Asus' diminutive Eee PC 701 gets previewed

We had a hunch that a once over just wasn't enough time with Asus' oh-so-intriguing Eee PC 701, so we're quite pleased that the folks over at NotebookReview were able to get a little alone time with the mini-laptop and give us some food for thought. As expected, this decently spec'd (for the price, of course) machine booted into an Asus-customized flavor of Linux "in about ten seconds flat," while the entire shutdown procedure took about half of that. Once inside, they seemed quite impressed with the amount of built-in applications and responsiveness, and noted that enough software was included to "definitely serve all of your basic needs." Of course, the understandably scrunched keyboard "took some getting used to," and although the display wasn't jaw-dropping, it served the purpose. Best of all, they were able to snag quite a few shots of the wee device, so be sure and give their writeup a look if you could potentially see this thing in your future.

[Thanks, Patrick L.]

[samnesral @ Jul 13th 2007 8:09AM]

Why does it have a windows key on the keyboard if it comes with Linux preinstalled?

[alexicon @ Jul 13th 2007 8:14AM]

my thoughts exactly.. heh
a.

[Rob @ Jul 13th 2007 8:14AM]

That's probably a generic keyboard. I don't think they're going to go through the hassle of designing a new keyboard just for this. That's the unfortunate result of a monopoly; everyone assumes that it's the only choice.

My question is more about the display with those ugly looking vertical bars that seems like they used Crazy Glue to attach them.

[noi$ia @ Jul 13th 2007 9:09AM]

this is the Eee with the 7" display and those ugly boarders at the screen. asus planned to launch a version with a 10" screen and no borders at the sides too.
if released in europe, the 10" model should be mine.

[michael @ Jul 13th 2007 9:13AM]

@Rob: How is Microsoft a monopoly just because people prefer to use Windows? People know there are choices. How can you not notice the "Get a Mac" ads? The Mac product placements they put on TV and movies? How Linux is becoming more popular? There's obviously choices. So I don't see how they could be a monopoly, since they don't have complete control over an entire market. If more people still prefer to use Windows, that's there choice. It's not the fact that 'everyone assumes it's the only choice.'

[Dean Lowe @ Jul 13th 2007 9:27AM]

It's the Microsoft monopoly that forced Asus to use Linux with their new Laptop.

[Mile @ Jul 13th 2007 9:44AM]

Dean:

Post Of The Day!

[Ryan @ Jul 13th 2007 8:57PM]

They probably included the Windows key because Asus has designed the Eee to be compatible with Windows XP from the beginning.

[wahoo scott @ Jul 13th 2007 1:12PM]

because when it was originally announced, they said it would run xp or linux:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/05/asus-new-eee-pc-701-joins-the-laptop-lite-fray-with-a-bang/

[alexicon @ Jul 13th 2007 8:14AM]

with their own custom linux distro im surprised they decided to keep the 'windows' icon on the meta key..

interesting notebook though.

a.

[websyndicate @ Jul 13th 2007 8:58AM]

As long as it can run Vista I'm on board lol....go 10.5

[josearoldan @ Jul 13th 2007 9:19AM]

I see myself getting one of these to replace my old and tired Thinkpad R30 (that still runs like new) just basic web surfing, messenger and email. And maybe, just maybe I'll try to replace the OS with another Linux Distro :)

[ChemistDude @ Jul 13th 2007 9:38AM]

The article says they use Kopete. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they are using a customised version of KDE. But why only one mouse button? The reviewer said that with this setup one mouse button is fine, but two mouse buttons add so much more usability. At $250 tho, this is a great looking piece of equipment.

[Michael Moran @ Jul 13th 2007 10:57AM]

Yeah, from the screen shots they are using a modified KDE install. The simple interface looks like a full screen loader thats probably running on top of KDE( can't tell for sure from the screenies of course) And at 200 bucks and 2 lb, it could have no mouse buttons at all and i would still buy one ;)


_mike

[Richard Bailey @ Jul 13th 2007 9:39AM]

Why is there an antivirus icon on this thing? ASUS is perpetuating the fallacy that Linux needs antivirus.

[vrn @ Jul 13th 2007 10:17AM]

...And you're perpetuating the fallacy that Linux is invulnerable. All interactive operating systems have one flaw: the user. As long as you can social engineer the user into typing their password for "Required Update", you're well on your way to trashing the system.

[zorg @ Jul 13th 2007 10:16AM]

@michael: Microsoft is a monopoly. You claim that people "prefer" Windows. Not so. People get Windows, whether they like it or not. Each computer manufacturer is charged for (at least) one copy of Windows for each CPU they buy. That cost is passed on to you. Microsoft has the power as a monopoly to force the market to bend to its will. The Windows key on a non-Microsoft computer is just one of many examples.

Of course, you may just one of the many sockpuppets and astroturfers alleged to be used by Microsoft to spread disinformation, so this may not be news to you.

