With the quiet introduction of 1004DN, the ASUS Eee PCs are an inch close to changing their names from netbooks to laptops or notebooks if you want. Up until now all netbooks were missing the presence of any optical drives, and that partly was what made them different from normal laptops. Well, that's about to change with the ASUS Eee PC 1004DN netbook which offers integrated DVD burner that makes possible reading and writing CDs and DVDs on the go. There's only one step left until Eee PCs and netbooks as all become normal laptops - their screen sizes.
Back on the Eee PC 1004DN except the DVD burner, it has a 10-inch LED-backlit TFT WSVGA screen with a 1024 x 600 resolution, an Intel Atom N280 CPU working at 1.66 GHz, an Intel GN40 chipset and 1 GB of DDR2 RAM expandable to 2 GB. For storage the 1004DN uses single 1.8-inch PATA 120 GB 4,200 RPM hard drive and an Express Card slot for expansion. The Eee PC 1004DN measures 277 mm x 194 mm x 27.4-34 mm and weights 1.45 kg (with a 6-cell battery). Expect pricing and availability date information soon.

Although company officials decline to comment on the story, third party informers claim that ASUSTeK is considering consolidating its Eee PC and notebook departments to help increase efficiency and decrease the management costs for the two departments. With no official information to work with, details are sketchy, but at least we know something is going on. If not, you'll be the first to know.

Asustek Computer is considering consolidating its Eee PC and notebook departments to help increase efficiency and decrease the management costs for the two departments, according to market sources. The sources have noted that Asustek has already sent out documents of the merger plan to all related department personnel and will work out a schedule in the near future.
Asustek president Jerry Shen has declined to comment on the sources' claims.

Someone wrote today that there are too many Eee PCs to choose from. Yes, there are indeed so ASUS is to phase out some of them that are considered not vital for the brand. Rumors about this step were circulating for the past month.

"It seems that customers prefer to have a greater screen, which also means a larger keyboard,

I still believe we have a good opportunity in 8.9-inch for kids, telecoms [providers] or emerging markets. The seven-inch [netbook] is going to be phased out, although some emerging countries may still have some demand.

company chairman Jonney Shih said on Tuesday. ASUSTeK's other netbook at risk, the 8.9-inch Eee PC 900, remains available for sale and won't suffer its little brother's fate as previously reported.

ASUS just can't stop launching new Eee PC netbooks. This time the company announces the Eee PC 1008HA. This 10-inch glossy netbook is only being shown as CeBIT exponent at this time, its launch date or MSRP are still unknown, but it's going to get some retail attention for sure sooner or later. Specs of the little box are also tight. For now, we only know that it weights less than 2.5 pounds and has built-in 1.3MP webcam, Draft-N wireless network card, Bluetooth and probably an optional WiMAX module. Other than that, there're a few press photos.

Building on the Eee PC foundation, ASUSTeK's Eee TOP all-in-one desktops made their debut on Amazon.com today. The 15.6-inch models, available in white and black, are now up for pre-order and will ship to US customers on March 9th for the money equivalent of $600. Both trims get the same custom touchscreen interface, 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, 160 GB hard drive and a fresh copy of Windows XP Home. Meant to be the perfect kitchen or budget media center PC, the Eee TOP also comes with a built-in 4W speaker system and a 1.3-megapixel webcam, a multi-format card reader and 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless network card.

The guys over at bit-tech.net are kind enough to show us the first live pictures of ASUSTeK's Eee PC T91 tablet PC. The Eee PC T91 is neither a notebook, neither a tablet. It is a netbook tablet if you know what I mean. It has a LED-backlit 8.9-inch display, like the Eee PC 900 and 901, that is touch-sensitive and can rotate at 180 degrees. The screen boasts typical WSVGA 1024x600 resolution. ASUS claims that once its screen is in position as a tablet, the T91 becomes the smallest and slimmest tablet PC to date. System specs also include an Atom Z520 processor, Intel US15W chipset, 1GB DDR2 memory, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11 b/g wireless (n not confirmed), Bluetooth, 32GB SSD, Optional 3G data connectivity, GPS and DVB-T TV Tuner and an integrated webcam. The T91 will run Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 installed. The Eee PC T91 is a couple of months away from release, but still ASUS wants us to know that a 10-inch version called T101 is also in the works. Find more information here.

