NetbookTech

There was so much promise with the ASUS Eee PC T91. Come on – what wasn’t there to like? A convertible netbook design with a touch-screen enabled display for under $500 dollars? Great idea right? Well yes.. idea was great – execution appears to have been poor unfortunately.

In the latest review of the T91, LaptopMag had this to say about the pokey T91:

“We give credit to ASUS for innovating; the touch features on the ASUS Eee PC T91 definitely break the netbook mold. However, its underpowered processor results in an underwhelming experience; screens take too long to open, and the lack of palm rejection is frustrating. Also, at $499, the Eee PC T91 is $100 more expensive than other netbooks that, while lacking a touchscreen, have larger 10-inch displays, and have batteries that last twice as long. Yes, the T91 is worth a look, but it’s not worth the wait.”

A closer look at the specs and you’ll quickly realize why the T91 is hobbled. First – there’s the processor. In an effort to save on power – ASUS used the Intel Atom Z520 processor clocked at 1.33GHz instead of the typical N270 or N280. Result? Poor performance. Then there’s the 8.9 inch form factor which leads to a small keyboard – not good. Finally, there’s no palm rejection – which means you’ll have to hold your hand a bit higher when writing on the display. Annoying.

On the flip side – we’re sure ASUS (and others) are hard at work at creating the next touch-screen netbook system so the T91’s failures are sure to be short-lived.

[Check it out]

Introduced earlier this year at CES 2009, ASUS finally announces their first Tablet-styled Eee PC – the T91. Using the convertible notebook format, the T91 netbook comes with an 8.9 inch touch-enabled display which swivels around and down to turn into a fully functional tablet PC. The T91 also comes with several custom-developed software applications collectively known as the “TouchSuite”.  Available in black or white, the T91 features:

• TouchSuite apps including:
• FotoFun – managing and editing pictures
• Memos – jot down handwritten notes that can be stuck on the desktop
• Touch Gate – switch between different interfaces on the fly. Choose from XP Mode, Widget Mode, and Touch Mode. XP Model is Windows XP interface with the addition of a convenient application dock. Widget Mode displays information via widgets. Touch Mode is a “streamlined” interface featuring large icons that can be launched using a finger.
• IE Toolbar – new toolbar for IE allowing you to easily zoom in/out of web pages using your finger
• Slim and light – measuring just 225 x 164 x 25.2 ~ 28.4 mm and weighing a mere 0.96 kg
• Optional 3G plus (HSUPA) technology
• Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth connectivity
• Optional built-in TV tuner
• Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) reduces energy consumption up to 15%

The specs for the T91 are as follows:

• 8.9 inch LED backlit/Resistive Touch Panel
• Intel Atom Z520 processor
• Intel US15W chipset
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB SSD + 16GB SD card + 30GB Portable Hard Disk Drive
• 20GB Eee Storage
• VGA port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet port, Headphone/mic-in
• 0.3 megapixel camera
• 3 in 1 memory card reader
• HD audio
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Li-Polymer battery for up to 5 hours
• Optional GPS, TV Tuner, 3G plus

No word on when it’ll actually be available here in the U.S.

[Check it out]

UK Tech News Site, Electricpig, reports that the ASUS Eee PC T91 convertible netbook will be hitting the UK shores in either late May or early June for a price of around £449. We saw the T91 back in January at CES 2009 with specs such as:

• Intel Atom Processor Z520
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 8.9 inch touch-panel display
• Optional GPS and TV tuner
• Measurement of 225 x 164 x 25.2 ~ 28.4 mm

No word if the specs changed at all between then and now.. but stay tuned.

[Check it out via TechDigest]

Next up at CES 2009, we have ASUS and their immensely popular Eee PC product line. CES was certainly a busy time for ASUS as the company announced and introduced several new systems ranging from desktops to notebooks to convertible-style netbook systems. Right now, we’ll be focusing on their latest Eee PC announcements – the first convertible-netbook/tablets from ASUS – the Eee PC T91 and Eee PC T101H.

First up, we have the Eee PC T91 pictured below. If you’re familiar with conventional convertible notebooks, the T91 is essentially a smaller form factor. The netbook can be used in either a standard clamshell orientation or used in a tablet PC style method.

Here are the listed specs for the Eee PC T91:

• Intel Atom Z520 processor
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 8.9 inch touch panel/LED backlight
• Measures 225 x 164 x 25.2 ~ 28.4 mm
• Weighs 990 grams
• Optional GPS and TV tuner
• Available in black or white

Here are additional pictures of the system:

Here is the white version of the T91.

If you’re not thrilled with the 8.9 inch display, then you’ll probably be interested in the Eee PC T101H which features of course a 10 inch touch-panel display.

Features of the T101H include the following:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 10 inch touch panel/LED backlight display
• Windows XP Home
• Glossy design
• Available in white or black (white is shown here)

I managed to play with the 10 inch unit very briefly and found the overall experience to be rather pleasing. Transforming the netbook from clamshell to tablet mode was quick and painless with the Windows XP Home touch experience extremely responsive. I’d love to see what Windows 7 beta would be like in this form factor but we’ll have to wait and see.

Stay tuned for a short video clip too.