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Is this the
With the exception of the Apple iPad, few
new computers of any description have
caused so much comment, so much
anticipation and so much demand as the
just-released ASUS EeePad
Transformer. We just had to get
our hands on one for a few days –
not easy! – to find out what the
excitement was/is all about.
Asus EeePad
“Transformer”
Tablet PC
Review by
Ross Tester
B
y and large, we’ve resisted the
temptation to jump on the iPad
bandwagon.
When it was released, the iPad was
described (in the Wall Street Journal,
no less) as the “laptop killer”. Now
we’ve seen the Asus EeePad Transformer described as “the iPad killer”.
That might be pretty optimistic given
the iPad’s huge base.
But if there is one thing the iPad
has done it’s to change the way people
think about computers.
Going back a decade or more, computers were those big boxes that sat
on or under desks with large monitors occupying valuable real estate.
Then along came laptops and (later)
notebooks and netbooks which, while
maybe not offering quite the performance of the boxes, were more than
adequate for the needs of most users.
Gone were the big boxes and large
monitors – everything you needed was
self-contained. And they were portable
– you could take your PC with you and
effectively work anywhere.
That’s not a reduction – that’s an actual size edge-on view of the Asus EeePad Transformer, albeit without the dock/
keyboard which would roughly double the thickness. When docked, the whole thing becomes a powerful netbook.
14 Silicon Chip
siliconchip.com.au
e iPad killer?
Whether that was a positive or not
is arguable: just ask those who now
spend hours at home working on
their notebooks when they might have
stayed back at work . . .
Now computers have taken the next
quantum leap with the burgeoning
“tablet” market – and while the iPad
might not have been the first, it was
the first which made huge inroads into
that market.
But there are quite a few things
about the iPad that users and reviewers have questioned – such as why it
doesn’t handle Flash, the near universal website utility. Or why it doesn’t
have USB? Or why it is so expensive?
Or why Apple has seen fit to try to
force users into proprietary Apple applications? Or why Apple are “locking
out” content providers unless they are
part of Apple’s own supply channel
(with, of course, large royalties back
to Apple)? And so on.
Despite the quite unbelievable success of the iPad and to a lesser extent,
several other tablet computers on the
market, it has to be acknowledged that
a tablet will (in most circumstances)
not take the place of a fully-fledged
computer (desktop or notebook) simply because it is not designed to do so.
Tablets are convenience devices.
They’re small, lightweight and for the
most part offer good or exceptional
graphics capability.
But the one thing they don’t have
is a “normal” keyboard. And if you
ask anyone who has to punch out
an email or text document using the
“glass keyboard” which they all offer,
it is a pain.
It’s slow, it makes errors much
more likely and because of its inconvenience, it perpetuates that awful
practice of “txt splng”.
Indeed, one popular after-market
accessory purchased for most Tablet
PCs is a USB or wireless keyboard!
siliconchip.com.au
This might limit their portability
somewhat but it certainly increases
their useability!
Incidentally, the iPad is the obvious exception because, as mentioned
above, it doesn’t offer USB expansion.
Apple apparently want everything
kept either “in house” or at least
Apple-controlled.
But even without a keyboard,
depending on the tablet itself, its installed programs and their capabilities,
tablet PCs are fantastic for handling
any visual-oriented task, whether that
is watching movies, sharing pictures,
reading ebooks, using social networking sites such as Facebook and youtube
and much, much more.
In fact, most of the major manufacturers believe that this is the direction
which all computers are heading; so
much so that they are putting most of
their eggs firmly into the Tablet basket
(eg, Apple!).
Already, tablet sales are increasing
very much faster than their deskbound
or lap-bound counterparts. Is this just a
fad? The manufacturers don’t think so!
Enter Android
Originally developed for mobile devices by Android Inc (but now owned
by Google), Android is an operating
system, just as is Windows (in all its
iterations), Apple’s iOS and OS X and
even Linux/Unix.
In fact, Android is based on the
Linux kernel and like Linux (but unlike Windows, iOS etc), is an “open
source” system.
After Google purchased Android
back in 2005, they released most of
the Android code under the Apache
licence, which in effect means that
anyone can write Android applications or “apps”.
