| Asus netbook includes optical drive |
Apr. 01, 2009
 Asus has announced a netbook that includes an integral optical disk drive. The Eee PC 1004DN (left) has an Intel Atom N280 processor, a 10-inch display, a 120GB hard disk drive, up to 2GB of RAM, and weighs 3.19 pounds with a six-cell battery, Asus says.
(Click here for a larger view of the Asus PC 1004DN)
Kohjinsha's SR8KPO6S, introduced a year ago
(Click image for further information) |
At 10.9 x 7.55 x 1.33 inches, the PC 1004DN is not the smallest computer to include an integrated optical drive -- we believe that honor may go to the Kohjinsha SR8KPO6S pictured at right, which measures 9.2 x 7 x 1.3 inches and includes a touchscreen that folds into tablet mode. However, the PC 1004DN is the first such device in Asus's Eee netbook line, according to the company.
The optical drive would certainly come in handy for easy loading of Linux distributions on the netbook. The company did not detail operating system support, but the Atom-based system should support both Linux and Windows.
Asus says the PC 1004DN's optical drive reads and writes data from and to standard CD/DVD media, allowing movie playback, data backup, and software installation. At the same time, the netbook's battery, packing six cells for a total of 5200mAh, provides up to five hours of operation, it's claimed.
In another novel move, the PC 1004DN incorporates not only Intel's 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, but also the chipmaker's GN40 northbridge/southbridge combination. Earlier N280 netbooks, the Asus PC1000HE and the PC 1008HA, have apparently used Intel's 945GSE (945GCSE northbridge and 82801GBM southbridge), which typically accompanies the chipmaker's earlier Atom N270.
A roadmap showing Intel's future Atom CPUs
Source: HKPEC.com
(Click to enlarge)
Unlike the 945GSE, the GN40 allows devices to provide HD video, but bumps overall power consumption up to 16.5 Watts, according to a purported Intel roadmap (above) that was leaked on the HKEPC website and widely reproduced elsewhere. Intel still hasn't provided public details of the GN40, nor does Asus elucidate, though the manufacturer does say its PC 1004GN is capable of 720p playback, "for more vibrant and vivid visuals."
According to Asus, the PC 1004DN also includes a fingerprint reader, visible at the right of the device's palm rest in the photo at the top of our story. The reader, a feature often found on corporate laptops, but not on netbooks, allows users to log on and encrypt/decrypt folders using ADSM (Asus data security system) software, the company says.
Other details cited for Asus's mini-notebook are more typical for the breed, including a keyboard "with a typing surface 92 percent of a conventional desktop," a multi-touch keyboard, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Unlike many netbooks, the PC 1004DN also has an Express Card expansion slot, compatible with USB 2.0- and PCI Express-based cards, the company says.
Features and specifications provided by Asus for the PC 1004DN include the following:- Processor -- Intel Atom N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
- Memory -- 1 SODIMM socket for up to 2GB of RAM
- Display -- 10-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution
- Camera -- 1.3 megapixel webcam
- Storage -- Up to 120GB PATA, 4200rpm hard disk drive, plus optical drive that reads/writes CDs and DVDs
- Networking -- n/s, but may include 10/100 Ethernet port
- Wireless:
- 802.11b/g/n
- Bluetooth 2.1
- Two "support antennas" (may be intended for future WiMAX and cellular options)
- Other I/O -- n/s
- Expansion -- Express Card slot
- Battery type/life -- 5200mAh, six-cell battery offers up to 5.9 hours of battery life
- Dimensions -- 10.9 x 7.55 x 1.33 inches
- Weight -- 3.19 pounds
Availability
Asus did not release information on pricing, availability, or operating system support for the Eee PC 1004DN.
-- Jonathan Angel
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.
Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.
Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.
Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.
Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.
Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.
Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.
Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.
Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed
