A lot of us have high-end mobile phones which have high MSRP subsidized to a great deal of its original price by service providers (such as AT&T, Vodafone, etc.) after signing a time-bound contract for using their serivice. Some variants of ASUS Eee PC and other competing brands are equipped with 3G High Speed Down/Uplink Packet Access (HSDPA) connectivity, which allows service providers to provide internet connectivity among other features. This means a good venture for them since they could sign you on a service contract and sell you these ultra-portable notebooks at subsidized prices a-là mobile phones. ECS is already in the process of signing partnerships with several service providers in Europe.

With these notebooks falling in the same price-band as mid-high end mobile phones, PDAs, etc., internet connectivity, PC-style, is more affordable than ever before.

As of today, AMD is close to over a year and a half behind Intel with the implementation of the DDR3 system memory standard, and it doesn't look like we are going to see a DDR3 AMD platform only until late this year or early next year. Chilian website CHW.net published slides of the roadmaps for AMD chipsets in the months to come, also published are slides refering to the details of the next generation southbridge by AMD, even though the latest entry, the SB700 is only teething and only the latest motherboards with 7-Series chipsets feature this.

They just keep coming in, keep coming in bunches. I'm refering to the Eee PC series by ASUS which has unofficial product releases almost on a daily basis now. As the competition for ultra-portable notebooks hots up with prominent players such as Dell, HP and the more recent MSI with the Wind series, ASUS have scheduled several variants of the Eee PC concept for launch. Feeling the heat of the 10" MSI Wind series, ASUS have announced the Eee PC 1000 and Eee PC 1000H complete with Intel's Atom processor, nearly full-size keyboard, and the option to select a HDD for the first time on the Eee series.

Apart from these, four new models, the 903, 904, 904 HD, and 905 are in line. Coming to the Eee PC 904 and 905, although not much is known about the differences between the 904 and 905, both use the larger 10" Eee PC 1000's frame with the smaller 8.9" screen from the Eee PC 900/900. So users can now have the 8.9" screen and a larger keyboard; but they now have to deal with the increased screen bezel. With the 904 HD, the 'HD' doesn't refer to a high-definition display as most of us would assume, but that you get a conventional hard-disk drive instead of a solid-state drive. We've already covered the Eee Monitor in a recent news item here.With inputs from DailyTech

First talked about at Computex 2008, the newest entry to the ASUS 'Eee family' is the Eee Monitor. This product aims to give you everything you would expect a monitor to provide alongside display. The monitor in the pictures looks to be 19 to 20 inch, has a fixed web-cam, a 4-port USB hub, but what looks rather strange is that this 'monitor' doesn't looks like it has a D-Sub or DVI connector leading us to believe it's a self-contained PC a-là Apple Mac. The connectors behind show an ethernet port, a phone jack, standard sound jacks (line-in, line-out, mic), and the usual power-input. If it's meant to serve as a monitor, it must also double as a docking station, because otherwise there's no reason to have Ethernet and audio ports. The product also features integrated speakers made by Denon. It also features integrated data-card readers.

The RV770 is perhaps the best thing that happened to AMD in a long while. But more than AMD, it's perhaps the best thing that happened to us, the consumers. But general product launches seem to be just the tip of the ice-berg. The new PCB's designed by ATI for RV770 cards are actually running at well below the clock speed they can support and there is every reason to believe that these cards will be challenging NVIDIA's very best.

The HD4870 PCB with two 6-pin power connectors can support a maximum TDP of 225W (2x 75W from the power connectors + 75W from the PCI-Express interface). While at stock parameters, the HD4870 will not consume over 170W, it implies that with a fair bit of binning for high-performing parts, there is a serious lot of room for overclocking way beyond what the ordinary HD4870 cards can take.

ASUS is planning to launch two new Eee PC variants, the 904 and 905, which have an 8.9-inch display panel but use a similar chassis and keyboard as the company's 10.2-inch models, according to sources at channel vendors.

The Eee PC 904 and 905 will incorporate Intel Atom processors and the major difference between the two and the previous 901 model is that they feature a bigger keyboard. ASUS is still evaluating whether to make changes to the two variants' battery and storage capacity.

ASUS expects the Eee PC 904 and 905 to come out at a similar price band as the current 900 and 901, and will eventually replace them. The company also considers whether to drop prices for the 900 and 901 to flush its inventory or leave them in the market to defend against Acer's Aspire One, noted the sources.

