Asustek Computer expects to introduce new features for its Eee PC range including "whole-day" battery life and Internet storage. The company will also push out software and hardware upgrades every month to fill gaps in the netbook market.

Asustek expects channel demand in August to be very strong, especially in Western Europe, where the company will continue to cooperate with local telecommunication vendors.

As for the cooperation between Asustek and Pegatron Technology; since Pegatron's capacity is still sufficient, Asustek is not considering outsourcing Eee PC manufacturing to other OEMs for the time-being.

via digitimes 

We don’t have any official announcement on these and we don’t know whether they will ever come to the U.S., but these pictures, first posted by our friend Sascha at EeePCNews.de, look very legitimate.

The first accessory is an Eee PC external hard drive (or Eee Drive). From the pictures, the black glossy square drive has an extending USB port. Perhaps this will come bundled with smaller SSD versions of the system, or it will just be an added upgrade for those have used up all their mini-notebook space.

Also appearing on the scene is an external Eee PC optical drive (or Eee Writer). Not much to say about this but it sure will help with the restore discs that ASUS provides in the Eee PC boxes.

Saving the best for last, ASUS has come up with a branded 3G connection card called the T500. The card seems to fit into a USB port.

via  blog.laptopmag

More Eee PC models are announced through U.S. based Asus Eee PC web site. We're now have Eee PC 1000HD and 904HD. We did hear about the 904HD before but 1000HD is something new that perhaps everyone over looked due to wide range of Eee PC models that ASUS provides. If every hardware differences has its own model name, I wonder why there are three Eee PC 900 to choose from (12GB, 20GB and the "new"16GB SDD).

Asus, please keep the fun coming since we can never have enough Eee PC to play with!

via mobilestylus 

What can I said? This is simply amazing. Eee PC only been out for few days in United States and Newegg.com is already dropping the price from $649.99 to $549.99. No rebate is needed, you can get Eee PC 1000H for $549.99. No trick, and no question ask!

Link to newegg.com, $549.99 Eee PC 1000H

via mobilestylus 

Though the Voodoo and ASUS Splashtop interfaces have been customized, they work in the same way.

When you first press the power button on the Eee PC it takes 11 seconds (4 more seconds than the Voodoo Envy) to launch the main page ExpressGate Splashtop page. This start page has four buttons across the page, including browser, photo viewer, Pidgin chat and Skype shortcuts. You have to click on one of those buttons to enter the real ExpressGate environment.

In our testing, when we clicked on the browser button, it took an additional 25 (15 seconds more than the Voodoo Envy) seconds to launch the complete ExpressGate mode and the FireFox browser.

So within 35 seconds ( a bit more than ASUS’ touted 11 seconds) you are ready to start surfing the Web and chatting away. The applications in ASUS’ ExpressGate were the same as those on the Voodoo. However, ASUS seems to be leaving out the music player. Nevertheless, the browser, photo gallery, chat and Skype clients looked and felt the same as on the Envy and worked as promised. We were similarly able to multi task on the Eee Box in the instant-on mode. We could minimize our chat windows and check GMail in the browser.

After you are done in the ExpressGate environment, you can shut down or boot into Windows XP (which takes 55 seconds on the Eee Box by our count).

Check out our video below for a tour of ExpressGate. We should also mention that the Eee Box was speced out with a 80GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM and an Intel Atom processor. It was running Windows XP and will be packaged with some software including MS Works and the Star Office Suite.

via blog.laptopmag 

The new top of the line Asus Eee PC 1000 netbooks are available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

The Asus Eee PC 1000 features a 10 inch screen, 40GB SSD, 1GB RAM, 6 Cell Battery and Linux. The Asus Eee PC 1000 sells for $699.99 and is available in black and white on Amazon.com.


The Asus Eee PC 1000H comes with a 80GB HDD instead of SSD and runs Windows XP. The price for the Asus Eee 1000H is on Amazon.com $649.99.

