Asus Eee PC 1201N netbook officially announced
November 19, 2009 at 8:34 am
After months of speculation, Asus has officially announced the Eee PC 1201N netbook. This 12.1-inch netbook is powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz 330 Atom processor, Nvidia ION graphics and Windows 7 Home Premium. The 1201N will sell for $499 (in black and white) when it launches in the middle of December.
You won’t find any surprises in the specifications, which are the same that we’ve covered previously. You’ll get a 12.1-inch LED backlit display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Models will come with either 2GB or 3GB DDR2 RAM and a 250GB/320GB HDD. 500GB of free online storage for 12 months is also provided via ASUS WebStorage. Wireless connectivity is taken care by Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1. Other features include HDMI out, a 0.3MP webcam, card reader and three USB ports.
We do get new information on the battery though, the 1201N will launch with a 6-cell 63Wh Li-ion battery that Asus claims will last for 5 hours. I’d take this number with a pinch of salt as this number is measured using MobileMark. This benchmark allows manufacturers to set the display to around 20-30 percent brightness and turn Wi-Fi off. I would imagine real world numbers to be around an hour less.
In terms of design, the 1201N fits in the Seashell family, therefore it looks very similar to the smaller 1008HA and 1101HA netbooks. However, this comes with a chiclet keyboard, rather than the flat keys seen in the smaller models. At its thickest point, it measure just 1.3-inches in thickness and weighs 1.46kg (not far off the Eee PC 1000HE).
The Eee PC 1201N will come preinstalled with ArcSoft SimHD, which upscales standard definition video content to high definition. Combine this with Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and you have one of the most powerful netbooks to date.
A few smaller retailers are already listing the Eee PC 1201N, so it can’t be too long before the bigger ones have it up too. There’s no word on the UK release at this point, but we know Asus are planning to put a press release at any point now. For hands-on impressions and photos head over to Laptop Mag and PC Mag.
Update: UK launch details have been announced.
Asus Eee PC 1201N Technical Specifications:
- 12.1″ LED-backlit WXGA screen (1366 x 768)
- Genuine Windows 7
- Intel Atom 330 Dual Core processor
- NVIDIA ION Graphics
- DDR2 SO-DIMM 2GB/3GB
- 250GB HDD/320GB + 500GB* ASUS WebStorage
- 802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Battery life: 5hrs; 6-Cell 63Wh Li-ion Battery
- 0.3M Pixel Webcam (with digital zoom function)
- Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
- Stereo Speakers
- High Quality Mic
- 1 x VGA Port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 1 x HDMI, 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in), Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)
- Dimensions: 296mm (W) x 208mm (D) x 27.3~ 33.3mm (H)
- Weight : 1.46kg (3.22lbs)
- Colours: Black, Silver
November 20th, 2009 8:32 PM
This is almost too good to be true – my main concern is how long I will have to wait before it is available in Canada!?!
One feature not mentioned in the write up is that the Asus 1201N has a full size keyboard, not the typical 92% of fullsize!
I want an Ion netbook – and I am having a hard time waiting as the HP Mini 311 is available for $450 Cdn at Costco until November 30th – so I want to know more about the Asus’ availability by that time. The 311’s shortfall vs. the Asus is wireless G and no Bluetooth, and of course only the N270 instead of the N330.
Trying to be patient …
November 20th, 2009 9:09 PM
I don’t see the 37 comments on this post but the 37 “Trackbacks” you list that are just links to other websites that have picked up the Asus 1201N news.
Am I missing the proper link or have I posted the only real reader comment??
November 20th, 2009 9:16 PM
Yep, that is correct. We tried changing the code so that it didn’t post them as comments when we receive a trackback, but it caused problems with wp-admin.
We’re still working on the issue so that it only mentions the number of comments when there is actually a proper comment!
November 22nd, 2009 11:26 PM
I would also like to know when this netbook would be released in the U.S. Since the samsung n510 has been delayed for quite a lot of time (i think it was a very stupid move by samsung, cause at this point it has lost all its advantage over other netbooks, and also my interest), and this netbook seems to be quite better with a full size keyboard and dual core atom.
