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ASUS Eee Top ET2002T and ET2203T touchscreen all-in-ones land in October
Looks like we've got ourselves another Windows 7 launch, folks. The Eee Top ET2002 and ET2203, which have graced these pages with their touchscreens before, have ironed out an all-too-familiar launch date (October 22nd) and some fairly competitive Europe prices, weighing in at £559 and £819, respectively. That's roughly $893 and $1,312 US, but usually the UK to US conversion on these is dramatically less than the true conversion rate (though we feel rather bad for the folks in the UK, in our own patronizing, American sort of way). Either way we're happy to see NVIDIA ION popping up again, and the whole concept of a low-end touchscreen PC is certainly intriguing with Windows 7 along for the ride.
ASUS adds textured pattern 'wow-factor' to purported Eee PC 1001HA
Whenever an Eee PC roadmap leaks out, it's generally followed by a torrent of new machines that are just marginally different than the ones before. Granted, we've got Microsoft to thank for that, but it's still getting tougher by the day to keep all of these things from running together. Shortly after having a peek at the supposedly upcoming Eee PC 1201n comes this -- a smattering of hands-on shots of the purported Eee PC 1001HA. Slated to be available with Linux, Windows XP or no OS at all (saywha?), this here Eee could very well slot into the Seashell lineup given that bold pattern lathered on the chassis. Internally, you'll find the tired Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and an ExpressCard-to-Zzzzzzz adapter. But hey, at least that 3-cell battery means you'll be computing for days on end, right?
ASUS' Ion-infused Eee PC 1201n netbook emerges overseas
If ASUS is hoping to stick with that "mid-October" launch date here in North America, we'd say it better get whatever units it has laying around loaded up with an English-speaking version of Windows and onto a large vessel destined for a US port. Still, it's good to see some "proof" that the roadmapped Eee PC 1201n -- a 12-inch netbook with NVIDIA's Ion technology -- is actually on schedule for an autumn release, even if said "proof" is a product listing on an Asian e-tailer's website. Unfortunately, the machine is still humming along on Intel's near-ancient Atom N270 processor, though the 2GB of RAM, high(er) resolution panel, real man's GPU and Windows 7 operating system should help move things along. Per usual, we don't expect ASUS to confirm or deny the legitimacy of this slip, but if you're in the market for an Eee, this may be all you needed to hold off just a bit.[Via NetbookItalia]
ASUS: Eee Keyboard to launch in October, C64 fans unite!
Looks like those DigiTimes sources were right: the ASUS Eee Keyboard will officially launch in North America and Europe in October. And while CEO Jerry Shen is keeping quiet on pricing, the original $400 to $500 estimates should hold-up. The Commodore 64-esque keyboard PC originally announced at CES in January features an integrated 5-inch display, 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of memory, either 16GB or 32GB of SSD storage, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI and wireless UWB HDMI. And given the October launch, we're expecting this thing to run Windows 7 unlike the XP prototypes we've seen so far. Maybe Moblin too, if you want to save a nickle.
ASUS planning dual screen Eee Reader: world's cheapest e-book reader
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? You betcha. After catching an up close and personal glimpse at ASUS' dual panel touchscreen concept at CeBIT this past March, we soon forgot ASUS even had such a beast in the R&D lab. Just over a week ago, however, all those fond memories came rushing back with an off-the-wall rumor that the company just might push out an Eee-book reader later this year. Fast forward to today, and the Times Online has it that such a device is very real, and it should be out and about before the year's end. According to president Jerry Shen, the Eee Reader will become the planet's cheapest e-book reader, though a premium model could also be launched to satisfy those craving higher-end features -- probably amenities like inbuilt 3G, a web browser and expandable storage. The dual screen form factor would enable users to read books as books were intended to be read, or they could use the secondary panel to surf the web, type on a virtual keyboard or whatever else ASUS dreams up. We're told that the firm is aiming for the £100 ($163) mark on its low-end model, and based on the affordability of its Eee PCs, we'd say it'll probably get awfully close. Hey Kindle, you skeered yet?[Via BestTabletReview, thanks Rob]
Eee Keyboard tantalizingly within reach at the FCC
The ASUS Eee Keyboard has been delayed a couple times since it first made our hearts race at CES, but it looks like those rumors of an October launch might actually come true: the new-age C64 has just arrived at the FCC for a little government work. Interestingly, the test reports indicate the presence of a UWB radio in addition WiFi and Bluetooth, so it looks like we'll see the planned wireless HDMI model even after the spec pretty much hit the skids earlier this summer. We'll see how it goes -- and if we get that interesting Moblin version alongside the Windows edition when this thing eventually ships. Fingers crossed!
