Asus Eee PC 1000HE Netbook Will Support Longer Working Hours

It’s been a while since we were last hearing from Asus about any new netbook release, but no worries the Taiwanese are here, live and kicking with the Eee PC 1000HE, which is part of the 1000H lineup, only capable of providing up to 9.5 working hours (!), thanks to the high-density battery and Super Hybrid Engine technology that the company has developed. Surprisingly, the official announcement first popped up on ASUS Eee PC Facebook group, suggesting a 10-inch LED backlit display, together with a 1.66GHz Atom N280 processor, 160GB hard-drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi connection and Bluetooth 2.0. Price wise, the new 1000HE model will set you back for $399 in pre-order, but FB group members get an additional $25 discount, which makes the entire deal very affordable. Checkout the official announcement after the break.

Update1: checkout the preliminary review from Laptop Mag.

Update2: now you can find it in-stock at ZipZoomFly, without the $25 rebate. Otherwise, you should patiently wait for other retailers to get their shipments.

update3: looks like Amazon starts taking orders, offering the 1000HE for an attractive price of $374, which is a very competitive one, specially when we talk about a 10-inch model with N280 CPU and up to 9.5hrs of battery time.

[Via SlashGear]

Press Release:

ASUS Announces the Upgraded Eee PC 1000HE, Available Now for Pre-Order

– First netbook to feature Intel Atom N280 processor, the new Eee PC offers more power, 9.5 hours of battery life, and comfort and style –

FREMONT, CALIFORNIA (February 2, 2009)-ASUS, the innovator who revolutionized the mobile computing landscape with the original Eee PC netbook, today announces its most powerful and long-lasting Eee PC yet – the 1000HE. Available for pre-order from selected online E-tailers, the Eee PC 1000HE is the pinnacle of netbook computing, offering more power, longer battery life, increased comfort and legendary ASUS quality.

World’s First Atom N280 Netbook
With the extra power of the Intel Atom N280 processor, users will be able to boot faster, get work done quicker, and enjoy higher performance compared to other Atom N270-powered netbooks. The Eee PC 1000HE also features ASUS’ exclusive Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) technology, which can boost CPU speed for extra power or lower it to preserve battery life, all at the touch of a button.

Higher Density battery, New Keyboard
The Eee PC 1000HE is equipped with a high-density battery that, when combined with the Super Hybrid Engine, allows for an industry-leading 9.5 hours of battery life*. Using the Eee PC all-day has never been easier thanks to its bright 10” LED backlit display and new “chiclet” keyboard that allows for faster and more comfortable typing.

Wireless Internet and File Storage on-the-go
The Eee PC 1000HE comes with WiFi 802.11b/g/n network connectivity for ultimate wireless accessibility and mobility. Bluetooth v2.0 is also included for flexibility and convenience with any Bluetooth devices.

Additionally, the Eee PC 1000HE is outfitted with 170GB of Hybrid Storage – 160GB of internal hard disk drive and 10GB of file-encrypted Eee Online Storage. Users can store, share and access documents and multimedia easily on the move.

Pricing and Availability
The ASUS Eee PC 1000HE is available immediately for pre-order through the official ASUS Eee PC Group on Facebook at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6297967631. The introductory MSRP of the Eee PC 1000HE is $399 USD. For a limited time, an additional $25 instant discount will apply to the pre-orders. The Eee PC 1000HE will be available in both Fine Ebony Black and Blue in North America.

* Estimated maximum battery life under Windows XP is measured with BatteryMark 4.0.1 (in Eee PC Super Hybrid Engine Power-Saving mode, 40% LCD brightness, Wi-Fi off, BT off, and camera disabled). Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, usage patterns and environmental conditions.

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s revenue for 2008 was 8.1 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service.