Asus throttles back Eee PC WiMax drive
Upcoming Atom-based sub-notebook to get Bluetooth instead?
Asus' Atom-based Eee PC 901 will come bundled with Bluetooth in addition to the new case design that emerged last week. But it won't have WiMax as standard.
Taiwanese website DigiTimes claimed that moles had told it Asus is aiming the Eee-oriented WiMax module at contract customers - essentially, service providers who will offer Eee PCs as part of or alongside their WiMax airtime packages - rather than individual buyers.
Asus' Eee PC 901: Bluetooth in, WiMax out?
The reason? WiMax isn't going to take off until next year at least, Asus is said to believe. That suggests its plan to release a WiMax-ready Eee, outlined in January this year, is on hold. Back then, Asus bosses said the WiMax hardware would debut in Q2.
It may still do so. This quarter, Intel is expected to offer 'Echo Peak', a Mini PCI module for Centrino-brand laptops. It's likely that that's the unit Asus was planning to fit inside upcoming Eee PCs, at least as an optional extra.
It was never said which Eees would get the WiMax option, but it's hard to imagine Asus not considering it a possibility for the 901. According to the company, that machine will launch on 3 June, debuting in Taiwan for less than NT$20,000 ($655/£335/€421).
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COMMENTS
At least some of the IT press are following the story
It seems The Reg is still licking the hand of Asus, at least PCPro is still following the EeePC battery farce and have now got an admission from Asus about the deficient 4400mAh battery.
www.pcpro.co.uk/news/201579/
"An Asus spokesperson told PC Pro that the company is in dialogue with customers over the issue. "For the £10 deal you are speaking about, we're not sure which battery it is yet," the spokesperson said. "We will do an official announcement in due course."
Why not HSDPA module?
If the WiMax support arrives as a separate module, why can't ASUS offer a separate HSDPA module so we can use an existing wireless network rather than one that doesn't exist?
EeePC 900 BATTERY - UK RIP OFF!
I would also like to know what ASUS thought they were doing packaging their old Surf 4400 mAh batteries with the UK PC900's.
ASUS seem to be ignoring all emails asking why, but for some reason ASUS were quick to change the inferior battery for the proper 5800mAh battery in Hong Kong when there were complaints.
I think people should reconsider buying from a company like this that treats a segment of customers so badly.
What happened? The Reg doesn't even seem interested in the story, I wonder why?
On the other hand...
It looks a bit big compared to an iPhone?
Battery for Jesus Crispies.....
Agree with the above comment on the Asus 900 UK battery. Why isn't there a story which exposes Asus to the world on El Reg?.
Asus completely shafts JUST the UK market, while everywhere else that has the EEE PC 900 is supplied with higher capacity batteries, And from the way things are looking, countries that will be getting the EEE, will also be getting the normal battery.
Is this some kind of chinese grudge against the UK? What did we ever do to them?? Where the f- is the story on this?
Paris because...serveral people must be having blonde moments for this to go unchecked...
