The 10-inch Eee PC, hiding in plain sight?

Rumors of a 10-inch Eee PC continue to fly fast and furious, and as we were trying to piece together the various contradictory statements from Asus and other sources, we happened to notice these pictures from Computex that clearly show an Eee PC model "1001," encased in a slightly larger form factor with -- you guessed it -- a 10-inch screen. Now, all the other rumors we've heard involve stuffing that larger screen into the existing 7-inch 701 form factor, so this could be an entirely different branch of the Eee tree, but it's definitely interesting that Asus hasn't been talking about the 1001 much at all -- you'd think that it would at least rate a passing mention during the hoopla of the Eee launch, but we haven't heard a peep. Check some more pics -- including one of the entire Eee lineup at Computex including the 1001, at the read link.

[jdang @ Nov 14th 2007 9:19PM]

Uhh, duh? Nobody remembers the 10" Eee PC announced then cancelled? How easy we forget with the tech news, I clearly remember this stuff from the earlier trade shows.

[Chad @ Nov 15th 2007 10:47AM]

I remember the announced part but never heard it was canceled. When it was announced they showed both the 10" and the 7" screen versions side by side and they were both in the same case. I'll see if I can't find the link.

[jdang @ Nov 15th 2007 1:16PM]

I do remember it being cancelled or at least not reannounced when recent word about the 7" coming to market. Way after the trade shows though.

Here is a wiki page discussing the "rumor" of it being cancelled http://wiki.eeeuser.com/eee_pc_1001
And a forum topic translating a chinese website (lol!) http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=125

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 14th 2007 9:24PM]

I'd go with th 10 incher. I want a teensy bit more screen and this is good for me.

[Hung @ Nov 14th 2007 9:42PM]

That's what she said.

[casey @ Nov 14th 2007 11:08PM]

^nice

[RyanTV @ Nov 14th 2007 9:33PM]

teh hotness. I'll take one to tote with me on the road.

[CoolBradG @ Nov 14th 2007 9:42PM]

I don't understand the craze with Eee PC's... Sure its "small" and "portable" but I'd still rather carry a 17 inch over that. It seems like a good notebook for kids though.

[Randomness @ Nov 14th 2007 9:52PM]

A 17 inch!? That isn't portable; this commenter must be a troll. You can barely fit a 15" in a planeseat, and bags and backpacks that fit 17" are huge, ungly, and unwieldly.

[CoolBradG @ Nov 14th 2007 10:00PM]

I'm not a troll I just don't see whats so great about it? Label me a Apple Fanboy or whatever but I'd rather carry/have a Mac Book Pro. Its just not for me.

However I do think these would work well in schools, they're cheap, wireless, and work for all the basic functions school computers need to do.

[michael @ Nov 14th 2007 10:32PM]

Way to go. You just defeated your own logic by stating the EXACT purpose of the Eee PC. It is designed to be either a secondary laptop for people who desire mobility + basic functionality, or as a budget first computer for say, a young teen, for example.

[CoolBradG @ Nov 14th 2007 10:37PM]

To me its not worth it just have for trips/vacations. Maybe for you it is but for me its not. I just don't see whats so hard to understand, I don't need it or want it. Get over it.

[Deuz Augustine @ Nov 14th 2007 10:41PM]

I too prefer my portable computers to only be portable in the sense of, "I can move it if I really need to."

[Reader @ Nov 15th 2007 12:22AM]

Just because you don't have a reason doesn't mean there is no reason to get one. Just for future reference as it seems you've noticed that there is a reason for it.

I would love to have one. I don't always need a computer that can run Photoshop CS3, maybe I just want to watch a dvd image on the plane or need to work on excel. Plenty of reasons for me not to carry around a SEVENTEEN inch notebook.

[jdang @ Nov 15th 2007 3:05AM]

CoolBradG, it's cool that it's not for you, and you don't see a use for it for yourself, but to say you don't understand the craze, or what's it's good for (even though you go on to name important things) is to contradict yourself.

