yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] David522d:
Do a speed test of them right next to each other on video, no offense to you but a lot of people like to think they have the "BEST" prime.

I have a Thunderbolt and ipad, they both get higher numbers then my prime, this is very upsetting.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] blinky44:
For me my testing with 3 other devices and two Primes was based on multiple tests looking for dropped connections since my wifi itself is only 6 mips at best (city provided wifi) and speedtest varies anyway in my home. As you said earlier in the thread no easy way to compare with something like wifi analyzer for quality because it is not available for other devices. So my method was to use Wifi Status in DD-WRT, for me there it was like night and day. The signal quality is dramatically different between devices at distance and fairly close at say 10 - 20 feet through one wall (plaster lathe). I had to add an access point on the main floor (router in basement) to improve the signal on the 2nd floor so I did not drop the signal periodically. No other device I have had any issues anywhere inside the house. Outside nothing works great because it is a stucco house so I don't expect things to be any better with the prime. I would say the 2nd prime is a bit better than the first but still not acceptable to me. I too would appreciate Gary opening a 4th official thread but I have felt indirectly that the bt/wifi thread does imply that it covers poor wifi too. Thanks for your positive approach to helping others understand the issues.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Who said I have the "Best" prime? SMH I said it performs better on wifi then my Ipad or Atrix. I don't have to go proving that as I've been around more than long enough in prime section since it first began as part of OG transformer section. The proving would never stop. Next john does would come and want a newer video made because he didn't believe the first video. You don't have to believe. I'm just putting out there how "My" prime performs on "My" network compared to "My" Ipad n Atrix 4g. Maybe I will make a video soon. But it will be taken with my phone comparing Prime to Ipad, wifi wise.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] redpoint13:
I have done multiple tests between my Thunderbolt and Prime and the Prime ties or beats the Thunderbolt every time. Even at ranges where I have WiFi issues.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skygunner27:
There is no reason for you to waste your time posting a video. You and I both know that a serious amount of Primes have problems with BT/WiFi/GPS. There's an overabundant amount of info in & out of this forum confirming our

own REAL World experiences.

I know you are Pro User so don't waste anymore time on this.

Let's all work together in getting Asus to fix these Out of the Box problems with the TF201.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
This is exactly an example of what I've been talking about. This guy prime beats or matches his thunderbolt. Other guy says his thunderbolt gets way higher speeds. I'm sure the lower speed guy will want proof from the higher one. He is not obligated to do so as he knows how his performs on his network. All this wifi comparing will always be different because everyone's network setup and environment is different. I said my prime is faster than my Ipad. Other guy says his Ipad faster than his prime..lmao. until some kind of strict testing measure is made, results will always be all over the place from both sides.

For those having less than stellar wifi, see if anything in this article you tried or pertains to you

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-basics/30664-5-ways-to-fix-slow-80211n-speed
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dcAndroidFan:
Man, these threads get amusingly contentious. We are all on the same side here, as far as I know. If your Prime works to your satisfaction, great. I'm assuming people here are grown-up enough to run their own tests and make up their own minds. I don't agree with those who say that if you haven't found the problem with your Prime you're not testing it right. I know the tests I've run and I know how they turned out. I sincerely hope that Asus does release a firmware soon and I sincerely hope that it improves WiFi for the people that ARE having problems with their performance. For everyone else, GREAT. Enjoy your Prime. It's a great device, and I have kept mine despite the WiFi because I love the features and I'm giving Asus the benefit of the doubt on supporting it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Techie2012:
Again, PLEASE if you are happy with your prime then good for you, post on the "Positive Thread". There is NO NEED for you to post on this thread and make it unnecessarily long!! Let's keep this thread on focus discussing the PROBLEMS we are having. If you don't have problems please LEAVE US ALONE!! THANK YOU!!!!!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] redpoint13:
So then can you tell the people *****ing about their prime in the positive thread to stfu too?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
I strongly agree with this. Especially the last part. It is getting tedious posting my experience then someone with a conflicting experience wants to come n battle..lol n vice versa also..I'm guilty of it. The fact is like you said, there's enough defective units out there to know some people really do have these issues that needs addressing from Asus. If we all work together more or on same page then we might can make a real difference. Direct energy more towards Asus vs. Conflicting with each other on who right or wrong.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skygunner27:
Exactly.

I'll back you everytime because I know that you have a good Prime besides GPS and go out on a limb to support all of "US" who don't. While other users with problems in denial sit back and do nothing but defend their purchase. These problems affect everyone! Wether your Prime works perfectly or not.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
The issue here isn't that some Prime's seem to work and some don't, it's that there's such a deviation between devices. A 5% failure rate and 10% exception to tollerances rate are pretty standard in electronics. All you have to do is read the front page to see that the Prime's well outside those levels.

