For those excited about ASUS’ plans to release a touch screen equipped Eee PC, we have bad news. According to this Digitimes article, ASUS market research has shown that a touch screen is apparently not very important to potential Eee PC users. As a result, it will not be included in the next generation Eee PC devices.
This is interesting, as ASUS planned to have the touch screen feature literally 11 days ago. Moreover, estimates put the manufacturing cost at only $15 dollars.
How do you feel about this? Would you have wanted a touch screen in your next generation Eee PC? I suppose we are the market- let your voice be heard!
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Want touch-screen NOW!
The addition of a touchscreen is the natural evolution of EEE PC. A must, if ASUS want to stay in competition. Especially since it doesn’t add much to the price, but a lot to the usability of the device!
Meee too ! !
Props to Kagen for an insightful post.
I already had an EEE PC and I thought it was the greatest thing ever but I gave it away in hopes of getting a second gen. Now I’m sad. I’m still going to get one with a larger screen, but I’m hoping it’ll include Splashtop.
It wasn’t so much the touchscreen I was looking forward to, but the stuff that a hack happy linux community would do with it. I mean imagine the possibilities, especially after seeing what Apple’s doing with their stuff!
I want touch-screen too …
The touchscreen woud upgrade EEEPc to a much higher class device. I’d be willing to pay much more than the estimated cost to get it.
I’m very interested in eeePC, but I decided to wait for a touch screen one.
On this devidec we could have the possibility to handwrite notes, not a real OCR system, only the capacity to get notes and sketches and memoryse them.
No, I don’t want a touch screen. A bigger screen, yes.
The eeePC likes to tip backwards anyway if it’s not on a horizontal surface, so without some extra weight, it’d be a nightmare to use.
No touchscreen for me either, thanks.
I have an iPod Touch which functions so well as a tactile device – intuitive, slick & amazingly good looking – but I just don’t need this technology on a notebook; and hopefully never will.
I have a netbook pro by Psion Teklogix with touch screen! Touch screen is not a big deal, in my opinion theres no reason to have both touch screen and touch pad. Only advantage of the Netbook Pro is the 8.5h battery .. but then again it runs windows CE which has limited support.
I think there are two camps here in terms of talking about the future of the eee and I would characterize them as follows: the “make it do more things” camp and the “make it do what it already does better” camp. The first tends to argue for more features, more components in the box ,etcetera and usually says that they are willing to pay more for it. The second tends to argue for a better version of what is already there and doesn’t want a price increase.
I’d have to say that I’m in the second camp: the eee as currently configured answers a daily need of mine: having a light device that allows me to go online and blog from anywhere I find myself during the day. My current laptop ( a very small fujistu lifebook) is too bulky to do this, and the interface on my treo is clumsy to do it. I don’t need a lot of hard drive space to accomplish that task, I don’t need great sound quality or a huge screen. I do a lot of image processing, but I do that on my home or work machine. I work on a windows machine at home, an apple at work and I love the possibility of liberating myself from both of those operating systems. So having this machine as a way of familiarizing myself with Linux is another plus. Ultimately I’m not one to want more features over price. My phone plays mp3’s I have an SD card full of them on there, but truth to tell I never use it to listen to them. I use my iPod shuffle for that. So the touchscreen doesn’t move me as an option, because i think the trade off of price versus functions is too high.
I do think that Asus should look carefully at apple as they develop the product line however, because to me the key to Apple’s success is the way that they package software and hardware as user experience. The iPod wasn’t the first digital music player, nor is it the best one or the one with the most features , but the combination of itunes and the ipod was the first simple, comprehensible, non-threatening consumer digital music experience. The first one that mimicked the story of “I want an record, I go to the store, I buy one and I take it home and listen to it.” It’s the same approach that made Kodak Brownie Cameras and the Nintendo Gameboy so successful. The thing is that in order for a company to really do that they have to control a lot of the process: build the camera, make the film and develop the film.
Asus has attempted a similar thing with the first version of the eee – fans love the quick launch time, the portability, and the price. The easy start screen makes for a friendly out of the box experience. And it may well be that there is a big enough market out there of people who need (or like me, want) the web every where they go, and don’t need to do much heavy computing beyond that, that the device will be a continued success. But I think they should look long and hard at what the actual user experience is supposed to be before they start diversifying the line. To me their announcement of a desktop eee is wrongheaded. And I think that price is key: too high and it makes the simplified functionality of the ee look like a liability instead of an asset.
