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Hands-On With the Windows XP-Based Asus Eee PC

Posted by kdawson on from the not-bad-for-400-bucks dept.

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."

17 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. For those without adblock, patience... by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 5, Funny

    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"
    1. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by _merlin · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can't wait to get my hands on one of these, and put Linux on it.

      You can't wait to pay for an XP license that you won't use, when you can buy an eeePC with Linux pre-installed? Talk about Microsoft lover!

    2. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey! Come back with my funny!

      --
      "Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
    3. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by shellbeach · · Score: 5, Informative

      I can't wait to get my hands on one of these, and put Linux on it. As I understand it, the next gen Eee (with larger screen and larger touchpad -- see, for example, this article) will come in linux and Windows flavours, but the big difference is that the linux one comes with a larger flash drive (12Gb vs 8Gb) for the same price (since Asus doesn't need to pay Microsoft).

      Microsoft is never going to win this one, and I think they know it ...

    4. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by eebra82 · · Score: 5, Informative

      As I understand it, the next gen Eee (with larger screen and larger touchpad -- see, for example, this article [dailytech.com]) will come in linux and Windows flavours, but the big difference is that the linux one comes with a larger flash drive (12Gb vs 8Gb) for the same price (since Asus doesn't need to pay Microsoft). Microsoft is never going to win this one, and I think they know it .. And you say this because you are the average PC buyer? You know, Linux geek, Slashdot reader.. Sounds like just about anyone, right?

      My friend runs an online store and 90% of his sales are laptops. It's not a small business since he's selling hundreds of lappies every month, so his facts are interesting. According to him, the Windows-equipped $499 laptops outsell the Linux-equipped $399 laptops 5 to 1.

      I don't think the average Eee buyer is going to care much for specifications as much as they care for the whole concept, which is why I think you are wrong.
      --
      Full Tilt
    5. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by Talkischeap · · Score: 5, Interesting

      According to your friend, "the Windows-equipped $499 laptops outsell the Linux-equipped $399 laptops 5 to 1."

      Your friend is coming from the Microsoft centric world, so of course he's going to say that.

      But look at whats really happening here.

      One out of five laptops that your friend sells now have LINUX on them instead of the Windows operating system.

      So it looks to me that Windows is losing market share in this sub group of portable computing.

      And for the life of me... I can not understand why anybody would need Windows on an Eee PC, it works just fine out of the box with LINUX.

      Five folks that I know have purchased an Eee PC since seeing mine, and all of them were diehard windows users who have adapted quite easily to the Eee PC's "easy" LINUX operating system.

      Of course... on mine I've already installed 2 gigs of ram, and enabled the advanced desktop, and BERYL.

      Loads of fun, and no Windows involved.

      --
      If it don't GO... chrome it. ~ Frank Banks
    6. Re:For those without adblock, patience... by Zencyde · · Score: 5, Interesting

      The unfortunate part of this review is that they don't seem to do actual tests on specs themselves. They reported that the Eee PC has a processor clocked at 900 Mhz. This is a lie. The Eee PC does have a 900 Mhz Process; but, the FSB has been clocked down to 70 Mhz. This puts the processor at 630 Mhz. The system has been specially configured to misreport the clock speed. This is well known on the forums at "www.eeeuser.com". Also, the wireless connectivity is poor. The system also misreports percentages. This is most easily tested using Linux. Often the Eee PC reports 100% while other distributions will report about 70% or so. It's rather unfortunate that Asus took this step. Personally, I love my Eee PC. Though, it could really sue some modding. Also, it's troublesome that Asus was so deceitful with their tactics. The original wasn't even completely open-source. A lot of the ACPI had to be implemented through trial and error and some reverse engineering. I think there are still one or two features left to implement on even the most well-developed distributions for it. Though, I'm too lazy to go double-check this. : ) Also the original kernel was compiled to not allow more than 1 gig of RAM to be seen. This is easily fixed with a recompile. Again, it's rather unfortunate that Asus prefers to view this as an appliance rather than a laptop.

      --
      What day is it? Could you please tell me?
  2. Asus 8 GB Eee PC by backpackcomputing · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  3. Windows XP? by Dice+Fivefold · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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?

    1. Re:Windows XP? by Nimey · · Score: 5, Informative

      OEMs won't sell it starting on 1 July; system builders can get it until the end of January, but they'll have to order XP copies in bundles of 50.

      That's assuming Microsoft doesn't change its mind or give Asus a sweetheart deal for the Eee.

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    2. Re:Windows XP? by Dice+Fivefold · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Considering how popular these little machines seem to become, Microsoft surely has plans. I would think something like this:

      *Freshen up XP a bit with some new theme and some gadgets.
      *Give it a new flashy name.
      *Then practically give it away to the manufacturers of these machines.

      Rather that, then to let linux machines get a foothold in the consumer market.

  4. XP by Slimee · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    1. Re:XP by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

      A slap in the face to the marketing and software development departments, perhaps ... but I guarantee you that Hell, Gates, Ballmer & Co. is still laughing all the way to the bank.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  5. The 9" LCD version comes out this Summer by SpudB0y · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm going to wait for the bigger screen. http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/hands-on-with-the-9-inch-eee-pc/

  6. Re:slashdot users by calebt3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would I want to hear the opinions of some junior college loser who works at best buy? We don't either. Go away.
  7. Re:It couldn't have been designed just for kids by Provocateur · · Score: 5, Funny

    a blond woman with large breasts using it at the beach


    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.
  8. I'm tired of hearing this by tknd · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The price has crept up to within $100 of a "standard" basic notebook.

    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.