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Asus Eee PC

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Template:Future product

Eee PC 701
Prototype Eee PC
ManufacturerAsusTek Computer Inc.
TypeSubnotebook
Media2/4/8/16 GB flash memory
Operating systemLinux-based customized flavor, Xandros
CPU900MHz Intel Celeron-M ULV 353
Memory256/512 MB DDR2-400 RAM
Display7 in TFT LCD @ 800×480; although the unit is slightly larger than the screen to accommodate the speakers
GraphicsIntel UMA
InputKeyboard
Touchpad
Camera
Microphone
Camerabuilt-in 300K pixel video camera
Connectivity10/100 Mbit Ethernet
802.11b/g wireless LAN
3  USB 2.0 ports
MMC/SD/MS card reader
Power4 cell NiMH battery

The ASUS Eee PC is an upcoming series of ultra-portable laptops designed by Intel and ASUSTeK, aimed at the consumer market. According to ASUS, the name Eee (pronounced as the letter E, IPA /iː/) derives from "the three Es": Easy to learn, work, play; Excellent Internet experience and Excellent mobile computing experience.[1]

Overview

Two models have been announced at COMPUTEX Taipei 2007, the Eee PC 701 and the Eee PC 1001. The 701 will be released late in 2007 with a 7-inch screen in three different models. The originally announced second model 1001 will most likely not be released due to an overlap in productions with similar devices released.[2] ASUS expects to sell about 200,000 units in 2007,[3] 300,000 to 500,000 by March 2008 and 3–5 million by 2009.[2] Intel has described the Eee PC as in line with its "World Ahead" marketing drive – which aims to provide anyone around the world a chance to own a PC.[4]

Both the price and the size of the devices are relatively small in comparison to similar devices, such as Ultra-Mobile PCs. The Eee series is viewed partly as a response to the XO-1 notebook from the One Laptop per Child initiative.

ASUS plans to introduce second-generation Eee PCs in April 2008 which are meant to feature Intel's Merom processors. The power consumption of the next-generation notebooks will reduce to 7W TDP, down from 11W TDP, and the removal of the fan to save more power and reduce noise.[5]

At the Intel Developer Forum 2007, Intel demonstrated it's Classmate PC and the Eee PC, and also had specifications listing four models of the Eee PC. The models may start at the promised US$199 price point and transition up in price and feature to US$399.[6]

Details

Mobility

The Eee PC is about as large as a subnotebook. It can be configured to either display a simple user interface for first-time PC users, or full desktop mode for greater functionality.

Display

Asus has not yet released the resolution figures, but according to press images the 7-in model appears to have a resolution of 800×480 pixels[7]and engineering samples seem to confirm this resolution[8] while variants with larger screens may have up to 1280×768 pixels. In the case of the former the screen does not cover the whole model, as is common with other laptops, but is rather flanked on the sides by stereo speakers and the (optional) camera in the trim at the top in the otherwise unused space.[8]

Software

On top of the base Linux system, which is said to require under fifteen seconds to boot,[4] the Eee PC runs a custom tab-based interface. The quick start time brings the operation of the device closer to that of small electronic devices such as mobile phones and PDAs. Bundled software includes OpenOffice.org, Mozilla Firefox, as well as Skype.[9] In an effort to cut costs Asus does not include Windows XP, but claims that XP has been tested as working.

Storage

The Eee PC uses a solid state drive for storage, instead of a hard drive, which consumes less power, allows the device to boot quickly and makes it less susceptible to shock damage. The RAM in the Eee PC will be replaceable with one slot for maximum of 1GB.[10]

Marketing

The Eee PC is not seen as a competitor to the OLPC XO-1, another inexpensive laptop computer. Whereas the XO-1 is targeted solely towards the education market in developing countries and is largely unavailable to individual consumers, the Eee PC is publicly available, marketed to the personal user who desires a portable, cheap, WiFi-capable platform.

