August 31st, 2009
Asus Eee PC roadmap leaked: Ion netbooks, multitouch T91; ultrathin PCs
An apparently leaked roadmap for popular computer manufacturer Asus reveals the roadmap for the company’s popular Eee PC franchise, including a 12-inch, $499 laptop based on Nvidia’s Ion platform and its T91 tablet system with Windows 7 multitouch capabilities.
According to two presentation slides that reportedly leaked to the Eeeuser.com forum, a new 12-inch Eee PC 1201N will offer Nvidia’s Ion platform, an Intel Atom N270 CPU, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Bluetooth and 802.11n for $499 in mid-October.
Additionally, a 1005HA-P model with an Atom N280 CPU and 250GB HDD option running Windows 7 will also arrive in October for $399. The 1005HA-M will offer an Atom N270 CPU, 250GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter Edition for $349.
According to the translated report, new 1008HA models are on the way, as well as a multitouch, Windows 7-based T91 convertible tablet with 32GB SSD priced at $549.
Meanwhile, a DigiTimes report notes that Asus also plans to launch two new ultra-thin notebooks using Intel’s upcoming 45nm Celeron 743 and SU2300 entry-level CPUs on Sept. 7, 2009.
The report also notes that rivals MSI and Acer “will follow suit to announce their new ultra-thin notebooks soon after.” Ultra-thin models “will account for 10 to 20 percent” of Asus’ total notebook shipments in Q3 2009, according to the report.
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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