Asus Unveils 12" Ion-Powered Eee PC 1201N Netbook

Netbooks based around NVIDIA's Ion graphics technology aren't entirely new, though the few that are equipped just started shipping recently. Up until now, Asus has managed to avoid Ion within its expanding Eee PC line, but we're thrilled to see the company's first netbook announced with what amounts to being a real, hard-working GPU.

The Eee PC 1201N Multimedia Netbook ($499 MSRP) is one of the best specced netbooks out there, packing an Atom 330 processor (dual core), NVIDIA Ion graphics, a total of 750GB hybrid storage, a 12.1" HD screen, HDMI output, 2GB or 3GB of DDR2 RAM, Wi-Fi and a 0.3MP camera. It will ship in black or silver, but a specific release date isn't available.

ASUS Shatters Netbook Conventions with High Performance
Eee PC™ 1201N Multimedia Netbook

 

Effective Integration of Intel® Atom™ 330 Dual Core Processor and NVIDIA® ION™ Graphics Acceleration Delivers Unprecedented Netbook Performance

 

Fremont, CA (November 18, 2009) - Multimedia-minded consumers who prize the portability of netbooks but lament the typical lack of processing muscle now have a reason to rejoice. ASUS has launched the Eee PC™ 1201N, a multimedia netbook sporting an Intel® Atom™ 330 dual core processor and an NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor that delivers a level of performance never before seen on netbooks. The stylish Eee PC™ 1201N also offers exceptional typing comfort through a full-sized ergonomic chiclet keyboard, and comes with a total of 750GB* hybrid storage to house and host massive multimedia collections.

Faster than Ever Before

The Eee PC™ 1201N marks a radical departure from other netbooks that usually feature single core Atom™ processors. With its Intel® Atom™ 330 dual core processor, NVIDIA ION graphics, and two-DIMM, dual-channel DDR memory architecture, the Eee PC™ 1201N will set new netbook performance benchmarks. More importantly, this combination shatters today’s netbook conventions by delivering a rich multimedia experience.

 

A New World of Multimedia Possibilities

The Eee PC™ 1201N features the award-winning NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor which provides a superior multimedia experience including support for HD video and PC games. NVIDIA® CUDA™ technology further boosts the Eee PC™ 1201N’s ability to work with visual content, accelerating processor-intensive tasks such as video editing and conversion.

 

The Eee PC™ 1201N also comes preinstalled with ArcSoft SimHD, which upscales standard definition video content to high definition. SimHD, a plug-in for ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater, dramatically enhances the quality of images and supports a wide range of file formats. Users can enjoy a smooth HD video experience on the unit’s 12.1” high definition screen, or have the option of enjoying full 1080p HD video with true-fidelity 7.1 audio on HDTVs via the built-in HDMI port.

 

Rene Haas, general manager for notebook GPUs at NVIDIA said, “The ASUS Eee PC 1201N delivers exceptional performance for a netbook. This ION-powered Eee PC is ideal for anyone who wants a netbook with the ability to watch HD video, share and edit photos, play casual games, and convert video to a portable media player. With the upcoming Flash Player 10.1 from Adobe, it will soon handle streaming HD video as well as a high-end desktop PC.”

 

Massive Storage for Massive Multimedia Collections

The Eee PC™ 1201N is fully equipped to handle the large amounts of memory that digital media consumes. Boasting a 250GB HDD and 500GB*** of online ASUS WebStorage—a total of 750GB—the Eee PC™ 1201N provides ample storage for users’ movies, music and photos. ASUS WebStorage not only makes it easy for users to share their media with friends and family, it grants them access to free games, desktop wallpapers, and software via a simple drag and drop interface.

 

Specifications

Eee PC™ 1201N
Display		12.1" LED-backlit WXGA screen (1366 x 768)
Operating System		Genuine Windows® 7
CPU		Intel® Atom™ 330 Dual Core processor NVIDIA® ION™ Graphics
Default Memory		DDR2 SO-DIMM 2GB/3GB**
Storage		250GB HDD/320GB + 500GB* ASUS WebStorage
Wireless Data Network		802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR**
Battery Life		5hrs*, 6-Cell 63Wh Li-ion Battery
Multimedia	Camera	0.3M Pixels** (with digital zoom function)
	Audio Codec	Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
	Speakers	Stereo Speakers
	Built-in Mic	High Quality Mic
Interface		1 x VGA Port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 1 x HDMI, 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in), Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)
Physical	Dimensions	296mm (W) x 208mm (D) x 27.3~ 33.3mm (H)
	Weight	1.46kg (3.22lbs)
Colors		Black, Silver

* Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations. For more information, please visit http://eeepc.asus.com/global/computing.html. The estimated maximum battery life in Windows® 7 is measured with MobileMark® 2.

** Availability is dependent on selected model, country or operator support. Check with your local ASUS website for more details.

*** Complimentary one-year 500GB ASUS WebStorage trial. Please visit www.asuswebstorage.com for more details.

Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more information.