If Asus did one thing with the EEE, it was to create enough buzz to kick off a new category of notebook. I can give them credit for that. They failed to be as aggressive as they could have been, and that will cost them as the EEE gets swept away by much better engineered and lower priced rivals. Dell has made their intentions known, now its Acer’s turn. UMPC obtained some clear shots of the chassis.
Acer is the company that keeps HP and Dell up at night. Extreme value, innovative design, and good quality is the reason. Their entry into the new inexpensive mini notebook category has a lot of industry watchers on alert; this could be good. A rumored price 100 euros less than an EEE 900 sounds good to me.
Alleged specs (courtesy of wojwoda NBR forums)
• Processor: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz) - this is a single core chip with HyperThreading
• Chipset: Intel 82945GMS + Intel 82801GBM
• OS: Highly modified Acer Linux (Acer smartfile manager, home page navigator)
• Memory: 512 MB
• Mass storage: 8 GB SSD
• Screen size: 8.9″ Acer CrystalBrite (1024×600), LED backlight
• Wireless: 802.11b/g, Acer SignalUp technology
• Ports: 5-in-1 cardreader, SD slot, 3xUSB, VGA, RJ-45, headphone/lineout, microphone, Acer CrystalEye webcam
• Keyboard: 95% full size keyboard, touchpad with scroll zone
• Dimensions: 249 (w) x 170 (d) x 29 (h) mm, 2.17 lbs
• Power: 3 cell, 2200 mAh, 30 W AC adapter
