gadgetloop.com » Laptops

ASUS Announces First EEE PC with Optical Drive

Julian Tan — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:26:52 +0000

ASUS have seemingly committed a Netbook faux-pax by announcing the EEE 1004DN, a 10-inch netbook with an optical drive. This is certainly a first for netbooks, as most eschew the seldom used optical drive in favour of SD card readers, to help reduce size and weight.

However, for those wanting to enjoy a DVD on a trip, or installing purchased software without having to copy files off another machine – this is a welcome feature. Other specifications include the newer Intel Atom N280 CPU, a 120GB HDD and the chiclet style keyboard found on the 1002HE.

via Engadget.

ASUS EEE Keyboard PC Prototype Demo

Julian Tan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:47:28 +0000

Computers are becoming progressively smaller as time goes on. The renowned netbook maker, ASUS, is now packing a full fledged computer into a keyboard less than an inch thick, which can then be hooked up to a monitor or big screen TV.

The EEE keyboard features Apple-like keys, plus an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of memory, and either 16GB or 32GB solid state storage. The kicker though is a 5-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen where a normal number pad should be – the intended usage is as a control area to drive the main monitor or TV. Connectivity also includes WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0, three USB 2.0 ports and VGA output.

Here’s a demo of it in action:

The device is in its final prototype stages, with production soon, starting at the $400 price point, jumping to around $600 for the Wireless HDMI version.

via SlashGear.

How to Tell if You Have a Netbook

Julian Tan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:26:47 +0000

Walk into a department store these days and you’ll be hit by plethora of portable computers, big and small. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between a netbook, an ultraportable, a subnotebook or just a plain old laptop, then here’s your guide.

The Register have published a funny but nice little flowchart that tells you exactly how to categorise your portable computer.

The funny thing is that the actual term “Netbook” is trademarked by Psion Teklogix, the maker of Psion palmtops and a discontinued product called the netBook. Recently, they’ve taken to serving cease and desist letters to website owners using the term. Go figure…

via The Register.