| Asus soft-launches "fashion" netbook |
Oct. 06, 2008
 Asus is apparently poised to launch a "fashion forward" netbook that comes in three metallic colors. Just under an inch thick, the "Eee PC S101" reportedly includes a non-removable lithium-polymer battery pack, and from 16GB to 64GB of SSD (solid state disk) storage.
(Click here for a larger view of the Asus PC S101)
What appeared to be a genuine Asus press release, along with complete specifications and product photos, was posted several days ago by the website HardwareZone.com. The details have now been removed, reportedly at the request of Asus, but have been already reproduced elsewhere. In addition, Asus officials have previously discussed a "more stylish" Eee PC in interviews, and have reportedly shown off the PC S101 at trade shows in Taiwan.
If nothing else, the company's false start demonstrates the futility of retracting information that has already been released onto the Internet. And ironically, it may garner attention for a product that some might otherwise have dismissed as a YAWN (yet another Windows netbook).
Asus's PC S101, dressed in "graphite"
The purported Asus release touts the S101 as an "exquisitely designed netbook for fashion-forward individuals who view style as as much of a factor of success as substance." In other words, the device has pretty much the same ingredients as other Intel Atom-powered netbooks, but wraps them up in a case intended to have a more boardroom-friendly appearance.
The S101, reportedly to be offered in metallic brown, graphite, and champagne, with "crystal adorned hinges," is said to taper from 0.98 inches (25mm) down to 0.7 inches (18mm). This would make it almost as svelte as Apple's MacBook Air, which is 0.76 inches at its maximum.
Whether or not there's room for a 2.5-inch hard disk drive in the S101, Asus has reportedly chosen to launch its glamor netbook only with SSD (solid state disk) storage, offered in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities. In addition, the S101 apparently shares a not-so-nice trait with the MacBook Air -- a non-removable battery that must be replaced by a technician.
If you've been following netbooks, you already know the rest of the story. The S101 follows the pattern set by Asus's Eee PC. Originally, this device came with a 900MHz Celeron M processor and flash storage, but got Atom-ized in June when Asus announced the PC901.
Like the PC901, and most other netbooks, the S101 comes with a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, which has a 533MHz FSB and 512KB L2 cache. The device apparently features the 945GCSE and 82801GBM (ICH7) supporting chips, and is said to feature 1GB of RAM.
Other purported ingredients follow the netbook norm, with 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, Bluetooth, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and a 10.2-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution. A memory card reader, stereo speakers, and a VGA-resolution camera are also said to be included.
Features and specifications listed by what appeared to be an official Asus press release include:- Processor --- 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
- Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM
- Storage -- 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB SSD (solid state drive)
- Display -- 10.2-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution
- Camera -- Front-facing webcam with VGA resolution
- Networking:
- LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet port with RJ45 connector
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- Other I/O:
- 3 x USB 2.0
- 1 x VGA
- Audio mic in and headphone out
- Expansion -- Memory card reader (supports SD, MMC, and Memory Stick formats)
- Battery -- Four-cell, 2450mAH battery pack
- Dimensions (maximum) -- 10.39 x 7.1 x 0.98 inches (264 x 180.5 x 25mm)
- Weight -- 2.2 pounds (1kg)
According to the documents leaked on the Internet, the Asus S101 will come with either Windows XP or GNU Linux. In 32GB configurations, the device will reportedly cost approximately $700, while 64GB versions will sell for around $800.
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