Asus’s next-gen netbook, the MeeGo-running Eee PC X101, is nearing launch and just earned its very own product page on the company’s website. This notebook, and its slightly more bloated brother, the Windows-ifed X101H, are nearing launch and ready to usher netbooks into a new age of prosperity.
Netbooks aren’t dead. As much as some feel that they hurt the personal computer cause, consumers seemingly have no issue trading computing power for portability. The little notebooks hit the big time several years back and would probably still be a hot ticket if it weren’t for the iPad.
The Asus Eee PC X101 made the rounds at industry tradeshows the last few months. Asus is understandably proud of the slender MeeGo netbook. It’s expected to hit the market sometime this month for only $200 with the Windows version running an extra bill.
Slashgear points out that the X101 runs a 1.5GHz Intel Atom Oak Trail platform that supports 802.11 b/g/n, dual USB ports, and 1GB of RAM. Meego is loaded on a 8GB SSD and runs on a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display.
The MeeGo OS should solve the lackluster performance aspect that plagued netbooks previously. The system is built for low-power computing platforms, which should make a difference.
Asus defined the netbook space the first time around and, if the netbook market is going to get a revival, it will come from the Asus tent with the X101 at the podium.