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Atom-powered Eee PC revealed

by Parm Mann on 15 May 2008, 14:25

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qanaa

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With MSI's Wind preparing to take its share of the low-cost ultra-portable notebook market, we knew ASUS' Atom-powered Eee PC wouldn't be far behind. We just didn't expect it so soon.

According to French website, Blogeee.net, this here is the ASUS Eee PC 901, complete with Intel Atom processor.

It might look like the shiny-white Eee that we're all familiar with, but there are subtle differences. First and foremost, the ASUS logo has disappeared from the Eee exterior, indicating that the Eee brand will stand alone. There's a new set of slim buttons above the keyboard and the power button is no longer located on the hinge. There's also splashes of metal styling; on the sides of the hinge and around the trackpad.

We're not so keen on the new look ourselves, the metal seems to detract from the cute-factor applicable to previous Eee PCs.

ASUS' Eee PC 900 only landed in the UK on May 1st, but rumours circulating the web are suggesting that its Atom-based successor, the Eee PC 901, could land later this month. Is ASUS moving a little too quickly to scupper the potential threat of MSI's Wind? We think so, the Eee PC 900 is currently priced at £329 - will the 901 cost more, or will the 900 drop in price so soon after its launch? Only time will tell.

Are you in the market for a low-cost ultra-portable notebook, and if so, will you be choosing ASUS' Eee or MSI's Wind? Share your thoughts in the HEXUS forums.

Related reading
Confirmed: MSI's Wind is atom-powered
MSI blows Wind in ASUS' direction
Atom-powered Eee PC landing in June
ASUS confirms Eee PC 900 specification and UK release date
Windows-based Eee PC lands in April
ASUS Eee PC may find it hard to dominate in 2008
ASUS Eee PC 900 makes its debut



HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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I'm excited :) I almost bought the eee 700, but then the rumors started about the 900, so I waited. Then came the dissapointment that it was released without the Atom, so I've been waiting for this!

I'm not sure I like the new look either! And rumors have been that the Atom cpu may not be much faster than the 900MHz celeron… So I may even buy the 900 after the 901 is released, but I am going to wait to compare them, and the new look may grow on me.

The MSI wind looks too ugly and bigger for me to consider. And I like the sound of the multi-touch pad they've put in the eee.

- - - - - - EDIT - - - - - -

Loads more photos can be seen of it here… EeePC 901 @ blogeee.net

after looking at all the photos I'm actually starting to like the look of it… although I will want it in black!
“Are you in the market for a low-cost ultra-portable notebook, and if so, will you be choosing ASUS' Eee or MSI's Wind?”

Well, kind of, but the Wind leaves me thoroughly underwhelmed; the key factor for the 901 as far as I'm concerned is the spec, and there's nothing in the article about that. Is it the 1.6GHz Atom? Have they kept the solid-state storage of the prior models (that's non-negotiable for me, and one reason why the Wind's not exciting me very much - aside from the price). The cosmetics aren't that nice on the new model in white but I think they'll be more appealing on the black version, assuming they follow precedent and release one.
I really hope they keep this the same price as the 900 max. If not then all the shine has went from the brand as it's simply not a cheap laptop anymore. Even for me the 900 is too expensive for what it is.
The price just keeps going up and up, £250 is tops on what I'd pay currently for a ‘toy’ laptop I think. Then again maybe they're trying to get out of that bracket…
jimbouk
The price just keeps going up and up, £250 is tops on what I'd pay currently for a ‘toy’ laptop I think. Then again maybe they're trying to get out of that bracket…

I think it was just a case of charging what they could get away with. If people are prepared to pay £300+ then they will do. Hopefully with more competition price will fall but only time will tell as they say.