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Video: hands-on with ASUS' Eee Keyboard at Computex
We first caught sight of ASUS' totally weird Eee Keyboard -- a full PC with an Intel Atom N270 CPU built in -- way back at CES in January. Well, our friends at Engadget Chinese have laid hands on it at Computex, and it's looking a bit different than what we expected... and a whole lot more awesome. The 5-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen display/trackpad on the right side of the keyboard, is, as it turns out, running a standalone version of XP, and serves as the shortcut screen to most of the included software -- including Skype, MSN, and music playback controls. Our friends found the touchscreen to work extremely well, and though we don't know anything rock solid about pricing or availability yet (we hear it will launch by the end of June, we do know that it will come in two flavors -- wired and and UWB wireless -- with the wireless version housing a battery which gets about two hours of use before needing a charge. There's a video (in Chinese) showing this badboy off after the break. Hit the read link for a full gallery of photos.
NVIDIA strikes gold with Ion: 21 new products at Computex
We had a hunch that Computex would be a massive show for NVIDIA, and while we already caught a glimpse of what the GPU manufacturer had in store, we had no idea it'd come out with guns this big a-blazin'. Showing absolutely no mercy for those other integrated graphics sets of the world, NV's today unveiled 21 new Ion-based products in Taiwan, with all but a handful being completely unheard of. Of course, there's the AspireRevo, Ion 330 and IdeaPad S12, but outside of that select few, everything else is all new. Asus is introducing its C2N7A-I motherboard and all-in-one Eee Top ET2002, Colorful is busting out its iHTPC, ECS is pushing out a new desktop and MSI is showcasing its Windtop AE201. And that's just to name a few. Hop on past the break for the full spill, and don't stray too far -- we'll be out and about grabbing hands-on time with as many of these as we can track down.
ASUS' 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA comes alive at Computex
Remember that 11.6-inch Eee PC that was rumored to surface soon? Yeah, it's sitting in some nondescript corner of ASUS' booth at Computex. The show doesn't actually kick off in earnest until tomorrow, but we were able to grab the shot you see above in the meanwhile. So far, we know that the Eee PC 1101HA will feature a larger-than-usual 11.6-inch LCD, a 1,366 x 768 resolution, a battery good for "up to 11 hours" (color us skeptical), Intel's Atom Z520 / Z530 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, three USB 2.0 sockets, a multicard reader and a case that definitely takes a note from the recently launched Seashell line. Oddly, we were led to believe that two different six-cell batteries could be offered (2220mAh and 2800mAh), presumably for different markets. At any rate, we'll be swooping in tomorrow to snag a few more shots, so be sure to stick around -- ya heard?
ASUS preparing NVIDIA Ion-based Eee Box B1006?
In a brief snippet of a rumor, DigiTimes is reporting that ASUS is planning an Ion-based Eee Box B1006 for Q3 of 2009. Ion's a good start, but if they shackle it to an Intel Atom 230 processor and once again bludgeon our dreams of a low-cost home theater PC capable of handling full-screen Flash video, well, somebody's going to get hurt. Ion-based Eee PC netbooks are coming too, but those don't have a production schedule yet according to the Taiwanese tattle-rag.
Eee PC 1008HA gets cracked open, ASUS' obsession with Scotch tape revealed
We won't go so far as to say that the innards of ASUS' sexy Eee PC 1008HA are literally held together with tape, but man, there's an atypically high amount of sticky strips in there. If you're curious to see the ins and outs (but mostly the ins) of the first member of the newly created Seashell family, give that read link a look. Just be fully prepared to have your confidence shaken.
ASUS Eee PC 1000HV resurfaces with Atom N280, HD 3450
Another day, another entrant in the mile-long list of Eee PC netbooks. This one, however, is a curious add. You see, the Eee PC 1000HV originally came to light way back in July of 2008, when no fewer than 23 Eee model names were casually leaked out. Since that day, we've heard not a peep from the machine... until now, obviously. In a few locations overseas, the 1000HV has emerged for order, packing a 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 display, a 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, VGA output, the standard assortment of ports and a mildly attractive AMD HD 3450 graphics set -- the same one that ASUS recently shoved in its HD-minded Eee Box 206. We can't help but applaud the choice to slip in a real (or quasi-real, anyway) GPU here, but until this pup heads stateside, we're still figuring this is all just a figment of our imagination.[Via Slashgear]Read - Eee PC 1000HV order siteRead - Another Eee PC 1000HV order site
ASUS delivers full specs on Eee PC 1005HA Seashell
ASUS' Eee PC 1008HA hasn't even had a moment to enjoy its spot in the limelight, and already the company is pushing out even more machines in the rapidly expanding Seashell range. The Eee PC 1005HA is slated to launch with Windows XP Home, a battery good for 10.5 hours (we'll believe it when we see it) and a 160GB hard drive. There's also 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display (1,024 x 600 resolution) and your choice of Intel's played-out Atom N270 or N280. The rest of the innards could be guessed in your sleep: 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 0.3 or 1.3 megapixel webcam, VGA output, three USB 2.0 sockets, Ethernet, a multicard reader and audio in / out. Fans of colorful machines will appreciate the white, black, pink and blue motifs, but you'll need to muster up a little more patience before finding out a price and release date. One more look after the break.[Via Slashgear]
Asus Eee PC T91 reviewed in the UK: "genuinely moves things forwards" for netbook market
Asus' Eee PC T91 has gotten its first review ahead of the reported late May / early June UK launch, and those cats at TechRadar seem quite smitten with the swivel-proficient touchscreen netbook. Battery life is said to be solid, though points are deducted for not being replaceable. Some issues with the resistive touchscreen also plagued the pre-production model, and while the company assures those kinks are being worked out, we can't help but worry they'll invariably still find their way into the finished product, and that glossy display will no doubt keep the memories of fingerprints long after you want it to. Despite these concerns, the review gives much love for the overall performance, video playback, build quality, and keyboard. At £449 ($688), it ain't the cheapest option on the market, but we do appreciate Asus straying a bit from its tried and true netbook formula. Now how about news on a stateside release, eh?
ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-M and 1005HA-H steal Seashell's sublimity
Sheesh ASUS, are you being serious here? Not a day after your Eee PC Seashell really emerged on the scene in official fashion, here you go trying to rob it of its 15 minutes. Yes, friends -- rather than letting the 1008HA be a diamond in the rough in the Eee arena, it seems as if the company has a whole mess of thin-and-light netbooks planned. Both the 1005HA-M and 1005HA-H have been revealed overseas, with the former taking a lower-end approach with a 1.6GHz Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, no Bluetooth, WiFi, a 6-cell battery (supposedly good for 8 hours of use), a 1.3 megapixel webcam and a €299 ($405) price tag. The 1005HA-H -- not to be confused with the already detailed 1005HA-M, naturally) -- includes most of the same internal gear as the Seashell, though it does step things up with two extra USB 2.0 ports, a 6-cell battery (versus a 5-cell in the Seashell) and 0.3kg of extra heft for €349 ($473). Both machines should launch in France by July, and we'd say the real kicker is that both purportedly boast removable batteries, very much unlike the Seashell. See there, we knew they'd set themselves apart somehow! The full specs list is after the break.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA 'Seashell' review roundup
For those near and dear to ASUS' Eee PC netbook line, the 1008HA 'Seashell' is definitely a breath of fresh air. It doesn't look like an Eee, it doesn't feel like an Eee and it doesn't boast a replaceable battery like an Eee; needless to say, only two of those three facts were lauded by reviewers across the web. Much like Apple's MacBook Air, the battery in this here machine is not user-serviceable, and while tests proved that it could last well over three hours with "normal" use, ASUS has yet to make clear what plans it has for offering replacements. In any case, most everything else about the machine was found to be on par or above, with performance being satisfactory for basic tasks and the keyboard / trackpad being exceptionally yummy. Still, it feels as if ASUS is charging a bit much for a familiar lineup of internals, but those willing to pay for style should definitely take a closer look.Read - Trusted Reviews ("a very refined and classy netbook")Read - T3 ("a good all-round package")Read - CNET UK ("great styling and a relatively light chassis")Read - Bit-Tech ("definitely worth considering, but looks come at a cost")Read - WhatLaptop ("a compelling proposition")Read - PCPro ("If you don't mind paying a premium for fine design, then the Seashell is a tantalizing prospect")
ASUS Eee Keyboard to launch by end of June
The dream of owning a keyboard embedded with a full-blown PC running XP on an Atom N270 processor and 5-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen display/trackpad is nearly upon us. A dream, quite honestly, nobody had prior to seeing the reveal of the 2-pound Eee Keyboard prototype at CES in January. Engadget Chinese has it on authority that this oddball all-in-one will ship in June with specs that should include a 32GB SSD, 802.11n, Bluetooth, HDMI-out, stereo speakers and mic as we saw during our hands-on with the Eee Keyboard back in March. With any luck, ASUS will also be embedding some form of ultra-wideband HDMI as promised in January alongside one of those UWB monitor prototypes they had on display at CeBIT. One thing's for sure: all will be revealed at Computex in Taipei in just a few weeks. Can you wait?