Me, I would never lug around a 17" or a 15" even. I think gaming on a laptop is not for me, and maybe even a little crazy, but I understand crazy, so I understand people out there want a laptop as such. Right now, I have a 14" and I'm returning it. Too big and too heavy for what I do. Surf the net, watch movies. I have a QX6700 desktop for anything that requires heavy cpu cycles.

[Benson @ Nov 15th 2007 9:11AM]

Guys, lay off already!

@Randomness
Desiring a different level of portability = troll!?
As far as backpacks, I had a big semi-rigid one that would have handily fit a 17" laptop (if I had one) when I was in undergrad. Toting a day's worth of textbooks, notebooks, etc. takes a big backpack. Huge? maybe. Unwieldy? until you get used to it. Ungly?? Well, they say Beaunty is in the eye of the beholder.

@michael
Defeated what logic? He didn't say there was no purpose. He said he doesn't understand the _craze_, as in people being _crazy_ about it, instead of seeing it as just another machine, particularly well-suited to certain uses. If any laptop in recent memory has been the "Jesus-laptop", it's definitely the Eee, and he doesn't understand exactly why _so many_ people get _so excited_. Seeing a purpose for it does not contradict that at all.

@jdang
He did not say he doesn't see what it's good for. And claiming to not understand the craze, and see some limited realms where it is a good choice, is not a contradiction.

FWIW, I too don't really see why the craze.
It's nifty, and at a lower price point in a year or so, I'll probably get one. But it's in the range of portability/performance that doesn't seem awfully useful to me. (Which is to say, it's between an IT/PDA that you can _always_ have with you and a desktop/luggable/HUGE-laptop that can do what needs done with no internet connection.)
It's not for me, and it just seems like there _can't_ be that many people for whom it is so awesome. Obviously, there are, but I _believe_ there is a craze, I don't _understand_ the craze.

[David Clark @ Nov 14th 2007 9:44PM]

Though I'm sure I'll be flamed to all eternity, how is it that the Foleo was a piece of crap and yet this Eee PC is the hottest laptop in many a year. I mean, both were using homebrew linux, uber cheap, and tiny..

[caramelzappa @ Nov 14th 2007 9:50PM]

EEE is much cheaper than the foleo, and though the specs are still low it's much more powerful than the foleo. The foleo was dependant on a palm smartphone, while the eee is not. The eee has the ability to run software it doesn't come with, it allows you to run XP (though I don't see why you'd want to) and it has more storage space as well as ram. The list goes on. All in all the eee is a much better machine for a lower price, and it doesn't depend on a smartphone.

[Randomness @ Nov 14th 2007 9:50PM]

You had to use a treo as the processing power of the foleo. Without it, the uber expensive foleo was just a screen and kbd.

[Rollins @ Nov 14th 2007 10:03PM]

No, no you didn't. It had its own 416mhz processor and even had a Marathon 2700g graphics accelerator. It also had its own apps and everything.

[David Clark @ Nov 14th 2007 10:12PM]

I guess. It seems like the TWiT guys the other day mentioned that you couldn't install your own software unless you reslammed the machine with your own flavor of linux (which isn't a big deal, of course).

But after seeing the proc on the Foleo, I guess I can concur there's a difference. Still, Palm's mistake was in the poor execution and not necessarily the target (IMHO, from my understanding)

[Aaron @ Nov 14th 2007 11:16PM]

The Foleo was a dumb terminal for working with your phone's data. The eeePC runs a full linux distro (Xandros). The difference is huge. One is a full desktop, complete with all the capabilities a well maintained distro gives you.

Install new apps, etc. All the same things you'd get if you were running Xandros on your desktop PC.

The Foleo was it's own little world there, where you'd wait for devs to build apps for that platform.

I know I'd rather go with a full bown linux install than with the Foleo model.

[spam_from_engadget @ Nov 15th 2007 7:54AM]

I fear that the reaction to the Foleo here is the reason why Asus cancelled/postponed the 10" EEE.

Palm's mistake was the "companion" marketing. Many people (Aaron, Randomness) don't 'get' that both the Foleo and the EEE are 'just' Linux boxes, and you can do anything you like with them. It was certainly NOT the case that the Foleo was only usable alongside a smartphone, even if that was what Palm said.

