Asus Kindle-Killer Eee Tablet Delayed to Q1 2011

Although Asus is currently working on its line of Eee Pads featuring Windows 7 and Google Android, the company is also working on a separate Linux-based tablet currently dubbed as the Eee Tablet. The tablet made an appearance at Computex back in June, a completely different device from Asus' line of Eee Pads and originally slated for a September release.

But with the projected release date come and gone, the company is currently still trying to decide on a proper name--Digital Note and Eee Note are reportedly potential choices. As seen back in June, the tablet will focus on note-taking, eBook reading and Internet browsing, sporting an 8-inch 1024 x 768 pixel grayscale touchscreen display (which doesn't use a backlight).

According to prior reports, the Asus Eee Tablet will also sport other features including a super-fast 0.1 second page turn speed and stylus input support. Given that it's seemingly out to rival Amazon's Kindle and B&N's Nook, it won't use digital ink or specialized e-reader screens as seen with the Kindle and Nook, however it will provide a 2MP camera and a digital audio recorder for taking pictures of teacher whiteboards and recording lectures.

Engadget reports that the Asus tablet will make another appearance at CES 2011 in January, however the actual launch date has been pushed back to sometime in Q1 2011. Europe may reportedly get an earlier launch date depending on local content partnerships.

As for the eventual price, two numbers have appeared since it's first appearance back in June--US$300 and "under US$599." We're betting on the cheaper price tag given the competition and its primary focus on a student-based audience.