Apart from having Intel’s Atom processor the Eee PC 901 also happens to be ASUS’ first product to forgo its own branding and instead use Eee PC branding.

With an all new glossy piano black exterior, the design of the Eee PC is also a departure from the Eee PC 900. Gone is the cheap, plastic-like case and in its place is a new streamlined design which definitely gives it a more expensive look. The hinge of the Eee PC 901 has also been given an overhaul and feels stronger. There is one very minor disadvantage with the new design and that is the weight. The Eee PC 901 comes in slightly heavier at 1.1kg compared with the 990g of the Eee PC 900.

In another improvement, the trackpad has been updated and is much larger than its predecessor. Another welcome enhancement is with the mouse buttons which have been upgraded from the cheap plastic rocker design to brushed aluminum buttons with a matching aluminum bezel that surrounds the touch pad. ASUS’ multi-touch technology makes a return and allows for two finger zooming and scrolling with the touch pad.

ASUS have also added four shortcut keys situated above the keyboard, two of which are user-configurable. The default setting for these two user-configurable shortcut buttons are for Skype and to switch between battery modes. These shortcut buttons can be configured to your preference by using the Eee Instant Key utility. Two other shortcut buttons allow for screen resolution adjustment and the option to turn off the screen while keeping the system running to save battery.