Asus brought a lot of attention to itself during CEBit 2010 with their 1201PN, which combined an Intel Pine Trail processor with a Nvidia ION2 graphics chipset.  With the status of the 330 dual core chip being changed to end of life (EOL), an alternative will have to made for the 1201N.

Many would argue that the 1201N was more of a stop gap solution.  Netbook makers needed a way to charge more for their products and netbook owners wanted more power from their tiny computers.  After the success Asus found with their 1101HA, they need they would have to take an even bigger risk to stand out.

While there are other ION netbooks available in the marketplace there are no products quite like the 1201N.  No other netbook combines a 330 processor with ION graphics.  This has helped Asus to sell a lot of 1201N’s but they are starting to show it’s age.  While there are some who are glad a netbook with the specs of the 1201N exists the biggest criticism against it has been its lackluster battery life.

This is where the N450 comes in.  The Intel Pine Trail processor picks up where previous Atom processor left off.  Other N450 netbooks have battery life of as much as 15 hours.  This is a significant increase over the 5 hour rating of the 1201N.

The 1201PN will be able to fit into an already robust product catalog.  By adding gaming quality graphics, switchable graphics, and a lower price point (N450 + ION2 should cost less than 330 + ION), the 1201PN will make a great replacement for the 1201N.  Asus introduced a 1201NL which combined a N270 processor with ION graphics but nothing seems to have come of that.

You should be able to expect the 1201PN to be available sometime in April/May timeframe…or not.  We’ll all have to stay tuned and see what happens.

1. More Details About Intel’s Cedar Trail Netbook Chip

2. Intel Plans 32nm Atom Chip For 2010/2011 Launch

3. 1201PN Asus N450 Netbook With ION 2: CeBit 2010

4. Samsung Joins Pine Trail Netbook Party With N150

5. What’s The Difference: 1201N vs. 1201PN