According to a Bloomberg report, ASUS is to embed a third operating system in its low-cost netbooks, currently known as the Eee PC. When Eee PC first appeared it was powered by a Linux distribution, after that Eee PCs were upgraded to Microsoft's Windows, and now the company is said to prepare an Eee PC version that will run Google Inc.'s free Android operating system. Samson Hu, head of the Taipei-based ASUSTeK Eee PC division, said in an interview yesterday that the manufacturer has already allocated engineers to develop an Android-based netbook and eventually by the year's end the final product may start selling. No other details were disclosed during the interview. Google introduced Android back in 2007 as a software system for mobile phones. Android is based on a Linux platform, meaning that it is open-source operating system that's completely free and can be upgraded in any way. Although designed for mobiles, the OS can be adapted for netbook-style products too, Google claims.

ASUS, inventor and innovator of the widely acclaimed Eee PC, is proud to announce that the Eee PC 1000HE has been recognized by consumers and prominent media outlets as the best ultra-mobile Internet device in the market today. In the United States alone, the soon-to-be released Eee PC 1000HE is already ranked among the top three most desired gadgets on Amazon.com, and pre-orders have been steadily increasing. This phenomenal reception of the Eee PC 1000HE is due to the incorporation of several technological innovations that provide users with a highly dependable and long-lasting ultra mobile internet device capable of up to 9.5 hours of battery life. This has resulted in an increasing share in the minds of US consumers today.

According to Benson Lin, president of ASUSTeK's Asia-Pacific division, the company is all set to send away their 8.9-inch Eee PCs. Prompted by the fact that 10-inch siblings and even bigger models are becoming mainstream in 2009, ASUS will phase out its smaller netbooks. Of ASUSTeK's 2009 Eee PC shipments, 10-inch models will account for 95% of total sales, while the other 5% will be 7-inch models for telecom service operators, Lin said.

Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today launched an SSD, offered in capacities up to 64GB, that was specially designed as an upgrade for the Asus S101 Eee PC.

The Windows model of the S101 includes only 16GB of local storage, so Super Talent's upgrade SSD offers the S101 user the opportunity to double or quadruple the storage capacity in his netbook.

Back in June 2008, when Intel Introduced the Atom N270, reviewers found its level of performance sufficient for ULPC applications back then. Over a period of six months, it became evident that ULPCs require to deliver a little more than just internet applications. With Intel being reluctant on porting the dual-core Atom to ULPC, owing to its thermal characteristics, there is a need for stepping up the performance level of its relatively cooler single-core Atom.

Therefore, Atom N280. Earlier speculations pointed out that this chip would merely come with a multiplier boost sending its clock speed to 1.86 GHz against 1.60 GHz of its predecessor, but it turns out that Intel was looking to expand the FSB of the existing N270, with a minor clock speed increase. The Atom N280 features a broader 667 MHz FSB against the 533 MHz the N270 comes with. It ends up with a clock speed of 1.66 GHz. While N270 achieved its 1.60 GHz with (12 x 133 MHz), N280 does it with (10 x 166 MHz). Hypothetically, a future model with a 12x FSB multiplier could set the clock speed at 2.00 GHz. What's more, Intel gets rid of the i945GSE chipset infamous for thermal characteristics increasingly unsuitable for ULPCs. It has been replaced with the supposedly cooler GN40 chipset. The N280 has begun surfacing on specification sheets of upcoming ASUS Eee PC models, but it will be only by 2Q, 2009 by the time we start seeing products based on it. Paired with the GN40, the Atom N280 is expected to be priced at US $60-65.

ASUS' Eee PC has been named Forbes Asia's Product of the Year for 2008, right after being crowned Stuff Magazine's Gadget of the Year and Computer of the Year. In justifying its selection, Forbes hailed the Eee PC for "its innovation and disruption", and added that the "ultraportable" netbook had "changed the global PC industry". This new addition to the Eee PC's mantle joins numerous other awards chalked up in the media, design and industry circles over the past year, most notably NBC.com's Best Travel Gadget and the prestigious G-Mark Award.

ASUS, a worldwide leader in notebook design and the fastest growing notebook brand, today announced the newest member of its award-winning Eee PC family-the Eee PC 1002HA. Featuring a stylishly redesigned chassis adorned with a brushed aluminum LCD cover and palm rest, the Eee PC 1002HA is a sophisticated, lightweight, easy-to-use netbook that brings a touch of elegance and utility to everyday computing.

In a story by Digitimes, Jerry Shen, president of ASUS has said that the company will be adjusting the pricing and marketing position of their mid and entry level Eee PC's, as well as aiming to release a $200(US) Eee PC in 2009. Currently the average price of an entry level 8.9 inch Eee PC is around $400(US). Shen also went on to say that they expect 7 and 8.9 inch Eee PC's to be phased out to make way for 10 inch replacements.

