Asus just introduced a lineup of new 10.1 inch netbooks, including the 1025C/CE and the X101CH.
These netbooks are part of the Flare line, exposing Asus’s new direction in terms of design and hardware regarding the netbook market. Replacing the successful Seashell design, Flares are closer to ultrabooks in terms of design, having slimmer bodies and low profile hinges.
As for what’s inside, the 1025C comes with Cedar Trail hardware, namely the N2600 dual core CPU running at 1.66 GHZ and integrated graphics able to decode 720p video. There’s also 1 GB of DDR3 memory, a 5400 rpm HDD, 0.3 MP camera, 3 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi and Ethernet, as well as a HDMI port to play those HD movies on a more proper display, as the 10 inch panel on the netbook got stuck in the dark ages and it comes with a 1024 x 600 resolution.
The 2.7 pounder comes with a six cell battery that should go on a single charge for a maximum of ten hours. The 1025C starts at $299 and ships next month, and you’ll be able to choose between gray, blue, red, pink or black. The better spec-ed 1025CE comes with a N2800 1.86 GHZ dual core CPU and goes for $319.
Asus 1025C to pack N2600 dual core Cedar Trail CPU
As always, Asus has in mind budget conscious users and for them rolls out the X101CH, which relies on the same hardware as the 1025C, namely the N2600 Cedar Trail CPU, but has a 3 cell battery instead, a good enough reason to set the asking price at 269 bucks. Besides these, Asus will also release an AMD Fusion powered 12.1 inch netbook, named 1225B. The machine will pack the dual core Fusion E-450, two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI port, 2 GB of RAM, Bluetooth 3.0, a 1366 x 768 display and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium, while the Cedar Trail offerings have to settle for Windows 7 Starter.
Asus X101CH is the cheapest of the bunch
Hopefully we’ll get to test one of these new goodies soon enough and see how they deal when thrown against battery and performance tests. Stay tuned.
Update: here’s our hands on video with the netbooks. Enjoy.
