Electronics & Computers Deals here!
Asus says Netbooks can be upscale with the S121
(Credit:
Asus)
Asus is still chasing the "upscale Netbook" market with its latest shiny little box, the S121. Rather than being part of the well-known Eee PC line, the S121 is being called an "Ultra Slim Mobile Notebook," and uses Intel's Atom-based Menlow platform--essentially an updated version of the Atom CPU currently used in most Netbooks.
To fancy it up, Asus is including a 128GB solid-state hard drive, Swarovski crystals in the display hinge, and a leather palm rest. The whole thing is a bit less than one inch thick and weighs a modest 2.6 pounds, making for a nice step-up alternative to the standard plastic Netbook.
It will also include (as have a few other recent Asus systems) a Linux-based quick-launch environment for easy access to the Web and documents without booting up the full OS. Final price and availability details of the Asus S121 should be forthcoming.
New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan. 
