Component maker Asustek, which more or less created the netbooks market, has started to show interest in a new ultramobile market, ARM-based Smartbooks. These ultramobile computers have a lot in common with netbooks, except they use a more slim format with extremely low power consumption. The key is the new hardware platform based on the ARM architecture where ASUS is expected to use NVIDIA's SoC Tegra for both CPU and graphics.
Another option could be the dual-core Cortex processor if they want to focus on raw CPU power. It's clear though that the computer will be shipping with a relatively small screen and the first models will appear in Q1 2010. Lower power consumption and even lower prices will be the keys.
With store prices around $150 smartbooks will become an interesting alternative, even compared to netbooks, but without Windows support or other x86 operating systems it could be tricky to sell.
ASUS wants to broaden the Eee PC family and if it can blend the functional hardware platform with an easy-going OS, Ubuntu or Chrome OS perhaps, it could become a very potent product.
(Picture courtesy of Engadget)
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