Mobile computers continue to drop in cost, and as a result we get smaller PC’s that offer more bang for the buck. The low-cost mobile computer craze all started with the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) who’s goal was to create a computing device that could be sold for $100 each to developing countries. As word began to spread about how cheap this was going to be people around the world questioned whether a consumer-oriented model would be sold in retail stores.
The last I heard the OLPC is costing around $170 to manufacture which is well above their target cost. Other companies are stepping up to fill the consumer void left by the OLPC, and one of the first is ASUS. They have started to promote a $199 device called the Eee PC (pictured to the right) that will set the ultra-mobile PC market on fire.
The Eee PC will offer a few different configuration options, some of which inflate the price depending on your choice:
Display: 7"
CPU & Chipset: Intel mobile CPU & chipset (900MHz Intel Dothan)
OS: Linux/ Microsoft Windows XP compatible
Communication: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet; 56K modem
WLAN: WiFi 802.11b/g
Graphic: Intel UMA
Memory: 512MB, DDR2-400
Storage: 4/ 8/ 16GB Flash
Webcam: 300K pixel video camera
Audio: Hi-Definition Audio CODEC; Built-in stereo speaker; Built-in microphone
Battery Life: 3hrs (4 cells: 5200mAh, 2S2P)
Dimension & Weight: 22.5 x 16.5 x 2.1~3.5cm, 0.89kg (1.96lbs)
Word is that the Eee PC with the 4GB hard drive will cost $199 and the 8GB drive will be $299, but I didn’t see any mention regarding the cost on the 16GB drive. Another way they were able to keep the cost down (besides offering small Flash storage drives) is to use Linux as the default operating system. It is said that the computer works fine with Windows XP, although that would probably take up more precious storage space than it would be worth.
HotHardware was able to get their hands on the Eee PC for a little bit to play with and snap some photos. There are two different versions of Linux that can be used: one for novice users and one for experienced users. The one for Novice users create tabs for doing things like Internet, Work, Playing, and Settings while the advanced interface is full-blown Linux including a Start Menu and Desktop. Screenshots of this are at the bottom of the post.
All-in-all I think this will be an awesome device, and from the current specs I like it better than the Palm Foleo. It is supposed to be available later this year, and if it hits the shelves in time for the holidays I’m sure they could meet their sales goal of 200,000 units!
Alright here are some screenshots of the novice and advanced interface:
Thanks to Mohan for the tip!
Enjoyed the post? Subscribe to our feed to get a daily dose of CyberNet!
Tags: Gadgets, Hardware, Computers, Mobile
Related Posts:
- Google Reader Goes Mobile
- Gears Comes to Opera Desktop and Opera Mobile 9.5
- Opera Mini Flash Replacement Coming Tomorrow?
- Screenshots Of The New Windows Mobile?
- Microsoft Skymarket for Windows Mobile 7 Coming in 2009?
How embarrassing is the fact that this thing is more powerful than what I currently use as a Linux laptop (P2 class Thinkpad)?
I want one!
It’s odd, but the Novice interface there appeals to me far more than the Advanced interface. I wonder could that be the way forward - simply switchable interfaces of the entire operating system for different tasks. With the right use of memory, storage mediums and management of background processes it could make a highly efficient and useable operating system.
I was actually thinking the same thing. Technically it should take less time to get to the items that you’re looking for, and if you’re doing work-related tasks you should have everything you need on one tab! I love the idea and would like to see a lot more of this going forward.
After thinking about it I also realized that this is pretty much what the iPhone does. It creates icons for the apps and puts them on the main screen. Therefore you don’t have confusing menus to shuffle through to find items.
Looks cool and functional too, although the 4 and 8GB memory might be too low!
What about USB ports? Do we get one or two ports?
Ryan - Informative post for such a worthy cause. Intel has thrown their hat in the ring. Here’s a link to that article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01899.html
Take care.
The novice interface is indeed more functional, but it will hard for old timers to unlearn old habits. We have all grown up clicking through a maze of hierarchical menu structures. But that novice interface is a definite way forward.
ha that’s funny this is also better then my current laptop in many aspects, 850Mhz 512mb Ram, although the graphics are drastically an improvement to this machine, and it can capture audio/video. No built in camera although that’s an accessory sold separately for the top of the monitor that I didn’t opt to get, and I paid $4,000+ for it back in 2000.
I didn’t see a mention of how many USB ports it had, but I would guess at least two.
If people can learn the iPhone though, I think they can learn this.
It’s hard to believe that just seven years later a laptop similar to yours costs 5% of what it used to. Maybe the progression of technology is even more rapid than we thought.
For the person who asked about the USB ports, according to the images in hothardware there are 4 USB 2.0 ports.
It definitely looks interesting and I would love to adopt it as my road computer
Wow…4 USB ports! That’s twice as many as I expected. Thanks for the update.