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The current Asus Transformer won't support a dongle - or 3G broadband modem - but there are plans to release a 3G version sometime in the future
Q I am considering buying an Asus Eee Pad Transformer to use when in Spain. Will I be able to use my existing Spanish dongle (with its local Sim) on this tablet computer or will I need to buy a different laptop to get online?
John Evans
A By ‘dongle’ we assume you mean a 3G broadband modem that connects to a computer via USB? If so then the short answer to your first question is probably not.
The existing Eee Pad Transformer product does indeed have a couple of USB sockets but, without modification, the Android operating system that it runs would not recognise a 3G broadband modem.
So while you could plug your 3G dongle in, the Eee Pad Transformer wouldn’t know what to do with it – though it may recognise and make available any spare storage that happens it happens to find on the device (as 3G broadband modems often double as USB memory keys).
All that said, we do know that some clever developers have managed to ‘hack’ the Eee Pad Transformer (and other Android tablets for that matter) to recognise and work with 3G broadband USB modems connected via USB, but the techniques involved would be beyond most mortal users.
However, if you’re really keen then there are a couple of other options. The first would be to buy a mobile Wifi device and pop your Spanish 3G Sim into that: these essentially work in the same was as a 3G broadband modem but project their own Wifi signal so that the connection can be shared.
As the current Eee Pad Transformer model has built-in Wifi, this will allow you to get online via a 3G connection. The Huawei E585 is a popular example of a mobile Wifi device – it costs around £65.
Alternatively, just wait a while longer. Asus has said it intends to release a 3G version of the Eee Pad Transformer sooner or later. However, this product revision’s launch is already well overdue so when precisely it may arrive is anyone’s guess.
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Alternative answer
This alternative answer might be useful to yourself or others in a similar position. It may be worth checking the specifications on your current mobile phone (If you have one). My Samsung Galaxy S2 has a mobile wi-fi hotspot built-in (Other phones have this capability, though not many), though this will use up the data allowance on your phones contract - and battery life. Best to use it plugged into the mains for any extended period of surfing. If necessary, you could swap the phones sim for the sim in your spanish dongle to keep the costs minimised while connected. Don't forget to turn the faciulity off on the phone when finished to revert back to normal battery use.
Posted by Mike Southwell, 10 Jan 2012