Eee PC 1000HE - Asus changes the way we use laptops... again!

The announcement of the 1000HE is as much of a breakthrough as the original EeePC in 2007.

Back then, the Eee brand grabbed the headlines as it brought a low-cost, ultra-portable computer to consumers tired of lugging 4kg laptop cases around and promptly sold 1.7 million units (However, it was eventaully out-sold by Acer's Aspire One).

The popularity of EeePC helped spawn the term netbook and created a market for small form factor computers such as the Acer Aspire One and the MSI Wind, along with models from the usual suspects Dell and HP.

A couple of years on and other netbook manufacturers looked to have caught up with Asus's original model, however the 1000HE takes mobility to another level with a battery that can last up to 10 hours.

To top it off, there is also an improved keyboard, now 92% of standard size, a slightly faster processor, the Atom N820 and improved Wifi (now using the 802.11n standard).

Unfortunately the package is now slightly heavier, 1.4kg, and a tad more expensive at $399, however the 10 hour battery more than covers those minor details.

Personally, this has just jumped the queue to the top of my wishlist and I can't wait to get one.