14 DAY TRIAL // Asustek's prodigy, the second-generation Eee PC missed the Consumer Electronics Show this year. Although it has been officially announced for the event, Asus delayed it until the mid-2008.
Asus' decision is a big disappointment for those that took the announcement seriously: the company was supposed to "present wireless devices that are compatible with WiMax, including next-generation mobile solutions (such as the next-generation Eee PC)", as the CES invitation read.
The second generation of Asus Eee PC includes a totally revamped version of the company's previous bestseller. The new sub-notebook is expected to come with a resolution of 1024 x 600, as well as WiMax connectivity.
The enhanced resolution is rumored to lay the ground for Windows XP, as Asus promised some time ago. Moreover, Linux lacks full-fledged drivers to support the WiMax hardware, so Windows XP pre-loaded Eee units are almost certain.
However, the delay seems to be deliberate, and Asus has staged the official launch in the second quarter of the year for a reason: around that time, Intel will start shipping the 'Echo Peak' WiMax module for Centrino laptops. Although the Eee PC will not be powered by a Centrino processor, it's almost sure that it will use Intel's technology in order to achieve WiMax connectivity.
Some other technical specifications for the Eee successor are still unknown, but the producer managed to confirm that it will feature the same compact design, as well as solid-state drive storage, a webcam and "an intuitive user interface".
Although Asus refused to showcase the new Eee, they did boast the R50A UMPC, a PDA-like approach to the tablet computing. The device is announced to include a GPS location unit as well as WiMax connectivity. The UMPC's display is a 5.6-inch, 1024 x 600 LCD that can be read even in bright sunlight.