Asus Eee Netbook Will Have Desktop-like CPU
This new Asus netbook will use Intel's dual-core Atom D525 processor and Nvidia Ion 2.
Wednesday Asus officially revealed the Eee PC 1215N multimedia netbook on Facebook, listing components such as the dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor and Nvidia ION discreet graphics. Unfortunately, pricing and availability weren't provided in the announcement.
The Atom D525 processor itself clocks in at 1.8 GHz, has 1 MB of L2 Cache, and draws up to 13W. On the graphics front, the netbook uses the "next generation" ION (2) with Nvidia Optimus technology, allowing the end-user to switch between discreet and integrated graphics when needed.
According to the specs, the Asus Eee PC 1215N will truly be a multimedia-driven netbook. Boasting 1080p video playback on a 1366 x 768 HD screen (and a 16:9 display ratio), the Eee PC 1215N will decode H.264, VC1 and MPEG2 file formats while the HDMI-output port will enable playback on large displays. The netbook will also provide plenty of multimedia storage with 250 GB and 320 GB capacities (and an additional 500 GB of ASUS WebStorage).
In addition to the video capabilities, the Eee PC 1215N offers both USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 3.0 for fast data transfers. Web surfers will even see a speed boost thanks to the embedded 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can also charge external USB devices when the netbook is switched off.
Asus said that the Eee 1215N will come pre-configured with software such as ASUS Vibe and LocaleMe. Access to Boingo global Wi-Fi services will also be offered at a special price. Asus did not provide any information on what OS the device will come with, though.
I wiped the hard drive and did a fresh install of Win7 32bit using the supplied key. It runs considerably quicker doing this without the OEM garbage loaded.
@Jarnts - 1080P is for the HDMI connection on the netbook.
I wiped the hard drive and did a fresh install of Win7 32bit using the supplied key. It runs considerably quicker doing this without the OEM garbage loaded.
@Jarnts - 1080P is for the HDMI connection on the netbook.
* low cost (so if it gets stolen I won't have to break my bank replacing it)
* SSD to make it a bit more rugged when running around (making the screen and the actual physical structure the weak points of the system)
* Small size. I found the original EEE to be about the right size - maybe a hair bigger for bigger keys would have been nice - but they put an undersized screen in it to fit the speakers up front.
What I didn't like after getting it was mainly the low screen resolution which made it nearly useless for its primary purpose - browsing the web. I thought I could get past it, but I couldn't.
New netbooks have been a disappointment. They have really turned into inexpensive laptops that can't quite do what an inexpensive laptop can. At this point, if the prices start hitting the $700-$800 mark, I might as well spend the $900 and get myself a "decent" HP tablet pc that lets me take notes the natural way in class as well as use digital art tools.
As for battery life - well, it I can't do anything on the netbook, being able to do nothing for 10 hours is meaningless to me.
Draws up to 13W. Doesn't mean it used 13W at all times.
It's called an HDMI out port and a big TV.
Netbooks were meant to be small, energy-sipping, web browsing and light document editing computers. These new netbooks can play Blu-Ray on a 13" screen and can even handle some modern video games. I'm not even sure why Intel makes Atom processors this powerful. They were worried about desktop cannibalism, yet they make an Atom processor more powerful than their own Celerons?
I saw a laptop at walmart the other day that had a dual-core Athlon processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB harddrive, 14" screen, Radeon graphics, etc.. etc.. that sold for $485 (it was a Compaq, not an e-machines). Unless ASUS can fit this new Eee PC in under $400, its not even worth it. You can get far more powerful laptops for cheaper prices that are practically even the same size. They might only get 2-3 hours battery life, but if this new Eee PC only get 3-4, is it really worth MORE money?
I bought a Cloudbook and my wife owns an Acer Aspire1, but those are 8" netbooks. These new 12" and 13" monstrosities are going to kill the netbook segment. People were saying the iPad was a netbook killer, but the manufacturers killed off the true netbook before the iPad even came out.
It's like slapping gold-trim on a Toyota and calling it a Lexus. These new "netbooks" are just ways for companies to make higher profits off lower-end components.
The other thing is software, if more software was already using Nvidia's card (firefox, chrome) the computer would be already fast enough to be considered a laptop. The dual core 1.6Ghz CPU feels fast enough, but I think the algorithm to adjust the clock speed does give some gittering behavior (this review is using Ubuntu Linux).
So, I think this is a nice evolotion of the netbook, and the people that don't like it can stick with the old models, or get smartphones that are even smaller than netbook (like the Droid X). I think the biggest difference from a laptop to a netbook is that a netbook should never have a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, they are half-way obsolete anyway.
I would guess on an external display via the HDMI out. That's some seriously misleading advertising, though!
Where the F are they going to fit a blu-ray? Do you understand the size of a netbook? When was the last time you saw any netbook with an optical drive?