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        Asus netbook gets discrete graphics

        Jonathan Angel | Date: May 22, 2009 | Comments: 1


        Asus has apparently added a model with discrete graphics to its already-huge netbook family. The Eee PC 1000HV has ATI Radeon HD 3450 video, an Intel Atom N280 processor, a 10.1-inch display, a 160GB hard disk drive, and a six-cell battery, says Italian retailer Computer Discount.



        (Click here for a larger view of Asus's Eee PC 1000HV)

        As readers will be well aware, netbooks almost always use Intel Atom processors, typically with the chipmaker's 945GCSE northbridge and 82801GBM (ICH7) southbridge. Use of this chipset gives the devices integrated graphics "for free," but means that gamers and other users of 3D software will be disappointed with their computer's capabilities.


        Asus's N10 netbook also had discrete graphics
        (Click image to enlarge)
        Asus, already known for its stupendous variety of variations on the Eee PC theme, varied from the integrated graphics formula in a netbook once before, with the upmarket-looking GeForce 9300M GS graphics circuitry. Now, the manufacturer has apparently done it again, according to a listing by Italian retailer Computer Discount. The Eee PC 1000HV is said to include an ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics card, with 256MB of dedicated memory, DirectX 10.1 graphics support, and HD video decoder.

        Apart from the ATI graphics, the Eee PC 1000HV looks identical to -- and has the same specified dimensions as -- Asus's previously released 1000HE. Like the 1000HE, and other Asus netbooks such as the 1000HA, the 1000HV uses Intel's 1.66GHz Atom N280, a modest, "off-roadmap" processor revision that's not to be confused with the chipmaker's upcoming "Pine Trail" Atom. (For more details of Pine Trail, see our recent coverage, here.)

        Expected netbook ingredients on the Eee PC 1000HV include a 10.1-inch, LED-backlit screen with 1024 x 600 resolution, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, and Bluetooth 2.0. The netbook also has an SD/MMC card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA output, audio I/O plus stereo speakers, and a 10/100 Ethernet port, according to Computer Discount.

        Features and specifications for the Eee PC 1000HV, taken from existing data for the 1000HE and added to via information published by Computer Discount, where relevant, include:
        • Processor -- 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280
        • Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB
        • Storage -- 160GB hard disk drive
        • Display -- 10.1-inch LED-backlit display with 1024 x 600 resolution, supported by ATI Radeon HD 3450 discrete graphics circuitry
        • Camera -- 1.3 megapixel
        • Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet port
        • Wireless:
          • LAN -- 802.11b/g/n
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
        • Other I/O:
          • 3 x USB 2.0 ports
          • 1 x VGA
          • Audio mic in and line out
        • Expansion -- SD/MMC card reader
        • Battery -- Six-cell battery with up to five hours of battery life (Computer Discount's spec; Asus quotes up to 9.5 hours for the 1000HE model)
        • Dimensions -- 10.4 x 7.52 x 1.5 inches (266 x 191.2 x 38mm)
        • Weight -- n/s for PC 1000HV; 1000HE is 3.19 pounds (1.45kg)
        • Operating system -- Windows XP Home
        Further information

        As noted, the Eee PC 1000HV has not yet been formally announced by Asus. According to Computer Discount, however, the device will be available for 449 Euros (approximately $628). For more information, see the retailer's website, here.


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