Asus Rolls Out Wee Eee Laptop With Windows
Asus is an Asian company that makes computers, laptops, cell phones, PDAs and the like.
A few months ago, it made a huge splash in the computer world by releasing its Eee PC in the U.S. A super-mini laptop, the original Eee ran on the Linux operating system and sold for less than $400. It was (and still is) an instant success world-wide.
Despite all the benefits and fabulous sales, many users asked Asus for a more popular operating system -- like
Microsoft
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Windows. My friend Robin Wyatt actually installed Windows on his Eee (and it works pretty well) but that doesn't help anyone else.
Now, Asus is officially introducing the Windows Eee PC.
The Asus Windows Eee PC: Good and Cheap |
var config = new Array(); config<BRACKET>"videoId"</BRACKET> = 1493226921; config<BRACKET>"playerTag"</BRACKET> = "TSCM Embedded Video Player"; config<BRACKET>"autoStart"</BRACKET> = false; config<BRACKET>"preloadBackColor"</BRACKET> = "#FFFFFF"; config<BRACKET>"useOverlayMenu"</BRACKET> = "false"; config<BRACKET>"width"</BRACKET> = 265; config<BRACKET>"height"</BRACKET> = 255; config<BRACKET>"playerId"</BRACKET> = 1243645856; createExperience(config, 8); |
The Windows Eee is a lot like the Linux Eee. On the outside it measures 8.9 inches by 6.3 inches by 0.9 inches and weighs two pounds with the four-cell battery (good for 2.8 hours). It is super-portable. Think of it as the same size as a trade paperback book. On the inside, the Eee sports an 800 by 480 (WVGA) TFT color display.
All sorts of hardware and software goodies are inside -- including an Intel processor, 4 GB of memory (for running the computer
and
program storage), stereo speakers, a camera and microphone (for videos), Wi-Fi, three USB 2.0.ports, one Ethernet and one VGA port and a MMC/SD memory-card slot.
This Eee runs on Windows XP Home Edition operating system and comes with MS Works (a simple Office suite) installed. All of that fits on the built-in 4GB of memory. Just barely though. There's no hard drive -- just that memory). I'd be happier if the new Eee came with 8GB of memory as standard equipment. (Expect an 8GB version soon, though.)
In the meantime, Eee offers a version bundled with an extra 4GB memory card. More about that in a minute.
For my testing, the Windows Eee was the only computer I took with me to last week's CTIA cellular industry show in Las Vegas. The Eee never failed me. It worked perfectly whether tethered to my hotel room's Ethernet connection, or nearby Wi-Fi networks or my trusty AT&T/Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U (a wide-area, high-speed cellular modem. Connections were solid -- as was the Eee.
The only problem I encountered was my own fault. I decided I wanted to install Microsoft Office 2007 in place of the standard Microsoft Works office suite. Needless to say, Office takes up a lot more room than Works so I had to get rid of other "nonessential" software -- some of which I found was really essential. I learned the hard way that some programs will install only on a "primary" drive -- not a slide-in memory card. My suggestion is to stick with what comes with your Eee -- or wait for the higher-capacity, 8GB model.
The Windows Eee was capable of delivering everything I could ask for from a little laptop computer -- except for maybe playing a CD or DVD -- because there's no CD/DVD drive inside. It's just like
Apple's
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MacBook Air in that respect. If you must have those functions, there are plenty of USB CD/DVD drives on the market.
Personally, I didn't miss it.
Now, here's the best part -- the price. The new 4G Windows Eee PC will be sold two ways. For $399 you can get the Windows Eee with the built-in 4GB of memory. There will also be version (like the one I tested) that comes with an extra 4GB SD memory card, a fitted, woven case and an external mouse for $469. You'll also have a choice of galaxy black or pearl white on the outside. All Windows Eees come with a two-year warranty.
The Asus Windows Eee is highly recommended -- as is the Linux version.
Gary Krakow is TheStreet.com's senior technology correspondent.