$339 Windows flavor of Asus Eee PC on sale at Best Buy
You can pick up a Windows XP Asus Eee PC, not just the Linux variety, for $399 at Best Buy in a sale. Not sure exactly when it ends, but apparently it’s for more than the two days I originally thought.
This isn’t the new large-screened Asus but rather an older version with a seven-inch TFT LCD with 800 x 400 res, 4G of flash-based storage and a Web cam. The display isn’t optimal for e-booking, but presumably the Eee with Windows can run Mobipocket, Adobe Reader and other programs that let you read DRM-infested books. Also be aware of the machine’s limitations for WordPress bloggers relying on a detailed screen, plus possible WiFi complications in the Linux version (thanks, Mike). Ahead I’ll repro the full specs from BB. Related: Acer to ship over six million low-cost PCs in 2H08, in DigiTimes.
Intel® Celeron® M processor with 400MHz frontside bus and 900MHz processor speed
- 512MB DDR2 memory for multitasking power
- Note: Optical drive not included
- 7″ WVGA TFT-LCD widescreen display with 800 x 480 resolution
- 4GB flash-based hard drive; shock-proof design
- Intel® UMA graphics with up to 64MB shared video memory
- Built-in Web cam and microphone make it easy to video chat with, send video mail to or videoconference with friends, family or co-workers
- 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer
- Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g); 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (with RJ-45 connector)
- Weighs only 2 lbs. and measures just 1.3″ thin for lightweight portability; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter
- Stylish glossy galaxy black case finish
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system preinstalled
- Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:28 am
You got a bit confused there. The 2-day sale is not for the XPed EeePC. It’s for other items. That was an in-house ad banner over that listing. You had me worried there, til I checked for myself. $399 is the everyday price for this unit.
[Thanks, Mike. Fixed. BB really should do something about the placement of the banner. - DR]
April 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am
BTW, I was very interested in this. But WordPress just upgraded to 2.5 and with it has come a new way to upload media. I’m now concerned that the screen resolution might be too low to deal with the new popup window WP 2.5 has instituted. There have already been complaints from other bloggers that the window gets cut off on their screens. Yesterday I was in J&R (where they replaced the broken demo units of last week!) and tried to get on a WiFi hotspot with the Linxed unit. It was so convoluted I couldn’t do it. I hope XP will make that easier!
April 7th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I have an EEE running Linux and I have NEVER had a problem connecting to a WiFi hotspot. Not once. In fact, it worked immediately, out of the box, with no complications whatsoever.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I have an EEE running the default Linux and I RARELY have any problems connecting to wifi. The closest I ever come to a problem is that I have to go in and change the WEP password when the library changes it.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I tried from two icons at the lower right. Each gave me different results! One showed different things in its list than the other. With the one that was the most likely, I picked a hotspot to connect to and it said something like “Building interface” or whatever and never got anywhere for minutes. I finally gave up. Really, J&R should have the demo models already set up for WiFi since most people want to use it to connect to the Net.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Anyway, the issue is moot now. I need a unit with a higher-res screen. I’ve already been told from an EeePC user that WP 2.5 on the lo-res screen is a miserable experience.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
BTW, I stopped in a Best Buy last night. No XPed EeePC on display. I didn’t bother to ask. Because I’d just been at the neighboring Circuit City and had to explain to the frikkin salesdroid what the hell the Everex Cloudbook was. (Obviously CC had no demo model in-store. Eejits.)