World-wide, huge numbers of developers continually churn out new apps
for Android – currently approaching a
quarter of a million – and the
Android Open Source Project
is responsible for further development of the system.
You may know Android as the operating system behind your “smart”
It’s the familiar Android logo, in
this case overlaid with Honeycomb
(Android V3.0/3.1), the operating
system used in the Asus Transformer.
phone – Samsung, HTC and many
other modern phones are now based on
it – but in recent times, especially since
the release of Android 3.0 and 3.1, it’s
found its way into a high proportion
of tablet PCs, which have recently or
are about to hit the market.
Earlier this year, Google claimed that
400,000 new Android devices were
being activated every day, with more
than 100,000,000 devices in use. One
quarter of all new phones are said to
be Android-based.
Incidentally, you may see references
to several Android names, such as
Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread and Honeycomb. The more astute will have
noticed that these stand for versions E,
F, G and H corresponding to Android
2.0/2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and the latest (more
tablet-oriented) 3.0/3.1.
The next version, due for release
later this year, will be called Icecream Sandwich and is expected to
be a combination of the best features
of Gingerbread and Honeycomb, thus
blurring the already hazy distinction
between Android mobile phones and
Android mobile computing.
And thus it is that our attention now
turns to a tablet PC which not only
features the latest iteration of Android
. . . it’s also solved the keyboard problem most elegantly, with the functionAugust 2011 15
ality of a notebook and the portability
of a tablet.
The Asus “Transformer”
For reasons that will become obvious in a moment, Asus have named
their EeePad TF101 Tablet Computer
the “Transformer”.
This machine had created a great
deal of excitement in the computer
world, even before its release to the
public in April/May of this year.
We first heard about the Transformer
from overseas reports in March when it
had its public debut in Taiwan on Friday, March 25th and in the US in April.
While retail stocks were still very
much unavailable, it was receiving
the proverbial “rave reviews” from
those who had been lucky enough to
get their hands on one.
Following this, various reports
waxed eloquent about the machine
and this caused much excitement in
chat rooms and forums, with customers clambering over each other to get
their hands on one.
First it was a trickle supply and
some people were willing to pay way
over the odds to be the first. Others
lamented the lack of availability in
their favourite stores while a few,
very few, who had managed to buy
one raved about it – which of course
further increased demand.
Until late May, when stocks became
available in numbers in the US, it was
amusing to read the lengths some went
to – like ordering at six different stores
For all intents and
purposes, it looks like a pretty
standard Android tablet computer.
But there are quite a few surprises under the
Gorilla Glass screen!
and cancelling when the first one
turned up. In the unlikely event that
they got “stuck” with two or three, no
problem. Good ol’ eBay ensured they
would more than get their money back
(and then some!).
We’ve seen the Transformer being
auctioned on eBay for more than double its US release price!
The models
The EeePad Transformer is available
in two models, apparently identical
except for the amount of solid-state
disk drive capacity each contains.
Asus EeePad Transformer (TF101) Specifications
Display:
10.1” LED backlit touch-sensitive screen with IPS (1280 x 800)
10 fingers multi-touch, Gorilla glass
Operating system: Android 3.0 Honeycomb
Platform:
Nvidia Tegra 2
Memory:
LP DDR2 1GB
Storage:
16GB or 32GB EMMC + unlimited ASUS webstorage
Wireless:
802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Camera:
1.2MP (front), 5MP autofocus (rear)
Interfaces:
2-in-1 audio jack (headphone/mic-in); mini HDMI 1.3a port
micro-SD card reader; internal microphone; stereo speakers
Sensor:
g-sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, E-compass, GPS
3G Module:
Optional
Flash support:
Yes (downloadable)
Multi-tasking:
Yes
Special App:
ASUS launcher, MyLibrary, MyNet, MyCloud, File manager, PC sync
Battery:
24.4Wh Li-polymer; life 9.5 hours; 16 hours with dock
Size & Weight:
271 x 177 x 12.98mm; 680g (with battery)
These specifications were as supplied by Asus at the press launch. However
there appear to be a few minor differences in the sample unit received (eg,
Android 3.1, 1.3MP front camera and we’re still not sure about that “optional”
3G module). Perhaps the Transformer reviewed was a later model.