ASUS, a company that already sells more than enough custom video cards is now introducing its new MATRIX branded ROG (Republic of Gamers) EN9600GT HTDI/512M. I'll skip the mile long press release pointing out at this card as being the world's most intelligent, and write out some of its main advantages that might convince you of buying it. Dressed in black, the GeForce 9600GT MATRIX is equipped with the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine for automatic detection and adjustments of voltage, clock settings and GPU fan speed. With its help the card lowers its GPU voltage in 2D mode and stops the GPU fan for completely silent operation. When required, the fan will start to spin depending on the GPU load and temperature. Futhermore, the EN9600GT MATRIX comes with iTracker, a feature that provides four different mode profiles: Optimized Mode, Gaming Mode, Power Saving Mode, and Default mode. It also displays in real-time the GPU/shader/memory clock speeds, GPU/memory voltages, GPU loading, GPU/memory/power IC/ambient temperatures, and the GPU fan speed. Finally, the card's remaining characteristics: 650MHz/1625MHz/1.8GHz (900MHz DDR3) core, shader and memory clock speeds respectively. Click here to see the full press release.

DigiTimes reports that the OEM contract ASUS has with Pioneer for manufacture of its optical disc drives will expire in July, 2008 and it is likely that ASUS abandon its disc drive manufacturing, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Pioneer High Fidelity Taiwan, Pioneer's Taiwan subsidiary, confirmed the expiration of the OEM contract in July and the expansion of the company's own ODD production capacity in southern China, adding that Pioneer will consider new OEM partners to maintain its production efficiency following the expiration of its contract with ASUS.

Catering to users who require top notch graphics cards, ASUS, world-leading producer of quality graphic solutions revealed today the world's first 1GB onboard memory version of the latest ATI Radeon HD 4850 GPU with the ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/1G. The unparalleled large onboard memory size is specially designed for feature-rich DirectX 10 gaming, and the best multimedia playback at ultra-high resolutions and maximum quality settings.

ASUS on Friday unveiled a new ultra-slim 22" widescreen LCD monitor. Claimed to be the world's slimmest 22-inch display with a thikness of just 24.8 millimeters, the LS221H delivers a 2ms response time (gray-to-gray), a dynamic contrast ration of 4000:1 ASCR (ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio), 300nits brightness and 170°(H)/160°(V) wide viewing angles. A little something unusual, the LS221H comes only with D-SUB and HDMI inputs in exchange for DVI-D. Set to start selling soon, the ASUS LS221H will be backed by a 3-year system and panel warranty and a 1-year zero bright dot warranty.

Catering to gamers who want to enjoy the ultimate in gaming experiences, ASUS, world leader in motherboard production, has released the new ASUS ROG Maximus II Formula series motherboard. Equipped with an Intel P45 chipset and supporting DDRII memory, this cutting-edge piece of hardware provides exceptional gaming performances to suit gamers of today.

ASUS recently announced the worldwide availability of ASUS EzLink Displays that will include the new ASUS VW223B and VW202B LCD monitors. This new series will allow users to transfer digital video signals from a PC to one or more LCD monitors via a USB 2.0 interface - providing great flexibility for multi-screen applications.

ASUS, a leading name in high quality computer components and solutions, announces the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card - the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor - providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.

ASUS, a leading provider of high-performance optical storage devices, has today unveiled the ASUS DRW-20B1L/B1LT internal DVD rewriter with LightScribe direct disc labeling technology. This industry leading DVD rewriter provides a high speed of 20X DVD±R write, 12X DVD±R (DL) and 12XDVD-RAM reading capabilities. In addition, users can expect to enjoy five times faster data transfer rates than the current DMA33 standards with the SATA interface. It also features Optimal Tuning Strategy - a technology that automatically adjusts burning for optimum disc backups; and the E-Green Engine for great energy savings.

While our best people Darksaber and W1zzard are at Computex 2008 gathering info and pics for you, I'll be reporting everything else that's not covered by the event. First of all, I'll start with some info leaked yesterday before the official start of Computex. ASUS has confirmed the official specs for their ASUS Eee Box desktop PC. Take a look below.

For those of you that want more of the GIGABYTE vs ASUS EPU saga, today I'm happy to inform you that after ASUS threatened to sue, it's time for GIGABYTE to issue a public apology and say I'm sorry. According to a report by DigiTimes, GIGABYTE agreed to publicize an official apology in local Taiwanese newspapers on June 1st. Although GIGABYTE continues to claim that their DES technology is superior to ASUSTeK's EPU, GIGABYTE's chairman will appologize for using a misleading picture of blown capacitors claimed to be used on many ASUS motherboards. In exchange ASUS has agreed to drop all proceedings related to the issue. Now after everyone is happy, where are our brand new Intel P45 motherboards?

