Asus set to debut volume shipments of the $199 EEE PC

[Gorilla]

Asus has announced it intends to begin shipping the ultra low-cost EEE PC in September. According to Asus, the E's in the title stand for "Easy to learn", "Excellent Internet", and "Excellent mobile computing experience." Asus reportedly plans to ship up to 500,000 of these systems in 2007, and up to 3-5 million in 2008.

As Digitimes reports, the EEE PC will be available at multiple price points, from $199 - $369, with the $349 model targeting the US mainstream. Overall specifications on the EEE are as follows:

* 7" LCD Display
* 900MHz Celeron-M ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) 353
* Intel 910 Chipset
* 512MB DDR2-400 RAM
* 4, 8, or 16GB solid-state storage
* ASUS-customized, Xandros-derived Linux OS
* Dimensions: 225x165x21-35mm
* Weight: ~2 lbs
* Colors: White, Black

The variations in price are almost certainly due to the size of the solid state storage drive available within the unit. At a potential $199 price point, the EEE PC could offer some significant competition to the OLPC initiative, but we won't be able to directly compare the two units until we have shipping hardware available. By concentrating on the $349 model first, Asus seems to be focusing on establishing a brand and market presence in the sub-notebook market first, rather than attempting to go head-to-head with the OLPC's mandate of providing a useful computer to the developing nations of the world.

Source: Asus set to debut volume shipments of the $199 EEE PC

As opposed to the OLPC's (OLPC'S specs: Here) mission, I could see this device proving some use in poor populations of developed nations (in terms significant infrastructure already present). Also, an interesting use of a solid state drive.

[DBlack]

that's great news. Just think of how many poor homes will be able to own a computer now, and better yet, their kids will be able to have a laptop.

the Internet is the great equalizer...!

[umbrarchist]

Here is a comparison review:

OLPC XO User Review

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