Epson of Japan Launches Endeavor Na01 Netbook

Described as “slightly frumpy” by Engadget and “not the sexiest looking mini-lappy” by UK tech blog Electricpig, the Endeavor has been turning heads – if not in the best way possible. Judge for yourself:

The Japanese company has started its foray into netbooks in a very uncontroversial way. Largely known for its printers and projectors, Epson’s simple contribution will offer little in the way of novelty, but will take the role of being one more netbook up for purchase.

Running the common 1.6 GHz Intel Atom, the Endeavor is no record breaker. It has 1 GB of memory, a 160 GB hard drive, and Wi-Fi. It features USB 2.0 and a 10.2 inch 1024 x 600 LCD screen.

To be fair, it should be a competent competitor for the ASUS Eee and MSI Wind, if an undistinguished one. The Na01 is somewhat compact at 1.5 inches thick and weighs 2.82 lbs. The price at the moment is a solid $484 (46,800 JP), a certainly comparable price.

The uninteresting but capable Endeavor will run XP, and seems a valid option for new buyers in the market. For now, it’s only available in Japan, so we’ll have to wait to see how it performs in the States. Stay tuned.