NetbookTech

Not thrilled with the built-in 16GB SSD on the ASUS S101 netbook? Not a problem. Super Talent Technology has announced a new line of Mini PCIe solid state drives designed specifically as an upgrade to the ASUS S101 Eee PC netbook. The new Super Talent drives are available in three storage capacities:

• Model FPM16RSE 16GB drive
• Model FPM32RSE 32GB drive
• Model FPM64RSE 64GB drive

These three SATA Mini PCIe drives have a max read speed of 90MB/sec and a max write speed of 55MB/sec. All three models are shipping now with the high end 64GB model available for a price of $169. Not a bad upgrade price for solid state drives.

[Check it out]

LaptopMag is out with one of the first reviews for the new ASUS Eee PC S101 netbook. The S101 is thinner, lighter, and more stylish than all previous Eee PC models yet features standard netbook components such as an Intel Atom processor, a 10.2 inch display, SSD, media card reader, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, Ethernet, 1GB RAM, and a built-in webcam.

Now the real question is – are the improved looks, thinner and lighter form factor, and stylish design enough to warrant higher prices when the system specs are otherwise the same as other net\books? Here’s what LaptopMag thinks of the system:

“The Eee PC S101 ($699) is hands-down the best looking mini-notebook we have seen, and its thin size and small footprint make it a machine that you’ll want to show off to the world. However, the chunkier but cheaper Eee PC 1000H ($479) features a longer-lasting six-cell battery and a much larger 160GB hard drive. Similarly, our category favorite, the MSI Wind (street-priced as low as $479) also sports a better six-cell battery and a larger hard drive, plus a better keyboard than either Eee PC”

[Check it out]

 
The folks at Crave UK have published a hands-on look at the new ASUS Eee PC S101 netbook here on their website and man.. it sure does look sweet. Crave’s even gone as far as saying the S101 is “hands down – the best Eee PC ever ever ever”.

Now I know I ragged on the S101 for it’s price point but there’s no doubt the netbook is slim and sexy (though like others, I could live without the Swarovski crystal in the hinges). Now aside from the good looks, the S101 also appears to have an excellent keyboard (definitely something to consider if you can’t stand the small keyboard form factors of the 900 series or the Aspire One etc). I did find an interesting comment in the hands-on. Apparently the Windows XP versions of the S101 are shipping with the smaller 16GB SSD drives because of the following:

The reason for this — we’re informed — is that Microsoft won’t give Asus as big a discount on the Windows XP licence if it supplies XP on a netbook with SSDs larger than 16GB.

Weird indeed. In any case, Crave UK will have a full review up shortly but in the meantime, check out those pics! (above photos from Crave UK)

[Check it out via CNET’s Crave]

If you’re anxiously waiting to get more information on that new ASUS Eee PC S101 netbook, then you should head over to Mobile Computer UK’s website for an exclusive review of the “high end netbook”. Their review system had the following specs:

• Intel Atom processor running at 1.6GHz
• 1GB RAM
• Intel GMA 945
• 16GB SSD or 32GB SSD (Windows XP/Linux)
• 10.2 inch 1024 x 600 LED backlit display
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Ethernet
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• VGA port
• SD card slot
• audio ports
• Built-in webcam
• Measures 266 x 191 x 28 mm and weighs 1.06 kg

Judging from the plentiful pictures, the S101 certainly looks like a piece of art (though I’m also not crazy about the crystals in the hinges). Here’s an excerpt from the review:

Still, an extra £85 is much extra to pay over the Eee PC 1000 and you’re getting a lot less netbook (in a good way!) for your money. The S101 is no less portable than the compact Eee PC 901, but has none of the usability compromises. That said, we did hope for just a little more for something billed as “high-end”, and onboard HSDPA would be an obvious addition, even if it added a tenner to the price.

[Check it out via UMPCPortal]

The Eee PC S101 is finally official. ASUS officially launched the new ultra-slim and colorful netbook today in Taiwan. The netbook will be available in three colors – Brown, Champagne, and Graphite, will have a weight of around 1kg and will be a mere 1.8cm thick. The full specs are as follows:

• Intel Atom processor
• Intel 945GSE / ICH7-M chipset
• 10.2 inch wide-screen LED backlit TFT with 1024 x 600, 252K color display
• 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Controller
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.0
• 1GB DDR2 memory
• 16GB/32GB/64GB SSD
• 20GB Eee Online Storage
• 1 VGA port
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 1 RJ-45 port
• 2 audio jacks – headphone/microphone in
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 4 in 1 media card reader with support for MMC, SD, Memory Stick, and Memory Stick PRO
• Multi-touch touchpad
• HD Audio
• Stereo Speakers
• Digital Array Microphone
• Polymer battery 36 W/hr
• Measures 264 x 180.5 x 18 ~ 25 mm
• Weighs 1kg

Now comes the downer – the pricing. The ASUS Eee PC S101 will be available in three versions:

• 16 GB SSD, Windows XP, inclusive of an additional 16 GB SD card: USD $699
• 32 GB SSD, Linux operating system: USD $699
• 64 GB SSD, Linux operating system: USD $799

I’m not sure about all of you but the pricing is perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the S101. Sure the netbook is thin and colorful, but pricing it above the $600 dollar mark makes it a wee bit expensive for the typical consumer. If I can get a netbook with the same feature set yet in a form factor that’s 1 inch thick and half the price, then guess what – I’m going to get that netbook over the S101. Now granted, it appears that ASUS is attempting to capture the high end market with the S101. It’s probably hoping that folks who were thinking about purchasing $1000+ ultra-portable notebook systems would instead consider a $700+ super-thin netbook instead. I’m just not sure if there really is a high end market for netbooks.

[Check it out via Electronista]

[Additional pics at Eee PC News]