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Gadgets ASUS Shows Off 8.9" Eee PC 900
Brandon Hill (Blog) - March 3, 2008 12:23 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 41 comment(s) - last by KeypoX.. on Mar 7 at 10:32 PM

ASUS Eee PC 900
ASUS' popular Eee PC gets a screen, memory boost

The wait is nearly over for an Eee PC with a larger screen. DailyTech reported in early January that ASUS was hard at work on an 8.9" version of its wildly popular Eee PC sub-notebook. Today, images and details are finally rolling out for the highly-anticipated update.

Engadget was able to fondle ASUS's new Eee PC at CeBIT, but ASUS officials would not allow the publication to boot the machine up -- likely for fear of spilling the beans on the Eee PC's processor/chipset. However, we do know that the Eee PC 900 will feature 1GB of memory and will be available in storage capacities up to 12GB (up from 8GB max on the current Eee PC).

As previously reported, the 8.9" display should have a 1024x600 resolution which is a welcome jump from the confining 800x480 display on the first-generation Eee PC. The increase in screen real estate made a minimal impact on the exterior dimensions of the device -- the Eee PC 900 is slightly larger and thicker and features a larger touchpad. The keyboard looks to identical to the previous model.

According to Engadget, the larger display will have a negligible impact on battery performance with battery lifetime quoted at 2.5 to 3 hours.

We will have to wait until tomorrow to get the full specifications for ASUS' Eee PC 900 -- at that time, we'll learn if the new model will use a traditional Mobile Celeron processor as its predecessor or one of Intel's new Atom processors.

ASUS says that the Eee PC 900 12G will launch in mid-2008 with a price tag of €399 ($600 USD).

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Woohoo!.. Doh!
By kileil on 3/3/2008 12:56:11 PM , Rating: 3
Screen: YeeeesssSSSS!

Price: doh!

I've been waiting for this one for awhile, now that I've seen the price I'll be waiting a bit longer...

Don't get me wrong, $600 isn't bad for an ultra-portable but its quite a kick in the groin compared to their base eee's.




RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By elpresidente2075 on 3/3/2008 1:28:12 PM , Rating: 2
I agree. If they're able to take another $50-$100 off that price tag, I'll be buying one in the Sep-Oct timeframe. If not, I'll probably wait until next year 2Q or so to upgrade my ol' lappy.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Seemonkeyscanfly on 3/3/2008 5:52:56 PM , Rating: 2
Well the best price point on the web that I have come found has been: http://www.citrusmicro.com/ASUSTek-Eee-PC-s/69.htm
Of course they do not have the larger size in stock(8G). I picked one of the 4G up from them, it's pretty cool for it size...the bigger screen will be a plus for sure.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By elpresidente2075 on 3/3/2008 6:56:03 PM , Rating: 2
My comment was speaking of the new generation. Also it was assuming an Oct-Sep timeframe. The current gen is just below (perf, specs, etc) what I was wanting anyway.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Seemonkeyscanfly on 3/3/2008 7:37:11 PM , Rating: 2
I know you are looking for the new generation. But let us be honest.... It probably will not ship till 3-01-9 or later. It will be cool when it does, but they have been slow in coming out. I sure I'll buy one of the new models at that time then sell off my 4G on e-bay.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By elpresidente2075 on 3/5/2008 7:24:27 PM , Rating: 2
As I recall, the original EEE came out on time.

Besides, it's not as if we're dealing with AMD/ATI ;)

(Disclaimer: every computer I've ever owned is an AMD-based system, and of the 5 I have now, 4 have ATI graphics/northbridges)


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By phaxmohdem on 3/3/2008 1:28:51 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. I seems as if they are veering away from the original intended audience. IMO They need to do it Apple style, where they refresh the lineup with updated screens and SSD's, discontinue the old models and intro the new upgrades at the same price points as the old models. (a la iPod)

$400 I would be too tempted to resist I think, but a $600 pill is too much for me to swallow.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By daftrok on 3/3/08, Rating: 0
RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Samus on 3/3/2008 6:05:31 PM , Rating: 2
I don't even know why people are interested in these when you can buy a used ThinkPad X40 for the same price.

And if you need even more power, and have a grand to blow, an X60.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Souka on 3/3/2008 6:46:46 PM , Rating: 2
or the v300... which has optical drive on-board (x series needs the ultrabase)


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By elpresidente2075 on 3/3/2008 7:01:34 PM , Rating: 4
Because people don't want to buy a 4 year old computer that's nearly twice the size.

Size, price, AND weight all play a crucial role in this product's market position. Unfortunately, when put in the $600 range, this computer loses a lot of competitiveness from what it has in the $200-$400 range.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Aikouka on 3/3/2008 1:32:01 PM , Rating: 2
Well, that's also $600 for the 12GB model. If there's a 4GB model, who's to say that it won't be significantly less?