I would also ask everyone’s indulgence of my sloppily edited and non-proofread comment above. I can’t even point to a cramped keyboard as the culprit – just my own haste!
MAN! This is the worst news ever! When I heard they were coming out with a touch screen, I was so excited. I’m an artist and I was looking forward to having an EEE to carry around and doodle on (with a simple drawing application). What a let down!
I try to explain better my point. I do not care of touchscreen as a standard input interface for OS, a touchscreen by itself will not add much to the machine.
I am trying to say that I am looking for “something” that could avoid me to carry a pc AND PAPER notebook to handmake sketches and notes.
Today I am carrying om my meeting on my Treo and on a small paper notebook and I would like this two tools to converge in only one device (of course less expensive than a tablet pc)
If Asus can add this feature (handwriting notes and sketches) they will hawe a killer device.
Last point I am begging your pardon for my bad english.
This is crap. First they tell us this thing will be 200 dollars. Now this. Im sorry but this big excitement has turned into asus taking a big dump on all of us. Pathetic.
The comment of “naylandblake” above makes a good point about there being two opinion camps — “improvers” and “changers”. Both types of comments are useful, because what I, for one, would like to see is for Asus to take both camps into account: making an “improved” Eee PC (longer battery life, bigger screen, bigger HD, etc.) and launching a new Eee PC Tablet that would have the portability and low cost of the Eee PC with the added functionality of a touchscreen.
As a recent owner of an HTC Kaiser/TYTN II (AT&T Tilt) genius phone, I developed an appreciation for the touchscreen, and that one’s only 3 inches. However, the Kaiser screen and keyboard just weren’t big enough for one of the main uses for which I got it: jotting down notes during conferences and lectures — so I’ve gotten the Eee PC 4GB. However, I’d be happy to pay an extra $100 or so for a tablet version of my Eee. I’m not sure about the Linux software options for touchscreens, but given the current interest in tablets, there should be plenty on the horizon.
Whether or not touchscreens and/or tablets interest you depends on your expected usage. Sometimes I want to take notes while standing or lacking a desk/table, and that’s much easier to do with a tablet where you can hold it with one hand and write with the other. At other times I want to be able to touch type. For myself and the artists and others who are looking for a device that can serve as a digital notebook to record drawings and handwriting (and convert handwriting to digital type, if desired) as well as function as an ultraportable laptop, “changing” to a touchscreen/tablet holds great appeal. If you’re only looking for a light, fast, cheap laptop, than simply “improving” the current Eee PC would be preferable.
Perhaps what would be most useful for Asus is for all of us to describe how we use (and would like to use) our Eee PC’s. That would at least give Asus some more feedback about whether or not to offer touchscreens. Hopefully, having more input from current users will encourage Asus to decide that it should give all of us what we really want… the ability to choose.
I don’t know if it’s been brought up or not, but with the size of the Eee Pc, adding a touchscreen could easily allow the Eee Pc to be used to replace binder paper for college/high school students. I know that’s what I would do if if was.
touch screen is fundamental to me
I hope that Asus will rethink about this
Yes as for me. See the thing for me was when I saw this thing was coming out for 199 bucks, *HOLY CRAP* was the thought that came right into my head. Now its 300, and 400 and 500. No. No. NO NO! The only way their going to get me to pay 500 dollars is a touchscreen, and it would seal the deal if they made it into a tablet. Hell I may consider giving them 600 bucks. But still, I have to have this thing because of all the buzz about it. Seems very nice, but the price just ticks me off.
I’ve been on the fence now for buying an Eee pc, for some time. The price hike slowed me down. When I heard about the touch screen I was finally willing to spend my HARD earned money. Even previously considered the mods, and was willing to buy one second hand that’s had it done. Traded in my soldering iron years ago for juggling chainsaws years ago, so not confident of doing the modifications myself anymore. Hopefully they will rethink the option, other wise I’ll continue to wait and keep my eye on ebay. If the itouch had a mic, speaker and software, so I could make skype calls I’d forget about the idea all together. Which is sad since I love the fact linux is on the machine.
