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ASUS Squeezes XP On To EEE |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Wednesday, 05 March 2008 |
There's no pricing or even a real date for availability yet, but ASUS
says it will make it's low-cost computing gadget the EEE available with
Windows before the end of the month. Previously, the sub-A$500 computer
was available only with a version of Linux pre-installed.
The move comes after the company announced it has signed a deal to
provide a Brisbane school with the devices with 130 units already
rolled out and more to come. It is this education market that ASUS has
in mind for the EEE which was designed for students and travellers as a
low-cost, easy to use device with Internet access.
The new Eee PC with Windows XP will primarily be aimed at the
education market, no doubt in response to demands for such a product.
Educators tend to prefer a Windows environment as it more accurately
reflects the PCs students are likely to encounter when they enter the
workforce.
The devices will be available via special tender for educational
institutions, but ASUS has also committed to sell the devices through
IT resellers.
Ted Chen, managing director of ASUS Australia, said, "The affordability
of the Eee PC supports the Federal Government's education policy with
regard to technology. We see the Eee PC as essential to expanding the
market within the education sector. ASUS is dedicated to providing
schools around Australia the opportunity to be part of the digital
future. We believe education is fundamental to a child's livelihood and
ASUS is proud to be part of this important development for children's
futures."
The Eee PC was first launched in Australia before last Christmas and
quickly sold out as computing enthusiasts rushed out to secure the
first units. The company could have another hit on its hands with the Windows XP version with not only schools, but also business users looking for a low-cost, Windows-compatible ultraportable device for email and other simple computing tasks.
Also, as we reported earlier this year following rumour on the DigiTimes site in Taiwan, the ASUS EEE will soon be available in an 8.9-inch version promising a little more screen space than the current 7-incher.
ASUS says the next generation EEE willbe the 900 and will feature 1G of memory,
larger storage capcacity of up to 12GB and willbe priced around 399 Euros.
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