The Eee PC and more notebooks
The new Asus Eee PC line, available in both a 7″ screen version and a 10″ screen version, is an answer to the call for a very cheap computer for the world. They claim the 7″ version will start at just $199, but of course there is a catch. It will come only with a 1GB solid state hard drive and a rudimentary copy of Linux.
The form factor is very small and similar to what we saw from VIA’s NanoBook. Though the cheap spec for this notebook is a 1GB flash drive, you will be able to get sizes beyond; up to 32GB as of now. This will, of course, significantly raise the price of the machine.
The customized version of Linux is based on SuSe and will be very much cut down to offer an easy experience for first time Linux users. Applications are listed by their functions and the interface seemed very useful, if not somewhat childish.
Other notebooks on display
There was a pair of notebooks at the Asus booth that got loads of attention thanks to their “green” construction methods.
This model looks like a standard notebook with the obvious exception of the wood top and finish to it. The logos are wood burned and actually give the notebook a great look. Of course, that’s a personal preference.
This notebooke took that wooden trimming idea to another level by offering an integrated DJ mixing station on the right hand side of the keyboard where the number pad would normally reside.