14 DAY TRIAL // One of the strong points in Asustek's Eee PC 701 was its diminutive price tag, situated below the $400 threshold. However, the upcoming version of the notebook is slated for May 12 release and will come with a little premium, currently set at $549.
It's true that the new sub-notebook will feature additional functionality, such as a larger, 8.9-inch LCD display, increased storage capacity and a pre-installed Windows XP operating system. Despite the fact that the refurbished Eee PC will allegedly address some of the shortcomings reported by users, it will come with an "updated" price tag that might be less appealing for the mainstream user.
The $549 price will apply to both Linux and Windows versions. However, the Linux-based machines will come with 4GB SSD as well as an additional 16GB internal flash module for a total of 20GB of storage space. The Windows-based offerings will come with 4GB SSD and an internal flash module of 8GB.
The updated version will also include the larger, 8.9" 1024x600 display, as well as 1GB of DDR2 memory, Multi-Touch trackpad, and a built-in 1.3 MP webcam. The 701 series were also equipped with an integrated webcam, but it was only able to deliver 0.3 Megapixel resolutions.
The keyboard was not updated, and the Eee 900 will come with the same undersized input device, that has been reported to dramatically cripple the typing process, especially for the desktop users. The greatest disappointment, however, is the fact that Asusek will deliver the first batch of Eee PC 900 units with the old Celeron M processor at 630 MHz / 900 MHz, instead of the promised Atom chip.
Asustek estimates that the updated Eee will sell even more units than the previous release, although the price adjustment and the advent of other high-quality ultra-mobile PC offerings (such as HP's 2133 Mini-Note) are likely to make things even harder.