The antenna design is complex in the Prime, perhaps more so than any other tablet produced. When you look at the autopsy thead you can see how easy it would be for something to go awry during production. The fact that squeezing it and that brave members that have voided their warranties to come up with a fix prove that.

It's one thing to have average or even below average Wi-Fi performance. It's another when devices produced at the same time on the same assembly line perform differently than each other. That's what Asus needs to address and I'm guessing the only fix would be a design change.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Lol, in my mind all they needed to do was keep the metal back-plate, but keep the tapered-edges plastic. As it is, clamshell metal, it's kind of operating as a reverse satellite dish...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] TheSainted1:
Please stop using speed test as a baseline. This does NOT represent your network. This represents your ISP network. You need to test internally, against a stable, known baseline without going "outside" your network if you are going to use it as a actual measurement.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ride525:
Can't one use SpeedTest to compare tablets on my network? Same network and ISP, so the tablets difference will show in different download speeds.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] roach48:
I don't understand why you keep sending it back,I mean after 3 returns that should tell you something.

Try another brand,now me on the other hand want to buy the 201 but now I'm not sure,a wifi problem is a huge issue to me.I have been looking at the motorola zoom for a long time and the sony but I want this asus_201 so I come here and read the post to find out what is ASUS is going to do about these issues.And I can' find one.

Is there another model coming out anytime soon.

JOE
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
There are two. One's official and one's a leak.

TF700 = Same specs as the Prime with a HD display, 2 megapixel front camera, and plastic added to the back to improve its wireless signal(s). Asus said it'll be out in "a couple of months" in January.

[YOUTUBE]q5QG6U-8g1E[/YOUTUBE]

TF300 = Appears to use the PCB as the Prime but with a plastic back. No one knows the specs, features, or timing yet. The Taiwanese website that published the pics is speculating that the TF300 may be to address the Prime's GPS issue. It's had its Wi-Fi certified in Taiwan which may indicate it's not that far off.

http://nccc.cool3c.com/article/55539
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Techie2012:
It's actually 2 returns :) (3rd will be delivered soon, keeping my fingers crossed). I'm sticking with the Prime, since I love the design and the dock. Just need the WiFi to work properly.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] blinky44:
Update from Gary today and note he must be reading these threads because he specifially says BT/WIFI issues and severe WIFI dropout issues. You can interpret his comment on your own.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Techie2012:
Keeping my fingers crossed, although I am not sure if "wifi dropouts" is the correct description of the problem. I hope we are all talking about the same thing - poor wifi throughput more than a few feet away from the router.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Screwedupsmitty:
Sorry just had to laugh and point this out, asusrog states at the end of his video, "now the asus transformer prime has great wireless signal, but this plastic strip at the top gives it even better signal"

(pause for effect)

...

...

...

BWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Techie2012:
Agree. ASUS hasn't yet even acknowledged the problem with weak WiFi. 6 more exchanges until the TF700...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Gary Key:
The actual failure rates are much lower than acceptable norm mentioned above. Regardless of how people draw conclusions from forum posts, the actual RMA and reported problems combined (reported problem but upon contact, the customer did not want to RMA or return) are less than 0.9% based (top problems reported) upon current unit deliveries (actual numbers will be reported shortly).

That said we are working through the issues reported and will continue to do so as quickly as possible.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bimbobo:
Gary, I am one of them in Europe, that does not RMA my unit, why?

1) Because I am scared as hell, that my unit will be damaged, meaning I have weak WiFi and WiFi/BT issues, but I have no backlight bleeding, no reboot, lockouts and so on. Not a single scratch eather.

2) ASUS did not offer me any solution and no explanation about what they are going to do to solve these 2 issues.

3) We are awaiting the "statements, updates" you promised to give us.

4) I really deeply believe, that unless hardware is changed internal and external, you will not be able to fix these 2 problems. GPS too, as it was in the specs BEFORE, ASUS stopped supporting it.

So why should I RMA it? Or what am I supposed to do?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
^^^^^^^^

Wonder what the actual number will be if you account lack of faith/fear of RMA into equation. I fall under this category although I simply want a full refund since I want a FULLY WORKING GPS that's able to navigate (along with stable WIFI connection).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] micaman:
^^^^This^^^^..I can only assume if Asus came out and said, sorry this is the best you are going to get, or, sorry you need to RMA your unit for a fix, that their figures would paint a totally different picture. You need to take into account the people like myself who are sitting back (as asked) and waiting for things to unfold before I make my move.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Gary Key:
If you have the WiFi/BT dropout issue, please RMA the unit for rework.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Lol, how about full refunds in stores? Are you all counting the 8 Primes swapped out by one customer who is still having a heck of a time finding a fully-functioning unit?