ASUS to launch Eee-book reader this year?
According to DigiTimes, ASUS president Jerry Shen says he plans to launch an Eee-branded ebook reader by the end of 2009 at the earliest. That's a tasty nugget of news all on its own. However, what would DigiTimes be without adding some good ol' Taiwanese rumor-mongering? As such, they add that MSI is investigating the reader market as well. But that's just common sense, we don't need "industry sources" to tell us that manufacturers are looking for ways to make money in new markets now do we?
ASUS puts Snapdragon smartbook on hold, breaks hearts of Androids everywhere
It was but a few months ago that we were lusting after a svelte little fanless Snapdragon Eee PC running Android and being demo'd at Computex. Now, ASUS is letting us all down softly, saying that project has been put on the shelf -- presumably to make room for another string of cookie-cutter netbooks. CEO Jerry Shen says "I don't see a clear market for smartbooks," which is true enough, but we're guessing the big laptop players didn't see a clear market for netbooks at first, either. So, not exactly great news for those looking for even cheaper and even more portable portables, but don't lose all hope: it wasn't that long ago that Western Digital said the SSD market didn't exist, and now look at 'em.
ASUS' Ion-based Eee Top ET2002T makes itself known in France
ASUS sort of got official with its Eee Top ET2002T back at Computex in June, but it's looks like things are now a whole lot more real in France, where Blogee.net has gotten the pics and the complete specs of the all-in-one desktop. In addition to that all-important (and already known) Ion chipset, this one comes packing a 20-inch 1,600 x 900 display, an Atom 330 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and even an HDMI input in case you want to simply use it as a display, among some other fairly standard specs (detailed at the link below). Still no word on an official price or release over here, unfortunately, but it'll apparently be available in Europe in "several weeks" and run a not so low €598, or about $845.
ASUS' 11.6-inch 1101HA netbook finally on sale in America
Call it coincidence or call it fate, but just as soon as we saw Samsung's 11.6-inch N510 netbook go on sale across the pond, ASUS' long-awaited 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA has netted itself a date with UPS here on US soil. The machine is the first in the Seashell range to boast a display larger than 11 inches, though the atypical WXGA (1,366 x 768) panel is about the only thing that'll turn heads. Within, you'll find an exceedingly bland array of parts: an Atom Z520 processor, 1GB of RAM, GMA 500 integrated graphics, a 160GB hard drive (still with us?), three USB 2.0 sockets, a 1.3 megapixel camera, WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and audio in / out jacks. If you aren't down with waiting to see what kind of netbook revolution coincides with the launch of Windows 7, you can order yours up from the links below for $429.99.[Via Netbooked]Read - BuyDig.com order pageRead - NewEgg.com order page
DIY Eee Keyboard is big, beautiful, and highly coveted
The ASUS Eee Keyboard is thin, sleek, and has a touchscreen pad. This do-it-yourself is bulky, uses a green backlight, and has instead a wireless mouse and numpad. Still, there's something magical and all kinds of wonderful about this home project, essentially an Eee PC 900 shoved into a Sven Multimedia EL 4002 keyboard. All you need is a VGA cable hooked up to a monitor and you're officially good to go. Itching to recreate this beaut for yourself? Hit up the read link for a plethora of in-process screenshots and some commentary from its maker. [Via Liliputing]
ASUS' Eee PC 1101HA netbook gets unboxed on video, shown in black
Unlike ASUS' Eee PC 1005HA, which seemed to ship just days after debuting, the company's 1101HA is taking its sweet time in going from "real" to "really available" here in America. This next member in the expanding Seashell range boasts a larger-than-usual 11.6-inch display and can be ordered with optional 3G (eventually, anyway), and the good folks over at NewGadgets managed to get ahold of one and unbox it for the cameras. Better still, they undressed a glossy black unit, which is noticeably different than the shiny white version we've seen thus far. Care to have a look? It's all there just after the break.
How would you change ASUS' Eee PC Seashell line?
In the past month and change, ASUS has found time to issue not one, but two new Seashell netbooks. Originally shown to the adoring public at CeBIT in Germany, this fresh take on the Eee PC was a welcome change to the drab netbooks we were accustomed to falling asleep on. We managed to have a look at both the ultraslim 1008HA as well as the more business-oriented 1005HA, but now we're eager to hear your opinions on the matter. What would you do differently with the Eee PC Seashell line? Would you beef up the battery? Add a few ports? Swap in a different display or processor? We know Microsoft's Windows XP limitations are holding PC makers back, but who says your imagination has to abide by those same guidelines? Detail your dreams in comments below.
