Asus has designed a new range of Eee PCs designed to capture the hearts of a wider range of miniature PC lovers, the company has confirmed.

According to a report by Digitimes, Jerry Shen, president of Asus, has said that Ultimate and Pro Fashion ranges of the PC are in devlopment. The current range – Smart Casual – holds 11 Eee models differentiated mainly by their storage and processor options.

According to an Asus Eee roadmap image that appeared online earlier this week, the Pro Fashion category will contain the 1000HV, 1002SA, 1002HA, and T101. The Ultimate category will contain the S101 and S91 Eee PCs. But none of this information was confirmed by Shen.

Related stories

• Dell to launch 'Eee PC beater' today
• Fujitsu leaks netbook news
• Sub £200 mini laptop launched
• Asus confirms Eee Stick controllers
• Micron debuts SSD duo
• Lenovo heralds netbook PC duo
• LG plotting autumn offensive against Eee PC?
• Asus Eee Box UK desktop debut delayed?
• Asus Eee PC storms Euro PC maker chart
• Asus blames lack of Linux Eee PCs on Atom hold-ups
• Japanese tiny PC fans offered 50p Eee

Very little is known about the specifications of any of the new models yet. However, Shen confirmed to Digitimes that models in the two new categories will features dual-core Atom processors and either a 120GB HDD or a 32GB SSD.

For example, one 32GB SSD model will feature a 10.1in display and have a battery life of between four and five hours. It’s expected to ship in September for roughly $700 to $900 (£450/€575) and will be Asus’ high-end model.

Asus has set itself a target of shipping between 1.5 and 1.6m Eee PCs in the third quarter, meaning it will have sold roughly 5m units worldwide within one year.

More comments…