[Seth Brundle @ Nov 15th 2007 12:22PM]

This isn't the hottest laptop of the year, its just getting a lot of press because its unique.
As a lot of reviewers have mentioned, the market for this laptop is largely unknown.

If you like it for the value, then $1 less will get you a full-blown Everex Stepnote from Walmart whose specs would blow the doors off this thing.

If you are a mobile professional, you would be much better off taking the hit on price and getting a solid ultraportable. You also may be screwed with Linux depending on your corporate requirements for VPN clients, IE-based intranets and lack of Outlook/Exchange support.

The keyboard size, screen size and resolution, so-so battery life (and for mobile professionals, the lack of EVDO), are all major strikes against this device.

[carmack00 @ Nov 14th 2007 9:45PM]

I really looking forward to this to take to my classes. I was thinking about getting the 7 incher but the idea of typing on that small keyboard made me think twice. Looking forward to this but it'll probable be forever before it reaches retal and even longer before its in stock

[ridestp @ Nov 14th 2007 9:46PM]

Front page of eeeuser.com, the U.S.'s largest forum on the eee states that the 10" Eee rumor is false.. The administrator, Ant, contacted Asus. The response was that there are no plans for a 10" Eee. They id confirm, however, that the 8G version will be 499 USD.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Nov 14th 2007 11:28PM]

Well Asus could be denying it because it is not in their best interest to reveal it yet.

[Reader @ Nov 15th 2007 12:23AM]

As if a company never denied a rumor and then announced it as true a month, or even a few days later...

[Japanesegorilla @ Nov 14th 2007 9:49PM]

If it is a bigger form factor and the keyboard is bigger than I will probably be in for one, if it's the same size than I'll pass, or if it's a lot more expensive.

[Rob Pribish @ Nov 14th 2007 9:50PM]

It looks like the case is all around bigger, I would hope they would just put a screen that 'fits' more into the existing eee pc case... maybe make it a little thicker for better battery life.

[finnith @ Nov 14th 2007 10:16PM]

I'm gonna end up buying a laptop for university anyways so I have to ask this question.

Since i don't want to end up just playing video games on my laptop (ie it would only be used for web browsing, word processing) would the Eee PC be a good buy?
It seems to be the favorite of many.

[Josiah @ Nov 14th 2007 10:22PM]

It's a good secondary computer. I would not get it if that's the only computer you have, because you may need some bigger programs (depending on your major.) This is a laptop you bring with you to take notes in class, or bring along a presentation or something like that.

In short: if you want a highly portable computer, get an Eee, and a Desktop for home. If you only want a laptop, get something more powerful, with a bigger harddrive.

[reno6 @ Nov 14th 2007 10:24PM]

Forget it if you plan to use it as your primary computer. Too small and underpowered. Good for road trips though.

[finnith @ Nov 14th 2007 10:42PM]

I do have a desktop at home so I guess I'll wait for the 10-inch model to come out (still got 1 year till uni) and then buy it unless they release a better one.

[Yem @ Nov 15th 2007 1:08AM]

Also the keyboard is tolerable, but you wouldn't want to write your thesis on it.

[Natedog @ Nov 15th 2007 2:18AM]

If you just want a small laptop to use as a primary computer, look for a standard laptop in the 13.3"ish range. I'm at UTK and just got Asus' W7S. I love it, and my friends with 15.4" laptops all really wish they had gotten something smaller.

I'm not saying the W7S is for you; you sound like you need something with integrated video, it'll save a lot on battery life. I'm advocating the screen size. 13.3" laptops can be comfortably held in one hand (using the palm of your hand on the back of the laptop and your arm underneath it), I'm really glad I went for the size. Hope this helps in your decision.

[James Yopp @ Nov 15th 2007 10:07AM]

I heartily concur with NateDog. I had a 12" Powerbook G4 at Uni, and loved it. This was before bluetooth mice for notebooks were available, so I got a used Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse, dissected it, and installed a little power switch. The case was pretty sturdy, and I carried it in a separate compartment of my backpack most days. After over 3 years, it still works great, but it's my wife's now (sigh).

