G10IL Subnotebook Packs Super 3G Internet

ECS' Eee competitor ups the ante for subnotebooks with built-in HSDPA, HUSPA and a larger screen.

While look-alike Asus Eee clones with identical features and performance seem to crop up in Taiwan every other day, the latest Eee competitor up to the plate comes with a new twist: 3G broadband. ECS Elitegroup officially unveiled its ECS G10IL subnotebook on Wednesday.

With its integrated HSPDA and HSUPA (or “Super 3G”) radios, ECS claims the G10IL will be able to hit download speeds of 7.2 Mb/s and upload speeds of 2Mb/s. WLAN and Bluetooth are also standard, along with a four-in-one card reader, 56K modem, Ethernet port, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 1.3-megapixel webcam.

The G10IL will come with a choice of two screen sizes, either 10.2 inches or 8.9 inches (although HCS’ press release lists the smaller screen as 8.2 inches further down, we would put our money on the more common 8.9-inch LCD being correct). Customers will also get a choice of a solid-state drive or conventional hard drive, 4- or 6-cell batteries, and Windows XP or Linux.

HCS has not revealed official pricing information for the G10IL, but early reports out of CeBIT, where it first debuted, suggest the manufacturer is shooting for under $500.