Eee PC to get HSDPA next month

Computer maker Asus has announced its Eee PC mini laptop is to get embedded 3G for the first time.

(Credit: Asus)

The Eee PC, which launched back in 2007 and has since spawned myriad of copycat diminutive laptops as well as expanding into a range of Eees, has relied on built in Wi-Fi and the availability of hotspots for connectivity up to now.

But Asus said it plans to add HSDPA connectivity to its Eee PC 901 netbook to enable "convenient and high-speed access to the internet anytime, anywhere".

Users will be able to get downlink and uplink speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and 2Mbps respectively via HSDPA, the company said. Wi-fi lovers should not despair however as the 3.75G 901 will still offer 802.11b/g, or even 802.11n, depending on the operator, as an alternative connectivity tech.

A new survey by broadband analyst Point Topic has shown mobile broadband up-take is now a more popular route to get online than Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK, with 47 per cent of Brits using mobile broadband, compared to 42 per cent using wi-fi hotspots.

Electronics giant LG recently launched a netbook that it hinted might have built-in 3G in some markets in the world, though not in the UK.

Asus said the HSDPA-packing Eee will be released to the market from October 2008 onwards.