Asus going big(ger) with 11.6-inch Eee PC later this month
If you like the idea of the little laptop that started it all, but need a little more workspace to keep your eyes from going all aesthenopia on ya, hold on to your wallets for a few more weeks. According to DigiTimes, ASUS is planning on releasing an 11.6-inch Eee by the end of the month, following up on its pledge made last year to do just that -- while simultaneously breaking Jerry Shen's promise to never surpass the 10-inch mark without creating a spin-off, "premium" netbook brand. But, with the 7-inchers relegated to their place in history, perhaps now the company has a little extra room on its production lines. No further information is available on the forthcoming model at this point, but we're hoping that new screen will get a few more pixels to fill out its new-found girth.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA up for pre-order in the UK
It shouldn't be long now, Yanks. With ASUS' strikingly thin Eee PC 1008HA -- which we toyed with for an unhealthy amount of time at CeBIT this year -- up for pre-order in the UK, we're just certain a US launch is imminent. As of now, Britons with £379.50 ($565) can get in line for the Midnight Blue edition, which should be dispatched in around a month or two according to Amazon UK. For those feeling something a bit less vivid, the all-white version can be ordered up at LaptopsDirect for £20 more. Too pricey for an Atom-powered netbook? Let your wallet be the judge.[Via PortableMonkey, thanks Peter]Read - Amazon UK listingRead - LaptopsDirect
Asus' EeePC 1003HAG equips WWAN, ventures forth on NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network
Following in the footsteps of past Eee PC's like the 901, ASUS' Japanese-bound 1003HAG boasts an internal wireless WAN module and supports NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network with 7.2Mbps on the downlink. For a more local connection, there's 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. As for the rest of the hardware, it's pretty much netbook status quo: a 1-inch WSVGA screen, Intel Atom N280, 1GB RAM, integrated graphics, 160GB HDD, and an apparent 4.3-hour battery life. Price is 69,800 yen (US $722) and launch date is May 16th -- that should give you plenty of time to figure out if you want the black, white, or pink version.[Via Engadget Japan]
ASUS Eee PC T91 arrives at the FCC
We spent come quality time with ASUS's Eee PC T91 netvertible in Germany at CeBIT, but those of you looking to handle one Stateside don't have long to wait -- it's just popped up in the FCC database, and we're sure Uncle Sam's engineer friends are busy scouring the SAR reports for all kinds of super-interesting technical data as we speak. Or they're just looking for pretty pictures like we are -- and sadly, they'll be disappointed, because all that's in the listing so far is this picture of the bottom. Another Saturday night ruined -- thanks a lot, FCC.[Via Lilliputing]
Asus makes optical-endowed Eee PC 1004DN official
What's that, didn't trust last week's DigiTimes rumory confirmation of the new 1004DN addition to the Eee PC family? Rest easy, as Asus has come forward and made the first optical-offering Eee officially official. The machine packs a Super-Multi DVD writer, what looks to be the same pinkie-friendly chiclet keyboard as the 1000HE, a 1.66GHz Atom N280 processor, up to 120GB of storage, and even a fingerprint scanner. Price and release date are still undecided, but it shouldn't be long before we find out just how well those legendarily long-winded Eee batteries fare at spinning up your Battlestar Galactica boxed sets.
ASUS 15.6-inch Eee Top all-in-one now shipping
Good news, pre-orderers. ASUS' 15.6-inch Eee Top all-in-one PC is now shipping from legitimate e-tailers around the web. Just in case you've forgotten just under six bills buys you a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and Windows XP Home. In other words, netbook components tucked within an LCD. Of course, we'd recommend holding off for the much larger, much more HD-friendly ET2203 and ET2003, but it's your loot.[Thanks, Jamil] Read - On sale at NewEggRead - On sale at Amazon
ASUS quietly reveals Atom N280-equipped Eee PC 1002H
Till now, the only N280-packin' Eee PC of any stature was the amazingly long-lasting 1000HE. Thankfully for everyone who appreciates minute improvements in speed, ASUS has just pushed out another with the mildly quicker chip: the Eee PC 1002H. Not the 1002HA, mind you -- just the 1002H. Outside of the new CPU, however, most everything remains exactly the same from the 'HA' edition, including a 10-inch LED-backlit WSVGA display, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, 1.3 megapixel webcam, inbuilt stereo speakers, a multicard reader, VGA out, three USB 2.0 sockets and audio in / out jacks. There's no mention of a price or release date, but it should arrive in Pearl White, Pink and Black whenever launch day comes.[Via Eee PC-Blog]
ASUS promises voice-controlled Eee products by end of the year
For a company that gets so much (deserved) guff for endless, boring product iterations, ASUS also manages to sneak in a good amount of crazy functionality -- some of it more gimmicky than others. ASUS has been doing multitouch trackpads since before they were hip, is toying with dual touchscreens and is even crazy enough to build the Fold / Unfold computer. Next up for the firm is voice control, with a whole team dedicated to voice recognition, and plans to ship Eee PC and Eee Top products by Q3 or Q4 of this year. According to ASUS CEO Jerry Shen they're working with third parties in this effort, so we're guessing they're not going to reinvent the voice recognition wheel. Still, it's a promising development for a line of computers that seem to suffer most when it comes to input methods -- we'll wait and see how well they pull it off.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA reportedly priced at 359
We're not totally sure we believe this just yet, but Notebook Choice has it that ASUS' Eee PC 1008HA -- which we got up close and personal with at CeBIT -- will begin shipping out across the pond next month. Reportedly, the base price will hover around £359 ($518), but again, we're not completely getting our hearts set on that 'til we hear something from the mouth of ASUS (or a legitimate distributor). Honestly though, that price sounds about right; as beautiful as it is, we were pretty underwhelmed by its very netbook-like performance during our brief time with it.[Via Electricpig]