CES 2008: ASUS to add larger screens and WiMAX to 2nd gen EeePC

Las Vegas (NV) – The tiny ASUSTek EeePC has been selling like hot cakes, but company Chairman Jonney Shih isn’t resting on his laurels just yet. At a joint Intel and ASUSTek WiMAX press conference, Shih said the next generation EeePCs will have several screen sizes along with an optional WiMAX interface.

The updated computers will have 7, 8 or 8.9-inch screens along with pre-installed Windows XP. The EeePC will also be WiMAX ready and buyers can add an internal WiMAX module at purchase time.

Shih told the audience that the EeePC was possibly one of “the most successful products” the company has ever developed. And the numbers don’t lie, because the laptop has globally sold more than 350,000 units since Q4 2007.

ASUS is targeting the 2nd quarter for the next generation EeePCs and Shih promises that there will be worldwide available at launch time. Of course everyone wants to know how much the new computers will be, but Shih isn’t giving away any details. “We’re not ready to disclose the price, but it will be a competitive price,” he said.