Asus sexes up Eee PC 1000 series

Notebook-style netbook debuts

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

15th December 2008 12:47 GMT

Asus has sexed-up the 10in end of its Eee PC line with a new-look glossy design it hopes will win buyers who might have otherwise opted for rival netbooks.

Asus' Eee PC 1002HA: catching up with rivals' sexy netbooks?

So, will you please welcome the 1in-thick Eee PC 1002HA, a 1.2kg machine with a more notebook-like look that previous 1000-series Eees.

The design may be different, but the spec's largely the same: 1.6GHz Atom N270, 1 GB of DDR 2 memory, Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 1.3-megapixel webcam, 1024 x 600 screen resolution.

Brushed metal laptop look

The 1002HA comes with a 160GB hard drive and a 4200mAh battery that, Asus claimed, can deliver up to 4.15 hours' runtime, though that's with the processor underclocked to 800MHz, we suspect - a tweak made possible by the Eee's Super Hybrid Engine power conservation tech.

The whole machine measures 264 x 181 x 28mm, with the keyboard measuring 254mm - 92 per cent of standard size.

There's no word yet on pricing or UK availability.