The ASUS Eee PC (pronounced as the letter e, IPA ) is a subnotebook / netbook computer designed by ASUS. At the time of its introduction, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux-based operating system, solid-state drive and relatively low cost. Newer models have added the option of Windows XP operating system and traditional hard disk drives. Newer models have also increased in price, though they remain relatively inexpensive as laptops, and notably inexpensive for ultra-small laptops.
According to ASUS, the name Eee derives from "the three Es," an abbreviation of its advertising slogan for the device: "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play".[1] It is manufactured by Pegatron Technology.[2]
In the UK, the ASUS Eee PC is also distributed as the RM Asus Minibook by RM.History
Eee 700 series
Black 700 series unit side view showing the SD card reader, two USB ports, the VGA output and the Kensington Security Slot.
Asus announced two Eee PC models at COMPUTEX Taipei 2007; the Eee PC 701 and the Eee PC 1001.[3] The 701 based model Eee PC 4G was released on October 16, 2007 in Taiwan. Three additional models followed. The originally-announced second model (1001) was also expected, but later ASUS renounced any plans to release it to the market. ASUS sold over 300,000 units in 2007,[4] and plans to sell several million in 2008. Intel has described the Eee PC as in line with its “World Ahead” marketing drive—which aims to provide anyone around the world a chance to own a PC.[5]
Both the price and the size of the device are small in comparison to similar devices, such as Ultra-Mobile PCs. The Eee series is viewed partly as a response to the XO-1 notebook from the One Laptop per Child initiative. At the Intel Developer Forum 2007, Asus demonstrated the Classmate PC and the Eee PC, and listed specifications for four models of the Eee PC. ASUS at the time claimed that models may start at US$199, and range up in price and features to US$399.[6]
The final price and specifications for the Eee PC, officially announced in September 2007, differed from ASUS’s initial plans. The price rose to US$245, from US$199, while the size of the included solid-state drive was reduced from 4GB to 2GB, the VGA camera was dropped, and the included RAM was halved to 256 MB. As of October 25, 2007, the price range was expected to be US$299–399.[7] The 2G Surf has since gone on sale with 512 MB of RAM included.[8]
Since October 13, 2007 the ASUS website shows revised specifications. The products now have the marketing names EeePC 8G, 4G, 4G Surf, and 2G Surf instead of the model numbers 700 and 701 shown in pre-release information and on the Eee PC label and on the packaging.[9] ASUS no longer uses the model numbers in marketing materials for the systems. The 4G Surf uses socketed RAM but some revisions do not have a door to access the slot.
ASUS announced a desktop version of the Eee PC, without an integrated display, to be released in 2008.[11] ASUS announced that a version of the Eee PC with Microsoft Windows XP pre-installed would be released by the end of the year 2007. It was, however, not released until January 2008. In Japan the version is known as the 4G-X.
On January 29, 2008, it was announced that 4G Eee PC would become available in India.[13] It was released on February 2, 2008 in the city of Mumbai and is being shipped with the customized Xandros OS and not the Windows XP Starter Edition.[14] From April 5, 2008[15] ASUS plans to sell two versions of the ASUS Eee PC with Windows XP. One of them will come with 4GB solid state and a 4GB SDHC card. The second version will be sold without the SDHC card and will sell for US$399. The Windows XP and Linux Xandros versions of the Eee PC will sell for the same price. ASUS will include Microsoft Works 9.0 to provide similar facilities to OpenOffice that is included with the Linux version.[16]
Eee 900 Series
White 900 series
The Eee 900 Series was officially launched in Hong-Kong on April 16, 2008 for HK$3998[17] and in the UK on May 1, 2008 for £329 (approximately €410, USD 650 including VAT). The system was launched in the US for USD 549 on May 12, 2008.[18][19] The Eee 900 series with WindowsXP-OS is scheduled for launch in Germany and Austria on June 26, 2008. The Eee 900 series dimensions are a little larger than the 70x models–measuring 225 × 165 × 35 mm (WxDxH) and weighing around 1 kg.[20] The machine has a multi-touch trackpad that allow two-finger scrolling and zooming via a "pinch" gesture[21] and is available in Linux (in some markets) and/or Windows XP (in some markets) configurations. The Linux version is called the EeePC 900 and comes with a 20 GB SSD, while the Windows XP version is called the EeePC 900 Win and has a 12 GB SSD and is sold for the same price as the 20GB linux version.
The storage is split between two SSD devices–a 4GB SSD installed similarly to that in the 701, and the remainder in a second SSD in the expansion bay.[22] The Windows version comes with Microsoft Works and Windows Live Suite preinstalled. It also includes StarSuite 8. The machines are otherwise identical to each other with 1 GB of RAM, an 8.9-inch (226 mm) 1024×600 LCD and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. This model has the same Celeron CPU as the Eee PC 700, running at its full 900 MHz clock speed (rather than the 630 MHz speed seen in the Eee PC 700).[23]
There is also a third version of the original Asus EEE 900, referred to as the Asus EEE 900 16G. This version comes without the faster built-in SSD cards but only a 16 GB SSD in expansion bay. In some areas this appears to be the first and only available Asus EEE 900 model, for example in Norway (price guide at hardware.no and price guide at kelkoo.no). The Asus EEE 900 16G comes with MS Windows XP or Linux and in white or black flavors.