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By deeznuts on 3/3/2008 1:42:50 PM , Rating: 2
True, but who's to say there will be a 4GB model? Asus might position this as their premium model, but even a 8GB would be good.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By deeznuts on 3/3/2008 2:36:40 PM , Rating: 2
Doh, just checked Engadget's site and there is a 8GB

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/hands-on-with-t...


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Aikouka on 3/3/2008 2:51:35 PM , Rating: 2
Well, as you mentioned below that they specifically noted an 8GB model, but this was also in the article:

quote:
However, we do know that the Eee PC 900 will feature 1GB of memory and will be available in storage capacities up to 12GB (up from 8GB max on the current Eee PC).


It leaves room open to interpretation, but I hope ASUS is smart enough to realize that their 4GB model has been fairly popular for its price and overall storage amount.

What I hope they do this round is make the touchpad buttons two separate buttons instead of one bar that has areas defined for each button. I just find it awkward (on my 4G Surf) hitting the same button for LMB and RMB. It's like I'm using a Mac... but not. I also have a problem with the number keys (and the letters to an extent), but others report that they've gotten used to it after awhile.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By Chadder007 on 3/3/2008 1:34:51 PM , Rating: 2
I would have been happy with just a bump in screen resolution for just a tad more over the regular EEE's. :(
$600 is just a tad bit more than I would like to pay ....at the moment.


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By KeypoX on 3/7/2008 10:32:55 PM , Rating: 2
600 is about 300 to much for me... call me cheap but i just gotta a dell with over 6 hours battery life for 430shipped so.... but i guess im not worried about 4 pounds as much as others.

I would buy this if it was about 200-250, i wouldnt want a slow slow laptop and have to pay more than a core 2 duo laptop with a 9 cell battery


RE: Woohoo!.. Doh!
By bupkus on 3/4/2008 12:54:48 AM , Rating: 2
Even if the cpu is an Intel Atom? Uhuh, that's what I thought.


EEE vs. HP
By deeznuts on 3/3/2008 1:49:09 PM , Rating: 2
Just gotta wait on the HP 2133 pricetag, and compare the two. If the HP 2133 pricetag is within spitting distance, I'll probably go with that.




RE: EEE vs. HP
By Bigjee on 3/3/2008 2:30:16 PM , Rating: 3
True. I have to say its a three way battle between the Everex Cloudbook vs. the Eee pc vs. HP2133.

The cloudbook is based on a Via cpu and the Hp2133 is rumored to be Via based also. But I think the Eee pc is gonna be priced in tiers i.e a 8Gb and a 12gb. IMO i think an 8gb; 8.9inch screen and 1 gb of ram is worth it at a price of $500.
I'm with most people here who think that $600 is a lot for an Eee pc. I think 350-450 is the sweet spot for an Eee pc.

But for now i'm not buying either until ALL three have hit the market and the reviews are in.


RE: EEE vs. HP
By cinder on 3/3/2008 3:00:20 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/20/hps-umpc-2133-t...

Engadget claims that the price on the HP 2133 will be around $630.


all i really want
By zander55 on 3/3/2008 2:24:29 PM , Rating: 2
all i really want is the original promise: a $200 price point. i'm really hoping that asus decides to get there eventually. i don't need a bigger screen, i don't need more HDD space or ram, i don't need a faster processor, i'm happy with the original low end, just drop the price when you release new models.

not holding my breath though.




RE: all i really want
By psychobriggsy on 3/3/2008 4:06:51 PM , Rating: 3
All of these cheap PC products got more expensive for people in the US because the dollar tanked last year. External to the US the prices are really cheap. The $200 used to get you £150 (instead of £105), and considering that we have VAT on top, the 2GB EeePC at £180 is actually hitting the $199 price point - at the strength of the dollar at the time the price was promised.


RE: all i really want
By Calin on 3/4/2008 9:50:17 AM , Rating: 2
$400 (no VAT) for a 4GB EeePC (bigger battery, webcam). $500 including VAT.

Haven't really thought it to be at that price point. Unfortunately it is a bit expensive for me


Battery life too short
By wiiz3rd on 3/3/2008 12:45:56 PM , Rating: 2
I was recently in the market for an umpc and settled for a Fujitsu U810 after having seen the Eeee. Overall, the U810 consumes far less power, has bigger hard drive, better but smaller screen. The only downside is price $800 vs. $600.




RE: Battery life too short
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2008 12:52:59 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, but the Fujitsu has that super tiny 5.6" screen with a 1024x600 resolution. My eye balls contemplate exploding when I simply think about using such a device on a regular basis.


RE: Battery life too short
By wiiz3rd on 3/3/2008 1:01:10 PM , Rating: 2
I prefer portability over size. Plus I can see ok at arms length. It has far more area over my Zaurus SL6000, which I stopped using because of the keyboard.


