Asus laptops ’set to be more expensive’

The latest notebooks in the Asus Eee range might push the line out of the low-cost price structure the firm has become famous for, it has been claimed.

According to Laptop Magazine the new Eee 901 will set consumers back by around $599 (£300) for either the Linux or Windows version, while the Eee 1000 will cost $699 and the 1000H $649.

Writing for the publication Avram Piltch said: "Clearly, if you want an inexpensive computer and don’t care about size, most mini-notebooks are not for you."

Mid-range notebooks offer consumers more processing power, a better quality screen and more storage space, he pointed out.

This could mean that mini-notebooks become a niche market for those looking for a highly-portable second computer for when they are out and about.

However, mini-notes are still "a huge bargain" when compared to ultraportables such as the MacBook Air and Lenove ThinkPad.

Meanwhile, Engadget reports that Dell is set to take on Asus when it launches its new range of laptops later this year.