ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard anything official from ASUS about its 12-inch EP121 tablet announced back at Computex in May. That changes today as ASUS Chairman, Jonney Shih, promises an “Eee for everyone” at CES 2011 — and that’s not an exaggeration what with 7-, 9-, 10-, and 12-inch Armdroid and Wintel tablets expected. While the video doesn’t show the physical EP121 first revealed as a prototype in Taipei, it does call it an “Eee Slate” (not an “Eee Pad” like before) while demonstrating pen-based input on the multitouch display riding Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and a Core i5 processor. Naturally, ASUS is also promising better performance and more flexibility than existing tablets. Don’t worry, we’ll be getting hands-on with this beast in a few weeks before it hits retail sometime (somewhere) in January. Until then, you can watch the teaser after the break.

Update: DigiTimes claims that the EP121 will target enterprise customers when launched. Additionally, two 10-inch Eee Pads (one with Windows 7 on Oak Trail and one with Android on Tegra 2) will hit retail as early as March for $499 to $599. Meanwhile, 7-inch Android models will also launch as early as March featuring either Tegra 2 or Qualcomm chipsets with at least one model featuring a “3.5G” radio for “phone functionality.”

[Thanks, Sal]

Continue reading ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated)

ASUS 12-inch Windows 7 ‘Eee Slate’ EP121 and more teased for 2011 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Stories of 2010: Part One

Thumbnail image for justinbieberbike.jpg

As 2010 nears its end, it’s time to start getting all nostalgic. There were a lot of ups and downs in the world of tech this year, and as we take a look at some of our top stories for the calendar, it’s impossible not to notice just how diverse the selection is.

We start this first of a two-part retrospective with a surprisingly popular “sex robot” and cap it off with a bit of bad press for Apple in what was largely a pretty decent year for Jobs and co.

[Above, sorry, a little Bieber couldn’t be helped.]

How to pronounce ASUS (video)

A-suh-ss? Ah-sue-ss? As-ses? Nope, all wrong. We’ve been informed by ASUS that its head honcho has recently set a new rule in an attempt to rid our frustration, so what used to be “Ah-seuss” is now “A-seuss” (or “Eh-SUS” according to Taiwanese phonetics, as pictured). The logic behind this? Apparently it’s a direct chop from the pronunciation of “pegasus” — the origin of the company’s name — which ironically seems to favor the former diction. Anyhow, let’s not confuse ourselves any further and just study this lovely lady’s video demo after the break.

Continue reading How to pronounce ASUS (video)

How to pronounce ASUS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS E600 WP7 smartphone stops by the FCC, possibly destined for AT&T

ASUS E600 WP7 slab stops by the FCC on its way to AT&T stores

ASUS was definitely one of the early players to get all excited about Windows Phone 7, yet as the OS release came and went all we were left with was a couple of blurrycam shots and a little video of a four-inch slab from the company. Now we have some further less than flattering pictures, but these come from a very solid source: the FCC. Curiously this filing dates back to April, and the inclusion of a Garmin Asus branding on the AC adapter is another indicator that this phone comes from an earlier time. We’re hearing rumors at this point that this phone may actually never see a retail release, that it’s now just a test bed for future models, but if it does pop up at retail it’ll likely be nestled in at AT&T stores. If you all wish hard enough, maybe it’ll finally find its way.

ASUS E600 WP7 smartphone stops by the FCC, possibly destined for AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS and Lamborghini Unveil New, High-End Laptop Accessories

Lamborghini WX Mouse

Asus and Lamborghini have a long history of working together on Lamborghini-branded computers and peripherals, and now the two companies have released a line of laptop bags and peripherals designed to keep your laptop safe when you travel. 
Among the new lineup are Lamborghini-branded laptop sleeves and bags in two designs: one that fits smaller 12-inch laptops and another larger bag for laptops up to 17-inches. You can choose between a messenger-style bag or a backpack, both proudly emblazoned with the Lamborghini shield in the center. 
The two companies also announced the Lamborghini WX-wireless laser mouse, which boasts a 10-meter wireless range and a scroll wheel with tire treads, and a line of 640GB USB external hard drives. Granted, you don’t have to use all of these Lamborghini peripherals and accessories with a laptop of the same brand, but I’m sure Lamborghini would prefer that you did. Pricing and availability outside of Europe have yet to be announced. 
[via SlashGear]

ASUS announces ultraportable U36 laptop (updated with specs and price)

ASUS is still holding back some of the details on this one, but what it has revealed about its new U36 ultraportable is certainly enough to get us interested. Weighing in at just over three pounds, the laptop is said to pack your choice of a Core i3 or i5 processors, along with NVIDIA Optimus graphics, and a four-cell battery that promises ten hours of battery life — all of which comes wrapped in a 0.75-inch magnesium shell that’s apparently available in your choice of black or silver. Unfortunately, all other details, including the screen size (though 13.3-inch seems likely), remain a bit of a mystery, as does the pricing and launch details.

