Asus Eee Slate EP121

[Pankaj]

There were two distinct classes of slates showcased at CES 2011: Android-based tablets and touchscreen devices running Windows 7. The former competes in the same category as the incumbent iPad, and is considered the rising star of the industry. Windows-based models, however, target a very different segment of the market.



Like the discontinued Fujitsu Stylistic ST Series, the Asus Eee Slate EP121 is essentially a laptop sans keyboard running on an ultra-low-voltage processor. However, while previous Windows-based slates cost well over S$2,000 (US$1,554.12), the Asus Eee Slate EP121′s starting price of US$999 may help it succeed where previous attempts at the mainstream market has failed. The tricky part, however, is to avoid comparisons with iOS and Android devices when it hits store shelves in Q1 2011.

Upside: The Eee Slate EP121 sports a hybrid LED-backlit 12.1-inch touchscreen. This allows the user to navigate with multitouch gestures as well the included digitizer pen for more refined input. While the 1,280 x 800-pixel resolution is nothing to shout about, the 178 degree viewing angle is quite impressive and is equivalent to the iPad’s IPS (in-plane switching) screen.

The engine running under the hood is based on Intel’s 1.33GHz Core i5 470UM processor with up to 4GB of RAM. While a 32GB or 64GB SSD might be enough for Android and iOS tablets, users of the Windows 7 Home Premium-based Eee Slate might find it inadequate. Fortunately, the storage capacity can be expanded via the SDXC slot (which is backward compatible with SD and SDHC standards). Other features include 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, 2-megapixel Webcam, mini-HDMI and two USB ports. In a nutshell, the Eee Slate EP121 is really an ultraportable laptop without a keyboard, which is great for industries such as design and education where digital drawings are done on a regular basis. Below is a preview video by Asus showcasing the Eee Slate EP121 during CES 2011.