NetbookTech

ASUS also announced plans this week to introduce an Android-powered Eee PC system later this year. The system will be powered by Qualcomm’s power-efficient Snapdragon processor and will feature a 10 inch display, a universal 3G radio, support for 720p video playback, built-in GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity. No word on pricing.. but maybe it’ll be classified as a smartbook instead?

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ASUS announced that they shipped around 1.7 million Eee PC units during the third quarter and expects to ship roughly 1.8 million units during the fourth quarter thereby hitting their end of year goals for 5 million units for their new product line. The company will attempt to grab 30% of the netbook market in 2009; aiming to ship 6 to 7.5 million units out of the estimated 20 to 25 million unit netbook market.

ASUS CEO, Jerry Shen, also expects to ship a $200 dollar netbook within the U.S. market in 2009. Other interesting tidbits from the ASUS third quarter earnings announcement:

• 70 % of total netbooks shipped come with HDD, while the remainder use SSDs
• Ratio of Windows XP systems to Linux systems are at 7:3 also
• 7 and 8.9 inch Eee PCs are being phased out in favor of 10 inch models
• Eee PC contributes 22 percent of ASUS’s revenues

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Thanks to LaptopMag’s interview with ASUS CEO Jerry Shen, we now have additional insight into what’s coming down the road from ASUS in terms of netbooks. ASUS recently celebrated the first birthday for the Eee PC – the system that really got the whole netbook trend started. Here are the major tidbits of information from the interview:

• ASUS has sold close to 4 million Eee PCs thus far with a target goal of 5 million by the end of 2008 (this doesn’t include the EeeBox)
• All Eee PC models – from 7 inchers to 10 inch systems are selling well. The company does not plan on releasing anything larger than a 10 inch display b/c it would otherwise be a notebook
• The Eee PC has actually helped promote the ASUS brand – making their overall notebook business better
• Return rates for both Windows and Linux are similar
• No plans to put Vista on Eee PCs though in the second half of next year, expect to see Windows 7 on it
• ASUS is considering both a tablet convertible design and a touch-screen enabled laptop form factor
• Price ranges for future Eee PCs will be from $250 to $700 dollars. New products expected in Q1 and Q2 of next year
• ASUS working on a technology called “ExpressTest” which will improve boot time and battery life

You can read more at LaptopMag.com.

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3.75G connectivity is coming to the Eee PC. ASUS announced today that the first system to support 3.75G will be the Eee PC 901 due in October. This notebook will also come with a 6 cell battery which will supposedly extend battery life to 7.5 hours. Specs on the Eee PC 901 with 3.75G are as follows:

• Windows XP Home
• 8.9 inch display
• Intel Atom processor
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity
• Optional Bluetooth support
• 1GB DDR2 memory
• 16GB SSD
• MMC/SD/SDHC
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• HD audio
• Stereo Speakers
• Digital Array Microphone
• 6 cell battery for 7.5 hours of battery life
• Measures 225 x 175.5 x 22.7 – 39mm and weighs 1.1 kg
• Available in Black or White

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