Jason Dunn
11-02-2007, 06:15 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileplanet.com/d.aspx?i=158478&partner=pthoughts' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileplanet.com/d.aspx?i=158478&partner=pthoughts</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/trusted-reviews-ASUS-EeePC.jpg" alt="" /> <br /><br />The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/d.aspx?i=158478&partner=pthoughts">Asus EEE is finally available for pre-order</a> from our affiliate partner Expansys! This is a bit off-topic for this site, but I figure every good geek likes small computers. ;-) <br /><br />If you haven't been following this device like I have, here's the quick version: the Asus Eee is a small (7" screen), light (2 pounds), inexpensive laptop that uses solid-state (Flash) memory for storage (15 second boot up? Check!) and runs a Linux-based operating system but can also have Windows XP installed on it. The big news was that this was supposed to come out at $199, but apparently Asus had trouble sourcing the screen for the price they thought they could get - so the price jumps $100. I suspect it was more along the lines of "Hey, people are freaking out about this, let's make some money while we can!". Whatever the reason, it's shameful Asus would announce a price of $199 and not deliver - yet at $299 it's still an impressive little device for the price and I want one. ;-) <br /><br />First there's the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/d.aspx?i=158478&partner=pthoughts">$399 version</a> which is dubbed the Asus Eee PC 4G. It differs from the less expensive unit in that it has a bigger 5200 mAH battery (which lasts 3.5 hours), and an integrated 0.3 megapixel Webcam. The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/d.aspx?i=158477&partner=pthoughts">$299 version</a> is similar, but instead uses a 4400mAh battery and lacks the Web cam. Trusted Reviews has the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/10/30/Asus-Eee-PC-4G-701/p1">first full review on this product</a> that I've read, and it gives you a solid overview of the device.