Asus Eee PC 1000HA refresh sees new chiclet keyboard

A refresh of the 10-inch Asus Eee PC 1000HA is now shipping that comes with a chiclet keyboard as seen in the recently launched Eee PCs such as the 1000HE. Portable Monkey scoured US-tailers to find out that this new 1000HA is only available in black so far. It already appears to be listed in a number of e-tailers including Amazon and ZipZoomFly.

We have heard that Asus only plans to feature chiclet keyboards in future Eee PCs and also looks to be phasing the older style keyboards across their 10-inch Eee range. No word, so far, on whether we will see this 1000HA refresh outside of the US.

No UK/US launch for Asus Eee PC 1004DN netbook

The Asus Eee PC 1004DN is the company’s first netbook with an in-built optical disk drive. Some sites have bemoaned the fact that this can’t be a netbook as it has an optical drive, it’s not a view I share. As long as technology miniaturisation doesn’t end up being counter-productive then I’m all for it.

We revealed the full specifications last weekend, however we have since learned that the 1004DN is unlikely to make it to western shores. Asus PR reps in both the US and UK are saying that there are currently no plans for a 1004DN launch. This may change at some point, but until then, this is likely to remain an Asian release only. For those that are interested you had better speak to your local importer.

ASUS Eee-Easter Mystery Giveaway

ASUS is giving away four Eee PC products over the next few weeks to celebrate Easter. To be in with a chance of winning you’ll need to visit the ASUS Facebook page and also follow Asus on YouTube. As far as I’m aware if you leave a comment you’ll be entered into the draw, although more details are likely to be forthcoming.

No details on exact prizes so far, I suppose that’s why it’s called a ‘mystery’ giveaway! The competition is only open to those in the US and Canada. Check out the Asus competition video after the break. Read more

Hands on photos of the Asus Eee PC T91 netbook

We have already posted a number of videos and photos of Asus’ upcoming 8.9-inch convertible tablet, however given its sleek looks we still can’t get enough. This time round, Cnet UK managed to go hands on with the Eee PC T91 and after an extended play with the device, they came away very impressed and even in love.

Something we haven’t picked up before is that the T91 carries an inscription on the silver panel towards the top of the T91. The inscription reads “Eee PC Touch Series” highlighting the fact that this will not be the only touch-based model from Asus. Hardly a surprise but it’s nice to have the confirmation.

Asus also told Cnet that the keyboard seen in these photos is expected to get bigger for the final retail release. Given that they found the keyboard a little cramped this can only be a good thing, although this is likely to come at the expense of a smaller touchpad.

Whilst we love the design of all of the upcoming convertible tablets, we can’t help to think that in just 6-9 months time there will be similar units with multi-touch screens running Windows 7. However, you can’t wait forever for new technology otherwise you’d never buy anything, The T91 is expected to launch in late May/early June in the UK with a price tag of around £500. Click through for a full gallery of photos. Read more

“Mr. Compromise” looks at netbooks

David Pogue’s “Mr. Compromise” of the New York Times has finally taken a look at netbooks with a ‘review ‘ of four different models. He asked Joanna Stern of Laptop Mag which ones to look at and came up with four 10-inch models. The Asus Eee PC 1000HE, HP Mini 1001, MSI Wind U120 and Samsung NC10.

Surprise, surprise he found that owning a netbook requires making compromises. Some of the issues with each netbook include mouse buttons on either side of the touchpad for the HP Mini 1001, the Samsung NC10 costs too much, the Asus is too heavy and the Wind doesn’t have upgradeable memory. The video doesn’t cover any new ground but is meant to be a bit of light relief, check it out after the break. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1004DN netbook – Full specifications revealed

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. Read more

Video: Asus Eee PC T91 tablet hands on

Pocket-Lint has posted a hands-on demonstration of the Asus Eee PC T91. A quick swipe of the touchscreen from right to left appears to toggle the OS between a Linux based kernel and Windows XP. The Linux kernel is likely to be very similar to the ‘Easy Mode’ used on Asus’ EeeTop products with access to weather, Firefox etc. Encouragingly the screen does not auto-rotate either, which could be a problem is using it on the move.

The T91 is an 8.9-inch convertible tablet powered by a 1.33GHz Z520 Intel Atom CPU. It will come with a 32GB SSD and optional extras including GPS, 3G and a TV tuner. Pricing has not been confirmed but is expected to be between $499 to $ 549 (c£500) on release. The T91 is expected to have an April/May release. Check out the video after the break. Read more

New Asus Eee PC E1004DN – First netbook to include optical drive arriving in April

The line between notebooks and netbooks blur even further. Asus will launch its first netbook with an embedded optical disc-drive in mid-April according to sources in retail channels. The model dubbed E1004DN (Asus’ model numbering gets ever more confusing) will be powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU and GN40 chipset. It will also come with a 120GB hard-disk drive.

I imagine with a drive included it will bulk up the size and weight of the unit. However with the model numbering suggesting that this will be a 10-inch model, let’s hope Asus follow the styling cues of the 1008HA. It certainly will be a powerful machine given that it is adopting the GN40 chipset over the ageing 945GSE. The unit will come with a suggested retail price of NT$18,000-20,000 ($532 – $590, €395 – €440, £370 – £415). We’ll come back with more information on this exciting break-through as we have it.

Update: We have attached some pictures of the E1004DN after the break.

