ASUS gives Eee PC 900 mid-May US launch

ASUS today broke out of its normal schedule to firm up the US launch schedule for the Eee PC 900. The 8.9-inch update to the design will ship on May 12th and will come in the same trim levels as its international counterparts. Every updated Eee will come with 1GB of memory, an unspecified Intel processor (initially believed to be the Celeron M), and a 1.3-megapixel camera. The company will ship both a Windows XP version with 12GB of storage and a version using the original Linux OS with 20GB of storage. Variants should also be available in black or white.

The launch system will be available for $549 regardless of operating system; ASUS doesn't explain the $50 increase over earlier predictions, though previous estimates by the company had suggested the 900 would ship with just 8GB of flash onboard, similar to top-end 7-inch Eee PCs. The firm also hasn't said when it expects versions with 3G or WiMAX access will be available, but is believed to be readying one for the summer launch of Sprint's Xohm wireless service. [via Notebook Review]

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Other story tags: Linux, Intel, sprint, ASUS, Eee PC, WiMAX, Atom, Xohm, Celeron