Video: ASUS Eee Keyboard gutted, soldering secrets revealed
Oh the carnage! A prototype ASUS Eee Keyboard made a wrong turn at Albuquerque only to end up gutted in a French orgy of gadget terrorism. Nine screw removals later and we see the stand-alone PC with its 5-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen splayed, 1.66GHz Atom N280 processor and all. Unfortunately, easy access does not mean easy upgrades as the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. Other notables are the Silicon Image HDMI transmitter that allows 1080p playback over HDMI and 1880mAh battery that should provide an estimated 1 hour and 40 minutes of use before hitting the mains. Blogeenet also has a pretty thorough video overview of ASUS' customized UI running on XP; after the break, son.
ASUS' Eee PC Seashell 1101HA gets hands-on treatment ahead of European launch
Make no mistake, ASUS knows it's onto something with the sleek new Eee PC seashell form factor. We've seen the 1101HA and its 3G-equipped fraternal twin 1101HGO before, and now Trusted Reviews has managed one more glimpse before the netbook goes on sale in Europe later this month. The biggest selling point for this over the other seashell models like 1008HA or 1005HA is gonna be the 11.6-inch screen, but beyond that, it looks like you're getting slightly gimped right shift key, but on the bright side, there's also a removable battery. As the site notes, this particular model happened to have the ASUS logo displayed on the back of the lid, which is in stark contrast to the typical Eee branding we see in its place. Still no word on an US release, but we're holding out hope it'll follow suit pretty quickly after the overseas launch.
ASUS Eee Keyboard now on track for August launch
Last we had heard, ASUS' convention-busting Eee Keyboard was due to be released by the end of June but, as you may have noticed, it's now almost the end of June and there's still no Eee Keyboard in sight. ASUS has now finally come out and cleared up the situation, however, saying that the PC-in-a-keyboard / keyboard-in-a-PC is now due to be released sometime around the end of August. Unfortunately, it's not clear if that'll be the XP-based version we've been seeing all along, or the Moblin-based version that just cropped up earlier this month (or both), and there's still no word on a price either.[Via Pocket-lint]
ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA available for pre-order, shipping July 1st
Looks like those of you interested in ASUS' newest little netbook, the Eee PC Seashell 1005HA, won't have to wait very long to have your dreams fulfilled. In fact, it's popping up for pre-order right now. The 1005HA (which we just played with extensively) is nearly identical to the already available 1008HA, but with a longer-lived, swappable six-cell battery, and without those little port doors we found to be somewhat troublesome in our review of the unit. It runs $389 and is expected to ship on July 1st. Hit the read link to check out the pre-order good times.[Thanks, Nate]
ASUS Eee PC 1005HA hands-on and impressions
ASUS has certainly changed the netbook game a bit with its Eee PC Seashell line, aesthetically-speaking, anyway. Slimmed down and sleek, the Seashell's one of the handsomest netbooks we've seen. When we reviewed the 1008HA just a few weeks back, we had just a few minor issues with it, but overall, found it to boast a solid user experience. The Eee PC Seashell 1005HA is nearly identical to its elder brother, but presents some small changes for the better without sacrificing these now famous looks. Read on for our full impressions and hands-on photo gallery.
Video: ASUS Eee Keyboard running Moblin
Among the approximately two gazillion other things we saw at Computex this year, ASUS has demoed one of its Eee Keyboard PCs running Moblin. Currently just a prototype, it's unclear whether or not this guy sports different hardware than the device we've been seeing (we're guessing not), or whether this will become available when the XP version does sometime this month. That said, we're hoping that you can sleep better at night knowing that such a beast exists. We sure can. Video after the break. [Via SlashGear]
Video: Asus 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA to ship in Europe this month
We caught wind of this one way back in May, and even got to see the mythical beast in the flesh at Computex, and now Netbook Italia is reporting that Asus' Eee PC 1101HA, the hulking 11.6-inch notebook, will be shipping in Europe at the end of the month for €399 (that's roughly $560). Part of the Seashell family, this guy will be available in black or white, and packs a 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Z520, Intel GMA graphics, 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard disk, and Windows XP. We've also seen a 3G version of this bad boy, but we're not sure when or where that one will see the light of day. Check out the hands-on video after the break.