Asus Eee PC T91 Touch Shows Up at the FCC
April 5, 2009
There is some good news if you’re in the US and have been waiting to buy one of the first mainstream “convertible” Tablet PC/Touchscreen netbooks. The Asus Eee PC T91 Touch has made it’s appearance at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). That means it might start showing up for pre-orders later this month or next.
The Eee PC T91 is a touchscreen “convertible” - the screen can pivot, allowing it to lay flush against the keyboard and to be used as a Tablet PC, or it can be rotated into a position resembling a traditional laptop/notebook, with a normal keyboard (well normal = 92% or so, given the 8.9-inch display size). It’s possible that it will be the first of its type to be available in the US without the need to go through a 3rd-party importer.
While details about the T91 have been sparse in regards to plans for North America prior to now, it was believed that the T91 would be available sometime in the second quarter of this year. At this time, there’s not much in the FCC database though - just some photos and the FCC ID listing (MSQT91NE785H if you are curious).
About a month ago, Samsun Hu, who manages Asustek’s Asus Eee PC business unit, mentioned that Asustek believes that convertible/Tablet PC Eee PCs will account for up to 10% of the their Eee PC shipments this year.
Read:
- Full FCC Listing
via Netbook 3G (French) (English Translation)
HP Studying Google’s Android Platform for Ultraportables
April 1, 2009
How about Google’s Android operating system/platform for a notebook/laptop or even a netbook? Would you believe HP is taking a look at it?
It’s no April Fool’s joke. Reuters is reporting that Hewlett-Packard is looking at various ways that Google’s open-source operating system could be used. The article also mentions that the Wall Street Journal has sources claiming that HP is looking at Android as a platform for future netbooks.
Right now, Android has mainly been seen on mobile phones (or smartphones).
An HP spokeswoman declined to comment on any specific products, and only said that HP was studying Android in order to “understand all of the OS choices in the marketplace that might be used by our competitors, or that might possibly be of value to our customers too…..We want to assess the capabilities that Android might present for the computer and communications industries.”
HP is not the first to consider this, mind you. Back in February, the head of Asustek’s Eee PC line stated that Asustek had assigned engineers to look at Android-based netbooks and other Android-based devices, for a product that might be designed and finished by the end of this year. At the time, Asustek had not committed to a production run of any such devices, and as of now, they still haven’t, but it raised a lot of eyebrows.
Android is appealing - it’s free, it’s lightweight, has a large development community, and there are plenty of applications beginning to roll out for it, and being that it’s Google, an Android-based laptop/ultraportable will have access to most of the Google apps that many people use on a daily basis. People have been making Android run on non-mobile phone devices as well.
Given the “race to the bottom” as far as pricing, it could very well present a viable alternative to Linux on the $300 and lower devices.
Read: Reuters
Asus Eee PC 1004DN - It’s Official
March 30, 2009
It’s official - Asustek issued a press release over the weekend for the upcoming 10-inch Asus Eee PC 1004DN, which will be the first Eee PC to feature an internal optical writer (Super-Multi DVD drive). This follows reports from last week that the 1004DN would be available in April.
It’s powered by the new Intel N280 Atom CPU (1.66GHz) and the Intel GN40 chipset, and features the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine. With the 6-cell 5200 mAh battery, Asustek claims a battery life of up 5.9 hours and a weight of just 1.45kg (3.19 pounds).
It will also feature an ExpressCard slot (which maybe an Eee PC first), while adding the “ASUS Data Security System” (ADSM) which is a fingerprint reader. They mention 720p High Definition playback, but from what I’ve seen, the specifications for the display are 1024×600.
Some sacrifices had to be made to keep the weight and size down, and it looks like the 1004DN features a 1.8″ 4200 RPM PATA hard drive (up to 120GB).
The HDD could be wrong, because for the graphics chipset, the press release states “ICH9Mb (Integrated GMA 4500M graphics core)”. That makes no sense whatsoever, because the 4500M is not available for this form factor/chipset, as far as I know.
Read: Asus.com
Thanks to Tim for the link
ZipZoomFly - Asus Eee PC 1000HE w/2GB RAM for $359.98
March 27, 2009
ZipZoomFly is running a special from today through tomorrow night (11:59pm PST) on the 10.2″ Asus Eee PC 1000HE.
For $359.98 (and free shipping for most areas), you can get the 1000HE with 2GB of Corsair memory/RAM.
