Slashdot Mirror
Hands-On With the Windows XP-Based Asus Eee PC
MojoKid writes "Though the Asus Eee PC Windows XP variant isn't due out until sometime in April, HotHardware was able to get their hands on a full retail bundle before they hit store shelves in the US. The standard assortment of accoutrements is included in the bundle, along with a couple of notable upgrades. Asus took the initiative to provide an additional 4GB SD card from Adata, a healthy storage expansion for the system. In addition, an Asus-branded optical mouse was thrown in for good measure. Microsoft's Windows Live messenger, photo gallery and email suite are pre-installed on the the machine for collaborative and social networking capability, in addition to Microsoft Works for word processing, spreadsheets, and calendar functionality."
Aaaand the good link.
I can't wait to get my hands on one of these, and put Linux on it.
"Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
I'm not sure I'd run out and get the XP version with only a 4 GB SSD just yet (albeit with an additional 4 GB card). The 8 GB is available now (see http://backpackcomputing.com/ for the link). Also, a version with an 8.9 inch screen, but the same overall form factor should be out in a few months.
I thought that Microsoft was withdrawing Windows XP from the market in a couple of months. Are they still going to offer it on these low-end machines?
I love how XP computers are still making headlines in their releases...News like this has to be a real slap in the face to Microsoft with the tireless Vista promotion, when XP is still big news.
I guess if you drag your knuckles....
"Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
I'm going to wait for the bigger screen. http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/hands-on-with-the-9-inch-eee-pc/
I never quite understand the comments along the lines of "The only thing this little machine has going for it is size" - isn't that exactly what it needs to have going for it? I'm waiting for the 8.9 screen myself, but as long as the price is not too much more than $600 it's a fair deal in my opinion. The fact that the first iteration was unbelievably cheap (I seem to recall hearing that it was designed for kids, although I may be mistaken) might've done them a disservice; I'm just happy that there now exists an ultraportable that doesn't cost thousands - the fact that it has the small size and is the same price as other laptops (rather than floating around in the clouds with the Vaios and Lifebooks) is perfect for me. I'm glad that there is finally an option to trade off some speed and get an tiny, lightweight machine for "standard basic notebook" money.
I just bought one of the linux base ones from newegg, and I looked around a bit. The midrange 4 gig model sells for about $350, and the 4 gig model with the webcam and a better battery goes for $399, with linux.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=eee+pc&x=0&y=0
Now they are trying to say that they are going to sell a windows based version bundled with a bunch of other stuff for only $399?
The only way I see that happening is if Microsoft pays them to do it. If they are selling a smaller bundle with a free operating system for the same price. I call shenanigans.
once more into the breach
At least according to the specs on newegg.com this thing has VGA out. If one can squeeze PowerPoint onto the thing, it would make the ultimate PowerPoint presentation machine. A mere two pounds, ultra-small, and more than capable of giving PowerPoint presentations that aren't overly loaded with multimedia.
Can anyone verify the presence of a VGA port? eeepc.asus.com doesn't specify, though it may be because every other page on its website is down at the moment.
I think the main issue here is that Asus shifted its target market with the more expensive EEE. With the 7" low-end models, the EEE was the cheapest laptop, so if you had only $250 to spend, it was the only (new) option. The small size was just a bonus*. However, once the price approaches $500 or so, it has to compete with all the cheapo 14" laptops*. Whether one choses smaller size over performance and features depends, of course, on individual needs.
*- at least for some people who are looking for just a laptop, not specifically an ultraportable.
The WinXP version will retail for 399USD. This includes the SD card and an extra mouse. As far as I know the retail price for the 4G linux version is 399USD. So I am struggling to understand the economy here, provided that the Linux is (supposedly) free. Is actually MS paying to get XP in these things? Or is Xandros license actually more expensive than WinXP license? Please, help me to understand...
They should have added Norton security and then compared its speed against the Linux version...
Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
Eeeaaasy there, tiger. You only think she's well endowed only because the EEE is really small, it makes everything big by comparison.
WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
FYI, In Japan, XP is the only flavor of Eee PC. Not sure about other countries.
You want fun, go home and buy a monkey!
"But I would argue that 90% of the people who bought this machine would have been better served by buying a $399 Acer 14" notebook during a sale at Best Buy.
Argue away, but everyone that I know with an Eee PC already had a laptop, and wanted a small computer instead of a 5 to 7 pound brick to haul around.
Everyone of us is over 50 and we have no problem with the so called "tiny" screen.
Many young people today seem to think that bigger is better, when it's clearly not.
If it don't GO... chrome it. ~ Frank Banks
I'm tired of hearing this. The price is on target because it is not a basic notebook. It is an ultra portable device at an affordable price point compared to other ultra portable devices (read ultra portable does not necessarily mean laptop). People buying the eee don't care that the resolution is low, that the device can't play crysis, or that they can get a bigger brick at the same price. All they care about is: is it portable and does it allow me to do email, internet (yes people think browsing web pages == 'internet'), read documents, and run my little apps (IM, youtube, and mp3s).
Until the eee pc came out, every computer manufacturer failed at getting the requirements right for a laptop. It just so happened that asus got it right and that the tech needed (SSDs, CPU speed increases, ram capacity increases) was cheap enough.
However, I still give the OLPC/XO most of the credit for helping to create the market. If all of the news and media coverage of the OLPC never came to be, Asus and others may never have attempted such a device.
They have to compete, since obviously Asus has no problems releasing Linux only.
I am sure other PC manufacturers are watching, and may try to market properly speced and functioning Linux offering even if only to get out of idiotic exclusivity agreements with MS (which they should not have signed in the first place).
Ladies and gents, maybe this time the year for Linux in the desktop has really arrived, thanks to a company that saw the bleeding obvious: the differential in price between Linux and Windows. This year of economic downturn will concentrate the minds of a lot of people that will wonder why they should keep paying for more expensive, buggier, standards shy software.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.