The demand for the Asus Transformer Prime has outpaced supply once again. The quad-core tablets are ready for prime time preorders from online retailers, but shipping next year. Meanwhile, Asus confirmed that the Asus Transformer Prime began to ship, yesterday. Online outlets will receive shipments, first.
Here is Asus' official statement:
1) ASUS have begun to ship units on 12/19 and will continue to fulfill online and in-store orders.
2) ASUS started filling the inventory pipelines this past week for our new Eee Pad Transformer Prime and will continue to do so on an expedited basis for the foreseeable future. We will reach normal inventory levels in January for the North American market based on current orders and forecasts. Based on forecasted supply schedules to our valued partners we expect preorder allocation fulfillment to occur shortly and online or in-store availability in the very near future. We will continue to work closely with our partners to fill customer orders as quickly as possible.
Sorry, Santa it looks like there's no way you can get a Asus Transformer Prime in time for Christmas, you can preorder it at Amazon.com but it won't be available for 4-7 weeks. It also appears that online preorders get first dibs in the supply channel.
Amazon emailed notifications today. Be careful when ordering because Amazon shows the original classic Asus Eee Pad Transformer for sale, too. Maker sure it is 32GB Asus Transformer Prime
The Best Buy website is still showing the Asus Transformer Prime as "Coming Soon." BHPhotoVideo is shipping it preorders and sending out notifications. One of our readers commented that he received a notification from Gamestop that his Asus Transformer Prime was shipping. Some orders have been delivered, with owners Tweeting their joy. Some Twitter users want to find the super sleeve that turns into a stand.
New owners in forums noted that they have already received a firmware update, but it is not Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Some bloggers are calling the Asus Transformer Prime, the most preordered Android tablet in history, while others say preoreders are through the roof.
Gamers will love the latest video from SwedDroid showing the Asus Transformer Prime playing games with PS3 Dual Shock 3 USB gamepad.
On Friday, Asus posted new photos of the Asus Transformer Prime next to the Zen Book and is giving away gifts on its Facebook wall.
Yesterday, some website took preorders and then pulled them without explanation. Preorders in the U.K. were reported to be seven-times expectations and already in the thousands.