November 29th, 2009 4:49 AM
I did purchase the HP Mini 311 at Costco for $449.00 CAD. I will be taking it back:
- Bad keyboard layout
- WiFi does not have ‘N’ so you cannot stream HD over wireless
- Playback of video is having problems in all players under Windows 7
- No Bluetooth
- Will not boot with Logitech Wireless Mouse USB receiver plugged into it.
- Screen smaller than Asus, slower processor, less drive space, less memory, etc.
I will be getting the Asus Instead.
December 10th, 2009 7:53 PM
I still dont understand why webcamera is 0.3mpix, when even older netbooks have 1.3mpix.. For Skypecalls I dont was that bad camera.
December 24th, 2009 8:50 AM
I thought purchasing HP Mini 311, since I saw a video of GTA 4 gameplay, but made up my mind to purchase this as it is much better in hardware & color (All Black!) too.
I have done a lot of research (reading reviews!) which includes: Samsung N510, Lenovo S12, Asus N10J-A2, HP Mini 311, …. two more models… but all these could not match the Asus 1201n. Nice move Asus, that to at such affordable price.
December 24th, 2009 8:50 AM
Great configuration.
Am going in for this model as its got a good processor as well the Ion graphics & 5 hours battery during normal use.
The only I need to know is if it can handle GTA 4 in 1024 x 768 resolution with all settings to minimum (Have to be sure it has no lag).
I am stressing on GTA 4 gameplay, since it is both CPU & GPU intensive game.
Cause if it plays this game, we can be pretty sure it can handle any other game well.
Could you help me out with this & if possible do post the FPS.
I am really excited.
Thanks.
(Getting it for $500 + 4% VAT)
December 29th, 2009 9:36 PM
wow…seems like Asus is really carrying on with the 1008ha style. I have a 1008ha and love it but my only problem with it is the plastic feel. This netbook looks even more plasticy 0_o
Anyways…as for the specs they look cool. for me though, I wouldn’t buy a 12+in netbook but rather a 10.1 that has a really high resolution…and ion
December 30th, 2009 1:10 PM
Hey chromeOSsite, even I prefer a 10.1 inch with atleast a minimum of 1024×768 resolution, but then, I don’t think these companies would launch a product with the same specs, as of now.Wouldn’t it be cool to have a 10 incher with the same configuration. It could have been worth the price…
Am going ahead with the purchase… Been waiting for a year and a half for the perfect netbook… Will keep you posted when I lay my hands on it…
January 17th, 2010 7:37 PM
DISSAPOINTMENT WITH ASUS 1201. I RECEIVED IT ON 12 JANUARY AND RETURNING IT BACK IN THE SOONEST TIME. THE IMAGE QUALITY IS SURPRISINGLY VERY POOR. IT DOES NOT WORK WITH MY EXTERNAL HARD DISK DUE TO INSUFFICIENT POWER. ALSO VERY SLOW THOUGH IT IS DUO CORE. MY FRIEND’S HP MINI 10.1″ IS FASTER THAN THIS. MINE CAN BE A DEFICIENT ONE. BUT STILL I DO NOT WANT TO TRY REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE. INSTEAD I WILL BUY AN HP OR TOSHIBA TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.
January 18th, 2010 8:25 AM
The 1201N looks like it just might be Asus’ most popular model and that’s even with a $499 pricetag. You could buy a lot of larger, more powerful computers but sometimes size is king.
Turns out that you can get one for as low as $473. I found the deal here: http://www.netbookreports.com/2010/01/asus-1201n-price-drops-even-further-now-only-473/
Cheers
January 20th, 2010 12:16 PM
Kareem –
There must have been something wrong with your’s. Mine works well with my WD and my Maxdor external drives. The image is vivid and the colors are phenominal. The only issue I had was hooking up this external BD-Rom but I suspect it was because I didn’t have the correct drivers for Windows7…which I will download and play with this weekend.
Stay tuned.
January 23rd, 2010 2:14 AM
Guys, anyone found out whether GTA 4 works on it?
Please……
April 17th, 2010 10:28 PM
At first i question the wisdom of squeezing the ION into a netbook frame, now i can’t wait to see it entering the U.S. market. With 1201n’s ION and HDMI port, would basically be able to tether it to any monitor/TV and get 1080 resolution right there with hassle. I now am glad that i wait.