In my previous post, ASUS Eee PC 900 Launch Imminent, I linked up some pics from an unboxed article (dated 12 April) from XEPC.org where they showed that the battery capacity of the ASUS Eee PC 900 was at 5,200mAh.
In an even earlier article from one of the top local computer magazine (dated 15 April), PCMarket, it showed a higher capacity battery at 5,800mAh (PCMarket clarified on the 19 April that ASUS will be shipping the 4,400mAh battery instead, strange it showed a 7.2V output, seems like it’s from the Eee PC 701 instead)).
But in fact, this is what you’ll be getting out of the first batch of the ASUS Eee PC 900 launched in Hong Kong on the 19 April, a 4,400mAh battery.
The ASUS Eee PC 900 features a 8.9″ active matrix TDT LCD screen with 1024×600 resolution; 1GB DD2 Ram; 20GB SSD and 1.3 mega-pixel camera. My Eee PC 900 runs on Linux and Firefox browser. The whole thing do look small and feels incredibly light at 990g. The wireless connection is slow at disconnecting and connecting but nonetheless still pretty smooth.
Retail price at HK$3,998 (US$513), but because of limited stock available at present, prices are up to HK$4,488 in Mongkok Computer Centre and HK$4,688 in Wanchai 168 Computer Centre.
As the Windows XP version are not available yet, expect another HK$680 if you want the retailers to install a copy of Windows XP licence for you, that is, if you can’t wait till they formally release it. As for the screen protector, you can get it for around HK$150 (tight fit). Read more »
Wow, what a trip to Singapore, will do a wrap up on that later tonight. While I was gone, ASUS Hong Kong launched the ASUS Eee PC 900 (Linus version) and the first batch was on sale yesterday. As I got back late last night (around 3:00am), I got a message that mine was ready for pick up today.
Okay, some pics for now and I’ll follow up with a more detail review in a few hours. If you have any questions, just post it up here and I’ll include them in the review.
“I think HP has a real winner on their hands with the Mini. I find it to be a capable notebook computer that is highly portable and the build quality is outstanding. I also find it impressive that the total price swing from entry level (with Linux) to fully loaded is only $250 and there is no question in my mind that the Mini is the best built UMPC at this price level. I wish HP had put an Intel processor instead of the Via but that is probably my long-time prejudice against the Via rather than any actual observed issue. I find it delightful that HP will allow consumers to configure a Mini exactly as desired on their online store which is unusual for such a low-cost device. I would have no problem recommending the Mini to anyone looking for a highly mobile notebook with few compromises.”
If that’s not enough, check out his video review on the HP 2133. For your information, the HP 2133 is ready for order now in the US.
[27 March] According to Engadget’s sources, the UMPC will be hitting the streets on 7 April. Love that screen size and VIA processor, no word on battery life yet. One thing for sure it would be tough competitor for the ASUS Eee PC and the Everex CloudBook. For more info, check out the article from Engadget here.
[Updated: 29 March] Following Heyman’s comment on the HP 2133 UMPC’s weight, I went and double-check, the guys over at UMPC Portal listed the weight at 1.3KG, which makes more sense.
My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “Follow-up to Killer Applications for Windows Mobile PocketPC Phones”. Click here for the read.
CUPERTINO, California (Reuters) - Apple Inc said on Thursday its iPhone soon will support corporate e-mail, targeting a new market and challenging the dominance of Research In Motion Ltd’s popular Blackberry devices….
Apple said the iPhone would work with Microsoft Corp’s Exchange software for managing business e-mails, contacts and calendars and “pushing” that information to handheld devices.
“We are doing all of these things with the next release of iPhone software,” Phil Schiller, vice president of global marketing for Apple, said at the company’s headquarters. “I think enterprise customers are going to be pretty excited.”
The new programming tools are also seen as a way to build more interest in the iPhone, which has so far only been able to run outside programs through the Web browser. The tool kit will let software makers write applications that can tap more of the iPhone’s capabilities, such as its touch-sensitive screen and motion sensors.
“Starting today, we are opening up the same native (interfaces) and tools that we use internally to build all our iPhone applications,” said Scott Forstall, vice president of iPhone software.
Programs will only be available through a new “apps store” on the iPhone and in Apple’s iTunes software that currently sells music and videos. Apple will keep 30 percent of revenue, with the rest going to developers.
Size comparison pic showing N810 next to the N800 on top of an Asus Eee PC, photo from ARS Technica
[26 November] Found a great unboxing and first impression article on the Nokia N810 Tablet over at ARS Technica with some nice pics. Link here. The author’s verdict on it -
“Overall, I think that the N810 is a relatively impressive device, but the mediocrity of the built-in keyboard and the limitations of the free GPS software detract from the value of the most significant changes between the N800 and the N810. The N810 is still a very good product, but not enough to justify the $450 price tag when the N800 can be purchased for under $250. Potential N810 buyers are probably better off waiting. Those who regard the built-in GPS as a killer feature should also keep in mind that they will have to pay more for the full version of the WayFarer software in order to really make full use of the N810’s GPS capabilities.”
[Updated - 30 November] Another great unboxing video of the Nokia N810 from absolon3.
[Updated - 8 December] jkkmobile published the hands on with the Nokia N810 article. His take - it’s a no-buy. Read on and see if you agree or not. Bonus: some nice side-to-side comparison pics with the Everun.
[Updated - 10 December] tnkgrl Mobile ran an article on the comparison between the Nokia N800 and N810, link here.
[Updated - 6 March 2008] For those in Hong Kong, See-Digi (Tel: 2893 9119) is selling them for HK$3,980.
Think MacBook Air is cool and sleek? wait till you see this from Lenovo. Meanwhile Walt Mossberg also have a review article out on the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, his article Price May Be Steep, but Thin ThinkPad Has Abundant Features is a good read with a 7 min long video.
Eee PC killer? not quite. The Everex CloudBook is finally out and Laptopmag had a mini-review out on it. They didn’t like it much especially with how the touchpad and buttons are located and the slow boot up time. What they did like are the clean desktop and fast web surfing. Click here for the review. For additional readings, check out the CloudBook section on laptopmag’s blog, link here. Below is the hands on video from Laptopmag as well, enjoy.
