The first generation of UMPCs were more like tablets with no keyboards, then came others with sliding and split QWERTY keyborads. Looks like the crowd feels the regular layout of the laptop in more usable than any other form, starting from Kohjinsha, then came the Fujitsu FMV-U8240, and now the Asus Eee PC! — weird name, but Asus says…
This is a new line of PCs that focuses on providing users with the most comprehensive Internet application based on three Es: Easy to learn, work, play; Excellent Internet experience and Excellent mobile computing experience, and hence the product name of Eee PC.
The most interesting part of the story is the price on the device. Remember those OLPC ($100 laptops) these devices boast a lot more features and better configuration for just the double the price. Now there is not any official announcement on the pricing and availability, but it’s hard to believe the price to be just $199. Johnny Shih, Chairman of Asustek, noted that it would cost only $199 [Inquirer]
The specifications of the device are
- 7″ Display
- Intel mobile CPU & chipset
- Linux/ Microsoft Windows XP compatible
- 10/100 Mbps Ethernet; 56K modem
- WiFi 802.11b/g
- Intel UMA
- 512MB, DDR2-400
- 4/ 8/ 16GB Flash
- 300K pixel video camera
- Hi-Definition Audio CODEC; Built-in stereo speaker; Built-in microphone
- 3hrs (4 cells: 5200mAh, 2S2P) of Battery life.
- 22.5 x 16.5 x 2.1~3.5cm, 0.89kg
Asus Press Release [Via Gizmodo] | Teaser mini site [Asus]
this is a wonderful product for countries like india
it has great future for students and it also will have great oppertunity for field workers specially in health sector and education
launch at the earliest in india
jaswant
@jaswant — Agreed, not just india, I think this would be the perfect for many of those developing countries too.
Aye! It’ll be perfect for the whole world!
Smaller devices, lesser power used, greener consumption! Everyone wins!
Is it avaliable in pakistan
I have tried my hands on the ASUS Eee Pc and trust me its amazing.. i think the UMPC brigade is going to be the furture of prtable gadgets in the country and its also pocket friendly…