(Click here for a larger view of the Eee PC 900)

The Eee PC (Click image for further information)

Since the original two-pound Eee PC went on sale in November 2007, the popular device has sold more than 350,000 units, according to Asus. The original model featured a 7-inch WVGA (800x400) screen, and a customized version of Linux pre-installed on a 4GB solid state drive (SSD).

The original Eee was advertised as "Windows XP compatible," and later shipped with Windows XP in some markets. The new model comes with XP installed from the get-go.

The large bezel around the Eee's screen led observers to conclude that a bigger display was planned, and Asus has now provided exactly that. The Eee PC 900 offers a nine-inch display with WSVGA (1024 x 600) resolution. It fits into the same 8.8 x 6.5 footprint as before, but appears to be slightly thicker, with a slightly larger trackpad.

Mass storage comes in the form of an 8GB SSD -- a capacity since offered on the original Eee as well. A 12GB SSD is also available, apparently on the new model only.

The Eee PC 900 has a 900 MHz Celeron M processor and 1GB of RAM. It also includes a webcam, stereo speakers, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and a 10/100 Ethernet port.

Storage can be added to the device via its SD expansion slot. Some versions of the earlier Eee PC also featured an available internal mini PCI-Express slot, but Asus has not confirmed this as being available in the Eee PC 900.

Also unconfirmed by Asus is the battery life and weight of the Eee PC 900. The original Eee weighs two pounds and is rated for three to four hours of cordless operation.

Features and specifications for the Eee PC 900 include:

• Processor -- Intel Celeron M clocked at 900 MHz
  
• Memory -- 1GB of RAM
  
• Storage -- 8GB or 12GB SSD
  
• Display -- 9-inch color TFT with 1024 x 600 resolution
  
• Camera -- webcam mounted above the screen
  
• Audio -- dual speakers for stereo sound
  
• Networking:
  • 10/100 Ethernet
    
  • 802.11b/g wireless LAN
• Other I/O:
  • 3 x USB
    
  • VGA port for external monitor
• Expansion:
  • SD card reader
    
  • Memory stick reader
    
  • mini PCI-express slot (unconfirmed)

Availability

The Eee PC 900 will be available this summer, according to Asus. A Linux-based but "Windows-ready" configuration will cost 399 Euros (approximately $606); the extra cost for preinstalled Windows XP was not cited.

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