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Asus Eee PC 1004DN netbook – Full specifications revealed

March 28, 2009 at 1:54 pm


The Asus Eee PC 1004DN is the company’s first netbook with an in-built optical disk drive. It was first spotted at CES earlier in the year, however not everything that turns up at CES becomes a reality. It is of course, not the first netbook to come with an optical disk drive. Japanese manufacturer Kohjinsha has done it with its SX line, and JVC made a mobile mini notebook with DVD as well. But the Kohjinsha model isn’t available outside of Japan, and JVC’s offering is dated.

Yesterday’s news that the 1004DN is expected to launch in April brought a commercial release that one step closer. The move is likely to blur the line between netbook and notebook even further. Today we have managed to get our hands on a full list of technical specifications on the 1004DN. Click through after the break for the full detail and the first official press shot.

As revealed yesterday, the 1004DN will be powered with a 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU and GN40 chipset (no ageing 945GSE here). What is very interesting however is that it will use an Intel GMA 4500M graphics core. This is opposed to the GMA950 graphics found in most netbooks and GMA500 graphics that is starting to be used in newer netbooks which features H.264 hardware decoding along with other video codecs.

Now the 4500M graphics core is even newer than GMA500 as far as we are aware, which should have even better life and some of the best graphics seen on a netbook thus far. What is disappointing is that while this tech should provide enough grunt for 720p HD video playback, the 10-inch display is distinctly standard-def at 1024 x 600. I wonder if Asus has missed a trick here, we know that HP will start to ship a HD version of its Mini 2140 netbook with 1366 x 768 resolution in the next few weeks and I wonder why Asus didn’t up the ante with the 1004DN?

The netbook will come with 1GB of RAM (2GB supported) and also an 1.8-inch 120GB PATA hard-disk drive. We don’t see these drives too often, but I suspect they didn’t go for a 2.5-inch drive as it probably wouldn’t have fitted all of the internals.

The Eee PC 1004DN will feature a Super-Multi optical disc drive, enabling users to read and write both DVDs and CDs. Asus is starting to use chiclet-style keys on its netbooks and the 1004DN is no different, featuring a 92-percent chiclet keyboard. The keyboard will also feature a larger “Shift” key which may bring joy to some. The touchpad will support multi-touch gestures. It will ship with a 6-cell 5200 mAh battery that is expected to last 5.9 hours according to the company.

Given the inclusion of an optical disk drive, one does wonder how much the whole thing weighs. Asus have managed to fit all of this technology into a respectable 1.45kg (3.2lbs). The 1004DN will come with a high-gloss cover and will have a brushed aluminium palm rest. This Asus netbook will also come with ASUS Data Security System (ADSM) which allows users to log-on using their fingerprints. This feature recognises multiple fingerprints belonging to the same user and allows him or her to encrypt a single folder with the same security system. Other features include WiFi (b/g/n), Bluetooth, a 1.3MP webcam, a digital array microphone.

Asus Eee PC 1004DN Technical Specifications

    Processor: Intel N280 1.66GHz Processor with 512k L2 Cache FSB 667MHz 2.5W TBP thermal
    Chipset: Intel GN40
    Graphics: ICH9Mb (Integrated GMA 4500M graphics core)
    Display: 10” wide active matrix LED backlight TFT, WSVGA 1024×600 pixels, 252K colours max
    Battery Li-Ion: 57.72WHrs – 6 cells, 5200mAh
    Main Memory: 1 x SODIMM socket for expansion up to 2GB DDRII DRAM
    Storage: Up to 1.8” PATA 120GB, 4200 RPM
    Communications: Built-in Bluetooth® v2.1 module / 802.11n / Support Antenna x 2
    Camera: 1.3 Megapixel Video Camera
    Microphone: Array Mic
    Keyboard: W: 254mm chiclet type
    Audio: Hi-Definition Audio CODEC / Built-in high quality stereo speakers
    Dimensions: 277mm x 194mm x 27.4-34mm
    Weight: 1.45kg with HDD (with 6-cell battery and ODD)

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