Eee PC to get Atom, extra inch

The chief executive of Asus has confirmed that the Eee PC will get Intel's latest chip and a 10 inch screen - an inch and a bit larger than the recently released 900 edition.

At a press conference today, Jerry Shen said the Atom-version Eee PC will be launched at the Computex show in Taiwan in June. Such a move will help Asus fend off threats from any competing laptops featuring the Atom.

Intel's Atom chip was announced earlier this month in Shanghai.

The bigger screen is also due in June, he said. "Many have asked us for bigger screens and better usability. That's what made us start developing the Eee PC 900," said Shen.

"People are asking for bigger keypads and more software as well, issues the company continues to work on."

The bigger screen will most certainly mean an increase in price for the low-cost laptop. The latest version, the Eee PC 900, is due for UK release on 1 May and is priced at £329. Shen would not confirm any pricing information or a firm release date for the 10-inch device.

He said that the 900, which features an 8.9 inch screen, will make up half of overall Eee PC shipments by June and some 60 per cent of shipments by the second half of the year. The firm said earlier today that its battery shortages were set to end.

Shen also reportedly said 10 inches is as big as the Eee PC will go - not surprising as anything larger would be classed as a standard laptop.

For IT PRO's video look at the Eee PC 900, click here.

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