ASUS drops WiMAX as standard Eee PC feature
updated 07:10 am EDT, Mon May 19, 2008
ASUS Eee PC Drops WiMAX
ASUS is dropping WiMAX as a stock feature of the Eee PC 901, those inside the PC industry reportedly claim. Where ASUS had once promised that the 4G wireless service would be standard on at least one model, the company is now reportedly convinced that WiMAX, particularly through Clearwire and Sprint in the US, won't have enough coverage in 2008 for the feature to be worth inclusion. The addition will only be available through contract orders, says the report.
The Taiwan-area system builder is nonetheless believed to be committed to keeping WiMAX in larger PCs, including the V1, Lamborghini VX2, and U6; 14- and 15.4-inch models are also said to be coming to the US with the intent of being used on the services launching later this year.
No information has been given regarding when ASUS plans to add WiMAX as a feature of the Eee PC, or what price premium if any will accompany the larger WiMAX-equipped notebooks.
