Computex 2011: Asus Unveils The Eee PC X101
![Computex 2011: Asus Unveils The Eee PC X101 [Asus Eee PC X101 To Feature A 10" Display, Intel Atom N435 Processor, 6-Cell Battery & Dual-Boot Windows 7 & MeeGo]](http://nexus404.com/Blog/thumbnailimages/alt/asus-eee-pc-x101-meego-netbook-480TFTSThumb220153.jpg)
We previously watched as Asus unveiled their tablet and smartphone combo, the Padfone and now we have another Eee PC branded netbook. Though, we must warn you that this one comes with some surprise. And sadly it is not the surprise in the form of Chrome OS that I had been hoping to see.
Instead, Asus unveiled the Eee PC X101 which is going to be a dual-boot netbook running Windows 7 and MeeGo. Yes, as much as it pains us to say, we did mean to type MeeGo. Though, to try and take a nice spin on that, you don’t have to actually use MeeGo and plus, the X101 does have a rather nice look to it.
But looks aside, the Eee PC X101 will bring features to include a 10 inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution, Intel Atom N435 processor, GMA600 graphics, the chiclet style keyboard and options for either a 3 or 6 cell battery.
Other goodies will include two USB ports, headphone jack, dual-microphones, webcam and exterior colors to include black, white, gold and red. And while the netbook was being described as slim, we have learned that it will measure in at 17.6 mm (around 0.69 inches). In addition, the Eee PC X101 will weigh in at 950 grams (around 2.09 pounds.
And lastly, Asus has noted the the X101 will be selling for around $199. But with that, we have yet to learn when it will be available for sale. That all being sale, depending on that N435 processor, (which has not been seen before) we still may think this could be a decent buy for the price. Well, that is as long as you are looking to do some basic computing and can live with a 10 inch display.
Bottom line, even as someone who remains a fan of the netbook, I have to question this. Or at least question this based off the flashy sounding “next evolution of the Eee PC” line that they used to tease. And while it may be the next evolution for the Eee, it is using a previous evolution for software. Seriously, MeeGo?
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The TFTS Team
You realize MeeGo can run the same browser (Chrome) that you are entirely limited to in ChromeOS and you can run the same web apps? Oh, you can also run Meego apps and other Linux apps. You also realize ChromeOS uses much of the same Linux Kernel MeeGo does?
Its not just about running the Chrome browser, its about having the quick and lightweight user experience that comes with Chrome OS. Sure MeeGo may be able to recreate some of that, but coming in a machine that dual-boots MeeGo and Windows 7 is not the same.
Let me ask you a question then, where does the lightweight experience come from? Is it the EFI BIOS? I’m thinking Chrome and MeeGo share the same here. Is it the OS kernel? Again, same. Is it the UX layer? Perhaps, but everything I’ve read or seen shows MeeGo to be optimized around this. OS services? I’m thinking both have about the same amount of work to do (network management, display driver, etc). Crapware? I think both should pass this test.
I would say that ChromeOS and MeeGo are likely to be similar in responsiveness. Your choice is do you want native apps to manage facebook/mail/music/etc where it may be a more natural fit, or do you want to rely solely on the still maturing HTML5 ecosystem for your web apps (especially if off line)?
I would say either choice is much better than Windows 7, because 7 certainly overwhelms this low power hardware.
My argument is not so much Chrome OS against MeeGo, but having a system that is dual-booting with Windows 7. That said, I would prefer Chrome OS over MeeGo for the simple fact that I use Google for just about everything.
MeeGo is in every way better than ChromeOS. It is more open and it doesn’t lock you into a silo of one wendor. And trying both on my current Atom CPU netbook MeeGo is actually more atractive and even more responsive. It’s just a smart technical decision from ASUS to go with MeeGo.