ASUS has announced that it has started shipping the first Eee PCs with mobile broadband support. The technology called High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) enables a higher upload rate than normal 3G broadband and the computer does not need an external USB dongle to connect (ASUS calls the technology 3.75G). Browsing the web is one of the key elements of a netbook and integrated support for 7.2Mbps mobile broadband makes this all the more obvious. ASUS will be going for 6-cell batteries with more than 7.5 hour battery time with the new models.
Press release after the break;
Eee PC™ to Feature 3.75G for Internet Access Anywhere
Coupled with All-day Battery Life, 3.75G Capability Puts Eee PC’s™ Status as the Ultimate Travel Companion Beyond Question
Stockholm, Sweden; October 2, 2008 – ASUS today announced that it will be adding 3.75G connectivity to its hugely-popular series of Eee PC™ netbooks, enabling convenient and high-speed access to the Internet anytime, anywhere. The inclusion of 3.75G is a perfect addition to the Eee PC’s™ existing set of travel-friendly features such as its high portability, shockproof data storage and all-day battery life—strengthening its reputation as the ultimate solution for computing on the go.
With 3.75G, the Eee PC™ will be able to deliver on its promise of borderless one-day computing better than ever before. No longer bound to Internet hotspots, 3.75G-equipped Eee PC™ users will be able to enjoy low latency mobile broadband Internet access at high downlink and uplink speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and 2 Mbps* respectively, regardless of where they are—ensuring a seamless connected experience on the go. The Eee PC’s™ 7.5-hour battery life** provides more than ample power to keep it up and running during extended outdoors.
Frequent travelers will particularly welcome the timely addition of 3.75G support that is, which comes as service providers around the globe are ramping up their adoption of 3.75G High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). The Eee PC 901 can be bought separately without being bundled to a phone operator.
3.75G will make its first appearance in Eee PC™ 901 netbooks released to market from October 2008 onward.
Specifications
| Model | Eee PC™ 901 with 3.75G |
| Operating System | Genuine Windows® XP Home |
| Display | 8.9″ |
| CPU & Chipset | Intel Atom |
| Wireless Data Network | WLAN: 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth: Yes |
| Memory | 1 GB (DDR2) |
| Storage | 16 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) 20 GB free online Eee Storage |
| Memory Card Reader | MMC/SD (SDHC) |
| Camera | 1.3 M Pixel |
| Audio | HD Audio Stereo speakers Digital Array Mic |
| Battery | 6 Cells, 7.5 hrs** |
| Dimensions | 25 mm (W) x 175.5 mm (D) x 22.7 mm ~ 39 mm (H) |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Casing Colors | Black or White |
* Actual speeds are operator dependent.
** Actual battery life is subject to usage, configuration, as well as model.
About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than eight thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s turnover for 2007 was 6.9 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service in Taiwan.