16 Silicon Chip
The TF101A has a 16GB “disk”
while the TF101B doubles that to
32GB. They feature a 10.1-inch WXGA
touchscreen, an Nvidia Tegra 2 dualcore processor with 1GB of RAM and
both Bluetooth (2.1) and WiFi (b, g &
n) built in.
Unfortunately, there is no 3G model
but depending on who you believe,
Asus plans to bring a 3G model out
later this year (or they don’t, because
someone knows someone in Asus who
assures them it’s not happening . . .).
The screen on the Asus EeePad
Transformer is an IPS panel and it’s
one of the best tablet screens around
– almost on a par with the iPad.
Colours are bright and vivid, contrast is decent and the viewing angle is
excellent. When watching videos, the
picture is smooth and sharp while the
touch input is extremely responsive.
With its Dow-Corning Gorilla Glass
coating, it will also handle some pretty
rough treatment. One thing I have to
say is that it shows fingerprints badly
– but a wipe with a damp cloth soon
fixes that problem.
There is a mini HDMI output if
you want to use the Transformer as
a playback device for home theatre
or suitable TV sets, a headphone jack
and microphone and a MicroSD card
slot. There are two cameras built in,
the one facing the user has 1.3MP
resolution while the outward-facing
is 5MP. Video is recorded at 1280 x
720 (HD) resolution but the recorded
video certainly doesn’t look like high
siliconchip.com.au
This is what sets the Asus Transformer apart from other tablets: the dock/
keyboard. The tablet drops into that slot at the top and locks in place.
definition to me.
In fact, the quality of both cameras
leaves something to be desired; I found
them somewhat inferior to similar
resolution cameras on many mobile
phones these days. Colours are not
particularly good (they’re a bit washed
out) and they don’t look very sharp to
me. However, that’s only a minor criticism – if you’re buying a tablet to use
as a camera, you’re probably buying
the wrong technology!
Like most tablets, the screen image
rotates as you rotate the machine.
This is accomplished via a three-axis
MEMS chip. And it also has a GPS
receiver inbuilt which work nicely
with the pre-loaded maps and satellite
(Google Earth) images.
The docking keyboard
Here is where I believe Asus have
made a brilliant marketing decision
– and arguably the main reason this
computer has created such a stir.
An optional QWERTY keyboard,
with tactile keys, transforms the TF101
into what is effectively a netbook computer. Hence the name, “Transformer”.
The tablet simply slots into a guide
on the edge of the keyboard and locks
in place. Once in, the slot becomes a
hinge and the keyboard closes onto the
tablet just as it would in a notebook PC.
To release the tablet from the keyboard,
it’s simply a matter of sliding a catch
over and lifting it out.
It’s not just a keyboard, either. As
well as adding two USB ports and an
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SD card slot, it also virtually doubles
the battery life from around 8 hours to
about 16 hours.
What’s more, the keyboard’s battery
will recharge the tablet battery. If both
batteries are fully charged, the Transformer will first take power from the
keyboard battery, so the tablet always
has as much power as possible for
when you want to detach it.
The keyboard includes a touchpad “mouse” and it also sports 17
dedicated “function” keys along the
top row. They’re not like your usual
keyboard F1, F2, F3 etc keys – these
are all dedicated to a particular task.
Notebook and netbook keyboards
are often (unfairly) criticis ed due to
a perceived close key spacing. We’ve
also seen criticism on the web of the
Transformer keyboard key spacing –in
fact, one of our staff members said
exactly that.
In general, (although there are
exceptions) this perception is quite
wrong and is definitely wrong on the
Transformer keyboard. Key spacing
from the Q key to the P key is 160mm
– compare this to my Microsoft PC
keyboard at 170mm. So if you are a
touch typist looking for speed, the
Transformer keypad won’t slow you
down.
Overseas, the keyboard is sold as
a ~$150 option for both Transformer
models; here in Australia it appears
that the usual sales method is to bundle it with the 32GB model (TF101B).
We’ll get to prices in just a moment.
Software
Straight out of the box, the Transformer is loaded with an extensive
range of user applications, or shortcuts
to them. These range from your typical
office apps (document, spreadsheet
and presentation in “Polaris Office”)
through to maps, games (yes, Angry
Birds is there!), lots of business, education, medical, video and sound . . .