Amazon is not specifying a shipping date for the Eee 1000 and Eee 1000H yet.

via .i4u 

Acer Taiwan president Scott Lin is confident the company's Aspire one will enjoy a strong sales record despite recent news that Asustek Computer's Eee PC sales failed to meet expectations sparking concerns for the netbook market.

Asustek announced that it shipped 1.7 million of Eee PCs in the first half of 2008, 300,000 less than its original forecast. Some industry watchers explained the shortfall to delayed shipments due to the shortage of Intel Atom processors. Despite the present component shortages and gloomy economy, Asustek still aims to ship five million Eee PCs in 2008, according to company sources.

Acer, however, has not been discouraged by the unexpected dip in the market with Lin noting that the first batch of more than 5,000 Linux-based Aspire ones has completely sold out already. Acer is confident it can ship 15,000 units per day following the launch of a Windows XP version in late July, he said.

Aspire one shipments are expected to reach 5-7 million units in the second half of 2008, Lin said. Lin claimed that Acer was one of the partners that motivated Intel to speed up the development of the Atom CPU, and as Acer is confident about its netbook sales, Intel has already guaranteed a fixed allocation of CPUs to the company.

Lin indicated that netbooks are expected to reach a penetration of 10-15% of total notebook sales, but did not specify a time-frame.

According to previous reports, Intel has forecast that cumulative netbook shipments will reach a minimum of 47 million units over four years, while many research firms are also guiding that shipments should reach 12-15 million units per year through 2009. Jerry Shen, president of Asustek, has estimated the amount at 10 million units due to the Atom shortages.

In related news, Acer updated that the XP-version Aspire one will have its storage size increased from 80GB to 120GB and will be powered by a six-cell battery. Suggested retail price is NT$16,800 (US$552.60). Acer has already forged partnerships with some Europe-based telecom service providers for bundled promotions with 3G services. It is also testing the built-in 3G connectivity with Taiwan Mobile (TWM) in Taiwan.

via digitimes 

Later this year, Asustek will offer a version of its Eee PC mini-laptops with built-in 3G (third generation mobile telecommunications) to compete with rivals that are doing the same, a company representative said.

The devices could be out as early as the end of September in Europe.

A few Taiwanese companies are planning to add 3G wireless connectivity to their laptops, and at least one already has. Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has already signed up wireless service providers in Europe to distribute its G10IL mini-netbook, which should be in stores by September or October.

The devices come with internal 3G modules for HSDPA and HSUPA (High Speed Downlink/Uplink Packet Access). Current mini-laptop owners can go to service providers and get 3G cards, along with a wireless plan, to use the networks any time.

The Eee PCs and other mini-notebooks with 3G built-in will likely be bundled with 3G contracts from a service provider, which could lower their initial hardware cost. Mobile service providers often subsidize a portion of the cost of handsets and other devices and make the money back over the life of the 3G contract.

The representative said prices of Eee PCs with built in 3G would vary depending on service contracts.

The latest Eee PC models, the 901, 1000 and 1000H cost between US$550-$660 in Taiwan.

ASUS Unveils World's Slimmest 22-inch Widescreen LCD Monitor

Catering to discerning users who require a robust performing yet sublime addition to their digital home devices, ASUS, producer of high-quality displays, today launched the LS221H LCD monitor. This ultra-slim 22" widescreen LCD monitor combines pleasing aesthetics with leather material, superb display capabilities, and features a 9H-hardness glass panel for scratch resistant protection.

Experience True Beauty with Luxurious Craftsmanship
With a thinness of just 248 millimeters, the LS221H is so slim that it seems like more of an object de art than a display unit. Clean lines, diamond-cut corners and edges of glass combine seamlessly on the piano-painted glossy black chassis; while the lower half panel of the LS221H is dressed in genuine leather to present an exquisite outlook that exudes luxury and warmth in digital living. The LS221H is also equipped with a 9H hardness-rated diamond-cut glass surface that protects against damage or pollutive substances. The anti-reflection glass also provides a 96% transmission rate and a reflective rate of less than 2% - allowing users to view clearer images and more vibrant colors. This perfect combination of hard and soft elements subtly emphasizes the luxurious nature of the LS221H; while leading the "soul" of the product into perfect alignment with boutique displays and interior design. Additionally, the Light-in-Motion II dynamic lighting effects from LEDs built into the base add to the ambience; and an embedded HDMI input does away with cable clutter and provides HD multimedia enjoyment with the best quality.

