The EeePC: now available in XP flavour.
When the adorable EeePC crossed our desks just shy of Christmas last year, we were enamoured with user-friendly Xandros operating system -- a distribution of Linux.
However, not everyone is comfortable with the notion of abandoning Windows to use an OS named like a character from an L. Ron Hubbard novel.
If you're in the "Linux is for sandal-wearing weirdos" camp, you may be gladdened to hear that a Windows version of the EeePC has just been announced. From March 2008, the mini-laptop ships with Windows XP pre-installed. Yep, that's XP -- none of this fancy Aero-laden Vista stuff.
As with the original, the target market for the new EeePC is the young'uns, with ASUS focusing its promotional efforts on Australian schools. Given the Rudd government's pledge to introduce tax rebates for schoolkids' laptops, it's a pretty apt time to be flogging laptops to the scholarly set.
Another potential customer base: people who want a new laptop but wouldn't touch Vista with a fishing rod soaked in Dettol. With options dwindling as XP fades into history, the new EeePC may find a niche among the stubborn anti-Vista crowd.
The laptop retails for AU$579, which comprises the AU$499 cost of the Linux model plus a Windows licence fee.
BoostJuice
04/03/2008 07:22 PM
much better....
Report offensive content
Kampfer
06/03/2008 04:54 PM
Unless size really matter, for $579 you can get a normal size laptop that perform much better with Windows installed.
Report offensive content
asusFAN
09/03/2008 01:30 PM
this needs to be equipped with a built-in 56 K modem, Here in New Zealand dial-up still the majority connection esp. if the target is schoolkids. The time is NOW or else its acer 14inch laptop given the price and with built-in 56K modem!!!!
Report offensive content
bunnybash
11/03/2008 02:36 AM
is it the eee900 that is going to be released over here for that price?!?! if so that is good news... 8.9inch screen is exactly what i am looking for...
Report offensive content
john
08/05/2008 10:57 AM
anyone know if you can get the linux model (for the more storage) and then install windows over it???? email me plz coota1268@hotmail.com
Report offensive content