Update: We’ve come across a couple of Taiwanese listings for the U36 spilling the full specs: 13.3-inch LED-backlit screen, Intel Core i5-460M CPU, NVIDIA GeForce 310M graphics with 1GB of memory, 2GB of system RAM, a 500GB 7200RPM hard disk, HDMI output, one USB 3.0 port, a 1.66kg weight, and Windows 7 Home Premium as the OS. Pricing is less reliable, but we’ve seen a top MSRP of NT$41,900 ($1,375), which has invariably been discounted by local retailers to saner levels. Let’s just wait and see how things turn out when the U36 makes its way westward.

Update 2: ASUS just informed us that the MSRP for this model in the US will be $999, and that it’s expected to arrive in about three weeks. At least some retailers are already taking pre-orders, and an Amazon listing is said to be coming “shortly.”

ASUS announces ultraportable U36 laptop (updated with specs and price) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Eee Note EA-800 priced at $230, launching in Taiwan this week

Woah, it was only last week that we finalized the naming scheme for ASUS’s LCD-equipped note taker, yet today the company’s announcing that it’ll be available to buy this week in its native Taiwan. Even better news is the $230 price tag (NT$6,999), which makes the Eee Note quite the affordable little device. It’s versatile too, thanks to a built-in camera and microphone for recording of notes and a 3.5mm headphone jack for playback. Running on Linux, the 8-inch tablet (1024 x 768 res) is said to be capable of 13.5 hours of uninterrupted use, which doesn’t match the similarly monochromatic e-readers out there but is a decent compromise for the functionality on offer. Hong Kong should be the next market on its global tour, to be followed by Germany, Italy and Russia around the turn of the year and China and the US in Q1 of 2011.

ASUS Eee Note EA-800 priced at $230, launching in Taiwan this week originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Best Notebooks of 2010 [Bestmodo]

To find out the best laptops of 2010, we checked in with Mark Spoonauer who, as editor-in-chief of Laptop Magazine and Laptopmag.com, oversaw 140+ notebook and netbook reviews this year. If you’re buying, buy one of these. More »

ASUS Eee Note is the surprisingly sensible new name for the Eee Tablet

Remember how confusing it was back in May when ASUS introduced a bunch of tablets it called Pads and a sort of digital notepad it called a Tablet? At least some of that messy naming scheme has now been rectified thanks to the merciful renaming of the Eee Tablet to the new Eee Note EA800 moniker. It’s still the same 8-inch (768 x 1024) monochrome display, offering 64 levels of gray and 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, backed by 4GB of integrated storage, a 2 megapixel camera, voice recorder, and built-in stylus silo. WiFi is of course a given, and there’s a microSD slot and a 3700mAh battery somewhere inside that matte black shell as well. If things do go to plan this time, we should be seeing plenty more of the Eee Note at January’s CES. We’re penciling it in already.

Continue reading ASUS Eee Note is the surprisingly sensible new name for the Eee Tablet

ASUS Eee Note is the surprisingly sensible new name for the Eee Tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Eee Tablet to be renamed, will head to market in early 2011

You remember that ASUS Eee Tablet that was unveiled back at Computex in June, right? Of course you do, it looked like a pretty great e-reader / note-taking gadget, but oddly we haven’t heard a peep about it since. Obviously, the “tablet” with its 2,450 dpi touchscreen sensitivity and quick 0.1 second page turns missed its September release date, however, according to ASUS it’s still kicking and is being renamed — we hear Digital Note and Eee Note are potential choices. So, when will you finally be able to take notes on its 8-inch 1024 x 768 pixel panel? ASUS tells us that it will be demoed at CES and officially launched in the first quarter of 2011 — although, it may be available in Europe slightly earlier depending on local content partnerships. No confirmation on that “under $599” price we had heard whispers of, but here’s hoping we hear a bit more on this one before we touch down in Vegas.

ASUS Eee Tablet to be renamed, will head to market in early 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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