Engadget Chinese gets its hands on Asus' Eee PC 701

Those as intrigued as we were with Asus' newly-announced Eee PC 701 ultralight will likely want to take the short hop over to Engadget Chinese, which has managed to gets its hands on the device and dig up a few more details on it. Perhaps most interestingly, Asus' product manger told them that while Windows XP has been successfully tested with the device, the final product will likely come with only Linux pre-installed, with XP driver support thrown in for good measure. What's more, Asus also said that the mini-laptop could eventually pack as much as 32GB of SSD storage, and even hinted at the possibility of either an optional built-in 3G module or a separate dongle. Asus also reiterated that seemingly too good to be true $200 starting price, adding that a version for "English speaking countries" could be available "as early as August this year."

[L.Rawlins @ Jun 6th 2007 4:11PM]

That's real purdy.

[telepheedian @ Jun 6th 2007 4:12PM]

I was thinking I would get a Chumby, now I think I'm sorely mistaken.

[Ray-- @ Jun 6th 2007 4:14PM]

The people at Palm must see this laptop priced $300 less than the Foolio and continue to realize that they created one of worst gadgets of all time (unless of course the time was 1985-1996, then they would be ok)... ouch!

[Kai Cherry @ Jun 6th 2007 4:23PM]

Yessir I'm with you here. If it has bluetooth or supports it via a dongle, I'd even get one of these things on general principle...assuming it isn't vaporous :)

[Jelpy @ Jun 6th 2007 8:44PM]

for a bit over twice as much with the Foleo you get 200% the screen realestate, instant on, one button sync with your smartphone OUT OF THE BOX and 200% the battery life.

Add these to this Eee (larger screen, sycing software & button, and extra capacity battery) and you end up with the same price as the Foleo.

:-p

[noob @ Jun 6th 2007 4:21PM]

haha awesome, $200, I think i want one.

start selling those palm shares now folks!
foooooolioooooooooo

[kit @ Jun 6th 2007 4:23PM]

yes, yes, yes throw in that 3G! YES!

[Marek @ Jun 6th 2007 4:32PM]

This is my new favorite piece of technology so far this year. I'll be getting one, if not two - but would really like to see 3G or something similar integrated. Obviously, for $200-300 I can't complain, but if it had 3G I wouldn't even need apps on the disk - I could just use online applications like Google docs, etc. This thing is amazing, and looks to be well under way for a timely release.

[violajack @ Jun 6th 2007 4:32PM]

My only concern on this thing is the screen. The whole point would be to up the size of the screen I'm browsing with from 320x240 to something more desktop like. I'm disappointed that in the gallery, it looks like the actual screen does not fill the top of the computer. I hate seeing such a big dead space. I would happily pay a little more to see the whole top be screen space with something along the lines of 1024x600 or even 1280x800.

[Bb @ Jun 6th 2007 4:38PM]

Hmmm, one track pad button? Or is that a magnetic latch to hold the lid shut?

Either way, I'd liking the looks.

[Jon Acheson @ Jun 6th 2007 4:42PM]

I actually think this validates many of Palm's decisions in making the Foleo.

300 dollars more for roughly twice the screen, twice the battery life, and instant on? Yeah, I'm OK with that.

[Jon @ Jun 6th 2007 4:45PM]

Asus were very clever to put that massive black border there... giving an illusion that the screen is bigger than it actually was! Sure the Foleo may be overpriced but at least you knew what you are getting. I was excited about this as a living room internet notebook, but now even for $200-300 I have lost interest.

[RD @ Jun 6th 2007 4:46PM]

Linux only, huh? Better remove that "Windows" key, then...

[Jeff @ Jun 6th 2007 5:01PM]

If the fans on this device aren't too loud, and the keyboard is silent then this would be the perfect device for students to take to lectures to take notes on.

[Thomas @ Jun 6th 2007 5:41PM]

@ Jon... I would definitely agree... I would be very willing to pay maybe even $100 more to get a full screen, er, screen. As it is now the screen reminds me of some laptop-esque learning thing for kids, leapfrog or something... A little like the OLPC, too...

[Nekiruhs @ Aug 29th 2007 7:43AM]

Actually, the EEEpc 1001 (Not the 701 from the article) costs only $100 more, has a 10" screen, and 8GB SSD Memory.

[emehrkay @ Jun 6th 2007 5:43PM]

I found a computer for my five year old son.

[YukonDawg @ Jun 6th 2007 5:55PM]

@Jon--Yeah from yesterday's story, I thought the Eee was a 7"-sized UMPC device similar to a larger Sharp Zaurus C1000.