Put them together and what
do you get? The Transformer transformed into
a powerful little netbook
with just about all the
bells and whistles you
could ask for. OK, so it
doesn’t have 3G (yet?)
but there are ways
around that little
dilemma!
August 2011 17
When not locked to its docking station, you don’t lose any functionality with the tablet (OK, battery life is halved and you
lose a USB slot and an SD card slot). But otherwise, it’s all at your fingertips – quite literally with the touch-screen display.
we could be here all day listing all of
the preloaded and shortcuts to apps.
Some are free, others have a nominal
charge (the most expensive I found was
less than $30; most are much less, in
the $1-$3 range).
And there’s nothing stopping you
downloading countless thousands of
Android apps from a huge variety of
sources – again, many are free; most
entail a quite nominal charge.
Performance
To be honest, there is not a great
deal between the various tablets on
the market at the moment – but all the
test reports I have seen put the Asus
Transformer either at, or near, the top.
We didn’t have the opportunity to test
the Asus against other tablets; ours was
more a subjective test than objective.
But in most aspects, I was impressed
with the way the Transformer worked.
The exception is the cameras – both
still and video – they’re not as good
as I expected. But as I said earlier,
you don’t buy a tablet PC and expect
a Nikon result!
The audio from the inbuilt speakers
is definitely nothing to write home
about, either. Through earphones or
an external amplifier, it’s not too bad,
as you might expect.
Otherwise I liked its operation, its
smoothness, its light weight – in fact,
there isn’t much not to like about it.
Using Android
If you are used to a Windows-based
PC, you may find the learning curve
for any Android PC (this one included)
a little steep.
While there are many similarities in
18 Silicon Chip
operation, there are also fundamental
differences and if you decide to migrate to Android, you’re going to have
to unlearn quite a lot – perhaps what
the Android community would regard
as bad habits anyway!
But there’s a bigger consideration
if you decide to use the Transformer
as you “main” computer – and that’s
applications. As we mentioned before,
there are many thousands of Android
applications already but compare that
to the millions available in Windows.
You may find that much of your
favourite software is simply not yet
(or maybe never will be) available
in Android, especially if it is at all
specialised.
From our research, it would appear
that “porting” a Windows application to Android is not a particularly
straightforward task, even taking into
account that Android is based on the
Linux kernel. If commercial software
developers can’t see a return in porting, they obviously won’t bother.
Many Android apps are obviously
labours of love by Android devotees
who perhaps aren’t looking for a big
commercial return on their efforts.
For many Transformer users the
loss of Windows applications won’t
particularly matter, given the extensive range of software applications
that the Transformer comes loaded
with. And it goes without saying that
the number of new apps being written
for Android will continue to grow as
Android use grows.
Maybe there will be something there
that will do the job for you; maybe not.
But if there is, you’re going to need to
re-learn it because it will obviously
work differently. Perhaps that’s a good
thing; new applications tend to learn
from the mistakes made in old ones!
The Cloud
But all is not lost! Like the vast
majority of tablets, netbooks and even
smartphones these days, the Asus
Transformer is designed not only for
stand-alone use but also to work as a
Cloud Computer.
Many people are confused by this
term so we’ve prepared a separate
panel opposite which (hopefully!)
explains it for you.
Suffice to say that the Transformer
works with Cloud applications which
are meant to be device (or platform)
independent.
So you may well find what you want
in “the Cloud”.
The Transformer has an app called
“MyCloud” which Asus describe as a
total cloud solution, providing access
to digital content such as music, videos
and files from the cloud anywhere,
anytime. Users can even use MyCloud
Where did the “Asus” name come from?
We were intrigued to learn that Asus comes from the last four letters of Pegasus, the
winged horse of Greek mythology, that represents the inspiration of art and learning.
The company’s rationale is that Asus embodies the strength, creative spirit and purity
symbolised by this regal and agile mythical creature, soaring to new heights of quality
and innovation with each product it introduces to the market. So now you know!
siliconchip.com.au
So what is
“CLOUD
COMPUTING”?
I
t’s already the buzzword of the “ones” decade. A recent visit
to the CEBIT show in Sydney revealed dozens of vendors offering “Cloud Solutions” and “Cloud Applications”. Very few
made any attempt to explain what those terms meant because,
well, everyone knows what they mean, don’t they?
