12.1-inch netbook runs Ubuntu on dual-core Atom

By Jonathan Angel
2011-07-15

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Asus released a netbook that comes with an unusually large 12.1-inch screen and -- at least in some markets -- Ubuntu Linux. The Eee PC 1215P includes a dual-core Atom N570 processor, 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, up to 2GB of RAM and 320GB of hard disk storage, six hours' battery life, and optional Bluetooth, the company says.

Asus' Eee PC 1215P has a 12.1-inch screen (with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution), so the company would have been justified in calling it a "notebook" or at least a "mini-notebook." But if they're happy with the no-longer-trendy "netbook" moniker, who are we to argue?

The Asus Eee PC 1215P
(Click to enlarge)

In fact the Eee PC 1215P (above) is one of a series of identical-looking "Seashell" devices from the company, which earlier included the 1215B and 1215N. (The 1215B used AMD's dual-core C-50 or E-350 processors, while the 1215N used a desktop-class, dual-core Atom D525 CPU and Nvidia's Ion 2 graphics processing unit.)

The 1215P gets the dual-core Atom N570, with a 8.5-Watt TDP. According to Asus, this processor and the device's six-cell battery pack allow it to run cordlessly for up to eight hours.

Asus says the Eee PC 1215P includes 1GB or 2GB of DDR3 memory, plus either a 250GB or 320GB hard disk drive and bundled WebStorage. (Regarding the latter, the device's product page claims there's 500GB of cloud storage on tap; but we believe it's actually a more realistic 500MB, based on perusal of available WebStorage plans.)

Apart from the relatively large screen, other features are what you'd expect for a netbook, including a VGA-resolution webcam, an SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC card reader, a VGA port, three USB 2.0 ports, and an Ethernet port. Wireless networking (802.11b/g/n is standard) and Bluetooth 3.0 is optional, according to Asus.

The Asus product page touts only Windows 7 (in Premium, Basic, or Starter editions), but it appears the device is also available with Linux, in Europe at least. It's offered with Ubuntu by the Italian retailer Monclick, and has also been officially listed as certified on the Ubuntu website.

Specifications listed by Asus for the Eee PC 1215P include:

Processor -- Intel Atom N570 (dual-core, 1.66GHz)
Chipset -- Intel NM10
Memory -- 1GB of DDR3 RAM (expandable to GB)
Display -- 12.1-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution
Webcam -- .3 megapixel
Storage -- 250GB, 320GB, or 500GB hard disk drive (5400rpm presumed but not stated)
Expansion -- SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC card reader
Networking:
- LAN -- Ethernet (speeds n/s)
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
- PAN -- Bluetooth 3.0 (optional)
Other I/O:
- 3 x USB 2.0
- 1 x VGA
- audio -- mic in, headphone out
Battery -- six-cell lithium-ion battery provides hours of operation
Dimensions -- 11.6 x 8 x 1.4 inches
Weight -- 3.2 pounds with battery

Further information

The Asus Eee PC 1215P is available now for approximately $400. More information may be found on the Eee PC 1215P product page.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at jonathan.angel@ziffdavisenterprise.com and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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