What does it mean exactly to "Unlock the Bootloader" with the APK file ASUS offers?

[CARVERitUP]

I was under the impression that this meant to have root access, and some websites I searched around for it actually said that's what it is, but I do not have root access on my tablet, even though I've unlocked the bootloader with the ASUS APK file.

So, what is unlocking the bootloader then?

 

[leeshor]

Well the first thing that unlocking the boot loader does is terminate your warranty. But unlocking the boot loader is not necessary to have root access. In short if reading is available for a tablet tablet doesn't require unlocking the boot loader to gain root access, however, unlocking the boot loader does give you the ability to install new and different ROMs and kernals.