ASUS Shatters Conventions with High Performance Eee PC 1201N Multimedia Netbook

[btarunr]

Multimedia-minded consumers who prize the portability of netbooks but lament the typical lack of processing muscle now have a reason to rejoice. ASUS has launched the Eee PC 1201N, a multimedia netbook sporting an Intel Atom 330 dual core processor and an NVIDIA ION graphics processor that delivers a level of performance never before seen on netbooks. The stylish Eee PC 1201N also offers exceptional typing comfort through a full-sized ergonomic chiclet keyboard, and comes with a total of 750GB hybrid storage to house and host massive multimedia collections.

The Eee PC 1201N marks a radical departure from other netbooks that usually feature single core Atom processors. With its Intel Atom 330 dual core processor, NVIDIA ION graphics, and two-DIMM, dual-channel DDR memory architecture, the Eee PC 1201N will set new netbook performance benchmarks. More importantly, this combination shatters today's netbook conventions by delivering a rich multimedia experience.



A New World of Multimedia Possibilities
The Eee PC 1201N features the award-winning NVIDIA ION graphics processor which provides a superior multimedia experience including support for HD video and PC games. NVIDIA CUDA technology further boosts the Eee PC 1201N's ability to work with visual content, accelerating processor-intensive tasks such as video editing and conversion.

The Eee PC 1201N also comes preinstalled with ArcSoft SimHD, which upscales standard definition video content to high definition. SimHD, a plug-in for ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater, dramatically enhances the quality of images and supports a wide range of file formats. Users can enjoy a smooth HD video experience on the unit's 12.1" high definition screen, or have the option of enjoying full 1080p HD video with true-fidelity 7.1 audio on HDTVs via the built-in HDMI port.

Rene Haas, general manager for notebook GPUs at NVIDIA said, "The ASUS Eee PC 1201N delivers exceptional performance for a netbook. This ION-powered Eee PC is ideal for anyone who wants a netbook with the ability to watch HD video, share and edit photos, play casual games, and convert video to a portable media player. With the upcoming Flash Player 10.1 from Adobe, it will soon handle streaming HD video as well as a high-end desktop PC."

Massive Storage for Massive Multimedia Collections.
The Eee PC 1201N is fully equipped to handle the large amounts of memory that digital media consumes. Boasting a 250GB HDD and 500GB of online ASUS WebStorage—a total of 750GB—the Eee PC 1201N provides ample storage for users' movies, music and photos. ASUS WebStorage not only makes it easy for users to share their media with friends and family, it grants them access to free games, desktop wallpapers, and software via a simple drag and drop interface.

[Binge]

Shatters you say?

[newtekie1]

This, or something similar depending on what is available when I buy, will be my next netbook.

My EeePC 1000H is nice, but sometime I really wish it had a slightly bigger screen, a slightly higher resolution(HD resolution), and was just a little bit faster.

Finally a netbook with an HD screen that can actually handle HD content...

[WhiteLotus]

Users can enjoy a smooth HD video experience on the unit's 12.1" high definition screen

Something wrong with that... enjoy and 12.1 mainly.

[MTnumb]

why does it say HD? it's not full HD it's only 1366 on 768. you could run 720P on that but the ASUS 1101HA is 1366 on 768. i sure do love the better CPU but the only real improvement i see it the ION graphics, now with the flash 10.1 thingy you could run HQ flash but everything else seems just like a bit bigger a bit faster 1101HA not something that is "shattering" or "marks a radical departure from other netbooks"

[MRCL]

750GB HD ...then I read 500GB WebSpace O_o Well alright, 250GB is still very nice. Playing HD content is great, my Eee can't do that, it stutters like Mr. Scatman.
This is a very nice machine, I'd buy it if I wouldn't have an Eee already. Altho I suspect it comes at a hefty price... seeing as I payed almost 600 bucks for my "inferior" Eee.

[Baum]

i don't get the point on this one, you call 12.1 inch netbook?
Everything 400€+ and 10inch up is more a laptop and then why does it only support 3GB RAM on 2 dimms? (32Bit memory controller and some limitations like on early PM945?)

i won't those only if the battery time is massive 3-4+ under load and not just idle

anyone knows if html5 will take off some load from youtube? Flash in HD is just bad :-(

[Weer]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

This, or something similar depending on what is available when I buy, will be my next netbook.

My EeePC 1000H is nice, but sometime I really wish it had a slightly bigger screen, a slightly higher resolution(HD resolution), and was just a little bit faster.

Finally a netbook with an HD screen that can actually handle HD content...

Yeah, that's precisely how I feel.

A 1000H,

With the ability to run 1080p, or at the very least ANY 720p video.

With an HDMI port, so I can hook it up to my 3007WFP.

