Asus has given its Eee PC a facelift. The new Eee PC 900 comes with an 8.9-inch widescreen, 1.3-megapixel webcamera, 12GB and 20GB storage, but still weighs less than a kilogram for total mobility.

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According to Asus, one of the major factors attributed to the Eee PC’s success has been mobility, in part due to the use of the built-in solid state disk (SSD) technology which offers a quiet, energy saving and shock proof design for stable computing on-the-go.

CEO of ASUS, Jerry Shen said, “Vital feedback from a wide variety of users has been received, which has spurred us on to create more options to cater to different user requirements.”

Through extensive research and development, the inclusion of the larger 8.9″ display screen with 1024 x 600 resolution allows users to view a single A4 page without the need to scroll left or right, making it more easier when reading or working on documents. The new widescreen also does not affect the overall weight of unit, which remains below 1kg, making it easy for women and children to carry around.

The Eee PC 900 also comes with an innovative FingerGlide feature: with two simple finger movements on the touchpad, users can scroll up and down for easier document viewing or zoom in and out of pictures.

“Due to its lightweight stature, most users will place the Eee PC on their laps or hold them in their hands during use. With the addition of the FingerGlide feature, users will find the Eee PC even more convenient to use,” added Shen.

To suit differing user requirements, the Eee PC 900 is available with Microsoft Windows or Linux operating system. The Microsoft Windows version allows experienced users to seamlessly operate the Eee PC through the familiar Windows interface. It also incorporates Windows Live features such as Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging and Windows Live Mail for consolidated email accounts on the user desktop. Complementing this is Microsoft Works which equips the user with numerous office applications to work efficiently.

The Linux version is suited to users who desire an icon-driven and easy point-and-click interface – well suited for children or users with limited computer experience. It provides a fast boot-up time, ideal for quick internet access while waiting for public transport or taking notes on-the-go.

The Eee PC 900 will be available in Australia in May 2008 with a recommended retail price of AU$599 for the 12GB XP version and AU$649 for the 20GB Linux version. The Eee PC 900 XP version will be available through selected retailers and the Linux version will be available through computer resellers.

See: www.asus.com