Rumor: Asus Eee Pad

Nate the great · 12-11-2009, 09:08 AM

Yesterday Digitimes reported:

Quote:

Asustek Computer is making preparations to launch a new device named Eee Pad featuring a 4- to 7-inch panel, and which will offer a combination of tablet PC and MID functions, according to industry sources. Current details of the Eee Pad suggest the product has been inspired by the rumors of Apple's planned tablet device, the sources commented.

from:
http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Ne...&query=ASUSTEK

Normally I wouldn't place much faith in this rumor, but I happen to have another piece of information. Asus has scheduled a press conference at CES for the Tuesday before it begins. Why would they do that if they weren't going to announce a new gadget?

dadioflex · 12-11-2009, 09:54 AM

Edit.

Sweetpea · 12-11-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadioflex

The Archos and the Smartq, and others are already out there. I just don't see the point unless they do something incredible with the battery life.

I would like a tablet with Windows, not CE or linux or android or whatever else os's there are...

Besides, since when is more choice not better?

EowynCarter · 12-11-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

I would like a tablet with Windows, not CE or linux or android or whatever else os's there are...

Archo 9 is with windows 7 starter.

Quote:

Besides, since when is more choice not better?

Quite right

And Eee Tablet sounds like a nice concept to me.

Sweetpea · 12-11-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Archo 9 is with windows 7 starter.

Quite right

And Eee Tablet sounds like a nice concept to me.

Yes, the 9"... But the Asus will be 7" and smaller...

TallMomof2 · 12-11-2009, 02:30 PM

If anyone can make an affordable tablet, it'll be Asus. I have one of their early minis and it's a pretty neat little piece of hardware.

brecklundin · 12-11-2009, 07:03 PM

I have tagged Asus as the company most likely to jump on the Pixel Qi train and bring out a device exactly like described in the link....I still feel it is a pretty safe bet.

Ben0 · 12-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

If anyone can make an affordable tablet, it'll be Asus. I have one of their early minis and it's a pretty neat little piece of hardware.

I have a Eee Box (B202) and an Eee 801 (netbook) an I love them both!
A await the Tablet with baited breath!!

m-reader · 12-13-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I have tagged Asus as the company most likely to jump on the Pixel Qi train and bring out a device exactly like described in the link....I still feel it is a pretty safe bet.

Something tells me 2010 will be a good year for e-readers. This would be an (almost) ideal reader for me. My only worry is that Pixel Qi tech won't do much for battery life.

brecklundin · 12-13-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m-reader

Something tells me 2010 will be a good year for e-readers. This would be an (almost) ideal reader for me. My only worry is that Pixel Qi tech won't do much for battery life.

now that would depend on a variety of factors, not just the screen. Jepsen was clear to point out that a lot depends on how the device maker implements the power saving modes of the panels into the device itself. She pointed out that it was likely the first gen devices might not use the panels as efficiently as possible. Nobody knows for sure exactly what we will see.

Also, the power savings will depend on how each individual actually uses the device and in which screen mode. I would expect if used in transflective mode where there is zero backlight used, then there would be a significant increase in battery life. If used in normal backlit mode then of course it would make a difference in battery runtime. It's not magic only a panel tech which adds a couple low power modes to conserve power. Indoors in a dimly lit room odds are the transflective mode (no backlight), as shown in Charbax's video interview with Jepsen, but in those lighting conditions near typical power is needed for the backlight.

The thing about these panels is they offer nice mode options for the mfg and/or user to select as the situation requires. This, in addition to being full color panels, is something the current Eink brand/type epaper panels do not, and likely will not ever, offer.

Alisa · 12-13-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

now that would depend on a variety of factors, not just the screen. Jepsen was clear to point out that a lot depends on how the device maker implements the power saving modes of the panels into the device itself. She pointed out that it was likely the first gen devices might not use the panels as efficiently as possible. Nobody knows for sure exactly what we will see.

Also, the power savings will depend on how each individual actually uses the device and in which screen mode. I would expect if used in transflective mode where there is zero backlight used, then there would be a significant increase in battery life. If used in normal backlit mode then of course it would make a difference in battery runtime. It's not magic only a panel tech which adds a couple low power modes to conserve power. Indoors in a dimly lit room odds are the transflective mode (no backlight), as shown in Charbax's video interview with Jepsen, but in those lighting conditions near typical power is needed for the backlight.

The thing about these panels is they offer nice mode options for the mfg and/or user to select as the situation requires. This, in addition to being full color panels, is something the current Eink brand/type epaper panels do not, and likely will not ever, offer.

Unfortunately this means they will likely put as big a battery as they reasonably can in it which might make it heavier and hotter than I'd like for a reader. I'd still find it compelling as a tablet, though. Just not something I'd want to hold for hours at a time.

JSWolf · 12-13-2009, 01:29 PM

Digitimes just has no credibility any longer. So anything they say that's not able to be confirmed elsewhere is to be taken and ignored.

brecklundin · 12-13-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

Unfortunately this means they will likely put as big a battery as they reasonably can in it which might make it heavier and hotter than I'd like for a reader. I'd still find it compelling as a tablet, though. Just not something I'd want to hold for hours at a time.

ok...

LDBoblo · 12-13-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

Unfortunately this means they will likely put as big a battery as they reasonably can in it which might make it heavier and hotter than I'd like for a reader. I'd still find it compelling as a tablet, though. Just not something I'd want to hold for hours at a time.

I'll reserve my speculation about the application suitability and design constraints of an Asus product until after it's announced.

fugazied · 12-13-2009, 04:23 PM

These guys are hardware making pros, they will be very cheap and will function pretty well. Probably won't be great for e-books at that size, but a very cool little device when it comes out.

I've used their netbooks and they are pretty sweet, perfect for browing while on the couch. Also they might make for great media center/household controllers. If it is a linux version it will be open source and all kinds of crazy software will emerge.

12-11-2009, 09:54 AM	#2
dadioflex Dyslexic Count Posts: 526 Karma: 5041991 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Palm TX, Advent Vega, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle	Edit. Last edited by dadioflex; 12-15-2010 at 06:47 PM.

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12-11-2009, 02:30 PM	#6
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	If anyone can make an affordable tablet, it'll be Asus. I have one of their early minis and it's a pretty neat little piece of hardware.

12-11-2009, 07:03 PM	#7
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	I have tagged Asus as the company most likely to jump on the Pixel Qi train and bring out a device exactly like described in the link....I still feel it is a pretty safe bet.

12-13-2009, 01:29 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,746 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Digitimes just has no credibility any longer. So anything they say that's not able to be confirmed elsewhere is to be taken and ignored.

12-13-2009, 04:23 PM	#15
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	These guys are hardware making pros, they will be very cheap and will function pretty well. Probably won't be great for e-books at that size, but a very cool little device when it comes out. I've used their netbooks and they are pretty sweet, perfect for browing while on the couch. Also they might make for great media center/household controllers. If it is a linux version it will be open source and all kinds of crazy software will emerge.