goto this link now and add it to cart should work.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60066&vpn=TF101-A1&manufacture=ASUS

The dock is also on their site now, but its listed as Back Ordered

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60068&vpn=TF101 Docking&manufacture=ASUS
[Eee Pad Transformer General] hbk19:
As soon as I confirm tomorrow morning that nobody has in-store stock, I'll order from NCIX. I've already cancelled my Amazon.ca order. Can't wait! :D
[Eee Pad Transformer General] neotekz:
damn theres no HST in quebec or are you going to get charge PST when you get it? it cost me 480 with taxes and shipping, i only got charged $16 for xpresspost shipping though. any chance we will get it tomorrow?
[Eee Pad Transformer General] eviltuna:
If you order it and opted for the Express Shipping you should get it on the 27th.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] gueatx:
I see that staples.ca has it up with the link posted in the 1st post. OOS in my area. Not that I expected different. :0
[Eee Pad Transformer General] fiction300:
You can now do regular search "TF101" at ncxi.com

Ordered mine.

Express shipping 1-2 days

cant wait
[Eee Pad Transformer General] lifeisfun:
Just ordered from Staples (used $20 coupon) :)
[Eee Pad Transformer General] balto:
Just got up, checked NCIX still had them in stock for online order. Just check staples, they had they them two with next day shipping. Just ordered from staples now that one is secured I will see about getting one in store today at canada computers (which isn't listing it yet.)

No keyboard docks anywhere, that is quite disappointing.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] slajeune:
Bad news for people in Quebec,

Staples dowtown Montreal didn't have any in stock an NO store in all of QUEBEC had any in stock. It also shows online as out of stock (for quebec, obviously) ...

So, we are SOL here in Quebec.

Cheers,

Stephane.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] balto:
I doubt Staples will have any in store stock. I called some stores yesterday inquiring about the Acer tab that was listed on the website but no stores had them, they said it was an online product only.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] slajeune:
Yeah, but even online it shows as out of stock for us... Not looking good for us Montrealers.

Cheers,

Stephane.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] HideYoKids:
I assume that if I use Staples to order it, I'll be able to return it to a store location?
[Eee Pad Transformer General] HideYoKids:
Staples is now out of stock online
[Eee Pad Transformer General] x1crazy:
After going to downtown Montreal Staples @ Gauchetiere at 7am . They told me there is none in stock and online orders only. Rushed online and luckily got through the billing process :)
[Eee Pad Transformer General] bluezz:
My NCIX order is stuck where it was since last night.

Order Received -> Yes

Price Verification -> Verified

Shipping Info Verification -> Verified

Credit Card Verification

Payment Processing

Order Processing

Shipping

Anyone else's order went any further than mine? uugghh, I really hope at 2:30AM I entered the damn credit card info correctly :(
[Eee Pad Transformer General] marinierb:
Just came back from Staples. The girl said they probably will not have the item on the store shelves, because they have this big Playbook campaign on the go, you see. But I can order it online and have it delivered to the store.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] slajeune:
How?!?!?! I see it as out of stock since 6AM this morning...

Cheers,

Stephane.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] eviltuna:
I ordered around that time too, but mine has finished processing. I got "Order Processed" did you order from them before? Might want to give them a call to make sure all your info is right when they open.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] x1crazy:
For some reason , when I checked at 7am It was out of stock and I keept refreshing the page and I was able to add item and proceed to payment.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
updated info in OP
[Eee Pad Transformer General] eviltuna:
Its phantom stock at Staples, that happens a lot, but once they process your order, they'll e-mail you and say its unavailable. But who knows, maybe you got lucky.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] JROCxvl:
I'm still holding out for Amazon it looks like. I thought these would sell fast but not this fast!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] eviltuna:
Its already up on Amazon.ca and its not in stock.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] HideYoKids:
has anyone ordered from NCIX? I think thats what I'm going to do..
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
ncix is showing stock for me still (i am in calgary, i would assume it ships form vancouver)
[Eee Pad Transformer General] JROCxvl:
Oh man I may order one there now! Just kinda hard to do from the ctrain... lets hope it stays in stock for 20 minutes!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] dictionary:
Yeah I canceled my Amazon and did NCIX, and opted for in-store pickup as they are only about 20 minutes away from me. Hopefully when they get in at 1030 (when the office opens) I can call and go pickup sometime today.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
Has anyone found a place that has the dock IN STOCK?
[Eee Pad Transformer General] T3rry1:
^^ i doubt you will.

memory express told me the dock and 32gb models are a couple weeks away still.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] EP2008:
I guess I'll sit and wait with Amazon then... free shipping, no hassles... :D
[Eee Pad Transformer General] JROCxvl:
got one at ncix! payment processed, they just need to ship it out! :D
[Eee Pad Transformer General] socksfelloff:
Well I ordered the 16gig for Scarborough pickup. Will see what happens!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] Chilkoot:
NCIX now showing out of stock on the product page. Congrats to everyone who managed to snap one up!
[Eee Pad Transformer General] x1crazy:
you are right :( , just got a reply from them

"Thank you for your recent order, however the Asus 10.1" Eee Pad

(TF101-A1) is currently not available. Unfortunately, I do not have an

estimated date of arrival at this time. Please check our website

frequently for stock availability."
[Eee Pad Transformer General] ru1dev:
ncix: ordered yesterday on the phone and im still '3rd' in line on their next shipment which is "unknown" ship date

bestbuy: just got back from there and they dont have it nor do they know what it is!?

staples: cancelled my order - phantom stock

ef this noise.. anyone know of retail locations in toronto?
[Eee Pad Transformer General] MicroBerry:
I've called every staples in the east, nobody has any or knows when they'll be in... but they did say they'll be getting it in store
[Eee Pad Transformer General] shanti.om:
Are you sure? I still see them "in-stock" on NCIX.com.
[Eee Pad Transformer General] d.brown:
call staple.ca and they said they were supposed to receive and order last week from asus and still are waiting so none of the online order will be honored... damn you asus! lol
[Eee Pad Transformer General] Earwhyg:
Can anyone that received the email confirming you ordered phantom stock from staples let me know what time your order was placed? Also, did they charge your credit card and then reverse the charges? I ask because I ordered around 7:15am EST and was immediately charged for my order. I also received a confirmation email letting me know that it should arrive at the store I chose between 9am and 5pm tomorrow, but that I would receive further email notification if there were any problems with my order. No follow-up either way yet. Thanks.