Asus continue to refresh their Eee product range with all the gusto of a hyperactive speedfreak on a conveyor belt, adding the new 1004DN laptop to their fast-moving collection of netbooks.
Well, we say ‘netbook’, but with the 1004DN being the first Eee to offer a ‘super-Multi optical disc drive (ODD – or CD/DVD writer to normal folks) it’s starting to blur the lines between netbook and small laptop.
As well as packing a DVD writer, the Eee comes with the same generously proportioned keyboard as the 1000HE, offering typing a surface “92% that of a conventional desktop keyboard,” with larger ‘Shift’ key for a speedier pinkie/typing interface.
Inside lurks a 1.66GHz Atom N280 processor, backed by up to 120GB of storage, and there’s a fingerprint scanner for extra security.
There’s also a multi-touch touchpad onboard, plus a digital array microphone and a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam for some webcam/Skype action, with the fabulously named “Eee Splendid” serving up four different visual modes for keeping the multimedia lush and the battery life prolonged.
The Eee range has an excellent reputation for its long life batteries (our Eee 901 has been a stellar performer in this regard) and Asus claim that this puppy can keep on rocking for up to 5.9 hours*.
Specifications
Display 10″ wide active matrix LED backlight TFT, WSVGA 1024×600 pixels, 252K colours max
Dimensions 277mm x 194mm x 27.4-34mm
Weight 1.45kg with HDD (with 6-cell battery and ODD)
Battery Li-Ion 57.72WHrs – 6 cells, 5200mAh
Processor Intel N280 1.66GHz Processor with 512k L2 Cache, FSB 667MHz 2.5W TBP thermal
Chipset Intel GN40, ICH9Mb (Integrated GMA 4500M graphics core)
Main Memory 1 x SODIMM socket for expansion up to 2GB DDRII DRAM
Storage Up to 1.8″ PATA 120GB, 4200 RPM
Communications Built-in Bluetooth v2.1 module, 802.11n, Support Antenna x 2
Camera 1.3 Megapixel Video Camera
Microphone Array Mic
Keyboard Keyboard: W:254mm chiclet type
Audio Hi-Definition Audio CODEC, Built-in high quality stereo speakers