The Internet has diminished Microsoft's monopoly power and I believe that developments like the EEE PC and Palm Foleo are positive signs that the "Microsoft Tax" on computers will cease to grow.

[michael @ Jul 13th 2007 10:29AM]

But there are Macs. Macs use OS X installed on it. If people prefer to use Windows on it, they can. If people don't want Windows, or to pay to buy Windows, than they could use Macs. Or build their own custom PC running Linux or something else. So the market doesn't have to bend to Microsoft.

Apple could raise the prices on OS X also. Considering that Macs are the only computers that legally run OS X, Apple could just raise the prices if they wanted, and all Mac users would have to abide by that. But these companies don't do it.

And I am so not an astroturfer. Are there even astroturfers anymore? I would never be as low as that. I don't spread disinformation. I was just saying that Microsoft doesn't seem to be a monopoly if they don't have a 'whole' control over a market. People do have choices, and nobody has to use Windows. If a PC maker chooses to use Windows, that's there thing. Wouldn't you say that Apple fanboys themselves are astroturfers? Considering that they sometimes too spread disinformation about Apple?

So obviously, you didn't read my whole comment.

[zorg @ Jul 14th 2007 10:18AM]

I think you are confused about the terms "monopoly" and "astroturfing".

A monopoly has power over a market and computers are a market. Macs aren't a market in the eyes of regulators, business, and the courts who have ruled Microsoft as a monopoly. You're sort of saying that the courts were wrong to do that or that everyone is free to define "monopoly" as they wish.

As for "astroturfing", you seem to be saying that it is about spreading disinformation. Definitions of "astroturfing" ALWAYS include the financial connection between astroturfer and the subject. If you work for, say, NASA and have never received money from Microsoft or its agencies in any form, but you spread disinformation because of your inner feelings, you are not an astroturfer. Based on this definition, an astroturfer would avoid revealing financial connections. Someone who suspects astroturfing would look at something other than the suspect's protestations of innocence to guess whether we are seeing astroturfing or something else.

[Argot @ Jul 13th 2007 10:24AM]

Is that black duct tape on the sides of the screen?

[Electromodo @ Jul 13th 2007 10:58AM]

That's speakers :)

[Argot @ Jul 13th 2007 11:11AM]

@Electromodo:

Oh! Hahaha... Yes of course... Looked at the other pictures now and boy is my face red! :D

[Aaron @ Jul 13th 2007 10:24AM]

It's running Xandros (http://www.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html), but it can also run XP if you want (hence the windows key).

The GUI has a basic mode, which is what you see with those tabs there, or a regular mode which is the standard KDE desktop.

You can see sshots of both modes here:

http://www.hothardware.com/articles/Hands_on_with_the_ASUS_Eee/?page=2

[NNTPgrip @ Jul 13th 2007 10:28AM]

Whatever all of you. This thing will replace my Nokia 770. Just enjoy the $200 x86 laptop damnit. Keeping costs down, they'll keep the windows key, if that bothers enough people, I'm sure they'll start putting a penquin sticker on it. You can put whatever x86 OS you want on the damn thing. People who are into pain and suffering can try Vista on it, XP should work fine (recommend using XPLite to strip it down). I'm gonna keep their OS on it as long as Flash is in full effect and youtube/flash video works nice.

[Matt @ Jul 13th 2007 10:31AM]

I really, really hope that us folks in the UK don't get screwed over when it comes to price with this machine, I'll buy it in a second if its cheap.

[patsy @ Jul 13th 2007 10:43AM]

The only issue I see with KDE on that small screen (800x480 I believe) is that some dialogs are larger and in particular taller than 480 pixels, hiding the OK and Cancel buttons below the bottom of the screen. A virtual desktop would fix that, but it can be confusing for new users.

[tiuk @ Jul 13th 2007 10:58AM]

If the price stays low I'm all over this. So glad I waited on getting a nokia 770/N800.

[Olivier @ Jul 13th 2007 11:02AM]

I truly hope the 10" version will make it to Europe... otherwise I will have to resolve to buy it from abroad... provided I can plug it on 220V without damaging it of course. Anyway, it'll be mine !

And for the Microsoft monopoly : you talk about a monopoly when a company owns a certain percentage of a market (80, 90, 95% ? don't know thought). But you certainly can't say that every Windows user chose to buy it. They just go along with it since it's the only OS they know. This is a really vast and interesting debate, you can find some really good articles about that (MS pays literally billions of dollars to schools, universities, companies, etc... to make sure that Windows is everything the average customer knows and sort of lock him with the system)

[Danny @ Jul 13th 2007 11:08AM]

>Each computer manufacturer is charged for (at least) one copy of Windows for each CPU

What nonsense. If this were true there is now way they could sell this thing for $250. I love that MS "bending [Asus] to its will" by forcing them to put a linux on a machine with a windows key. Uh, yeah. The truth is that they make so many more windows lappies that are they are crazy cheap to manufacture so Asus is leveraging that into a super cheap LINUX machine. But please keep bending your logic to knock windows instead of focusing on the machine itself.

