ASUS' latest addition to the Eee PC family, the 10-inch 1000H, is now available in Australia sans the Linux operating system than made it famous.

The 1000H is the third-generation Eee PC and differentiates itself from its predecessors with a 10-inch display and a 80GB hard drive, and about an additional 450 grams of weight at 1.45kg.

In announcing the new model, ASUS made no mention of Linux, only stating the 1000H will ship with the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

This is in stark contrast to the noise ASUS made when the first Linux-powered Eee PCs burst onto the notebook scene last year.

When asked why the new 1000H only ships with Windows XP a spokesperson for ASUS said the reason is "mainly due to high consumer demand for the familiar Microsoft [operating system], particularly since [the 1000H] is available through retail only".

"For those who want Linux, it can be easily and freely installed on this Windows version anyway," the spokesperson said.

So there, the Eee PC is now not unlike any other Windows XP notebook that Linux can be installed on at home.

According to ASUS, the larger 1024x600 resolution display will allow users to view A4-size documents and Web pages without the need to scroll left and right.

For connectivity, the 1000H includes Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and 100Mbps Ethernet.

Other features include a 1.3M pixel webcam, built-in stereo speakers and microphone, and three USB ports, 1GB of DDR II RAM, a SDHC card reader, and Intel UMA graphics.

With its Super Hybrid Engine technology, ASUS claims the 1000H can adjust CPU frequency, voltage and LCD brightness to minimize noise and energy consumption saving up to 15 percent of power consumption or maximizing performance.

The 6-cell battery is claimed to last four and a half hours.

The Eee PC 1000H is now available in two colours, white and black, and retails for $699 including GST.