Where are the speakers?
By Bigjee on 3/3/2008 2:33:20 PM , Rating: 2
Does anyone know where the speakers are located on this new model? Good to see Asus listened to customer feedback cos those speakers really were taking up valuable screen space.




RE: Where are the speakers?
By daftrok on 3/3/2008 9:08:24 PM , Rating: 2
Either that little vent by the Ethernet port isn't a vent and actually a speaker or its under the cover on the left and right side of the trackpad.

Or even worse, it has no speakers. Actually come to think of it its not that big of a deal since most will use their headphones. However it would be nice to have it since this thing costs more than a freaking PS3.


By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2008 9:42:46 PM , Rating: 2
The vent next to the USB port (down from the Ethernet port) is an exhaust vent for the fan.


when
By cciesquare on 3/3/2008 12:51:56 PM , Rating: 4
alright now it just needs to read 12" screen, with 20GB flash drive, 2GB memory, with a $300 price tag.

Now that would be the day i'd buy one ^^




Nearly there ...
By psychobriggsy on 3/3/2008 1:27:35 PM , Rating: 2
Bah, it's still got a VGA output. C'mon Asus, make it a mini-DVI or HDMI.

Otherwise, it's looking quite nice so far. Shame that it looks a bit bulkier, this doesn't give me much hope that they're using Atom, surely that platform would allow for slimmer devices as even less cooling is required.

Also 400 Euros - is that price quoted including tax (as you have to do in Europe) or not? It'll either be £299-£319 (if it is) or £359 - £399 if not. Starting to creep outside the realms of no-brainer purchase.

I still don't think the market has really caught up with the Psion 5 yet. I guess the interfaces are prettier ...




RE: Nearly there ...
By R3MF on 3/4/2008 3:51:45 AM , Rating: 2
agreed,
iwould like to have seen something better than VGA.


Price
By Nik00117 on 3/4/2008 4:39:10 AM , Rating: 2
Needs to be lower, i´m sorry I can go to dell and a get a laptop with a 120 GIG HDD, 15.4 inch screen 7.5 hours of battery life a gig of ram and a good CPU for 600.

Thing which amkes the current EEE PC so attractive to me is the price.

What makes it unattractive is the resolution.

I want a bigger screen same price and i'll buy it tomorrow, 4 GIG is enough space for what I intend on using it for. I'll buy a cheap 4 gig SD stick for it.




RE: Price
By psychobriggsy on 3/4/2008 5:23:28 AM , Rating: 2
I don't think I'd want to pop that Dell into my bag each morning when I have to stand on the tube for half an hour or more.

I like the idea of a little computer that doesn't weigh a lot, but is cheap. One that I can use for making notes, playing simple games (well, it can handle some old games), etc, on the train, or in the car.

In that respect the EeePC is a little big still - in terms of thickness. I like the 9" size on the new one, and if the price is £299 I may have to get one, but I think it could do with being slimmer.

I notice the 9" also has a 1.3MP webcam instead of a 0.3MP webcam. Nice upgrade. The bigger trackpad is handy too.


Ai ai ai
By cyyc009 on 3/4/2008 8:22:28 AM , Rating: 2
Still no signs of a DVD drive??? Come on ASUS, what are you guys thinking??




RE: Ai ai ai
By Seemonkeyscanfly on 3/4/2008 10:44:46 AM , Rating: 2
Stability and long battery life. There are no moving part in an Asus Eee PC...Therefore less likely to go bad. Also, moving parts burn more energy...shorter battery life. Once you start adding DVD, hard drive and all other normal notebook items you have left the Eee world and are just making a normal notebook and raising production cost. So really you should never see a DVD or anything with moving parts built into an Eee PC.


Finally...
By Shawn on 3/4/2008 12:03:47 AM , Rating: 2
A usable resolution! Now all they need to do is make is cheaper and I'll get one.




From a user...
By Hieyeck on 3/4/2008 4:58:17 PM , Rating: 2
Uhh... where's the speakers...?

Either way, I got an Eee PC because it's small, light, cheap, and gets me on the internet nearly anywhere I go (thanks to the sheer amount of unsecured networks combined with coffee shops). Did I or will I ever expect to get any form of entertainment out of it? Not likely, but it let's me get work done where and when I need it. Reading USB drives, getting email, making changes to notes and documents, googling maps and wiking info. It's not bleeding edge, and it's not meant to be. It's meant to just get the damn job done and it does it sufficiently and quickly, if not nicely.




cost of eee pc
By katana234 on 3/6/2008 6:43:42 PM , Rating: 2
i would buy it for $499 with window xp installed. these day u can get a full-features window laptop w dvd dr for
$499-$999. so for $599 it is too expensive.

the eee pc itseft is worth $399 plus extra $100 for the look and size.

So $499 is perfect price.




if they sell over 599!
By thief101 on 3/7/2008 2:29:26 AM , Rating: 1
you have forced me to steal one...




"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." -- SCEA President Jack Tretton

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