This thing--a small screen in a laptop body--is a nonstarter for me. If it sounds too good to be true...

[Stephan @ Jun 6th 2007 6:54PM]

Search google news they have reported that next year they will come out with the 1001 model, in otherwords the 10" screen! Sweet!

For you lazy people...
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/06/06/Asustek-$199-Eee-PC_1.html

[Wilson @ Jun 6th 2007 7:31PM]

perfect for paper work and outdoor office work i assume :D...
I really like this laptop, even the spec isn't that nice, but enough for basic functions.
Also with a fantastic price..200$!!

The best thing I like is the build-in 3G and SSD!

There's no way that my parent is going to break this one.

[Jelpy @ Jun 6th 2007 8:35PM]

Did they say that for $200 (TARGET) you only get a barebone system with everything being optional?! Screen is option, CPU, RAM, storage?! I bet it HAS to be so to reach the $200 TARGET price.

lol

[Colin @ Jun 7th 2007 3:51AM]

The fact that you had to list a sync button and a 14-second gain in start-up time as features just adds to the cloud of doom floating over Palm. ;-)

[Susan Gunelius (MarketingBlurb.com) @ Jun 6th 2007 9:46PM]

The market potential for a low cost laptop is huge. There are so many market segments that could be interested in this product. I'm excited to see the $189 laptop launch. Even if it only offers minimal functionality like Internet access and email, I think the marketing opportunity is wide open. I talk about this more at www.MarketingBlurb.com:

http://www.marketingblurb.com/2007/06/is_a_189_laptop_on_the_way.html

[Karl @ Jun 6th 2007 11:15PM]

If manufacturers are listening, you could build a sweet mobile system for a half-decent price. Just combine the components from:

a) 8" swivel screen portable DVD player
b) set-top DVD recorder (even a DVDRW for a laptop is < $100)
c) wireless pda

What you would end up with is an 8" mini-laptop, convertible into a tablet, that can record onto the built-in dvd drive. It could have your wireless tech like WiFi, bluetooth, GPS, DVB, etc. Throw in a built-in keyboard, SD card slot, remote, and you'd be made. You could probably even throw in a small 4 or 8GB SSD (enough for an OS) without too much extra cost.

I have to admit that these new little gadgets are starting to head in the right direction...

[Blink @ Jun 7th 2007 1:52AM]

they are going to sell millions. I hope I can get ahold of one in the first 6 months. And we thought it was hard to get an Xbox 360 or PS3.

[Asher @ Jun 8th 2007 3:38PM]

This isn't going to have the production issues that the PS3, XBOX 360 or even the Wii face. It uses off the shelf components that have become cheap as a direct result of massive production. Even at 200 dollars they will still see a decent profit. There is nothing that this laptop uses that is cost prohibitive. The screen(portable DVD players), RAM(DDR2 from PCs), flash(DMPs), and chipset(I'm guessing a trimmed down version of what's in the Apple TV) are all items that have already shifted into mass production as a result of different segments. They just have to engineer the enclosure (they're already arguably the best at that) and put all the pieces together. They can produce as much of these as the market demands - and the price will probably even drop.

[Jelpy @ Jun 7th 2007 4:51AM]

You know, I didn't expect more than that from you!!

:-P

[Colin @ Jun 7th 2007 4:55AM]

Well, glad I didn't disappoint then!

:-)

[Jelpy @ Jun 7th 2007 4:52AM]

$200?? how much is just a notebook battery these days?? The average price is around $150 and they want us to believe they can sell you a whole computer for just a bit over the price of a battery??!!!!!

[Jelpy @ Jun 7th 2007 4:53AM]

Hope makes the fools go merry!!!! lol

[Harry @ Jun 7th 2007 10:02AM]

Does it have any sort of cd drive? If not, how would you load apps onto it?

[albatros13 @ Jun 11th 2007 12:43AM]

Previous reply concerning this ended up at the bottom of the pile, Harry.

[Nekiruhs @ Aug 29th 2007 7:43AM]

It runs linux dude, totally different system. They install software from giant servers called repositories, no need to even go to a web site to get software.

[deslock @ Jun 7th 2007 10:18AM]

Why would I use a laptop with a 7" screen?

Wake me up if next year's Eee PC 1001 (10" screen) is the same size and weight as the Eee PC 701.

[tiuk @ Jun 7th 2007 10:32AM]

I want. Hard.

[roc ingersol @ Jun 7th 2007 10:41AM]

For 200 bucks I'd buy one just for shits and giggles.