[silverblackvoid @ Jul 13th 2007 11:38AM]

cant wait to get one! this piece of gadget looks pretty fucking decent for its price. im gonna buy it as soon as its launched. ASUS you ROCK.

[laughing boy @ Jul 13th 2007 11:49AM]

I wonder how the folks at Palm are reacting to this.

[Jake @ Jul 13th 2007 11:50AM]

If they release a version with a slightly larger screen (and at least 1024x768) i might just buy one. The border around the screen is fugly but the rest seems quite well built for the price. Props to Asus!

[IronGamer @ Jul 13th 2007 12:29PM]

I can't wait to pick one of these up.

The one thing I don't like is the speakers and large black border around the screen. Will the 10" version remove that but keep the same size overall for the device?

If so I may wait for the 10", but it so cheap it seems well worth it to try out this form factor.

[Stephan @ Jul 13th 2007 1:00PM]

$250 originally it was stated as $199 oh-uh!

Another preview, with some slightly different information.
http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Hands_on_with_the_ASUS_Eee/

[Stephan @ Jul 13th 2007 1:09PM]

Ok read the whole article, only $250 for the 8GB version instead of $299 SWEET!

[jakep_82 @ Jul 13th 2007 1:23PM]

Yeah, the $199 they originally stated was for a 4GB version. It appears they may have dropped that and will only offer 8 and 16GB versions now. Either way I'll be waiting in line to buy one on launch day.

[Sam @ Jul 13th 2007 1:41PM]

Indeed, it seems that @Michael has absolutely _zero_ experience in any technical support capacity. Please, Michael, do yourself a favor, and get a job as a technical support representative at any major ISP or manufacturer. When people call to complain about something, ask them if they've ever heard of Linux, or what they think of BSD. 9 of out 10 users will audibly start drooling on the phone, with "uuuhhh...what?" being their next response. Of the 1-out-of-10 who have heard of it, they're pretty equally divided between (A) I prefer Windows, (B) I am not allow to use Windows because the software I need doesn't run on Linux (otherwise I would in a heartbeat), and (C) I have to use Windows because it's required for my job.

The point is, of those who actually DO know there are alternatives, 2 out of 3 (estimated, based on my experience) do *WANT* to use another OS platform, but *CANNOT*. The rest of the sheeple simply aren't aware of any choices.

Also, if you sell a desktop-class PC, Microsoft *DOES* mandate a per-CPU Windows license fee, even if you do not pre-install it with Windows. However, if you're brave enough, you CAN contact the reseller and get the fee refunded. Most people don't bother though, because it typically comes to around $25 or so.

So, yeah, if you purchase Windows over the counter, you're paying 10x too much for it.

[Stephan @ Jul 13th 2007 1:52PM]

Damn I don't want to wait in line to get one of these but it seems like this is going to have a Wii effect of consitantly being out of stock for over 1 year!

[Brian @ Jul 13th 2007 3:02PM]

I am really looking forward to this thing. But i'm not totally sure what to expect as far as sales. Part of me thinks this thing is going to be huge and everyone's going to want one. But it also might be that most people never even hear about the thing. I guess it depends on how well it's marketed. I've read that they expect to sell 200,000 of them, which makes me think there will be at least some advertising for them.

I sure hope they sell well. Hopefully well enough that other companies will come out with similarly priced laptops.

[Charlie @ Jul 13th 2007 5:03PM]

Does it support DirectX 9?

[James @ Jul 16th 2007 12:29AM]

zorg, you are one sad and pathetic person.

"Of course, you may just one of the many sockpuppets and astroturfers alleged to be used by Microsoft to spread disinformation, so this may not be news to you."

why do microsoft haters try to act all high and mighty? microsoft is a monopoly! wah! i can't format the computer i just bought and install linux since microsoft is a monopoly! linux is so great! go linux! it's free! yay! something wrong with the distro you're running? sorry, can't call anybody for help.

[potato @ Aug 13th 2007 11:58AM]

when does it come out? is there no set date? How about the 10' one?


can we order online only or can we get them @ Frys or Best Buy? i like this comp., but i have no idea where to get it.

[Pijama @ Aug 15th 2007 5:34PM]

It can be pre-ordered at allasus.com! I hope it will be available in August, cause my brother is at the US till Sept and I wanna ask him to buy me one, because it will be much more expensive here in Hungary, around 400-500$

[Jorge @ Oct 1st 2007 5:32PM]

I'm really new to all this stuff and i was looking to save some money on a notebook, so i was wondering do i need to buy anything extra for the web? I probably sound like a total nube but again i dont know much about computers. If someone could tell me i'd be really appreciated.
Thanks!

[Cameron Wood @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:03PM]

I want one, they rock! And so cheap too!