The unlocked boot loader that Asus promised was removed, and replaced with an encrypted, locked boot loader. The wifi signal issues are still a problem on many units, but you are correct, they didn't downgrade the specs. And yes, the GPS is the only one that was actually downgraded/removed from the specs. They also promised a delivery date of Dec 8, actual stock wasn't delivered until Jan 8-9. Missing the Christmas gift season is a pretty big no-no in the commercial electronics industry. I was trying to be amusing... there was a lot of buzz about the delays and problems. To be honest, the Prime is a heck of a tablet, and makes me reconsider my Toshiba Thrive + 3-year-old Asus EEE netbook. I could have both in one unit if I cared to sell them both.

Wifi Issues caused the initial delay, which was promised to be in early December 2011. BB and Amazon (and Asus) said it was for sale on pre-order for Dec. 8th. The total number of units shipped to cover the preorder was far far too little, and the retailers canceled quite a few of the preorders. Then we found out about the 128-bit encrypted, locked bootloader (even though Asus had talked about how much they liked the ROM community, and wanted to support.... after some pressure, Asus later "allowed" you to unlock at the expense of your warranty, which I can sort-of understand), plus the GPS being removed.

Or the Asus Transformer Prime Method: Where the specs are repeatedly downgraded, delays arise, specs are downgraded again, delayed again, and finally its released without several features that were promised upon release. Features that are broken are simply removed from the spec sheet.

I bought my wife a woot refurb 16gb Thrive for Christmas ($300), and its AWESOME. Full-sized ports are the key for her usage (reading journal articles [USB Thumbdrive plugs right in], watching Netflix [HDMI out], revising her thesis [keyboard plugs right in too], working on photos [full-size SD Card slot+Photoshop Touch] and using SplashtopHD to use her research computer at work). The added bulk/thickness isn't an issue for either of us. I rooted it in, oh, about 10 minutes. It seriously took me longer to download DaleP's files from the thriveforums than it took to root. Just install ADB, boot into fastboot, install CWM, flash image, voila. I like the transformer, but the price doesn't justify it for me, even with the dock. Why bother having to have a proprietary dock when you could just use a case and a regular USB keyboard. I think there are still refurb 32GB ones on eBay for $349, yup: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370564672605. That's a screaming deal.

We were out in Cape Cod Bay on Friday, and saw dozens of humpback whales, and literally hundreds of Common Dolphin. Pictures are up: http://www.sharkytm.com/gallery/capecodwhales