Specifications:
- High Capacity Battery
- Intel Atom N280 (1.66GHz)
- 160GB HDD
- Windows XP
- Black
ZipZoomFly Links:
- ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 1.66GHz 10in 160GB HDD 1GB RAM Laptop Retail $339.99 with purchase of Corsair 2GB DDR2-667 Memory
- Corsair 2GB DDR2-667 PC2-5300 Value Select SO-DIMM Memory Retail $19.99 with purchase of ASUS 1000HE netbook
Offer expires 3/28 11:59PM PST
Asus Eee PC 1004DN (DVD Drive) in April, 1008HA in May
March 27, 2009
DigiTimes is reporting that retail sources are claiming that the Asus Eee PC 1004DN (or E1004DN) is going to be launched by Asustek sometime towards the middle of next month (April 2009).
It will be the first Eee PC to launch with an internal/built-in DVD drive (or Optical Disk Drive - ODD). It was announced back in January.
The 10.2″ ultraportable was originally thought to be shipping with an Intel Atom N270, but since then, a drop-in lower power upgrade, the N280, has become available. DigiTimes reports that the N280 will be coupled with an Intel GN40 chipset, along with a 120GB HDD, and a price of $531 - $590 USD. Availability in North America is unknown - initially it was thought that it wouldn’t be available outside of Asia and possible Europe.
The same sources report that the Eee PC 1008HA, aka the “Shell”, Asustek’s thinnest netbook, will be available sometime in May.
Read: DigiTimes
Asus Eee PC 1002H Announced
March 26, 2009
We have yet another member of the Eee PC family. This time it’s the 10-inch Asus Eee PC 1002H and it’s powered by one of the new 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom CPUs. It comes with a Lithium Polymer battery that Asustek claims will give it up to 5 hours of battery life. It will come in Pearl White, Pink, or Black.
From the specifications/features, it appears targeted towards the upper-end of netbook buyers and oriented towards businesses or video conferencing. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR plus 802.11n wireless appear to be a standard feature, along with a 1.3MP Webcam and a digital array microphone. If you are running Windows XP, it also features an “F9″ System Recovery key function.
In addition to the wireless connectivity and the video conferencing options, as well as the F9 recovery mode (handy if you’re on the road), the feature that jumps out to me, as far as making this a product aimed at business users, is the Dr Eee application. The Dr Eee application allows you to launch applications and control slide presentations by voice command. That is something definitely oriented towards the business market.
Features:
- 10GB Online Eee Storage
- 1.3MP Web Camera
- F9 one-key system recovery option
- Multi-touch Gesture Inpu Touchpad
- Dr Eee software application for voice control
- Chiclet-style keyboard
It’s just over 1″ (27.6mm) thick and weighs just over 2.6 pounds (1.2kg).
No word on pricing or availability.
Read: Asus.com
Thanks to Tim for sending the link
Asus Eee PC 1000HE Review (TechRadar UK)
March 25, 2009
Earlier this week, TechRadar published their review of the new 10-inch Asus Eee PC 1000HE.
They found the claim of 9.5 hours of battery life to be really pushing it - they were able to get over seven hours of regular usage out of the battery, but they compared it to the Samsung NC10 (also known for its battery life) and found that the 1000HE held its own.
They also found the new chiclet-style (or Scrabble-style) keyboard to be easier to type with. They gave it high marks, basically saying that if you already have an 8.9-inch or 10-inch netbook/ultraportable, it’s probably not worth upgrading, but if you do, then this might just be the one.
Read: TechRadar UK
Asustek CEO Discusses Future Eee PC Plans (TechRadar UK)
March 23, 2009
Last week, TechRadar UK posted an interview with Asustek’s CEO, Jerry Shen. Shen discussed Asustek’s upcoming plans for their Eee PC lineup, as well as slightly larger devices.
He mentioned that the focus of the Eee PC “Seashell”, aka the Asus Eee PC 1008/HA was on “easy, excellent, and exciting”, but that “economical” came about as a result.
The most interesting thing to come out of the interview was Shen’s discussion of what Asus is calling the “Fold/Unfold” laptop. It’s planned to be available sometime in the second half of 2009 (Asustek is aiming for September/October), and Shen compared it to Apple’s MacBook Air. Pricing is set for somewhere between $1000 and $1500 USD, and they expect it to have a major impact on the market (nearly as significant as the original 7″ Eee PCs). It will also have one of the newer polymer batteries, with up to 5 hours of battery life.
Shen also discussed what Asustek plans to do as far as nettops/home theater PCs (HTPC) and connecting to TVs in the living room and using them as PC displays.
Read: TechRadar UK
