Leaks show 12-inch Asus Netbook with Nvidia Ion

Is this the 12-inch Asus Eee PC 1201n?

(Credit: pcpop.com)

Several eagle-eyed bloggers noticed a new Eee PC from Asus popping up on a Chinese online retailer's storefront. The purported new model is called the Eee PC 1201n, and a rough translation of the product page indicates it will include Nvidia's Ion graphics.

That long-hyped new GPU should help with HD video streaming and media playback, an area your average Netbook struggles with. Other than that, the Intel N270 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 1,366x768 display seem fairly standard for a 12-inch Netbook.

Obviously there's no price or US availability info yet, but we've seen similar configurations coming from other PC makers for around $399.

[rgathright]

@Dan Ackerman, you gotta give us some performance numbers on these little toys! <br /><br />My wallet is burning a hole through my pocket!<br /><br />For now we must wait.. <br /><br />I was so bored that I wrote a review of the ASUS 1005HA that provides some processor performance numbers.<br />http://www.epinions.com/review/ASUS_Eee_PC_1005HA_VU1X_BK_10_1_Inch_Black_Netbook_8_5_Hour_Battery_Life/content_485480107652

[Dan_Ackerman]

Performance numbers for the 1005HA? Gotcha covered -- right here in our review of that model: http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-eee-pc-1005ha/4505-3121_7-33698049.html <br /><br />Check out the benchmark charts at the very end.

[Daekwan]

If its gonna be a 12inch "netbook". Forget the measly N270 processor and give us one of the real deal CULV's. And make that a dual core while you are at it.. not the single core. Because the battery life is almost equal.. but way more horsepower. <br /><br />My money is burning a hole in my pocket too, as I've waited almost 2 years to buy a netbook. But my attraction to them wasnt just their size &#38; price, but battery life. I refuse to buy anything resembling a netbook until it includes an SU4100 or better CULV processor, 2 gigs of ram (upgradable to 4), Vista Premium (with 7 upgrade), HDMI, Wifi-N, and Bluetooth all included.<br /><br />Combine that with an 11.6 or 12" screen. And I'll gladly pay $500 for it. Maybe even $550.

[C433Z]

and how 'bout sticking a multitouch screen on it while they're at it? :)

[QA_Tester]

Optical drive with burning capability would be nice.

[Proud_Geek]

At this point I think what all you people want is a REGULAR notebook.

[guarius]

I have to admit..this doesn't really look like a netbook, more like a laptop!

[tucker_the_dog]

You've just described the new configuration options available for the dell 11z. It has everything on your list at a little more cost. Close, though.

[Scopip]

The Ion systems have been rolling out for a while now. nothing new here.

[Everune]

So apparently all of the Ions are coming out in 12' versions... that is actually a bad thing in my opinion. The point of "net book" in my opinion is to be small and amazingly portable. 13' with real processors and nvidia graphics have been around for a while with real CPUs and dedicated graphics.<br /><br />I am hoping for a 10' version with the 92% keyboard 2gb ram windows 7 and 5 hours battery life. Maybe I'm dreaming?

[Dragons234]

1. This thingy is geared with Nvidia ION which is better than a pc of few milions ppl reading this<br />2. This uses dual core atom 330 processor 1.6ghz (2.1 clocked)which is not in fact dual core its just 2x proc..................<br />3. Ion can run Cod4 at fps 20-30 which isnt bad for thingy so small and cheap<br />4. It have 720p and 1080p support hd that u can transfer to hd monitor cause its monitor to small.<br />GOOD job nvidia.