Asus lets loose US pricing, launch details for Eee PC

It's been a long time coming, but it looks like Asus has finally settled down on pricing and release details for the US launch of its low-cost Eee PC. According to NotebookReview, a sales kit sent out to retailers by Asus confirms the $300 to $400 prices we heard about recently, with a $350 model squeezed in there as well. The same sales kit also reveals that the top-end $400 model, dubbed the Eee PC 4G, will be the first one available, with it set to drop on November 1st. While there's no firm details on the other two models, they'll apparently both also be available sometime before the end of the year. Conspicuously absent, however, is the much-touted $199 model, which we're guessing will be released around the same time as the $100 OLPC.

[Via Electronista]

[David Susilo @ Oct 29th 2007 5:02PM]

at $400 you can buy a full-fledged PC.

[Bman @ Oct 29th 2007 5:08PM]

Yes, but not one in that form factor with a flash memeory harddrive. I would much rather cary an Eee PC around than a desktop with a monitor. Or even a bulky laptop.

[David Susilo @ Oct 29th 2007 5:13PM]

fair enough. But for a PC that's originally touted to be $200 and now jacked up by 100% to $400. The spec is just too far from being impressive.

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 29th 2007 5:25PM]

All of what you said would be a problem if it was competing in the same market as 14" 6lb laptops, but it's competing with Computers like the Sony TX which costs around $2,000. Even at $400 these things are going to sell like gangbusters.

[Homeboy @ Oct 29th 2007 5:51PM]

You have clearly missed the whole point of this PC. Most of us who will buy this already own a full fledge PC and want something which is extremely portable and can be carried everywhere like a thick novel. It will be very useful for bloggers and university students.

[Eric @ Oct 29th 2007 6:18PM]

I understand wanting a very small note book, but this thing is just a bit big for its price, i would rater put another 500 with is and get a 12inch notebook that can do more and last much longer. For its price, screen size and capability most people would be better off with a PDA.

[newbie @ Oct 29th 2007 8:30PM]

there's something reported incorrectly in the article. there will be 4 models of EeePC.

1) 2GB Flash, 256MB RAM, no webcam
2) 4GB Flash, 512MB RAM, no webcam
3) 4GB Flash, 512MB RAM, with webcam
4) 8GB Flash, 1GB RAM, with webcam

according to taiwanese sources, the highest model is 8GB with 1GB RAM and webcam, and this will be retailing at about US$400. currently only 4GB Flash, 512MB RAM is released in taiwan. another model will be released in mid-november, forgot what model though. i will be travelling to taiwan to grab a set of 8GB at end november :)

[David @ Oct 29th 2007 8:29PM]

This is crazy. I agree it is nice and small, but way off from its original 200 dollar price tag. It looks as though Asus made some outrageous claims initially in order to get publicity and then gave in to the profit bug. Let's face it: they duped us. Profit rules in today's world.

[newbie @ Oct 29th 2007 8:38PM]

according to this source(its in chinese though)
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=233&t=422828&p=3

8GB flash, 1GB RAM with webcam is NT$13800
4GB flash, 512MB RAM with webcam is NT$11000
4GB flash, 512MB RAM without webcam is NT$9999
2GB flash, 512MB RAM without webcam is NT7999

please do some converting from NT$ to USD$, you will get the approximate pricing in US.

[farfisa @ Oct 29th 2007 5:06PM]

And where are the flying cars and jet packs??!!!

[qldonkey @ Oct 29th 2007 5:07PM]

The only real advantage to this system is its small form factor, light-weight, and the fact that it is still somewhat cheap. It's true $400 can get you a lot more - full fledged PC and even a more powerful (albeit BIGGER and HEAVIER) notebook... just check dealnews.com and there's tons of deals out there. But dammit, some of us just want a small "mini-notebook" that's portable and can be thrown into a bookbag or tossed carelessly around without having to worry about it too much. That said, it's disappointing to see the EEE has been bumped up to $400 (kinda diminishes the "you dont have to be so careful with it" advantage) and it will have such a low battery life, kinda defeats the point of the portability :-(

[Jason @ Oct 30th 2007 9:16AM]

the Nokia N810 is an alternative. $370US, 800x480 LCD, thumboard, miniSDHC, 2GB built in, AND GPS.

[ScOObyDoo @ Oct 29th 2007 5:06PM]

This thing is suddenly terribly uninteresting.

