As we've reported, recently released devices have been nibbling away at the boundaries of what constitutes a netbook, once defined as being a mini-notebook with a low-power Intel processor and a screen with a diagonal measurement of 10 inches or less.

Among other factors, netbooks were distinguished by their use of Windows ULCPC, a loss-leader edition of Windows XP Home. Now, while OEMs can apparently ship this venerable OS until October of next year (see Microsoft's product roadmap, here), newly announced machines appear to be favoring Windows 7, eliminating a key differentiator.

In addition, while AMD originally eschewed netbooks, the company's processors have been increasingly found in such devices, including the forthcoming Lenovo ThinkPad X100e. And, at the same time, Intel appears to have relaxed restrictions that reportedly discouraged vendors from using Atom CPUs in devices with displays larger than 11.6 inches.

Whatever the case, Asus has become a leader in producing devices that cross the previously perceived boundaries between "netbook" and "notebook," most notably with its Eee PC 1201 series. The series first made its debut with the Eee PC 1201HA, a device that combines a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU with a 12.1-inch display. In a first for any Asus netbook, the 1201HA -- which went on sale today in the U.S. at Best Buy stores -- offers a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, according to the company.

Asus then released the Eee PC 1201N, which includes the same screen, keyboard, and case, but more powerful innards. Like various other netbooks -- including HP's Mini 311, Lenovo's IdeaPad S12, and Samsung's N510 -- it forsakes the integrated graphics provided by Intel's own supporting chipsets for the Atom, instead turning to Nvidia's Ion. The 1201N also steps up to a dual-core Atom 330 CPU, according to Asus.

Asus' Eee PC 1201T

OUR VERDICT: Asus' Eee PC 1201 series now includes at least three different processors and supporting chipsets, but all look identical -- buyer beware!

Now, Asus is set to announce a third Eee PC 1201 device, according to 52Hardware.com, which published pictures and slides apparently taken from a presentation by the manufacturer. The 1201T, pictured above, is said to employ a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon MV-40 processor, presumably with AMD's RS780 northbridge and SB710 southbridge.

According to a slide reproduced by 52Hardware.com, the 1201T will be positioned as offering "superior HD capability and graphics performance." The device will reportedly include the same 12.1-inch screen as the earlier 1201HA and 1201N, 2GB of RAM, and a 250GB hard disk drive. No word was provided, however, about whether the 1201T will join the 1201N in offering HDMI video output.

It's said the 1201T will have a six-cell battery pack good for up to five hours of operation. Meanwhile, the device will have the same size (11.7 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches) and weight (3.2 pounds) as its two earlier siblings.

Features and specifications listed by Asus for the Eee PC 1201HA, or by 52Hardware.com for the Eee PC 1201T, combine to result in the following:

• Processor -- AMD Athlon MV-40 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Memory -- 2GB of RAM
• Display -- 12.1-inch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Camera -- 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Storage -- 250GB hard disk drive
• Expansion -- SD/MMC card
• Networking:
  • LAN -- Ethernet
  • WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x HDMI (not on 1201HA, but presumed for the 1201T)
  • 1 x VGA
  • 3 x USB 2.0
  • Headphone jack and microphone input
• Battery life -- Up to five hours
• Dimensions -- 11.7 x 8.2 x 1.3 inches
• Weight -- 3.2 pounds

"AMD may be slightly annoyed that something theyve worked to position as an ultra-thin is being marketed as a netbook," Endpoint Technologies analyst Roger Kay was quoted as saying by our sister publication eWEEK.com. "In some sense, there are no real rules to this game. If an OEM chooses to call something a netbook, because it makes it more attractive, thats the way its going to go."

Further information

To see 52Hardware.com's item on the Asus Eee PC 1201T, visit the publication's website, here.

To see Best Buy's product page for the newly available Eee PC 1201HA, go here.

To see eWEEK's coverage quoting Roger Kay, go here.

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