Nope, neither site needs to be secure. Thanks.

ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC, EP121 and Eee Tablet get official

Computex 2010 doesn’t kick off in earnest until tomorrow, but a few of the big name exhibitors have snuck in ahead with some early press conferences today. ASUS are first out of the gate with their iPad competition, and they’re taking a three-pronged approach: the ASUS Eee Pad will be available in 10-inch (EP101TC) and 12-inch (EP121) variants, and offer Windows Embedded Compact 7 and Windows 7 Home Premium respectively, while the ASUS Eee Tablet is a monochrome digital notebook, packing 2,450dpi touchscreen input sensitivity and targeted at note-takers like students.

The ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC doesn’t have finalised specs as yet, but it measures just 12.2mm thick and weighs 675g. The Windows Embedded Compact 7 OS promises the same flexibility and interface as existing users are expecting, but there’ll be more cloud-integration too.

As for the ASUS Eee Pad EP121, that gets Windows 7 Home Premium for everything you’d expect a notebook to run, powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV processor. That also means it’ll have the usual notebook connectivity, so expect USB and a webcam. ASUS have apparently also developed a keyboard dock, similar to what Apple offer for the iPad, for when you’re deskbound. Neither model is expected to hit the market until Q1 2011, with prices tipped at between $399 and $499.

Finally, the ASUS Eee Tablet is a good example of very specialised segment targeting. It uses a non-backlit monochrome LCD display, not E Ink, and as such as 0.1-second page transitions. There’s also a 2-megapixel camera, which ASUS envision students using to snap images of lecture slides and then annotate them with the high-resolution touchscreen and stylus. Sync is via USB or microSD card, there’s a battery good for up to 10hrs and various apps that give the impression of using a paper notebook – only one that you can search through more readily. The Eee Tablet is expected in September 2010, priced between $199 and $299.

Wonder how long after launch someone will hackintosh the Eee Pad?

for those not on the ThinkGeek mailing list:

The Ultimate Geek Dad giveaway

* Choice of game system (Xbox, PS3 slim, or Wii--sorry, no cash equivalents or other platforms available)
* $100 Gift card from Gamestop to load up on games
* 16GB iPad with wi-fi
* $100 iTunes gift card for appage
* Signed copy of Ken Denmead's GeekDad book
* GeekDad t-shirt
* $500 ThinkGeek gift certificate (you know, just in case)

All of this loot goes to the grand prize winner, who doesn't technically have to be a father.

oh holy hell!

Ya! I would think, spread it out. Game console as one prize. iPad as another. Gift cards as another. But EVERYTHING? Ya, I entered.

I entered Dan. He is looking at the catalog right now. It's very cute. (He said I could have the iPad if he won.)

how sweet. Will he let you play the game console?

Oh, yes. But I will graciously cede that to him, since he is way more into than I. And we have a Wii, which is more fun for me.

He would, however, have to buy me several t-shirts and the titanium spork from ThinkGeek.

Ooooo! That spork is made of awesome! I was given one several years ago. Awesome for camping. And great in the lunch bucket.