ASUS is reportedly considering merging its mainstream notebook and Eee PC netbook departments, in an attempt to save costs. The two teams, which up until now have been kept discrete, have already been informed of the consolidation, according to market sources.
A netbook might not be much cop for video editing, but it’s certainly clever enough to act as the brain of a robot. That’s the attitude robo-makers RoBe:Do have taken, with their first two software-ready autonomous robots, each delivered full-assembled and just waiting for your Eee PC (or similar) to drop in and control things.
Video demo after the cut
As busy weeks go, this one has certainly been something to write home about (or at least a Week in Review about), with CeBIT, PMA and an Apple mega-announcement all taking place. ASUS arguably stole the former show in Germany, with the Eee PC 1008HA “Shell” once again proving that netbooks needn’t be the ugly cousins to expensive ultraportable notebooks. For our full CeBIT 2009 coverage, hit the tag.
ASUS’ Eee PC Station NAS, aka the ASUS EeeNAS D200, has taken something of a backseat at CeBIT what with all the attention the Eee PC 1008HA Shell gathered, but we’re still interested in what the touchscreen device has to offer.
Video demo of the EeeNAS after the cut
We can’t quite get enough of the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Shell here at CeBIT 2009; the super-skinny 1-inch netbook keeps us coming back for more. Today we stopped by to check out not only its textured chassis but the new ASUS Eee Docking bar, which promises one-click access to the growing list of ASUS Eee-family services.
Eee PC Docking Bar screenshot after the cut
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.
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