ASUS are currently considering using Qualcomm’s platform for future Eee PC models, according to general Eee PC manager Samson Hu. That could mean a low-cost netbook based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, including integrated 3G connectivity, GPS and HD video playback.
Somehow no matter how many cores other laptops may have, the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA stands out as perhaps the central star of CeBIT 2009. The ultraskinny laptop, like the S101 before it, almost defies inclusion in ASUS’ “budget” netbook range. After the cut, full specifications of the 1008HA and a live demo video.
We’re still waiting to get some hands-on shots with the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Shell at CeBIT, but until then the official press shots of this super-slinky netbook will keep us ticking over. ASUS are making it very clear that this isn’t the launch of the 1008HA, only its first unveil, but that’s certainly enough to make us want one.
ASUS are planning two versions of the ASUS Eee PC Keyboard, one using wired HDMI and the other featuring Wireless HDMI, according to company chairman Jonney Shih. The ASUS Eee PC Keyboard – which builds an Intel-powered nettop into a QWERTY keyboard, along with a 5-inch touchscreen, and is intended for multimedia use – is on target for a Q2 2009 launch, with Shih suggesting June was most likely.
As well as netbooks, ASUS also brought along an Eee-branded backup device to CeBIT this week. The EeeNAS PC is billed as a 2TB network-attached storage device mated to a PC, with control via a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the front panel.
At their CeBIT 2009 press conference this morning, ASUS officially announced the Eee PC 1008HA – the netbook formerly known as the “Shell”. Just 1-inch thick and 1.1kg in weight, the 1008HA will have optional WiMAX and 3.5G WWAN connectivity.
As expected, ASUS brought along the latest version of their Eee Keyboard to CeBIT, and we had a quick catch-up with the innovative hardware. Packing a nettop PC inside a QWERTY ‘board, together with a 5-inch touchscreen, ASUS also confirmed the Eee Keyboard’s current hardware specs.
ASUS have officially announced the Eee Box 206 nettop, first spotted back in December 2008, which adds a new AMD ATI Radeon HD 3450 GPU and an HDMI port to the original Eee Box design. The ASUS Eee Box 206 also comes with a remote control and DVI-D output adapter, with the company positioning it as the ideal eco-friendly accompaniment to your HDTV.
A UMTS version of the ASUS convertible touchscreen netbook has been spotted at CeBIT this morning. The ASUS Eee PC T91GO has the same basic specifications of the original T91, but adds a quadband 3G HSPA modem to the standard WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth.
When ASUS brought their Eee PC 1004DN along to CES 2009 back in January, they were careful to point out that the optical drive-toting netbook was only going to launch in Europe and China. Unfortunately they obviously weren’t as clear with their own staff as they were with the press, as the 1004DN has been spotted clearing the FCC.
JP