Great move, releasing a low spec machine so close to black friday where we'll see "real" notebooks for less.

[Cagrino @ Oct 29th 2007 6:37PM]

I'm with you here on the uninteresting thing. What happened to the 8GB SSD with 1GB of RAM for $399??? They cut the specs in half and kept the same price!!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/asus-eee-pc-priced-299-to-399/

Here we go again with the bait-and-switch routine. Don't forget people this started out at $199...

[Cagrino @ Oct 29th 2007 6:41PM]

I'm with you here on the uninteresting thing. What happened to the 8GB SSD with 1GB of RAM for $399??? They cut the specs in half and kept the same price!!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/asus-eee-pc-priced-299-to-399/

Here we go again with the bait-and-switch routine. Don't forget people this started out at $199...

[Eric @ Oct 29th 2007 5:08PM]

Yeah they just lost my purchase, and I really was looking forward to these.

[Luke @ Oct 29th 2007 5:08PM]

Bummer. Was hoping the 8G was going for $400.

@ David

Show me a $400 notebook with an SSD, 12" screen or smaller, and 3+ hours battery life.

Good luck.

[ScOObyDoo @ Oct 29th 2007 5:12PM]

The Nokia N800 (or upcoming N810) come to mind.

But the issue isn't with the specs, it's with the fact that this was meant to be a $199 machine, then it became $299, and now it's already $399.

SSD isn't THAT impressive, you can add a 4Gb (or larger) CF drive to an adapter that'll replace your HDD in almost any machine.

[Luke @ Oct 29th 2007 5:14PM]

True, but as near as I can tell CF cards won't have the I/O speeds and read life an SSD would have. I could be wrong though.

Still, I'm tempted to try that in my 12" Core 2. I would love to squeek out a bit more battery life. I'm just not all that impressed with its battery life as is (3 hours ish)

[fobunited @ Oct 29th 2007 5:17PM]

I would blame the media more than Asus for touting around the $200 price tag.

If we didn't have that expectation in mind, I believe our reaction to OFFICIAL specs and prices from Asus would have been different.

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 29th 2007 5:36PM]

Asus was the one who said $199 in the first place. They did it so that they could get press. If it comes back to bite them, how is it the "press'" fault? The idea that we should have waited for the "official" cost is silly if Asus is the one who say's $199 in the first place. How much more official do you need?

I'm not saying that it won't sell well, it will. Hell, I'm probably buying one. But the backlash is no questions asked Asus's fault.

[fobunited @ Oct 29th 2007 5:58PM]

uuhh... where did Asus state the price was going to be $199? In fact, it seems this price point was based more on rumor than official Asus statements.

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 29th 2007 8:48PM]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2141742,00.asp


Asus debued two models, saying one would premier at $199 and another at $299.

[Eric @ Oct 31st 2007 11:46AM]

Uhhhhhh you got told.

[Paris @ Oct 29th 2007 5:23PM]

In UK it's £199 for the 4GB version. I believe its a very reasonable price.

[Jevanzz @ Oct 29th 2007 6:35PM]

That's about $400, same as the US gets.

[bombastinator @ Oct 30th 2007 12:05AM]

199 euro =~286 dollars. Go for the U.K. model.

[MARSHAK @ Oct 30th 2007 1:05AM]

199 euro is not 199 POUNDS.

1 British pound = 1.43 euro
1 British pound = 2.05 USD

[friendlyner @ Oct 29th 2007 5:24PM]

I was super-excited about this when I thought it was $199. Not so much anymore. I won't be buying.

[Ian @ Oct 29th 2007 5:40PM]

Pricing is a smidgen too high and battery a LOT too small. All IMHO of course. A year ago I bought a 14 inch Dell Laptop big HD, 2GB RAM and a 6 hour battery all under $1K. It's a shame this new device misses the mark. I suspect that initial sales will be ok and then quickly taper off and the price cuts could follow.

[wrs @ Oct 30th 2007 8:35AM]

That makes me think -- might the reason be that Asus noticed Apple to sell its iPhone for that 400 USD, then saw how it got unlocked and put down to a lower price? -- Maybe it's only an initial price tag for the Asus, too -- about to be set down to the original 200 later?

[bachviet @ Oct 29th 2007 5:43PM]

$400 is too much for a 4GB model. The 2GB model was to be at $199 and 4GB model at $299.