DigiTimes reporters have posted information that ASUS is working on a touch-screen equipped Eee PC. The new netbook will start appearing during the first or the second quarter of 2009, according to the report which claims to have the information from various panel makers. ASUS is also expected to ship the touch panel netbooks with Windows 7, Microsoft's latest OS. AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) will most likely supply the touch panels. They both plan to launch 11.6-inch and 12.1-inch touch panels in February next year, so if the calculations are right the new Eee PCs will be assembled with their panels. ASUSTeK is yet to decide what panel size to use.

Patriot Memory, a global provider of premium quality memory module and flash memory solutions, today announced the Lite Series SSD storage solutions. Available in both 32GB and 64GB capacities, these upgrade solutions are designed specifically for the ASUS Eee PCs.

"Small form-factor mobile PC's are becoming extremely popular among consumers," says Meng Jay Choo, Flash Product Manager for Patriot Memory. "Patriot's new Lite Series SSD solutions offer consumers the perfect storage upgrade to store their important music, video and data files without worrying about running out of space on their ASUS Eee PC."

Super Talent posted a press release this morning, informing everyone that it is starting a new line of SSDs, available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities, that are designed specially for the ASUS Eee PC. Judjing from the three sizes, these will be intended for the latest Eee PC S101 netbooks, ASUS introduced last weekend. The new Eee PC SSDs are mini PCIe and offer reasonable read/write rates of 40/15 MB/sec respectively. The drives are sampling now, and will enter mass production in November. Super Talent lists the expected street price at $53, $79, and $149 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.

ASUSTeK Computer released today its newest and most expensive Eee PC netbook, the Eee PC S101. Designed to attract users with its style and premium finish (available in three colors - brown, champagne or graphite), the S class Eee PC also offer the latest hardware that a netbook can integrate. Measuring 264 (W) x 180.5 (D) x 18 ~ 25 (H) mm, the Eee PC S101 will be available in 3 different models. The first one has a 16GB SSD + 16GB SD card (32GB total storage space), Windows XP OS and a retail price of around $699. The second version comes with a 32GB SSD, Linux OS and will retail for around $699 as well. Finally, there's the 64GB SSD model with Linux which will have a price tag of around $799. Feature-wise all three Eee PC S101 models have a 10.2-inch wide active matrix LED backlit screen (1024x600 resolution), 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB RAM, 10/100/1000 Mbps ethernet controller, WLAN support, Bluetooth, 4-in-1 MMC reader and a 0.3MB integrated webcam. For more information, please visit the Eee PC - Blog.

ASUS today informed that it will be adding 3.75G connectivity to its hugely-popular series of Eee PC netbooks, enabling convenient and high-speed access to the Internet anytime, anywhere. The inclusion of 3.75G will allow for low latency mobile broadband Internet access at high downlink and uplink speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and 2 Mbps respectively. 3.75G will make its first appearance in Eee PC 901 netbooks released to market from October 2008 onward.

ASUS, a leading company in the new digital era that revolutionized personal computing with the Eee PC, today unveiled another world's first - the Eee Stick, an easy-to-use yet highly versatile Plug and Play wireless controller for the PC platform that translates users' physical hand motions into corresponding movements onscreen.

Originally ASUS' Eee PC 900/901 netbooks are limited to a maximum of 20GB onboard SSD storage and possibly a bit more if you add an additional storage card or extra USB flash memory. While it may be enough for some, it's unacceptable for others. For that reason, Japanese firm Buffalo has teamed up with various SSD suppliers to offer special Eee PC storage bundles that include more capacity for a little extra cash. Soon Buffalo will start offering two HDD upgrade kits for Eee PC 900/901 series, a 32GB SHD-EP9M32G and a 64GB SHD-EP9M64G models, that will make the netbook more flexible. Buffalo forecasts the two replacement drives to become available sometime in September with the 32GB model priced at ¥14,800 (US $136) and the 64GB model priced at ¥29,800 (US $275).

ASUS today introduces the new generation of Eee PC. The new models include revolutionary features that are designed to enhance efficiency and connectivity. With up to 7.8 hours of battery life, Eee PC users can enjoy portability while work, learn and play on-the-go.The all new Eee PC 901 and 1000 are equipped with built-in SSD (Solid State Drive) while the 1000 H adopts a 3.5" Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

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.

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

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.