Internal Beauty for Bright and Vivid Images
Proving that this beauty is not just skin deep, the LS221H is equipped with a ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) 4000:1 and two-millisecond response times that delivers sharp, vibrant images of the very best quality without any ghosting. The "Aspect Control" function allows selecting display modes between Full and 4:3 modes for perfect enjoyment of true-to-life HD video games and movies without image distortion; and the ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology automatically corrects and constantly adjusts every detail of the image to optimize visual quality – providing deeper colors, sharper contrasts and an overall brighter picture. Five video preset modes, three skin tones, and five color temperature settings also allow users to easily customize the LS221H to their personal preferences.

Specifications

• 22" widescreen LCD panelOptimal resolution: 1680x1050 WSXGA+
• 2ms response time(gray-to-gray)
• ASCR (ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio) 4000:1
• 16.7 million display colors
• 300nits brightness
• 170°(H)/160°(V) wide viewing angles
• 9H hardness protection glass surface
• Splendid™ Video Intelligence Technology
• 5 video preset modes and 3 skin-tone selections
• Inputs: D-SUB, HDMI
• 3-year system and panel warranty
• 1-year zero bright dot warranty

I’ve never said that being a demo guy doesn’t have its perks. And today I’ve got my privileged hands on a brand spanking new Asus Centrino 2 (“Montevina” for us nerds) system, as I blog away under the sexy glow of my new mobile powerhouse. Mmmmmmmm…..Asus M51VA with a Penryn P8600 2.4Ghz (drool); I can feel the high-K love quadrupling my words per minute as we speak. Well, not really. But I do want to finish up my post so I can get back to playing, er…testing, World of Warcraft over the live Fitel WiMAX network here in Taipei.

That’s right. You heard me correctly. Montevina, WiMAX; live in Taipei. Kind of strange to say it all in one mouthful, but it’s finally here.

When WiMAX ships with Centrino 2 later this year, no add on card required, the Echo Peak mini-card hidden under the hood (like the one inside this Asus) promises the “always on” connection we’ve been lusting for. And now my Fitel WiMAX connection serves up a steady stream of bits while I leisurely stroll with it around the TICC to put it through the paces. How’s the streaming video, you ask? Kobe looked pretty good scoring 39 to put the Lakers in the NBA finals from my Slingbox back in the States (place/time-shifting, oh how I love thee). Skype rings clear as a bell, except maybe for the drowning concert of scooter horns that screech from the busy Taipei traffic. But online gaming over a live carrier network has long been my holy grail around WiMAX. Here from my outside park bench, after downloading my Warcraft client, I’m able log into the game world to slay all manner of goblins and over sized gerbils. It’s not the raw speed I’m looking for in this scenario, but the responsiveness, so my game character isn’t cut to ribbons by a rabid squirrel while he scratches his head awaiting the next delivery of network packets to tell him to run the hell out of there (cough 3G cough).

The best part of it all? It feels like WiFi, but I’m outside, and I can’t even SEE a Starbucks from where I’m at. Freedom!!! Only thing I have to worry about is the rain.

Oh Montevina, you crafty minx. You broke our hearts with the launch delay, but with all the new Centrino 2 platforms to be shown this week at Computex, it won’t be long before we kiss and make up with the promise of what will be the highest performing and best connected Centrino yet. More to come on Fitel’s WiMAX network and the other Intel Centrino 2 models here at Computex. But for now, please excuse me. It’s WoW time...

via  blogs.inte