Criticism

Some free software advocates have criticized the choice of Xandros as the Linux distribution for the devices. The two main objections are the inclusion of some proprietary components within Xandros and Xandros Corporation's conclusion of a patent agreement with Microsoft, an action some in the free software community view as a faustian bargain.[citation needed] The unreleased OS install seems to leave just over 1 GiB available to the user for personal files on the internal SSD on a 4 GiB system.[8]

The price and specifications for the Eee PC have changed from those first announced by ASUS. The price rose from US$199 to US$259, while the base (USA model) went from 4 to 2 gigabyte solid state drive, the VGA camera was dropped and the RAM dropped from 512MB to 256MB. This rise in price has been attributed both to a rise in components and possible price gouging.[citation needed]

Configurations

Eee PC 701

The specifications are:[1]

  • Processor: 900 MHz Intel Dothan 512 L2 cache[11] (official information says only Dothan-based Intel Pentium M, however at the recent IDF it was shown with a Celeron M)
  • Chipset: Intel 915GM series[8]
  • Graphics: integrated Intel GMA 900 graphics processor (sharing memory), additional VGA port
  • Display: 17.8 cm (7 in)
  • Memory: 256 or 512 MB DDR2-400 (Shared Memory Architecture) socketed RAM.[10][8]
  • Storage: 2, 4, 8 or 16 GB flash Solid state drive
  • Expansion: one PCI Express Mini Card connector[8]
  • OS: a Xandros-based Linux variant[12] running KDE, a desktop environment in either its native presentation or as a Windows XP-lookalike,[9] it will therefore most likely run any other off-the-shelf Linux distribution. The laptop can also run Windows XP.[1]
  • Communication: 10/100 Mbit Ethernet, 56k modem, 802.11b/g wireless LAN (Atheros-based)
  • Ports: prototypes provide either 3[13] or 4[9] USB 2.0, MMC/SD/MS card reader, microphone and headphone, VGA connector
  • Camera: 0.3 megapixel video (not present in cheapest variants)
  • Input: Keyboard and touchpad
  • Audio: Hi-Definition Audio CODEC; built-in stereo speaker; built-in microphone
  • Battery: 5200 mAh (4 cells, 2S2P), estimated 3 hours run time.[8]
  • Dimensions: 225 × 165 × 21~35 mm (8.9 × 6.5 × 0.9~1.4 in)[14]
  • Weight: 890 g (2 lbs)
  • Colors: White, Black
  • Price: according to ASUS "around USD $199"[4], a British news service has reported a UK price of GB£199[15] (around US$400 as of June 2007), a Philippine online dealer has listed a starting price of PHP 13,999[16] (around US$300), ASUS Spain and Portugal has announced a unit price of €299[17] (around US$400), a Taiwanese news site has reported that there will be three models priced US$229–239, US$269–299 and US$349–369[2]

Eee PC 1001

The 1001 is expected to share many of the components of the 701, but specific details have not yet been released by Asus. Current specifications different to the Eee PC 701 below:

  • Display: 25.4 cm (10 in)
  • Storage: 8, 16 or 32GB
  • Price: US$299 with 8GB

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "ASUS Introduces All-New Eee PC for Complete Mobile Internet Enjoyment" (Press release). ASUSTek. 2007-06-05. Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Some unconfirmed information about pricing, availability and more". EeeUser.com Forum. 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-08-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Chen, Shu-Ching Jean (2007-06-07). "$199 Laptop Is No Child's Play". Forbes. Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Enter the 'E' Era with ASUS Eee PC" (Press release). ASUSTek. 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Ting Chen, Yen (2007-09-05). "Asustek aiming for strong brand notebook business; to launch second-generation Eee PC in April 2008" (fee required). DigiTimes. Retrieved 2007-09-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Asustek's EEE now expected in October". The Inquirer. 2007-09-23. Retrieved 2007-09-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Asus Eee PC specs". Citrus Micro. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Unicap and UCView on the Asus EeePC". Unicap. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  9. ^ a b c Jastrzebski, Paul (2007-06-11). "ASUS Eee PC Hand's On Preview". HotHardware. Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b "Confirmed by ASUS: Eee PC RAM will be Replaceable". EeeUser.com. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "EEE PC in HKCCF 2007". ngkwongtak. 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Lemon, Sumner (2007-06-06). "First Look: Asustek's $199 PC". PC World. Retrieved 2007-06-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Asus Eee PC First Thoughts". NotebookReview. 2007-07-12. Retrieved 2007-07-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Hands on with Asustek's $199 Eee PC". Infoworld. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-07-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Akass, Clive (2007-06-13). "£199 Asus ultra-mobile in UK within weeks". Computeractive. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Asus Eee PC: the value ultraportable laptop". PC Corner. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  17. ^ "Entra en la era 'E' con ASUS Eee PC" (Press release) (in Spanish). ASUSTek. 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
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