Asus Eee Netbook Will Have Desktop-like CPU

This new Asus netbook will use Intel's dual-core Atom D525 processor and Nvidia Ion 2.

Wednesday Asus officially revealed the Eee PC 1215N multimedia netbook on Facebook, listing components such as the dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor and Nvidia ION discreet graphics. Unfortunately, pricing and availability weren't provided in the announcement.

The Atom D525 processor itself clocks in at 1.8 GHz, has 1 MB of L2 Cache, and draws up to 13W. On the graphics front, the netbook uses the "next generation" ION (2) with Nvidia Optimus technology, allowing the end-user to switch between discreet and integrated graphics when needed.

According to the specs, the Asus Eee PC 1215N will truly be a multimedia-driven netbook. Boasting 1080p video playback on a 1366 x 768 HD screen (and a 16:9 display ratio), the Eee PC 1215N will decode H.264, VC1 and MPEG2 file formats while the HDMI-output port will enable playback on large displays. The netbook will also provide plenty of multimedia storage with 250 GB and 320 GB capacities (and an additional 500 GB of ASUS WebStorage).

In addition to the video capabilities, the Eee PC 1215N offers both USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 3.0 for fast data transfers. Web surfers will even see a speed boost thanks to the embedded 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can also charge external USB devices when the netbook is switched off.

Asus said that the Eee 1215N will come pre-configured with software such as ASUS Vibe and LocaleMe. Access to Boingo global Wi-Fi services will also be offered at a special price. Asus did not provide any information on what OS the device will come with, though.