14 DAY TRIAL // After One Laptop Per Child project's XO Laptop, another low-cost Linux-based laptop raises its price. Eee PC ("Easy to learn, work, play, Excellent Internet experience and Excellent mobile computing experience") from Asus was initially expected to have a starting price of $199, and now it seem this machine will go up to $400 for the high-end models. The cheapest model will cost around $260.
Comparing XO with Eee PC we can see some technical differences and the pricing is reasonable for the Eee in contrast with XO. Asus' PC has an Intel processor at 900 Mhz while XO uses an AMD Geode at 433 MHz. One of the advantages offered by XO is its sunlight-readable display, so you can use it outdoors.
Asus presents on their website this new line of PCs as one that will offer the most comprehensive Internet applications based on their three Es:
Easy to Learn, Work and Play You can learn the latest technology without a manual, by using Eee PC. It offers two modes of intuitive user interface designs, an easy mode and a full desktop mode, so it can be used by both beginners and advanced users.
Excellent Internet Experience Its built-in WLAN connectivity allows users to connect to the Internet wherever they go and continue with their work, e.g photo sharing, sending/receiving e-mails etc.
Excellent Mobile Computing Experience Eee PC 701 is a slim laptop with a large flash-based storage capacity and an incorporated webcam. Its design offers a good shock-proof advantage over other notebooks that are on the market at this moment.
The Eee PC 701 will be released at the end of this year with a seven-inch screen in three different models. ASUS expects to sell 3-5 million units by 2009, and they plan to introduce a second-generation Eee PCs in April 2008 that will include Intel's Merom processors.
Although ASUS has not yet announced the resolution figures, it seems the 7-inch monitor has a resolution of 800x480, while models with larger screens may have a maximum resolution of 1280x768.