The 13.3" widescreens are good, and roughly the same area as the old 4:3 12.1" screens. Anything bigger is a drag (although half the size, half the cost, and less delicate is a great combo) . I replaced the PB12 with a MacBook Pro last April and have regretted it ever since the "newness" wore off about three weeks later, and now my eyebrows perk up every time someone writes "Mac Ultraportable" rumors. I really *hate* the size of the 15.4"; For me, it's the distinction between a laptop and a luggable. In 18 months of ownership (and part of this is heat issues), I have maybe TWICE used the thing in my lap. YMMV.

Now, if you want a computer to take to class and set up on a desk, or in a lab, a larger laptop may do well for you. But if you want a small note-taking machine, don't be afraid to go small and cheap. I had an HP Jornada 820 back in the day -- almost the exact same thing as the EEE PC, albeit running Windows CE -- and it was excellent for note-taking. In fact, the only reason I shelled out for the Powerbook was so I could develop and run UNIX apps for class. I will say though, that it seems like anything larger than the 13.3" widescreen makes it impractical to use in a lot of situations. And for document editing and notetaking, I've never used a 7" screen, but an 8.4" screen always worked great for me.

[Chad @ Nov 15th 2007 10:48AM]

If you have a desktop at home then this is a good PC for you. Just set up the flavor of remote connection (VNC, Telnet, etc) you like best and viola!. Your EEEPC is connected to your desktop at home running at full power. All the portability AND all the power in one lightweight, semi-indestructible platform. I doubt even a Panasonic Tough Book could suffer the punishment this little guy can without trashing the hard drive. For me that is the "Killer app" that will ultimately drive me to getting one.

[Michael @ Nov 14th 2007 10:42PM]

I would love to get one of these as a secondary computer. Asus, please release the 1001 soon!

[fuzzy @ Nov 14th 2007 11:13PM]

I'm officially waiting, unless there's an announcement that it won't be till late 2008 that they are released.

[Austin R. Range @ Nov 14th 2007 11:15PM]

I'll just get my MacBook and if the 1001 8GB ever drops to $400 I'll buy one (after I get a job though) for when I go to the movies and need a light laptop for going to a St. Louis Bread, on the same block, before the movie. Now if there's a black 1001 I'll be right on it.

[Tony @ Nov 14th 2007 11:38PM]

It comes out I will gladly buy it.

[Charlie @ Nov 14th 2007 11:46PM]

call it the E-1000 and i'm sold =]

[fobunited @ Nov 15th 2007 12:08AM]

Toldju so

[jak68jak68 @ Nov 15th 2007 3:04AM]

any specs on this? I'd buy it if it had a dvd player (so i can get rid of my portable dvd player).

[jon @ Nov 15th 2007 3:34AM]

what if it was always the intention to introduce a 10" model.

Using some very basic high school maths it is possible to theoretically possible to put a 10" screen in the lid of the current form factor.

If all you had to do was change the screen - the economies of scale you could achieve would be great.

Clearly you wouldn't annouce this on day one - because you would miss the original price point $199 original discussed AND no-one would buy the smaller 7" version with space around the screen when you could get an ultra portable laptop for a few hundred bucks more.

[toronado455 @ Nov 15th 2007 5:42AM]

Ugh. Put this 10" screen in the smaller form factor Eee. Don't increase the screen size AND the laptop size. Then you just end up where you started - with a big useless border around the screen.

[viclee888 @ Nov 15th 2007 4:35AM]

On the eeepc wiki on wikipedia, it states that the original model # for all the eeepcs were changed from the one listed in this article........

[MacroEQ @ Nov 15th 2007 7:03AM]

The Eee PC is a UMPC and not a laptop. If you want a bigger screen (larger than 10") and DVD etc, then buy a laptop.

I really like the look of the 10" Eee PC but I don't think Asus will launch this anytime soon in fear of users holding out for the 10" version and not buying the 7" version due now.

It's a shame as the 10" version would have been perfect for me.

[MacroEQ @ Nov 15th 2007 7:09AM]

and I forgot to mention that if Asus don't bring out the 10" version anytime soon then the other manufacturers (Dell, HP, Fujitsu, Sony & Toshiba) are likely to bring out their *own versions*...

Things might start to look good for the UMPC after all...