Good thing I picked up the N800 along with a 4GB and a 8GB SD cards for around $300.

[gridbread @ Oct 29th 2007 5:50PM]

This almost defeats the point of this to begin with.
It needs to be 200 dollars in order to kick similar products like the Zaurus in the ass for sitting unchallenged so long with a ridiculous pricetag.
Rawr.

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 29th 2007 5:55PM]

How is this in competition with the Zaurus? I'm not being condescending, I'm legitimately curious why you think they're direct competitors.

[gridbread @ Oct 29th 2007 7:37PM]

They're basically similar by form factor and low performance, I'd consider either for a small device to do basic things on the go.
Except the Eee PC has a realistic price.

[Sam @ Oct 29th 2007 5:57PM]

Okay I heard a week ago or so that the 8GB 1GB ram one would be 400 dollars and i was so excited.

Now not so much, although i still havent heard the RAM specs on any of these yet.

[Brian @ Oct 29th 2007 6:08PM]

Yes they did originally say it was going to be $199, but there was never any question that that would be for the lowest spec'd model. $400 is for the highest spec'd model. Keep that in mind when comparing.

I still really want one, but i'm afraid at the moment even if it was $199 i wouldn't be able to afford it. Plus i'd rather wait and see what version 2 is like.

[Eric @ Oct 29th 2007 6:20PM]

$400 is for the mid-high spec, they will have an Eight Gig out soon.

[modified @ Oct 29th 2007 6:14PM]

Kinda lame they are doing this and stealing some of the OLPC's thunder.

[eee blog @ Oct 29th 2007 6:16PM]

what about canade release?

[Kevin @ Oct 29th 2007 6:27PM]

ARGGGG. I was hoping the 4G was for $350, and the 4G surf for $300, but I'm off by $50. It's 50$ more, ick. It's starting to lose it's charm.

[Revert @ Oct 29th 2007 6:33PM]

The $199 EEE is not dead. It is the model they sell to contract orders- the actual OLPC competitor, and for $12 more, its a pretty good deal. Russia ordered 1 million of them right off. The high spec'd models are for consumers- and probably offset the $199 priced ones.

[Sirocco @ Oct 29th 2007 7:28PM]

DavidSusilo, compare it to the Nokia N810, which costs more but has a practically useless keyboard (although better than nothing) and only a 4 inch screen. The Eee PC is tiny but practical, a form factor that most brands seem to avoid, for some reason.

And Scooby, for most practical purposes (email, word processing, web surfing), this isn't a low spec machine, not at all. In fact, it's too powerful.

[wrs @ Oct 30th 2007 8:42AM]

I thought, it might be worth a shot to put it into some dark corner to be a server. It might be competetive to the NSLU-2, as the NSLU-2 is too slow, has low main memory and demands extra mass storage etc.

I think, the Eee might been (for the $200 tag) a good alternative. But on $400, I skip it.

[Rustedborg @ Oct 29th 2007 7:49PM]

Wow. All the people at Electronista did was directly steal content that was already published on NotebookReview.com about the Eee PC. Why is Engadget giving credit to people who violate copyright law?

[iRobot @ Oct 29th 2007 8:02PM]

This is great, but why wouldn't ASUS release the $199 first? Black Friday is around the corner, release the cheap one first -- than the $400 dollar closer to Christmas, after they've become really popular, and extremely hard to find. Believe me people will pay any price on the Dec 15th - 24th, NOT look like a bad parent.

Don't you computer retail people KNOW how "Tech Fads" work by now?

[o0adam0o @ Oct 29th 2007 8:34PM]

Ummm...OLPC isnt near $100 anymore....closer to $200...

[CRH @ Oct 29th 2007 10:39PM]

I still want a Foleo, dammit.

[tekoneiric @ Oct 29th 2007 11:01PM]

I wonder if the camera is hooked up internally via USB. I find the lack of Bluetooth a point of irritation. If the camera is USB then a tiny Bluetooth module could be shoe-horned inside. I also wish the memory on board was in a removable module.

[patsy @ Oct 30th 2007 1:57AM]

Don't know about the camera, but I believe a screenshot of a USB device scan showed the SD card reader to be USB. Either way, the old USB-hub-plus-dongle shoehorn should definitely work, if there's any room left at all inside that tiny case.