Linux-powered mini-laptop gets larger display

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Home | News | Articles | Polls | Forum

Keywords: Match:

Mar. 05, 2008

Asus announced an upgraded version of its "Eee" mini-laptop with a larger 8.9-inch screen. The Eee PC 900 also doubles memory to 1GB, boosts the screen resolution, increases solid-state storage to 12GB -- and raises the price from $400 to $600.

(Click here for a larger view of the Eee PC 900)

The original Eee PC 4G
(Click image for further information)

Since the original two-pound Eee PC 4G went on sale in November, the popular device has sold more than 350,000 units, according to Asus. The original model featured a 7-inch WVGA screen, and a customized version of Xandros Linux pre-installed on a 4GB solid state drive (SSD).

The original Eee was advertised as "Windows XP compatible," and later shipped with Windows XP in some markets. The new model comes with an extra-cost option to have XP installed from the get-go.

The large bezel around the Eee's screen led observers to conclude that a bigger display was planned, and Asus has now provided exactly that. The Eee PC 900 offers a 8.9-inch display with WSVGA (1024 x 600) resolution, up from the 4G's 800 x 480 resolution. It fits into the same 8.8 x 6.5-inch footprint as before, but appears to be slightly thicker, with a slightly larger trackpad.

Mass storage comes in the form of an 8GB SSD -- a capacity since offered on the original Eee as well. A 12GB SSD is also available, apparently on the new model only.

Like the 4G the Eee PC 900 has a 900MHz Celeron M processor, but RAM has been boosted from 512MB to 1GB. Like the original, the Eee PC 900 offers a 10/100 Ethernet port, stereo speakers, a webcam, and 802.11b/g wireless networking.

Storage can be added to the device via its SD expansion slot. Some versions of the earlier Eee PC also featured an available internal mini PCI-Express slot, but Asus has not confirmed this as being available in the Eee PC 900.

Also unconfirmed by Asus is the battery life and weight of the Eee PC 900. The original Eee weighs two pounds and is rated for three to four hours of cordless operation.

Features and specifications for the Eee PC 900 include:

Processor -- Intel Celeron M clocked at 900 MHz
Memory -- 1GB of RAM
Storage -- 8GB or 12GB SSD
Display -- 8.9-inch color TFT with 1024 x 600 resolution
Camera -- webcam mounted above the screen
Audio -- dual speakers for stereo sound
Networking:
- 10/100 Ethernet
- 802.11b/g wireless LAN
Other I/O:
- 3 x USB
- VGA port for external monitor
Expansion:
- SD card reader
- Memory stick reader
- mini PCI-express slot (unconfirmed)

Availability

The Eee PC 900 will be available this summer, according to Asus. A Linux-based but "Windows-ready" configuration will cost 400 Euros (approximately $600); the cost of the optional version with preinstalled Windows XP was not cited.

Related Stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=timesys;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=timesys;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=windriver;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=windriver;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=versalogic;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=versalogic;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=winsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=winsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=virtuallogix;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=virtuallogix;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=montavista;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=montavista;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technicalsolutions;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technicalsolutions;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

GOLD SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=ultimate;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=ultimate;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

BREAKING NEWS

• Linux-friendly SoCs target low-end multimedia
• CompactFlash as a COTS "standard"
• 65nm ARM9 SoCs target PNDs, smartphones
• Motorola Ming A1600 ships
• N810 gains Android installer
• PC/104-Plus board runs Linux on x86 SoC
• Webinars explore embedded Linux development
• Linux video camera geo-tags, writes to SATA drives
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• Ten LiMo phones this month?
• It's a Yankee Doodle Linux phone
• Wind River to host "Developer Day"
• Dev boards gain Linux support
• 802.11n zooms ahead
• Low-power mini-ITX board runs Linux

Linux-Watch headlines:
• Microsoft tactics push India toward Linux
• Bell, SuperMicro sued over GPL
• "Business intelligence" software goes GPL
• Will Atom bomb?
• LF Summit videos posted
• Linux gains "embedded" maintainers
• Virtualization on tap in SLES and RHEL upgrades
• Linux gets security black eye
• Verizon chooses Linux "platform of choice"
• Hats off to Fedora 9

Also visit our sister site:

Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home \| News \| Articles \| Polls \| Forum \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Home \| News \| Articles \| Polls \| Forum \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.