No they don’t!
If you Google “Cloud Computing” you’ll find hundreds of websites
which pose the question, “What is Cloud Computing?” and then
many fail dismally in their attempt to answer it – they launch into
the savings you’ll make or the flexibility you’ll enjoy or whatever.
So we’ll pose the question again:
What is Cloud Computing?
OK, let’s see if we can answer that simply by using a scenario.
At the moment, you’re probably using a computer loaded with a
whole swag of programs and a big hard disk for storage. It might
be on a network where you share your information or perhaps
store and retrieve data from a central server. It’s even possible
that you run your applications software from that central server.
In Cloud Computing, that “server” is “somewhere else”. Where?
It doesn’t matter too much – it’s just physically not (normally!) in
your office or building. But that server is where most, perhaps all
your applications are run from and all your data is stored.
To access it, you simply use an application on your local PC
which calls up your particular requirements.
It’s called “Cloud” computing because the cloud is representative of “somewhere else”. You can’t see it, you can’t control it, you
can simply use it. (The cloud symbol has been used in the telephone
industry for decades, simply to depict the same “somewhere else”).
Believe it or not, you’re probably using a form of Cloud Computing every day, especially if you use any of the “public” email
systems such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail, if you use Google or
if you use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and
even forums and chat rooms.
Think about it: all you do is “log on” to any of these (via the
siliconchip.com.au
internet) and they operate virtually independently of your computer.
All the information is stored elsewhere and control of the system
resides elsewhere. You don’t know where and don’t care where!
Expand this idea a little to a company with say dozens (hundreds?) of computers all working away with their own software.
Every application needs to be purchased, licenced and upgraded
as necessary. It can be a logistical nightmare.
Not any more. Now it’s the Cloud Computing provider who does
all that; all you do is pay a monthly fee to the provider for any apps
you need and to “rent” some space for your data.
The net result is less powerful (cheaper!) computers in the workplace, none of the software worries and the knowledge that all your
information has some of the best backup and security available.
Security! Aaah, that is one of the major concerns of potential
Cloud users – and with good reason, following some recent celebrated “hacks” and theft of data. Cloud promoters say that their
security is almost certainly a lot better than organisations who
maintain their own wide-area networks, simply because they have
world’s-best practices and the experts to keep it that way.
They also maintain that they offer better redundancy and data
integrity because of the way they are set up.
It’s not perfect, nothing is (hackers will always try to break into
the unbreakable and sometimes succeed). But it can offer significant
savings and labour benefits to organisations who use it.
Another big advantage of Cloud Computing is that you no
longer need be tied to the same computer, because “The Cloud”
is everywhere. As long as you can log onto The Cloud (ie, with
appropriate access codes and passwords), you can use it virtually
anywhere on earth. If that’s via a home broadband connection, or
even on your laptop in a resort on the other side of the world, so
be it. This has all sorts of implications including that “holy grail”,
telecommuting or working from your home office.
Is it the ultimate? Of course not – there will always be something
newer, better around the corner. But it’s pretty exciting and it’s
right here, right now.
August 2011 19
Tablet comparisons: Asus, Motorola, Acer and iPad 2
Dimensions(mm)
LCD
Resolution
Multi touch
OS
Processor
RAM
Built-in Flash ROM
Front Camera
Rear Camera
GPS
Audio
Flash compatibility
USB connector(s)
Battery Life
Weight
ASUS Transformer
171 x 276.8 x 6~12.98
10.1” IPS panel
1280 x 800
10 fingers
Android 3.0
NVIDIA Tegra 2
1GB
16GB / 32GB
1.2 megapixel
5 megapixel
Yes
SRS
Yes
Yes
Pad only 9.5 hrs
Pad + Docking 16 hrs
680g
Motorola Xoom
167 x 249 x 12.99
10.1” IPS panel
1280 x 800
10 fingers
Android 3.0
NVIDIA Tegra 2
1GB
32GB
2 megapixel
5 megapixel
Yes
n/a
Yes
Yes
10 hrs(6,500mAh)
Acer 10’’
177 x 260 x 13.5~6
10.1” MVA panel
1280 x 800
10 fingers
Android 3.0
NVIDIA Tegra 2
1GB
16GB / 32GB
2 megapixel
5 megapixel
Yes
Dolby
Yes
Yes
Not Disclosed
Apple iPad 2
185.7 x 241.2 x 8.8
9.7” IPS panel
1024 x 768
11 fingers
iOS v 4.3
Apple A5
512MB
16GB / 32GB / 64GB
VGA (0.3MP)
720p/30p video (0.9MP)
Yes
?