Under enemy pressure ASUSTeK is now being reported to bring forward the launch of its 10-inch Eee PC to June 3rd, in an attempt to surpass rivals MSI and Acer.

With Micro-Star International (MSI) expected to officially launch its 10-inch Wind series notebooks and Acer planning to launch an 8.9-inch Aspire low-cost PC in Europe priced at 299 euros (US$469.49) over the next few weeks, Asustek Computer has decided to rush forward plans to launch a 10-inch version Eee PC, according to notebook industry sources. The Eee PC 1000 is now expect to be launched on June 3 along with the Eee PC 901 and Asustek is also preparing lower priced versions of current models, the sources noted.

There aren't any further details just yet, but if the info is correct the launch date is near.

ASUS today released the ASUS P5N72-T Premium motherboard. Equipped with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology for astounding energy savings, this high performance motherboard supports enhanced specifications of the front side bus and memory - able to reach an FSB of 1600MHz (originally 1333MHz) and 1200MHz (originally 1066MHz) respectively.

ASUS is preparing to unveil a number of new products during the upcoming Computex 2008, but one of them deserves special attention. Named ASUS EN9600GT Matrix, this will be a tricked out GeForce 9600GT video card equipped with a specially designed hybrid cooler. The custom dual-slot cooler of the card consists of a large aluminum heatsink with heatpipes and a fan that will start working only when the card runs 3D applications or the temperature rises considerably. Besides all this, the new card will come with a black PCB, single DVI and HDMI outputs and optical sound output. Clock speeds are still unknown, but the EN9600GT Matrix is very likely to be highly overclocked, considering the big cooler and the Republic of Gamers badge on its fan. More information about the card will be unveiled during Computex 2008.

ASUS, leading provider of high-performance graphics solutions, today launched the world's first VGA and multimedia docking station - the ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamer) XG Station. With extremely detailed and impeccable design, the XG Station has attained the honorific of being conferred with the red dot design award honourable mention 2008. The XG Station is also bundled with the EN8600GT/HTDP/256M graphics card, and equipped with an Express Card interface - seamlessly integrating notebook computing with powerful PC graphical power. It also incorporates 4 USB 2.0 ports and Dolby Technology - doubling as a USB hub that delivers true AV enjoyment.

ASUS' plans to release a desktop version of the Eeepc have been known for quite some time now. However, that's all we really did know. Now, we can confirm that at least ASUS decided to name the desktop version of their fairly successful little laptop. ASUS has decided to call it the Ebox. Said Ebox will look suspiciously like a Nintendo Wii, but will be much more like a computer. We can also confirm that the Ebox will have up to 2GB of RAM, up to 160GB of hard drive space and a slot-loaded optical drive. Current rumor has it that this machine will be powered by the diminutive Intel Diamondville motherboard family. ASUS is expected to unveil more details on the Ebox when they launch it on June 3rd at Computex 2008. It should cost somewhere in the ballpark of $200-$300USD.

ASUS is taking the legal battle against GIGABYTE's false statements to the next step, informing today that it has officially filed a lawsuit against GIGABYTE for defamatory acts. Yesterday (May 22nd 2008), ASUS has also reported GIGABYTE to the Fair Trade Commission of Taiwan.

Gigabyte, without a full understanding of ASUS' engineering design and methods, has made false accusations against ASUS motherboards' EPU features and the quality of ASUS' motherboards' components.

Read full story

ASUS has prepared a full list of motherboards that will support AMD's 140W CPUs. This is necessary for AMD's upcoming Phenom 9950 2.6GHz processor that has 140W TDP. CPUs with TDP of 125W are also supported by these motherboards. The following list is not full, more 140W CPU ready ASUS motherboards are expected to be announced soon:

Two new promo sites have been launched today. The first one is looking to promote the latest motherboard offerings from ASUSTeK Computer and can be found right here. The second one is BFG's new website dedicated to power supplies called BFG Power. The site allows you to preview different PSU models, view specs, see recommendations and compare different models. You can check them whenever you want.

The GIGABYTE versus ASUS saga continues with a new statement issued by GIGABYTE today:

GIGABYTE UNITED INC., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards would like to respond to recent statements by our competitor alleging GIGABYTE has made false claims against them. These statements were made in response to a report GIGABYTE detailed for the media which compared GIGABYTE's 4-Gear and 6-Gear Dynamic Energy Saver technology to our competitor's non-phase change and 2-Gear Phase changing energy saving technology. In addition, direct comparisons and testing results were reported between the GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L motherboard and our competitor's P5K-SE EPU.

Read full story