Of course your RMA numbers are low... If you send a Prime in for RMA you either get it back with nothing having been done (even though things are wrong and we pay shipping most of the time) or you get it back broken being told you sent it that way... Who wants to go a month without their Prime just to get it back with a note "we couldn't find anything wrong with it."
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wgr73:
I agree. People are getting their TP's back with the exact same issue. I probably won't RMA mine until I know there is actually a fix other than ASUS taking my RMA package, opening it and connecting it to their wifi connection, and saying "it connected and it works"....putting it back in the box and sending it back to me untouched.

The look of the TP is amazing, the functionality for the most part is amazing...the back shell totally kills, and I mean kills signal.

I honestly don't see a true fix in the future because there is no software fix possible, it's in the hardware, and that = $$$ that ASUS won't and probably can't spend. They're better off running the customers in circles until they quite down. :rolleyes:

---------- Post added at 08:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------

Bingo.....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] k9chan:
I agree with the statement, currently thinking whether or not to RMA such a hassle for the first tablet I bought. still can't believe how many tech site reviews missed the WiFi problem until consumers got their hands on them.

The device is beautiful and smooth even next to Ipad but when streaming youtube next one another kinda embarrassing when start and stop constantly while Ipad runs smooth upstairs.

Couldn't ASUS just replace everyone with a plastic back?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ride525:
I thought the same thing, so emailed Gary. He said those number include both RMA for end-user and retailers. And include call center data and other communication for a wide variety of reasons.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nyijedi:
This is true. I have 3 stuck pixels, a bright spot that recently formed on my screen, and the BT/WiFi issues (along with weak WiFi and non-existent GPS, which I understand are not fixable). I'm afraid to RMA my Prime for the "fixable" problems because of the reasons you listed above. Oh well. I guess you live, you learn. These problems notwithstanding, overall, I do like my Prime. However, this will certainly be the last Asus product I ever purchase, and being the resident "tech geek" among friends and family, I will certainly advise them to stay away from Asus as well.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Well, given truth and accuracy, guess I'll add to that number and go for a full refund; try again as surely I won't end up in the 0.9% again. Except that somehow I think I probably would.

I just can't wait to see the numbers from the actual retailers as to how many Primes were sold vs returned.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] clouds5:
At least in some cases it does^^ We have 4 android devices in our houshold. A DesireHD, a Samsung Galaxy S2, a Desire S and my Prime. Also i checked the signal on my Desktop PC that has a strong wifi card.

Now i tested all devices with wifi analyzer and i noticed some things:

-Depending on what channel i set on my router the signal strength was very different on all the devices. One time it was good on all mobile devices but horrible on the PC and so on... So i found out Channel 1 and setting it to 20mhz range only seems to work best in my situation. (I also tested throughput with speedtest)

-The actual -dbm on the mobile devices was very very similar. Wherever i stood the numbers where all in 1-5dbm of each other (i tested right next to the router, in another room 2 walls from the router, and upstairs->its an old house with very thick floor). Note the signal on my Prime was usually among the strongest, while the GalaxyS2 was almost always amongst the weakest (as i said the actual differences where pretty small).

-While -dbm numbers where similar, the bars shown by the devices where totally different as soon as i started moving away from the router. While the Prime showed 2 bars with -65-70dbm when i was upstairs, the DesireHD still showed full bars, for example. Bars where also alot more jumpy on the phones.

-When i was the farthest away from the router some phones started to pick up very weak signals from other houses, just for some seconds and gone again. This never happened on the prime. So it must be cancelling those out, or is unable to pick up very weak signals.

*Note this could be controlled by software, it was/is an issues with newer firmwares on the DesireHD. Everything below a certain -dbm value is canceled out, and many custom roms had this threshold lowered.

--> My last very important point: All devices where completely usable in all locations. No limitations. And at least 1/3 of my max bandwidth.

So to conclude :) The wifi on my Prime is completely fine. I dont wanna say its fine on all primes, but it is on mine. So in my case the aluminum back isn't influencing my signal to a point where its noticable.

The one thing that had the most influence on my wifi signal/throughput where the router settings. For example: On channel 11 with 20/40mhz auto range my PC only had 2 bars instead of 4 and throughput was so bad i couldnt watch youtube without buffering every 10secs. And some mobile devices lost connection (pages not loading) even though bars showed strong signal.

