ASUS adding 3G connectivity to boost Eee PC appeal

by Stevie Smith - Sep 26 2008, 07:05

In a tech week that has been somewhat quiet on the Netbook front, a piece of connectivity news attributed to ASUSTeK’s increasingly popular Eee PC should send prospective Netbook owners into the weekend sporting a knowing smile in light of their continuing decision to hold off on a purchase.

More pointedly, reports are currently circulating across the Web that suggest ASUS is set to launch 3.75G HSUPA connectivity into its Eee PC 901 platform, which not only equates to standard HSDPA connection speed but also bolsters performance by delivering even quicker data upload speeds.

Although presently unconfirmed by ASUS, industry watchers are claiming that the revamped Eee PC 901 will provide download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and upload performance capable of hitting 2.0Mbps.

Not alone in its embracement of super-swift broadband connectivity, ASUS’s decision to shift its Eee PC line towards the advantages of 3G technology follows the likes of fellow Netbook manufacturers Dell and Acer, both of which have recently revealed plans to utilise 3G.

There is currently no word regarding pricing or potential network carriers that ASUS will align itself to, while Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 will join exclusively with Vodafone and Acer’s Aspire One will apparently be open to all networks.

The 3.75G HSUPA version of the 8.9-inch Eee PC 901 is expected to be officially launched before the close of October.

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