No
No
10 hrs(6,500mAh)
730g
758g
601g
This table, again taken from Asus’s press kit, shows the basic specifications of four competing tablet computers. As
you can see, there’s not a great deal between them – except for that unique docking keyboard on the Asus Transformer.
to remotely access and control any PC
or Mac system and access applications
or files to extend the versatility of the
EeePad Transformer experience.
An app called ASUS Sync is included (or downloadable from Asus
website) which synchronises the
Transformer with your PC.
Is it a toy?
It’s a question one of our staff asked
after “playing” with it for a short time.
And it’s a fair question, too: it’s so small
it doesn’t look like a “real” computer.
While there are huge numbers of
game apps available, I would have to
say that the Transformer is definitely
not a toy.
Yes, it is small but (especially with
the dock/keyboard) it’s as much a
contender for real computer status
as any of the netbooks on the market
today – and given its versatility, better
than most.
One website I browsed reported that
“the world has gone mad with tablets”
and they weren’t talking about Viagra.
Every mainstream manufacturer is
reported to have tablet models on the
drawing board for release this year, or
has already done so. Don’t be surprised
if you decide that your next computer
will be a tablet.
Given the Transformer’s size and
weight, it’s perfect for taking with you.
With built-in WiFi, you can get online
practically anywhere you need to these
days – and while it doesn’t (yet?) have
3G, a (now very cheap!) wireless broadband dongle can take care of that. Or
20 Silicon Chip
you can tether it to a 3G phone and
away you go!
Amongst a huge range of uses, I
also found it particularly handy as
an e-reader. I read a lot on line and
found, again due to its light weight,
it’s great for reading in bed without
disturbing my partner or for sitting in
the armchair without a heavy weight
on my lap. The display is right up there
in clarity and brilliance – I believe as
good as the iPad.
Check out the specs panel and you
can compare it with the iPad – in most
areas, the Transformer is as good or
better.
Pricing
Here’s the burr under the saddle.
One of the big selling points overseas, apart from offering more features
than the iPad, is that the Asus Transformer is around $100 cheaper.
Not so in Australia. Let me explain:
In the US, the 16GB Asus Transformer has a retail price of $399; perhaps
even a little cheaper in some places
(it’s already being discounted now that
supply is up to scratch). The iPad 2
sells there for $US499. We won’t worry
about currency conversion because it’s
close enough to parity.
Here in Australia, for reasons best
known to Asus Australia, you’ll be
hard pressed finding a 16GB Transformer for much less than the recommended retail price – a whopping
$599. The iPad2 is $579.
So the Transformer’s price advantage
is right out the window. In fact, we’ve
even seen them advertised here at $629
(althought that might simply be an
early supply/demand thing).
The question must be asked, why
so expensive?
Even allowing for Australian GST
(10%) and maybe a little bit more
freight, the price should not be anything like $180 more – and remember
we said we weren’t worrying about
currency conversions – if you do that’s
another 5% OFF the Aussie price.
It’s a better story with the 32GB
model. US price: $499 plus docking
station/keyboard (~$150) or about
$650.00. The “usual” price in Australia, with the docking station, is
about $796.00. Strangely enough, the
iPad2 32GB (without a keyboard) also
sells here for about $796.00
We think Asus Australia are shooting themselves in both feet.
Many posters in the Android forums
(eg http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/
forum/140) have reported just how
easy it is to order online from the US,
pay somewhere between $20 and $50
in freight and you’ll save a good $100
or more (there is no GST on <$1000
imports).
The Asus EeePad Transformer is
a great little product with enormous
potential – but with the iPad’s marketing clout and their already huge
penetration in the marketplace, the
Transformer will be lucky to get any
foothold in this country without at
least some price advantage.
That it does not have – and that’s a
real shame.
SC
siliconchip.com.au
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