My suggestion: do some research on how wifi works and how to optimize your router settings/placement (very important) and wait for another update or two on the prime.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
I am sorry Gary, but your 0.9% is simply inaccurate. A lot of people who bought the device don't frequent on these forums or are not even aware of such issues. A lot of people just 'bite the bullet', both my mother and sister deal with crashes and reboots and consider them 'normal' for phones, tablets and computers. Why? Because average person thinks that the device is 'broken' when it is physically broken.

Your percentage of flawed Primes is much higher tha 0.9% even if we don't take into account WiFi and GPS problems. In fact, this forum may be more accurate at representing those numbers simply because users here know more than the average user who simply has no idea.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wgr73:
I stopped reading your post here...

In all cases it does. My aluminum back is the same as yours, my tx/rx signal is the same (+/- a couple db) as yours. I know how wifi works, and if you've been over to the R&D thread you'll see my research. The back shell is killing the signal, period. It's understandable, and that wouldn't be an issue as you know walls and other things degrade the signal as well, but it almost attenuates the signal exponentially the further you get away from the router.

This is a problem.

General rule of thumb: Don't change your wifi settings to match specifically your Prime. Go to an airport/hotel/Starbucks/university/friends house/ect, and you can't change the settings there = your screwed. I use these scenarios as "typical wifi hotspot" tests.

I understand what you're saying but that isn't a fix for this issue. I can take my wifes iPad anywhere and there is no wifi issue, no settings I have to change. If I take my TP to any of those places, well you know the rest..:rolleyes:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dcAndroidFan:
This is the core of the issue. Most of us are tech savvy, and most of us probably have an Android tablet because we like the ability to tweak settings and customize for best performance. The problem lies where you can't change anything external (like router configuration) and you can't change anything internal (like wireless settings on the Prime) and the default configuration is substantially weaker than other devices in most environments.

What is especially bothersome is that we have seen a number of posts now -- general, and specifically directed in response to other user comments -- and we still haven't seen a specific answer to the core question: Does Asus believe that there is a known issue with rapid WiFi dropoff, regardless of Bluetooth interaction, that effects the wireless on a substantial number of units in the field, and if so, is something being done to address this issue?

Denying the existence of high RMA rates does not address that question. It merely goes to the number of people who have decided to go through the risk and inconvenience of sending theirs back on the hope that it would come back replaced or fixed.

I think if we could get a specific answer to that question, that would effect a number of people's decisions as to what to do with the unit that they have. Since I've got the Bluetooth interference issue, I'm waiting for the official announcement regarding that topic, but I know a number of people would probably refund or RMA their Primes in a heartbeat if Asus came out and said weak WiFi was a known issue and there was no anticipated firmware fix.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PolishPoet:
I am sure the pogopins are an issue. My Wifi works, poorer is some instances, the same in others as compared to my wife's iPad and my Thunderbolt. But in the instances where the Wifi is worse I can press on the face of the Prime where the pogopin for the Wifi is and speedtest will go from 2+ Mb to 20. So I do think those pogopins are a big part of the problem.

And that happens with the back facing the position of the router.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
I'd say so. I put shims under all my antenna and went from 0 sats in view (got 1 one time by pinching, never worked again though) to 13 in view and 9 in use. The .13 update has since turned that into just 1 sat bouncing in and out constantly, not sure why.

I also didn't used to get full WiFi bars even sitting directly underneath my router with a -50 dBm or so. After the shims, I pull -40 dBm and get full reception under my router.

So, yes, at least in a number of Primes the pogopins are making a piss-poor connection and causing some of the WiFi/GPS issues. Not all of them though.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] lp_stealth:
what about the GPS that doesn't work in probably safe to say half the units, while still advertising it on the box?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] clouds5:
I know what you mean, but i havent had an issue yet. I use my TP at home, with a mobile hotspot from my phone, at my fiancee's, one time i used a strange prog to make a hotspot around the laptop of a friend because we only had cable internt, i used it at a cafe with open wlan. I didnt have issues (yet?). I mainly did those tests to get the optimal situation for all our devices here at home, and to see if the prime would performe worse than the others. It didnt, for me.

Also i didnt made that thread only in response to you, i'm sure you know what you're doing :) i just wanted to share my observations.

And last but not least, i'm not saying the aluminum doesnt interfere. I'm sure it does. BUT in my case it doesnt interfere so much that i would notice it or have disadvantages because of it.

But if there's a solution to get better wifi performance in the end, i'm all ears :) its never bad to have better connection.