The $199 Ultra-portable Laptop

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theyshoulddothat.com/2007/06/the_199_laptop_from_asus_i_wan.html' target='_blank'>http://www.theyshoulddothat.com/2007/06/the_199_laptop_from_asus_i_wan.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The $199 Asus EEE 701 laptop may just give the OLPC's XO a run for it's money. Set to be available in August, the EEE reportedly will run Windows XP or Linux and has handy features like Wi-Fi and a webcam right above the screen like a MacBook. I also read that the EEE will have a built-in SD card reader, but I haven't been able to verify this. Honestly, the EEE is pretty much the device I've been waiting for: an inexpensive laptop for web browsing and blogging. "</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/cgg-asuseee-06142007.jpg" /><br /><br />Up until now most ultra portables also came with a pretty hefty premium. The laptop I carry for day to day use could easily be replaced with this. Plus, at $199 it is a screaming deal when compared to any of the other super tiny machines on the market. If the 7 inch screen is just too small for you, there will also be a 10 inch model for an extra $100. Sign me up now.

[jeffd]

dude, I'd buy it.

[Chris Gohlke]

From the picture and based on the dimensions, it looks like both the 7 in and 10 inch machines are the same physical size. It looks like there is just a smaller screen in the same case for the 7 inch model.

[Tim Williamson]

That's pretty amazing they can fit all that into such a small case and for such a GREAT price! I would pick this up in an instant if I didn't already have a laptop (and if I had any money to spend...buying a house has it's positives and negatives...no gadget money right now...). :)

[Felix Torres]

What caught my eye is the storage: 16GB of FLASH RAM in the top of the line model. Never mind the $200 version; if I can get a 16GB FLash laptop with 10" screen and 1GB RAM for under $500 I'm on it.
The only way they could make it better would be to make it a Tablet while they're at it. ;-)

[Chris Gohlke]

If it has an SD card slot and a USB port, I'll even go with the low end spec for the memory. Really just need enough to load the OS and a few extra apps. A friend already mentioned that this would be great to use as the guts for an car computer. It is cheap enough that you could wouldn't mind risking moding it and being flash based, it would be perfect for the car environment.

[backpackerx]

I think I just found my next gadget purchase. If this comes with the specs they say at the low end $200 I'm jumping on it.

[Jason Dunn]

It looks like there is just a smaller screen in the same case for the 7 inch model.

Yeah...that's one thing I don't like very much at all actually. I think it makes the seven inch ones look a bit ghetto. But the 10" would be sweet.

[sundown]

Thanks for posting about this. For $199 I'd take one, too. Light blogging, reading, internet/email. It looks small enough to bring with me on day trips when I don't want to drag along my giant laptop bag.

[Michael Knutson]

especially when compared to something like, for instance, the upcoming Foleo from Palm (or does the foleo seem way over-priced?). Having used WindowsCE devices (HP,NEC) in the past with mixed results, I really would love to throw out (actually sell) the 3.5 LB brick (x41) and use one of these! And a 4GB fast SD card is cheap ... Bring on the new technology ASUS! I'm in!

[Damion Chaplin]

"Set to be available in August, the EEE reportedly will run Windows XP or Linux..."

At $200 per unit, I'm guessing the OS will be the latter. XP still costs $200 by itself in many places...

I think Apple ought to make one and call it the 'iEEE'. :lol: Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Chris Gohlke]

Isn't OEM much cheaper, but I bet the $199 is Linux, which would be OK by me depending on the flavor. On newegg, you can get an OEM XP for $89.99 for a single copy. I'd imagine Asus gets a much better deal. So, here is my bet, $199 gets you a 7 inch screen with Linux, $299 a 10 inch screen with XP.

[Jason Dunn]

If it has an SD card slot and a USB port, I'll even go with the low end spec for the memory. Really just need enough to load the OS and a few extra apps.

Indeed, it sounds cool. I think it would be great to take on a vacation as a photo off-loader or something similar. You'd want at least 8 GB for something like that though, if not 16 GB...

[Jason Dunn]

At $200 per unit, I'm guessing the OS will be the latter. XP still costs $200 by itself in many places...

Indeed. But some of us have extra copies of XP from older machines that are dead, and you can always pick up a copy used someplace. I think selling it without an OS is a *great* idea if that's what they end up doing. I don't *want* the OS picked for me...

[Chris Gohlke]

Indeed, it sounds cool. I think it would be great to take on a vacation as a photo off-loader or something similar. You'd want at least 8 GB for something like that though, if not 16 GB...

Or, paired with a good sized HD based MP3 player using the computer as the conduit.

I already measured out my center console in my car, and it will be a perfect fit, whereas the tiny Averatec I have is just a bit too big, plus, at the price, I'd probably just do a permanent install.

[mrozema]

Wow, either model is a fantastic deal! Linux would help to save hard drive space since it can be stripped right down.

This needs to be available now, so I can have it for my trip to Europe next month! :wink:

[mrozema]

More pictures! Click the link

http://chinese.engadget.com/photos/computex-2007-asus-eee-pc-701/

[Tim Williamson]

It looks like they're saving money on the screen...almost looks to be a passive-matrix. :?

[Jason Dunn]

It looks like they're saving money on the screen...almost looks to be a passive-matrix. :?

Yeah, it will remain to be seen what kind of an overall quality package you get for $199. I won't expect anything GREAT, but I also don't want to use something like this if the screen REALLY sucks.

[karinatwork]

Whoa. This looks really, REALLY interesting. Can't wait to see more. 8O

[oopl]

Forget the Palm Foleo, or has it already been forgotten?

[Tim Williamson]

Forget the Palm Foleo, or has it already been forgotten?

The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?
The what?

:lol:

[Jason Dunn]

Forget the Palm Foleo, or has it already been forgotten?

How on earth did you manage to post your message 12+ times in this thread? I've never seen anything like that before - I thought you were a spammer at first until I checked your posting history and realized you really do post here. ;-)

[Tom W.M.]

I'm in for one, even if the screen is passive matrix. I want a replacement for my MobilePro 780 H/PC. Getting that thing to interface with my network is pretty near impossible. And CE 2.11 doesn't have a usable browser.