ASUS GOES ATOMIC WITH INTEL CENTRINO ATOM

ASUS announced that it was bolstering its volume-selling, low-cost Eee PC with a range of 2nd-generation models at the same time as priced higher than the £210 one at present pays for the base Eee 701 model - would offer larger screens, more-spacious flash-based drives, and WiMAX connectivity as regular. Now, ASUS has approved that it will be utilizing the low-power Intel Centrino Atom processor, in its Diamondville appearance, as brains behind the outfit, replacing the serving Celeron and keeping costs down.

What's just as interesting is that the company expects the bulk of projected Eee PC-based sales in 2008 - some 60 per cent, in fact to be based on models shipping with MS Windows XP operating system, with Linux-based operating systems building up the bulk of remaining sales. ASUS is also enthusiastic on the continued success of the blossoming Eee PC line, indicating that it expects to ship some 5million units this year.

The original Eee PC was a triumph because it found a rather large niche in the market and subjugated it fully. 2nd-generation models, kicking off with the Eee 900, starting at a projected £299, will do battle with an overabundance of other Atom-powered 'laptops' and entry-level laptops. Success isn't as easy to come by 2nd time around.