Comments on: Eee PC 900 Coming to USA May 12 for $549

By: Doug-N6TQS

Doug-N6TQS — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:50:13 +0000

Err, would it be unreasonable to buy the Linux version to get the larger memory and then install Windows XP on it, to get a XP machine with 20GB?

By: Will

Will — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:11:53 +0000

First of all, the purpose of Asus creating these laptops is to cater to lower income family that could not afford mid- to higher- end laptop. I guess the lower end model (700) with a price tag of $299 seems reasonable. But $550 for the 900 model is a bit too much.

The 900 model seems to be able to perform flawlesly with the higher performance processor and higher memory capacity on both Flash and RAM. However, the price tag on the 900 model is a bit too hefty. $550 + for a laptop that only have such a limited memory and screen. I understant that Eee is designed for portability and lower-end user, but for $550 i rather put it on a full-feldged laptop with a decent processor (perhaps Core Duo) and higher memory.

But on the other hand, i am willing to get the lower end 700 model for the price of $299 as the main purpose for these line of laptop is to promote affordability. It seems to be a great and affordable laptop for general computing purpose inclusive of internet surfing, email and basic office application. But i would surely upgrade the RAM capacity on the 700 to at least 1GB. (If it’s possible). It seems to be a great machine for daily general laptop for checking email and light surfing over the internet.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:03:47 +0000

I think its almost defeating the purpose. What Asus has basically done, is create a UMPC that was cheap, not the $199 that we all wanted, but it was $299, fair enough. Now they’ve made this one, which is 550 bucks, for that price I can go buy something much more powerful. So all there really trying to do is move out of the low price market, and make some more $$$. Crap. Thanks Asus. As for portability, theres nothing wrong taking my 15.4 inch HP around, it what 6-7 pounds? Big deal. The only reason I wanted one of these is because of its price, which my friends, is slowly getting higher and higher.

By: Alastair

Alastair — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:41:22 +0000

@Bob “He ordered one direct from Hong Kong and it apparently came with a UK plug”

Not surprising; Hong Kong was a territory of the UK until a decade ago. =|

By: Will

Will — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:33:24 +0000

does anyone know if the cpu will be upgraded? The press release isnt very clear on this.

By: Sanddancer

Sanddancer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:53:07 +0000

Thanks Malmer

By: Gromulus

Gromulus — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:17:30 +0000

Mog ……… Amen.

I also find it hard to believe that $50 (or even $100) is such drastic cut-off point for these posters. (They probably waste far more $ in time cruising these forums if they do it while at work!).

By: Malmer

Malmer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:50:53 +0000

That was pretty well formulated.
It’s too bad he probably isn’t even around to read it :/

By: Mog

Mog — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:31:04 +0000

@David Murphy:

The extra $50 just makes it too much for you? Seriously? Like, you go from “have to buy one” to “way to much” in $50? I don’t get that. I know $499 and $999 are, like, psychological “price barriers” to many people, which is why you don’t see too many products priced at $501, but think about it. Fifty bucks. One decent dinner.

This is what that $50 gets you, over the 8GB EeePC 701:

4GB more storage space and Windows XP OR 12GB more storage space, if you prefer Linux
Multi-touch trackpad
A better webcam
Newer, smaller power adaptor
And, oh yeah, a larger, higher resolution screen.

You’re probably thinking something along the lines of “Multi-touch is just software!” or “I never use the webcam!” but, considering the current high-end Eee costs you $100 just for 4GB more storage – no Windows, larger screen, nothing – I really don’t see how you can say that this is a bad deal compared to the current line-up. It’s not. If that extra $50 is just that unbearable for you, fine, but don’t blame Asus that you don’t seem to grasp things like “value.”

And before anyone says I’m some crazed Eee fanboy, I’m not. I’m planning on getting a Mini-Note. It’s just that people who are all “They’re giving it a bigger, sharper screen and more than double the storage and they dare to charge $50 more for it?!?!?” just piss me off, sorry.

By: Bratman

Bratman — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:46:53 +0000

@ Smiffy

Thanks for the reply, if that is the case then I think the 900 w/linux and add a cutdown xp pro is the ticket, I read above that the xp version doesn’t have the linux stuff