Asus' Eee PC 4G Surf now available to order

While you'll still have to wait a while to get your hands on a 10-inch Eee PC, you can now grab the 4G Surf version of the budget laptop, which will save you $50 over the standard model. Running $349 and apparently available only in Black for now (at least at Newegg.com), this one is largely identical to the non-Surf Eee PC, with the notable exception of a smaller battery that Asus says will give you about 2.8 hours of runtime (although Newegg's listing shows the same 3.5 hours as the regular model). You also apparently won't be able to upgrade the RAM beyond 512MB like you can with the standard Eee PC, and you'll have to make do without that 0.3 megapixel webcam. If that's still too pricey for you, you can always wait for the 2G Surf, which'll knock the price down to just $299.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Ian H. @ Nov 21st 2007 4:12PM]

How do they prevent RAM upgrades? Is it not the same chassis as the 4G?

[zip22 @ Nov 21st 2007 5:56PM]

I read that the RAM is soldered down on this one

[126andy @ Mar 10th 2008 2:35PM]

I have the Asus 4gb Surf> I installed windows XP and 2gb ram same as the 4gb that has the webcam, the only difference is that the surf doesn't have a webcam but there is a usb hub to install one

[Wonderkid @ Nov 21st 2007 4:43PM]

This otherwise fantastic machine NEEDS proper connectivity. Built in HSPDA and Bluetooth. WiFi is pointless! It's a technology for fixed locations, while mobile broadband allows one to work anywhere. Bluetooth for using one's mobile phone as a modem and file transfer, address book and calendar syncing etc. Else, someone else will compete and the eee PC will have been the first affordable mini-laptop, but not the last...

[JK @ Nov 21st 2007 5:25PM]

Just ordered one from Newegg. As far as connectivity it has USB which can be tethered to a cell phone for broadband speeds via Verizon.

[EdMercer @ Nov 21st 2007 6:56PM]

JK, be a nice fella and let us know if the soldered-on, un-upgradable RAM is true when you get yours, will ya ?

Even if it is, I think I've found my match ;D

[KC @ Nov 22nd 2007 3:57AM]

@Wonderkid, yeah, as long as you don't travel to another country that has no HSPDA support... but I guess you've never left the country before.

[fastolfe @ Nov 21st 2007 8:47PM]

Donald, they've updated their website to list 2.8 hrs of battery life.

[V @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:23PM]

I just got an ASUS eee 4GB surf in pink (who cares, right?). Does anyone know if you can use virgin mobile broadband with it? Thanks!