The Asus Eee PC S101 may be super thin compared to earlier Eee PC models. But it’s also super hard to upgrade (at least when compared with most earlier Eee PCs).

Laptop Magazine pried off the access panel of their review unit and saw a RAM access slot. And that’s about it. If you want to replace the solid state disk with a hard drive, or a faster or higher capacity SSD, it looks like you’ll have to pry off the keyboard because there’s no access to the SSD from the easy access panel, or even by undoing all the screws on the back of the unit.

Oh, and as for that RAM upgrade? It turns out that if you replace the included SODIMM with a 2GB stick, the machine still seems to only recognize 1GB. It’s not clear if this is due to a limitation in the BIOS or something else. But it does mean that the most expensive Eee PC model Asus has to offer is also the most difficult to upgrade.

The Asus Eee PC S101 is clearly the most attractive looking netbook in the Asus Eee PC line. It’s got a nice polished design, brushed metal on the wrist-rest, and even some tiny crystals lining the end of the hinge. It also weighs just 2.4 pounds and measures just an inch thick. The S101 is also rumored to be the most expensive netbook in the Eee PC line, with a price tag that could range from $699 to $799. 

But is it worth the price (if that is actually the price)? Mobile Computer Magazine got a chance to spend some time with an Eee PC S101 and they say it’s pretty. Like really really pretty. And that’s abut it. Under the hood, it’s practically identical to the Eee PC 1000. It’s got a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, a 10.2 inch display, and the same keyboard as the 1000/1000H. 

In terms of performance, it behaves pretty much as you’d expect with those specs. Just like all the other netbooks currently on the market.

Asus does include a 4900mAh battery with the S101, which provides more juice than the company’s typical 3-cell batteries, but not as much as the 6-cell battery that comes with the 1000H. According to the Mobile Computer review, the netbook runs for about 3 hours and 45 minutes under heavy use, and up to 5 hours under lighter use conditions.

One nice touch is the fact that Asus has finally decided not to break up the SSD into separate chips or partitions. If you buy the Windows XP model with a 16GB SSD, you get a single 16GB SSD with the operating system and room for storage. If you pick up the 32GB Linux version, you get a single disk there as well. Mobile Computer Magazine says the mythical 64GB version remains a rumor for now.

So is the Eee PC S101 worth the extra money over the 1000H? Well, you’d be hard pressed to find a laptop with a 10.2 inch screen and 2.4 pound weight with more powerful specs for under $800. But most of the things that set the S101 apart from its far cheaper cousins like the Eee PC 1000H are cosmetic. So if that matters to you, yes. Or if you don’t want to lug a 3.2 pound laptop around with you yes. If you value your money more than design, then maybe not.

via Gizmodo

Asus may be busy trying to convince you that the 10 inch N10 notebook isn’t a netbook, but the company is still using the Eee PC name for the upcoming Eee PC S101… for now. Like the N10, the S101 will be a little larger and significantly more expensive than most Eee PC models. CNET snagged a few new pictures of the S101, which it says will cost between $699 and $899.

The computer will have a 10 inch display, 2GB of RAM, an Intel Atom CPU, and a choice of 32GB or 64GB of solid state memory. It’s capable of running Windows XP, but it looks like there will also be a Linux version available.

While the screen is about the same size as that on the Eee PC 1000/1000H, it looks like the laptop is a bit wider which should make the keyboard more comfortable to use.

via Eee PC News.de

The FCC may not be the best tipster in the world. While almost any device that includes wireless communications has to pass muster with the US regulatory agency, the FCC doesn’t care about things like CPU speed, hard drive capacity, or screen size. So while the FCC web site is often the first to post pictures of upcoming devices, you don’t often find many of the details that end users care about.

Case in point: The FCC has posted some information about the upcoming Asus Eee PC S101. And aside from a halfway decent picture of the bottom of the PC, there’s really not much else to report. We already knew that Asus was working on a high end Eee PC that will likely sell for $699 to $899.

The S101 will reportedly have a 10 inch display, an Intel Atom CPU, and a 32GB or 64GB SSD. But you won’t find any confirmation on those specs from the FCC site. Just a picture of the bottom of the computer, which at least does seem to include several access panels.

[via Engadget]

CNet Taiwan is on a roll this week. First the company got the first hands-on images I’ve seen of the upcoming Lenovo IdeaPad S10. And now they’ve got what appears to be a first look at an upcoming Eee PC model which may be the premium Eee PC S101 we’ve been expecting.

If the rumor’s are correct, here’s what we can expect:

• 10 inch screen
• Intel Atom CPU
• Brown and white models
• High capacity solid state disks in 32GB and 64GB models

The computer will be about 2.2 centimeters thick and weigh about one kilogram. There aren’t many specifics about processor speed, RAM, or other goodies. But the computer is said to be priced between $699 for the 32GB version and $899 for the 64GB version.

[via jkkmobile and UMPC Fever]