[edit] The Eee PC 900 has been released! Many online retailers are carrying it, although selling out stock quickly.

While other parts of the world already can get their hands on Eee PC 900 devices, it has not yet been introduced to the US market. Now, it looks like it is getting closer to a release: Amazon.com has both Eee PC 900 versions listed for pre-order through themselves (and not a 3rd party retailer): the 20G model that comes with Linux and the 12G model that comes with Windows XP can both be found on the website. Of course, they feature the new 8.9″ screen with a resolution of 1024×600.

[thanks jqw3]

Microsoft has recently given more life to Windows XP by allowing it to be used with Eee PC and other Netbook devices past the original end of lifespan date. Now, PC World has the scoop on what the caveats are for still being able to package XP with a notebook:

To be eligible, however, the PC vendors that make ULPCs must limit screen sizes to 10.2 inches and hard drives to 80G bytes, and they cannot offer touch-screen PCs.

Perhaps this gives a glimpse into the future of Netbooks at this point, and reasons why devices like the Eee PC do not come with touch-screens and such.

yapyap on our forums has come across some photos on Flickr of a Black Eee PC 900. It looks really sleek, but also seems to be sporting the 4400mAh battery.

You can read the related post here.

If you haven’t been following the news of the Eee PC 900’s release in Hong Kong- some initial users have reported getting 4400mAh batteries with their new Eee PC devices. The problem? Early reviews showed the Eee PC 900’s came with 5800mAh batteries- a considerable difference.

But ASUS has stepped up to the plate to give this story a good ending: they are going to replace the 4400mAh batteries of the early adopters with the better 5800mAh ones. Good work, ASUS!

It’s pretty apparent why ASUS chose Hong Kong as the first market to get their hands on the Eee PC 900. On the release day, lines to get inside several retailers were very long, even as it rained heavily. You can see for yourself with this video and this video on YouTube. Pretty cool!

[via yapyap on the forums]

Tech Radar is reporting that the Intel Atom based Eee PC 900 will be released in the United Kingdom at the end of June this year. This is according to an ASUS representative.

Look for the worldwide Atom-based Eee PC 900 introduction during Computex in Taipei, which spans from June 3 to the 7th.

ASUS has confirmed that the new ASUS Eee PC 900 will begin to be sold in the United States on May 12. Two models will be released: a Windows XP version (12GB) and a Linux version (20GB). The price will be $549 for both models. You can read more at Computer World and Notebook Review.

Also, the complete specifications of the Eee PC 900 can be seen here.

For those interested in seeing the real insides of the Eee PC 900, check out this thread on VR Zone and this multi page article from bit-tech. Both provide a lot of photos and a lot of information on the exact components that make up the new Eee PC.

It looks like some of the big websites are getting their hands on Eee PC 900 devices and publishing some reviews. Here are some you can check out:

• CNET UK: Eee PC 900
• Stuff TV: Eee PC 900
• PCM’s Asus Eee PC 900 Retail Version Review
• Bit-tech Unboxing the Eee PC 900
• Trusted Reviews: Eee PC 900

The folks over at XEPC have gotten their hands on an Eee PC 900 new in box. If you head on over to this link, you can see all the pictures which show off the large screen goodness!