(Click here for a larger view of the Asus T91)

Gigabyte M912 (Click image to enlarge)

Asus' T91 was first shown in prototype form at January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), but since then, those wishing to have a netbook whose screen converts into tablet form -- as shown later in our story -- have had to hunt for devices such as the Gigabyte M912 (right), released last year. Now, Asus is apparently ready to make its move, as evidenced both by the appearance of the T91 on the company's U.S. website, and by reports from the Dutch website Asustablet.com.


Asus' T91A (left) has a multi-touch screen, while the T91go (right) has GPS, a TV tuner, and mobile broadband
(Click either to enlarge)
According to Asustablet.com, which cites "an Asus U.K. representative" as its source, there will be three different versions of the T91 -- the standard model shown at the top of the story, the T91A shown above left, and the T91go shown above right. The T91 features a single-touch display and will ship with the Windows XP Home operating system, while the T91A features a multi-touch display and will ship with Windows 7, the website claims. Meanwhile, it's said, the T91go has the single-touch display but adds GPS, a 3G module, and a digital TV tuner.

Other specifications listed for all three models are the same as those provided separately by Asus on its own website. Namely, the T91 devices offer folding, 8.9-inch touchscreen displays (below) with 1024 x 600 resolution, and employ 1.33GHz Atom Z520 processors. Using the expected SCH US15W companion chip from Intel, the T91 comes with 1GB of RAM, expandable to 2GB, says Asus.


The T91, shown with its screen folded over its keyboard
According to Asus, the T91 uses a 16GB SSD (solid state disk) for mass storage, and is also bundled with a 16GB SD memory card, ready to slip into the device's standard "3-in-1" (SD/MMC/SDHC) expansion slot. Featuring a VGA-resolution webcam, the T91 also comes with other typical netbook amenities, such as two USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, an Ethernet connector, stereo speakers, and audio jacks.

Without mentioning the T91A and T91go model numbers mooted by Asustablet.com, the Asus website confirms that the T91 will be offered with optional GPS, a TV tuner, and a 3G cellular model capable of HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access networking). The device also includes 802.11b/g/n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1, the company says.

Claiming that "carrying the T91 will be similar to toting a magazine around," Asus says the T91 measures just 8.85 x 6.45 x 1.11 inches (225 x 164 x 28.4mm) and weighs just 2.11 pounds (0.96kg). A lithium-polymer battery powers the device for up to five hours, the company adds.

Asus' FotoFun software is designed for finger operation
While the T91 will, as mentioned earlier in this story, apparently be offered with either Windows 7 or Windows XP, Asus is also providing its own "sensational" software suite to make the device's touchscreen more functional. The company describes software added to the T91 as follows:

• FotoFun -- FotoFun (pictured above) allows users to flip through, organize and edit their photos with just the flick of a finger. Users can also upload their edited pictures to popular photo-hosting websites conveniently.
  
  
• Memos -- Memos allows users to jot down handwritten notes which can then be "stuck" on the desktop. Users can even send interactive memos from one Eee PC to another.
  
  
• Touch Gate -- Touch Gate lets users to switch between different user interfaces on the fly. Users can choose from XP Mode, which is the standard Windows XP interface with the addition of a convenient application dock; Widget Mode, which displays a plethora of information in neat, easily-organized widgets; or Touch Mode, a streamlined interface featuring large icons that makes it easier to launch applications via fingers.
  
  
• IE Toolbar -- IE Toolbar is a convenient toolbar in Internet Explorer that enables users to easily zoom in and out of web pages by manipulating a slider with their fingers. It also simplifies and speeds up switching between open web pages.

Features and specifications listed by Asus for the T91, supplemented by details provided by Asustablet.com, include the following:

• Processor -- 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520
  
• Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB
  
• Display -- 8.9-inch touchscreen display that folds into tablet mode (single-touch on the T91 and T91go; multi-touch on the T91A)
  
• Camera -- 0.3 megapixel (VGA resolution)
  
• Storage -- 16GB SSD plus bundled 16GB SD card
  
• Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Wireless:
  • LAN -- 802.11b/g/n
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
    
  • WAN -- 3G cellular with HSUPA compatibility (T91go)
    
  • TV tuner (T91go)
    
  • GPS (T91go)
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x VGA output
    
  • 2 x USB 2.0
    
  • Headphone output and microphone input
• Expansion -- SD slot
  
• Battery -- Lithium-polymer; lasts up to five hours
  
• Dimensions -- 8.85 x 6.45 x 1.11 inches (225 x 164 x 28.4mm)
  
• Weight:
  • T91 and T91A -- 2.11 pounds (0.96kg)
    
  • T91go -- 2.24 pounds (1.02kg)

Further information

Asus has not released pricing or availability information for the T91 series, though presumably the Windows 7-equipped T91A will not ship until after that operating system's Oct. 22 release date.

More information on the T91 may be found on the company's website, here.

The Asustablet.com report discussing the T91A and T91go may be found here.

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