ASUS' new Eee PC to have WiMAX and bigger screen

by Tarinder Sandhu on 8 January 2008, 15:30

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qakzz

Add to My Vault: x






ASUS held a press conference detailing its plans to amalgamate WiMAX technology into a slew of notebooks this year.

The event, held in conjunction with Intel and Sprint, detailed plans for a top-to-bottom WiMAX enablement through, in the main, the use of Intel's upcoming Montevina Centrino platform, which will bring with it the new Cantiga chipset and upgraded mini-PCIe communcations card - Dana Point/Echo Peak - that supports 802.16e  (WiMAX).

ASUS commented that around 15 per cent of its notebooks will be WiMAX-enabled by the end of 2008, but the most interesting announcement centred on the second-generation Eee PC with WiMAX connectivity as standard.

According to slides we saw, ASUS will be releasing three models in Q2 2008, including 7-, 8-, and 8.9in-equipped SKUs. The latter will sport a 1024x600 resolution, up from the 800x480 in first-generation models. We very much doubt that ASUS will adopt the entire Montevina platform for its low-cost wonder, though.

We further learned that Windows XP will be the OS of choice for the high-end Eee PC. What wasn't divulged by tight-lipped representatives was the estimated price. We were told it would be very attractive, but that's akin to stating how long is a piece of string, right?





If you just can't wait and want a UMPC with WiMAX integrated into it right now, look no further than the R50a (R3?), sitting atop of the 350,000-selling Eee PC.

This 500g box 'o tricks is the world's first UMPC with built-in GPS, apparently. It does have a gorgeous 5.6in screen that's capable of a lush 1024x600 resolution. Adding to the features list, it ships with dual webcams and digital TV tuner, too. Trouble is, it'll cost around £1,000.

All HEXUS CES 2008 content



HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Posted by R3MF - Tue 08 Jan 2008 18:59
MESSAGE TO ASUS:

I want a linux Eee PC with a 1024x600 screen.

If that means no Wimax because the drivers aren't sorted then fine, give me a 8.9" model with no Wimax.

I. Do. Not. Want. WinXP. On. An. EeePC. Period!

Thanks for listening to this common sense broadcast brought to you by an utterly typical consumer.

Thanks.
Posted by finlay666 - Wed 09 Jan 2008 01:24
All I would like would be a better res on the screen, other than that it's fine for me, maybe a range of external devices such as optical drives would be nice
Posted by chrestomanci - Wed 09 Jan 2008 19:47
I wonder how much Microsoft had to bribe ASUS to get them to ship Windows as standard on their higher end Eee PCs.

They must hate the idea of a usable linux laptop getting the public (not just geeks) used to the idea that linux can be a good alternative to windows.