Timothy Terror
World Touring Performer.
with a touch screen I think most people will view Eee not as a ‘toy’ any longer, but a serious player in the market, and I’m not sure that’s the best for Asus’s interest …
Duuude I would looove to get an 8g with touch screen ^___^. Would pay more for it too =D
I’m happy without a touchscreen. I love my eeepc. I added a 16gig thumbdrive mod and if I could have a 10″inch screen with 1024×768 resolution, I would be happier than a hog in a barrel of mud
Why would they do this? A touchscreen is needed in the Eee Pc. The EEEpc needs to be a tablet PC, like the Nokia 800 /810. I like to draw and write notes by hand with the pen tool. I won’t buy an EEEpc until it has a useable touchscreen, and a larger screen.
Asus listen to your customers! We want a touchscreen! and a larger screen! =)
Asus also stop hijacking your prices. Your already making a significant profit margin off the people who purchase your EEE pcs for 399. Then you have the nerve to charge us 100 more for 1gb of ram and 8 gb harddrive? fuck that!
I, too, really want a touchscreen. I’ll probably buy my first Eee PC in late April, becuase it’s certainly an excellent product as is. But if a touchscreen version comes out with software that uses it, my intern gets my older one and I buy the new one. It’s as simple as that.
Asus have made a mistake. I planned to buy a 900 EEE PC and install it in my car as a Car PC. The touch screen would have made it worthwhile, and useable as a car navigation system, as well as being able to detatch the EEE PC and take to the office or meeting when you get there.
Rustin Wright: You can probably get the touch screen’s software from windows update
I may still get a 9″ EEE PC and fit a touch screen pad myself, it will probably end up being cheaper
Have fun all,
Brian
Yes Yes Yes a touchscreen is what will make this wonderfull artifact a winer. And a low light option for ebook reading
If Asus has any doubts about the popularity of a touchscreen, perhaps pre-paid (downpayment) orders can be placed with Asus Providers to show how much interest is out there.
This should be an Ultra Mobile PC.
I use this to show things to people during conversations. I constantly have to turn the netbook to use the mousepad and change the page.
A touchscreen would be the killertool for me. I am actualy waiting to buy an eee until the touchscreen arrives.
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Did you ever see captain Kirk turning his tricorder or notepad to use the mousepad? They already knew it in the 60’s, they used a touchscreen.
If Asus produces the eee with a touchscreen they will write history.
Touch screen would turn a great computer into a fantastic computer and make my life much easier as I need to enter informatin while on the constant move.
They need to rethink this but Im sure its just a marketing ploy.
The only reason I would get a mobile computer is if it had a touch screen. I already have a desktop with a mouse, keyboard, gigantic screen, and more CPU power, graphics, and RAM than any laptop.
A touch screen on a mobile computer however, would give me something I can’t already do on my PC. A touch screen mobile computer would make an awesome replacement for a note pad, and it would be wonderful for constructing technical diagrams. I definitely draw better with a pen than I do with a mouse.
Even better, a touch screen EeePC would cost less than an arm and a leg which would greatly help justify the purchase.
I don’t really need the touch screen and i agree with Asus’s decision not to make it an option. If people like it so much, they can just buy the after market kit and install it themselves. If the demand is high enough, retailers will offer upgrade services with satisfaction warranty. From a manufacturer’s perspective, unless Asus is willing to commit more dollars into marketing the new feature to drive up the sales, it’s probably not worth the marginal cost.
Although, on a second thought, a touch screen eee pc can potentially tap into some of the Iphone/ipod touch market. It would be a gigantic ipod. Now that would be interesting. Provided there’s wifi hotspot nearby.
i saw the demo and was like im so buying this. guess ill have to look elsewhere.
I to think this is a mistake. Asus was about to make themselves stand out from all other netbooks. It was about to do what apple did to the phone. Move from everyday netbooks and bring them up to the next level. A netbook that had GPS, TV tuner, and touch is far above any netbook out there. I had a hard time talking my wife into a netbook until she saw the Asus netbook which had a tv tuner, gps, and touch capabilities.
John S
If Asus aren’t smart enough to do it get yourself a intel classmate convertible http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/ctl-2go-convertible-classmate-pc.aspx
Hey, got a question about your blog. I noticed it loads pages lot faster than mine. Do you host your blog on dedicated server? thanks.
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