Update 2: We now have full specifications for the 1004DN, see them here. Read more

Voice-controlled Asus Eee PCs due in H2 2009

Asus certainly looks to be pushing the boundaries of notebook/netbook technology. Having already announced that it expects its Fold/Unfold concept to have a commercial release this year, it has also mentioned that it wants to see ‘the end of the keyboard’ according to an interview with Asus CEO Jerry Shen.

Asus expects to launch its first Eee products (both netbook and nettop segments) which implement voice-recognition in the second half of this year. “Actually, internally we have one team dedicated to studying voice recognition. Touch and gesture input is universal, whereas language is not universal,” said Jerry Shen. It sounds like something that the company does seem to be pushing hard with dedicated teams in place working with third parties in both Japan and the US.

Now what I am confused about is that Asus Eee PCs have had some element of voice control features since the original 701. Back then, a number of apps could be launched by talking into a microphone. Now that was based on the Linux distro, so maybe Asus will be expanding this voice functionality into a Windows based system. Either way I’m not entirely sure what Asus has in store for us.

Asus Eee PC 1000HE Unboxing Roundup

The Asus Eee PC 1000HE, successor to the best-selling 1000H, will not only come with a much improved keyboard but also a battery (rated at 8700 mAh) life of 9.5 hours per charge. It also has a chiclet keyboard like the new MacBook range.

A number of publications have unboxed the 1000HE over the last 24 hours. First up is Electric Pig who had just received the unit through the door and posted some initial pictures. Blogeee has a much more comprehensive range of photos, looking at every conceivable angle of the 1000HE. Lastly, Einfach-Eee.de has an unboxing video (in German) of the unit which we’ve included after the jump.

In other related news, Asus has announced that its Eee PC 100HE has achieved a record number of global pre-orders. The 1000HE is also ranked among the top three most wanted gadgets on Amazon according to the company. We’ll hopefully have our review of the 1000HE in the coming weeks. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1008HA UK pricing revealed

The Asus Eee PC 1008HA is one of our most eagerly anticipated netbooks. We have just found out that that the 1000HA is expected to go on sale in the UK at a price point of £359 (including VAT). Crudely taking the current exchange rate would give a price point of $511 in the US or €382 in Europe.

The 1008HA has some wonderful looks and the internals aren’t too shabby either. The 10.2-inch LED backlit screen supports a resolution of 1024 x 600 and is powered by an Intel N280 Atom CPU and 1GB of RAM. It will also come with a 160GB hard-disk drive, no SSD versions of the 1008HA are currently planned. It is just 1-inch thick and weighs 1.1kg. The unit is expected to be released next month.

Asus Eee PC T101H – Video hands on

Whilst CeBIT may have come and gone, JKKMobile finally got around to posting a hands-on demonstration of the Asus Eee PC T101H. The Asus T101H is a convertible tablet in similar vein to the 8.9-inch T91 but supports a 10-inch (1024 x 600) screen instead. The T101H also has a faster CPU in the form of a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 CPU compared to the 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU found in the T91.

This bigger size also brings a bigger keyboard and an Elantech multi-touch touchpad, which has more features than the Synaptics touchpad found on the T91. Check out the video after the jump, which also includes a size comparison to the T91. Read more

Asus wins Red Dot Design Awards for S101 and S121

The Asus Eee PC S101 and upcoming 12-inch version the S121 are some of the most elegant netbooks on the market. The pair have been recognised for combining a sexy design with functionality by receiving the prestigious 2009 Red Dot Design Award. Other Asus design winners included the Eee Keyboard PC, P30 notebooks and ASUS Chocolate notebook keyboard.

The international red dot design award ranks among the largest and most famous design competitions in the world. Each year an international jury reviews and evaluates the submitted products according to stringent criteria like degree of innovation, functionality and the formal quality of the product. This ensures that the seriousness of the competition and its international acceptance is upheld. Some more info on the winners after the jump. Read more

ASUS Eee PC 1000HE Touchscreen video tutorial

For the more adventurous modders out there, a three-part video tutorial has emerged showing how to fit a touch-panel screen to the Asus 1000HE. Of course, you could just wait for Asus’ T91 due in late May/early June but that wouldn’t be half as much fun!

The tutorial was put together using a Hoda Technology touchscreen kit, and as we’ve seen in similar guides it involves opening the netbook bezel, slotting in the resistive touch panel and connecting it up to a USB header inside. The typical connection is made using the webcam USB socket, with a second USB header for the camera to reconnect to.

You can find the Hoda Touchscreen kit on eBay for around $99 (with varying shipping costs) giving you everything from the touch panel, USB harnesses and all cabling, and even the stylus. You’ll also get three more internal USB ports for future hacks. Check out the three videos after the jump. Read more

Asus limiting storage options for Eee range

Asus will be trying to make its product line less confusing by offering fewer storage options for Eee PCs. Currently, Eee PC models are available in each country with a choice of hard-disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD), the company will from August offer only one version per model in any given country.

“We plan to make the product line a lot clearer for consumers. Currently you have a lot of choice of SSD and hard disk, but we plan to find the one consumers want the most and make the choice easier,” an Asus spokesperson said.

As a general rule, the “high-end” models are likely to come with SSDs and the more “mainstream” models with HDDs. The spokesperson stressed that Asus would still manufacture HDD and SSD options for each model, but would choose which version to sell in each market.

Via ZDNet.

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