ASUS is viewed by many as the father of the netbook. It was the first company to release a small, cheap notebook for consumers that quickly spawned a new category in the computer market. Netbooks have done very well with the current financial crisis around the world.

ASUS has announced its latest netbook called the ASUS Eee 1000HE. The 1000HE is billed as the first netbook in the industry to feature the Intel N280 Atom CPU. The performance of the N280 is only slightly better than the N270 it replaces, but the CPU promises to help extend battery life by being more power efficient than its predecessor.

ASUS claims that the notebook is good for 9.5 hours on a single charge and the machine uses a LED-backlit 10-inch LCD to help improve battery runtime. The 1000HE is also outfitted with ASUS' Super Hybrid Engine that allows users to control the CPU to improve performance or to lower performance for better battery life.

The machine offers up ASUS' new chicklet style keyboard that features a right shift key put back in its proper place. The right shift key was a major gripe with many Eee netbooks. Integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are featured as well. Storage comes via a 160GB internal HDD. The 1000HE is available for pre-order now for $399 and ASUS is offering a $25 discount on pre-orders.

ASUS also introduced Eee netbooks with a swiveling screen at CES 2009 last month.