Putting to rest the rumors making rounds about the possibility of a delay in the release of Asus' Transformer prime tablet, the company has reportedly stated that everything is on track, and that the device will be released `on schedule.'

While there have been reports, of late, that a likely delay of the Transformer Prime's release till 2012 appeared quite possible, an Asus spokesperson has now confirmed that the tablet will be shipped from December 19.

The confirmation implies that in case Transformer Prime shipment schedule actually commences on 12/19, enthusiastic consumers who are all too keen to lay their hands on the Android-based tablet in time for the holidays will be a happy lot.

The most appealing specs of the Asus Transformer Prime tablet-cum-netbook hybrid include an Nvidia 1.3GHz Tegra 3 'Kal-el' quad-core processor and Android 3.2 Honeycomb version which will post-launch be updated to the latest Android 4.0 `Ice Cream Sandwich' version.

The Asus Transformer Prime has been put up for pre-order by online retailer Clove, which has priced the device at a fairly steep $550, and mentioned `next month' availability. Buyers who apy the cost of the tablet in cash will apparently be able to get a 64GB model without the keyboard dock or a 32GB model with the dock.

Noting that both the 32 GB and 64GB models are "grey in colour and the price of both is confirmed at £459 (£550.80)," Clove said that the first stock of the tablet is expected in "January 2012."