On June 3, 2008 Asus unveiled the Eee 901 at COMPUTEX Taipei, the 901 was a revision of the 900 series with a similar chassis. The 901 features an Intel Atom Diamondville CPU clocked at 1.6GHz, an "expanded" battery (listed as 6-cell), and "Super Hybrid Engine" software for power management which will provide a battery life of 4.2 to 7.8 hours. Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi are also included. The 901 uses the Intel 945GSE chipset.[24], meeting the Suggested requirements for Windows Vista Aero. The Eee PC 901 costs TWD 16,988 (approximately USD 559). The 901 is otherwise similar to the 900, shipping in Linux or Windows XP configurations which have different sizes of SSD storage. Informal reports state that the machine in future will feature an "enhanced case" and additional installed software, and that in the future a version with WiMAX will be available. Reports also indicate that the launch of the Eee 901 will also be accompanied by a price drop for the 700 series and Eee 900.[27] It was also discovered that the Eee 901 has capacity for a "3GCard" upgrade which may hint at a version of the 901 being released with inbuilt mobile connectivity.[28]
A new Eee PC 90x model is the Eee PC 904HD [29] and is one of the first Eee PC models which features an HDD (80GB) instead of an SSD. This model will feature an Intel Celeron M running at 900 MHz and gets its power from a 6-cell battery. Like other Eee PC 90x models this Eee PC also features 802.11 b/g WLAN and a 1.3M pixel webcam. Windows XP comes pre-installed.
A new model called Eee PC 900A features almost the same specs as the Eee PC 901 (except the Bluetooth, 1.3M pixel webcam and the 6-cell battery, that has been replaced by a 4-cell battery) but in the same case used in the Eee PC 900 model.
A store specific model has appeared in Target department stores and is identified only as an Asus 8.9" Eee 4GB PC (And as Eee PC 900 on the packaging) and is listed as using a "Intel Mobile Processor". This version contains only the 4GB SDD soldered on the board and 512MB RAM. At retail locations, only the Linux version is available, with a Windows XP version available by mail order. This unit has the 4-cell battery, no webcam and no bluetooth. This may be the 900A, but is not identified as such on the packaging. It is retailing for only $299 in this configuration.
Battery controversy
There has been some controversy regarding the battery supplied with the EeePC 900. Versions pre-released to many non UK journalists and reviewers were equipped with a 5800 mAh battery, but the first retail versions in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Singapore were shipped with a smaller, 4400 mAh (76% of that capacity) battery, which commentators note has led to a great variation in the machine's battery life in reviews, in some cases as low as 90 minutes. As a result of the objections to this, Asus provided a free battery replacement program in Hong Kong and Singapore, and ran a paid-for battery exchange program in the UK. The UK battery exchange program ran from June 23, 2008 until July 31, 2008.
Asus has stated that the smaller battery is the standard battery for the Eee 900 in Europe, and a longer warranty is provided in exchange,Commentators have noted that the US version launched with the 5800 mAh battery, and a warranty of equal length.[37] Asus have revised their original statement, indicating that the smaller battery is "[p]resently the standard battery supplied in the UK" and "the default standard battery pack for ASUS Eee PC 900 worldwide", however ASUS will (from June 10, 2008) be providing a battery exchange to all UK Eee PC 900 customers for £10, and are offering a firmware update internationally which extends battery life by 30 minutes ("BIOS 0601: Updated all battery discharge tables to extend battery life").
In Australia and Italy, the situation was reversed: journalists[39] and reviewers received EeePC 900 systems fitted with the 4400 mAh battery but the retail models are equipped with the 5800 mAh battery.
Customers of Media World in Italy received the EEEPC with a 4400 mAh battery.
Battery Drain
In addition to the above confusion over battery capacity, users of the EeePC 900 (and 701 [40]) have noticed [41] that the battery is drained at a rate of about 10% per day even when the unit is completely powered off. This situation causes the EeePC 900 to drain completely from a full charge within 9 days even if unused, which severely limits its usefulness as a portable computer. The only workaround so far is to physically remove the battery when it's not in use. Even in suspend to RAM sleep, a Celeron Eee (700, 900) can drain up to 5% an hour, making even intermittent usage last under a day. The Atom (Eee 901, 1000) models are reported to take negligible power in suspend, in addition to having better efficiency while running.
Eee 1000 Series
The 1000 series launched at COMPUTEX Taipei on June 3, 2008.[42] It features a new 10 inch (254 mm) screen and a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU, although built in power management software can increase the speed to 1.7 GHz. The 1000 model ships with Linux, 8GB SSD and 32GB SSD (total: 40GB); the 1000H model ships with Windows XP Home and an 80 or 160 GB HD. Both the 1000 and the 1000H support up to 2 GB of DDR2 RAM. The 1000 has a rated battery life of 4.2-7.5 hours, while the 1000H is rated for 3.2-7 hours. It also offers a keyboard that is 92% the size of generic notebooks, aiming to make it more comfortable to type. Like the Eee PC 901, the new machines feature 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. WiMAX is not currently supported. The prices are THB 15,640 (approx. USD 449.99) for the 1000H and THB 20,855 (approx. USD 600) for the 1000.[43][25][26]The 1000HD released in September of 2008 is slightly cheaper version of the 1000 series. It features the same specifications as the 1000H except it uses a 900Mhz Celeron CPU chip.The 1000HA released in October of 2008 also costs less then the 1000H but has the same Intel Atom 1.6Ghz CPU, 160GB HDD, and 1GB of RAM. It does not however have Bluetooth or wireless N.
Future models
Microsoft is reportedly in talks with Asus regarding a version of Windows 7 optimized for platforms such as the Eee.Future models will ship with WiMax in the latter part of the year.Asus announced on September 25, 2008, that they will be including built in 3.75G HSUPA on the 901 starting in October, 2008. They will be including 3.75G in the higher models such as the 1000 series after this time.Asustek executive Samson Hu confirmed on October 9, 2008, that they plan to release a touchscreen Eee PC variant for sale by Q1 of 2009.
NOTE:
没有评论:
发表评论