Laptops, Netbooks, Notebooks, NetTops, Eee PC, SmartTops, Mobile PC, Tablet PC

PC Retail is reporting that Asus has confirmed about the rumored Eee PC 904 which will be released in the UK within weeks. According to their source, the Eee PC 904 aside from sporting the Eee PC 1001 chassis but with 8.9-inch screen and as reported earlier a full-size keyboard. In addition, the Eee PC 904 would also come with a HD hence it will officially called as the Eee PC 904 HD. The report didn’t specify exact date as to when the Eee PC 904 will be released, but hints of a possible immediate release (we’re guessing next week?). The Eee PC 904 HD would most likely cost around $498.

Here’s another one of ‘em Eee PC rip off from the Philippines, the Red Fox Wizbook800. This little notebook PC was from a local Philippine PC shop distributes various machines with the RED FOX branding. Feature and specs wise, the Wizbook800 is definitely a local manufacturers take on the Eee PC. And as such its features are almost similar to the Eee PC 701:

• 400 MHZ AMD LX700 processor,
• Linux OS,
• 8-inch LCD (800×400)
• 20GB HD
• 512 MB RAM
• LAN slot RJ-45
• Wi-Fi
• SD/MMC/MS card reader
• 2 USB port
• 2.5 hours battery life

Unfortunately the Wizbook800 doesn’t seem to have a webcam. The product site doesn’t have a pricing detail though. I’m guessing it retails for around $250. The WizBook800 is available only in the Philippines and i doubt if it will be released internationally

It seems that Asus Taiwan will be released the new Eee PC 901 UMPC. The company adds in a new row of buttons between the keyboard and battery and a power plug on the left side. The new Eee PC 901 does not have the Asus logo. There is no further info on the specs.

Asustek confirmed that they will release the Eee PC 900 in the US on May 12th, 2008. Priced at $549.99, this 8.9-inch UMPC will be available in two variants. The first is powered by Windows XP, 12GB of storage, 4GB of Flash memory and an 8GB SSD. Meanwhile, the second model features Linux, a larger 20GB of total storage, 4GB Flash and the 16GB SSD.

From Germany’s Fukato Datacask Jupiter, the Asus Eee PC takes on another challenger. This time coming from the seat of Asian technology in Japan with Kohjinsha’s SA5KXO8AL and SA5KXO8FL.

Both notebooks boast of a preloaded Windows XP Home Edition for OS. Here are the technical details of the two Japanese Asus Eee PC rival:

• 500MHx AMD Geode LX800 processor
• 512MB of 333 MHZ RAM
• 800×480 LED-backli displays
• weighs 945g
• measures 218×163×25.4 mm
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Ethernet
• 2 USB ports
• 3-in-1 memory card
• Compact Flash slot
• audio jacks
• VGA connector

The SA5KXO8AL has an SRP of arpund $591 while the SA5KXO8FL will sell for around $787.

The new Airis Kira 100 which is released in Europe definitely looks almost the same but in different colors. Just like the Asus Eee PC, the Airis Kira 100 is a low-cost ultraportable notebook with an SRP of only around $472.

The Airis Kira 100 has a 7-inch 800×480 pixel display, 1GHz VIA C7 processor, 512 RAM, 2GB internal HD, VGA output, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 56 kbps modem, SD/MMC/MS/CF card reader, webcam, 4 hour battery life (wow!), Linux lite OS and weighs only 1kg.

HP will release a new Asus Eee-PC competitor in April 7th, 2008. Known as the HP 2133, this Ultra Mobile PC comes equipped with 1.2GHz/1.6GHz VIA C7-M processor, VIA Chrome 9 graphics chipset, 8.9inch display with 1,280 x 768 resolution, 120GB/160GB hard drive, 1GB/2GB DDR2 RAM, Windows Vista Home Basic/Business/SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The HP UMPC 2133’s price tag starts from $550 upwards, depending on the configuration.

Asus has currently showcased their new Eee PC at CeBIT 2008. The Eee 900 will run Windows XP with the 9 inch LCD widescreen (1024 x 600 pixels). Here is a video from CeBIT 2008.