[Hpn @ Jun 7th 2007 7:06PM]

I swear great piece of tech and i hope this hits it big cause this will be perfect for kids students and adults specialy with its built in wireless and superiour flash harddrive no more waiting for your OS to boot up this will do it in seconds.

[Harry @ Jun 8th 2007 8:20AM]

Does this have an optical drive?

[Adam @ Jun 8th 2007 12:41PM]

This is really what I hoped Nokia would come out with. Their little internet tablets are great, but the keyboard gives it a whole new level of use. And $200?!!? I'll buy it just to encourage Asus to continue.

[Ondskan @ Jun 8th 2007 3:07PM]

I was looking for a very small(not that small,though) and cheap portable pc, to work with microsoft office, code some webpages and do some little work with photoshop. You guys,think this is a good option?

[albatros13 @ Jun 11th 2007 12:46AM]

No. Not for Photoshop, unless you will be using an older version, say, 7.0 without all the frills, or 6.0.

[albatros13 @ Jun 11th 2007 12:37AM]

If you have an external cd-rom, you can burn software via the usb, or if you have a flash drive, use your desktop to copy the install files off the cd into your flash, then hook up the flash to the laptop via usb and install your software.

[Mark Davis @ Jun 11th 2007 5:20PM]

based on this pic http://www.asusreviews.com/forum/images/assets/img_2224.jpg and the Taiwanese ASUS site I would say the resolution is 800x480 which is a common res for 7" screens. other pics look like it has a SD memory card slot so you can expand the flash storage for a small price.

[Phrozen @ Jun 13th 2007 11:38PM]

I just saw some specs on 1 of the links someone post here. a guy that had one in his hands, it looks it will be Xandros boots in 15 sec and will include openOffice, Firefox, Skype, and I expect a Gnome based system (even though Xandros uses KDE) for the EEE of use, play, and work or something like that.

You will have at your disposition all the deb packages you may ever need, and of course, you may be able to install Ubuntu or maybe Damn Small Linux (if there aren't any fancy drivers to get) and you'll be flying like an eagle. If ur a developer, you don't need more than 7'' 800x480 screen and a wi-fi. I'll glad pay 200 for a system to play on like this one :D code on the go.

[Kuhn @ Jun 15th 2007 5:37AM]

Looks awesome! More info here: http://www.asusreviews.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=44&page=1

[gyffes @ Jun 19th 2007 2:24PM]

I love it. Esp at that price point. Even if we don't get much above, what, 800x 480, it's still a good offering.

Why?

Because each and every such device that comes out will only add more fuel to the fire that's building under Apple to release something in size between the iPhone and the 13.3" MacBook.

Gimme a 10" Appletop (where oh where is the successor to my beloved eMate?) and I'll be one happy boy.

And if Apple doesn't step in? ONE of the myriad such devices that's cropping up will do, esp if Linux runs smoothly atop 'em.

[novistahere @ Jun 23rd 2007 6:42PM]

I think the Eee and the the Foleo are both going to be a success. They seem to be going after different markets. The Foleo is for the professional carrying a laptop and a smartphone. My wife, for example, works from home and has to carry her laptop and cell phone everywhere. She's always complaining that she wants a lighter laptop, but laughed at the idea of the Asus Eee PC with only a 7" screen. The Foleo with the larger screen suits her better. I, on the other hand, carry a Sony PDA and a cell phone. I would like something a little bigger that displays web pages better, that's also cheap. My phone isn't lonely and it doesn't need a companion. Eee = me happy! Not to mention I have two boys that will be starting High School soon. For $200 I can get them both a Eee.

Palm has never brought mainstream tech to the public, but they have always been fairly successful with their products. And if the Eee and the Folio do well, it will be interesting to see how many other companies join the bandwagon. I guess in 20 years or so we'll be buying computers out of vending machines for a couple of bucks.

[Richard Bhola @ Aug 13th 2007 9:17PM]

Look at the big picture... At $200, each school kids can have one. School lectures can be sent directly to the laptop. This is actually more cost effective than heavy textbooks. This could be the start of the paperless era. Isn't that what the "poorer" countries are doing?

[Kuhn @ Aug 24th 2007 4:24AM]

Looks like the price went up guys. The $199 model will not be sold in the US. The cheapest one will be sold at around $250 and prices go all the way up to about $400. Here are some of the specs and prices: http://www.asusreviews.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=44&pid=1240#pid1240

[L Smith @ Aug 26th 2007 9:21PM]

That price is an estimated list. It is almost certain to go cheaper.

This is the unit I have been waiting for. I am so tired of huge programs running slowly, massive battery demands, and generally being held hostage by Gates, Intel, and others.

Thank you, ASUS, for offering something that many of us have wanted for years.