Asus EEEPad tablets get details on availability and pricing

I’ve been eagerly awaiting for more news on what could be the first true competitors for the iPad in the world of touch tablets, the Asus EEEPad devices. Still, since they were first displayed at CEBIT in March, details have been more than scarce.

We know that Asus actually prepares two tablets, a 10 inch one, called the EEEPad EP101TC and a 12 incher, the Asus EEE Pad EP121.

10 Inch EEE Pad EP101TC to go for $399, from early next year

The first one will come with a 10 inch display and will be pretty sleek looking. Not sure what the system inside will be, but according to latest rumors, it will run on Tegra 2 and will be offered in two different versions, one with Android and one with Windows Embedded Compact 7. Starting prices will be around $399, which is competitive, but we’re yet to see the features and the specs of the devices for that kind of money.

Also, while some rumors in spring mentioned these pads available during this summer, we will actually have to wait a bit, as Asus’s CEO declared we won’t see the EP101TC sooner than 2011, with the Windows version expected for January and the one powered by Android for March.

My contact at Asus confirmed they will have samples available in January 2011, from what they were promised right now. But knowing Asus, there might be more delays (based on what happened with the T101MT for instance).

While bigger Asus EEEPad EP121 will go for a whooping $1000

Asus also preps the bigger EP121, which will probably bring some ULV hardware from Intel, next to its big 12.1 inch display and Windows 7 OS. This one will be powerful and power is what you need to get top notch experience on any computer with Windows 7. However, expect i to be big, heavy and expensive. Asus says they should have the EP121 available by late December 2010 or early January 2011, but it will cost around $1000, and that’s a hefty price tag by every standard.

Now I fear that by delaying their EEE Pads, Asus will once again loose ground in front of their competitors. The iPad is strong in the US and quickly expands to Europe as well. Plus, the mini 7 inch  iPad and the new generation 10 incher will be available by Q1 2011 too, probably with extra features and better prices.

Other devices will enter the market this year, including some backed up by big names, like HP, Dell or RIM. Acer will flood the market with affordable devices, probably 7 inch tablets and there’s also a bunch of (right now) no-namers on the way, with prices around 200 bucks. So while the EEE Pads look good on paper right now, by the time they will actually reach the store, it might be too late for them already.

So hurry up Asus, it would be a shame to see these marvelous looking EEEPads dead before even born. Of course, I’ll be on a close watch for this subject and will update with details, if something interesting pops out. So don’t forget to subscribe to stay in touch.

Source: Engadget

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Tags: EEE Pad, EEE Tablet, touch tablet

Last updated: August 16, 2010 | Published: August 13th, 2010 | Add the first comment!