With nVidia ION, so I will be able to run Torchlight on it, in its "Netbook" mode (which is not possible on the 1000H!).

With a larger screen, because while it's been nice to go from 9" to 10", it still feels a little small for extended use. 12" sounds perfect.

Basically, it all sounds perfect. Now for the price.

And btw, it's amazing them putting a Desktop Atom into a Notebook.

[newtekie1]

Originally Posted by MTnumb

why does it say HD? it's not full HD it's only 1366 on 768. you could run 720P on that but the ASUS 1101HA is 1366 on 768. i sure do love the better CPU but the only real improvement i see it the ION graphics, now with the flash 10.1 thingy you could run HQ flash but everything else seems just like a bit bigger a bit faster 1101HA not something that is "shattering" or "marks a radical departure from other netbooks"

Anything that can do 720p or higher is considered HD, and since this can do 720p and 1080i, it is HD. Full HD would be 1080p, it is not labelled full HD.

[MRCL]

Does 720p or 1080p really make a difference on such a small screen? I mean, VGA to 720p really looks better, but I doubt you'll be able to spot a difference between 720p and 1080p, not on such a small screen, no?

[cloaker]

The point of netbooks were for anything but gaming and HD video. Now that they have changed that, i would rather just get a 13" notebook instead :P

[HalfAHertz]

Originally Posted by cloaker

The point of netbooks were for anything but gaming and HD video. Now that they have changed that, i would rather just get a 13" notebook instead :P

You are half right. The point of netbooks was to browse the internet and today HD has become an essential part of the internet...You either adopt to the changes or you go the dodo bird's way.

That's why Nvidia are betting so much on the Tegra, because it has this much of an advantage over anything intel can offer at the moment...

[MRCL]

Originally Posted by cloaker

The point of netbooks were for anything but gaming and HD video. Now that they have changed that, i would rather just get a 13" notebook instead :P

Bah, you can game old games on them. In fact, I am playing the original Half Life series on mine. Perfect! They were made for retro gaming!

[chron]

Originally Posted by cloaker

The point of netbooks were for anything but gaming and HD video. Now that they have changed that, i would rather just get a 13" notebook instead :P

My initial obsession with netbooks came from a dream I had, where I was playing left4dead on a bus tethered wirelessly to my phone in my pocket. I hope someday this dream comes true

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by chron

My initial obsession with netbooks came from a dream I had, where I was playing left4dead on a bus tethered wirelessly to my phone in my pocket. I hope someday this dream comes true

and you ping was about 12000ms

[chron]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

and you ping was about 12000ms

LOL you would think so right? I tether at home on my desktop all the time and a lot of times my connection speed is faster than what I pay for with my cable company. I don't pay for tethering though and don't want to get caught transferring large amounts of data. I hacked the registry on my WM phone to connect to the 3g network while tethered, not the network they can track you and charge you on.

So yeah, when the internet goes down at my house, I can setup a wifi spot and connect, or I can tether via usb. It's nice.

[lemonadesoda]

Atom 330 isnt so good for a netbook. Better to go CULV. Because while an Atom 330 can do many things at the same time... it does them slowly, whereas a CULV can do less multitasking, but what it does, it does much more quickly.

Atom 330 is perfect for a NAS or mini-server, but is a little bit underspeed for the typical desktop or netbook setup. There really is very little to gain in "user experience" over an Atom N280.

But nice to see ION getting to the netbook.

[MikeX]

From what I heard neo x2 processor is about 40% better than n330.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_look...Dual+Core+L335

But many people would like 4 threads on their task manager lol

[Weer]

Originally Posted by lemonadesoda

There really is very little to gain in "user experience" over an Atom N280.

But nice to see ION getting to the netbook.

Except for HD videos. Which is a big reason to go Dual.

And "ION" has been on netbooks for over a year.

[HalfAHertz]

Originally Posted by MikeX

From what I heard neo x2 processor is about 40% better than n330.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_look...Dual+Core+L335

But many people would like 4 threads on their task manager lol

And I can bet it's easily up to 40% more power hungry as well. It's still at 65nm after all

[Mussels]

if it can play HD videos, its HD capable - it doesnt have to have a 1080p screen to play 1080p files.
just because you have a low res screen doesnt make it any easier to render HD media.

And as was said, the screen is above 720p anyway... and as any console owner will tell you, thats HD :P

[wolf]

Having owned an sold an eee pc 1000H, this is the model I've been waiting for.

Atom 330 + Ion = awesome netbook

[SonDa5]

Getting better.

[neoxalucard]

Originally Posted by Binge

Shatters you say?

Yes, shatters! The fact that you don't get it, along with quite a few other people is funnier than anything.

[LAN_deRf_HA]

10.2 is my netbook limit. Anything 11.6 to 14 is an ultraportable.