ASUS' 7-inch Eee PC now available at Best Buy in XP flavor

Sure, the picture on the purchase page shows the little guy running Xandros -- but read the fine print ya'll. That's right, the moment some of you have been waiting for has finally descended upon us like the enraged, ancient dragons of yore. The Windows XP equipped ASUS Eee PC is now available at Best Buy. For just $399.99, you can experience the totally okay performance that is this 7-inch master of destruction. Enjoy it now, but remember, those 9-inch models are just around the corner.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Dolemite @ Apr 6th 2008 8:13PM]

I was thinking about picking up one of these, but I will wait for the 9" one. The large black areas around the screen bother me.

[Johan S @ Apr 6th 2008 8:34PM]

Agreed.

Also, the 800x480 resolution sucks. When they come out with ones that have 1024 width resolution (which is the minimum for decent web browsing) or higher, I will probably buy a few.

PS> Dammit, engadget fix your reply button issue!

[finnith @ Apr 6th 2008 10:13PM]

It seems to be that only the US site has it.

[Ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 10:47PM]

Here's a review of the new XP unit...not much changes though.

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=543

[emailtabs @ Apr 7th 2008 5:13AM]

Umm, if you had the power of the internet at your fingers and you had the compunction to search you would allready know that the eee can run 1024*768.

Go to www.eeeuser.com and *USE* the search button in the forums, you'll be amazed by what can be done to these little things.

I am running XP, 2gig ram, 1024*768, 1000MHZ(eeectl), also internal Touchscreen and HDSPA. It is one of the best laptops i have ever had, I'm glad they finally got rid of the VTECH style interface.

[emailtabs @ Apr 7th 2008 5:14AM]

Umm, if you had the power of the internet at your fingers and you had the compunction to search you would allready know that the eee can run 1024*768.

Go to www.eeeuser.com and *USE* the search button in the forums, you'll be amazed by what can be done to these little things.

I am running XP, 2gig ram, 1024*768, 1000MHZ(eeectl), also internal Touchscreen and HDSPA. It is one of the best laptops i have ever had, I'm glad they finally got rid of the VTECH style interface.

[YoYoYo @ Apr 7th 2008 7:48AM]

I'm a little worried about the 9"ers - The processor looks like it may actually be slower, despite the near-doubling of the clock speed. The screen's a disappointment as well. It may prove difficult to do much with a 1024x800 screen without using virtual desktops. In Linux and Windows both there are plenty of short sighted app developers that define fixed-size option dialogues and all sorts of goodies with 800+ pixel heights.

[kevin chernoff @ Apr 6th 2008 8:13PM]

awesomeness

[Captain Crunkled @ Apr 6th 2008 8:17PM]

Thanks, but I think I will wait for the 900. I agree about the black bezel - reminds me of the laptops of yore (NEC UltraLite, anyone?).

[Tom @ Apr 6th 2008 8:20PM]

does no-one else think that $399 is just too much for this? I know its small, but for maybe $200 more you can get a preoper laptop with hard drive space and stuff one special offer. This price point is just a little high for an extreme budget laptop

[Eric M. @ Apr 6th 2008 9:34PM]

Well for most people that $200 makes a huge difference. I've been thinking of picking one of these up simply because of the small form factor.

These things are incredible small. I have a 17in HP desktop replacement and I can carry it around, but an EEE PC would be great for just word processing on the go and light web browsing and so this is marketed to people like me.

[Mario @ Apr 7th 2008 9:15AM]

I think you're comparing apples and oranges, Tom. The Eee is an ultra-portable, and you normally have to pay much more that $600 for one of them.

[Justin @ Apr 6th 2008 8:26PM]

Yeah, so when ARE those 900's supposed to be released? Along with the rest of the competition--Wind PC, etc.

Can we expect Engadget to have some coverage on all of these? I think the netbook arena is going to be really popular.

[Superevil @ Apr 6th 2008 10:20PM]

I know right, I'm waiting for the G10IL

[Jkswiss @ Apr 6th 2008 8:28PM]

To answer your question, no, its not too expensive. People are buying this thing in droves so its obviously at an attractive price point. What surprises me is that there are still people asking your question day in and day out. That one or two pound extra magically gets heavier and heavier the more you travel..and I don't mean to class and back to your car. People who travel alot on foot in the big cities will really appreciate the light weight.

[luis @ Apr 6th 2008 11:57PM]

Besides that, the other ultra portables, are very expensive like the macbook air, I know it is more powerful, but the in essence is an ultra portable, that is not meant for a desktop replacement, so 400 seem pretty good to me.

[Jkswiss @ Apr 6th 2008 8:29PM]

Dammit, I swear I hit reply to Tom.

[Nancy Wrenn @ Apr 8th 2008 4:43PM]

YOU APPARENTLY HAVE NO PROBLEM "TALKING LIKE A GENTLEMAN". HA! ha! ha!

MY DESIRE IS THAT YOU PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THE INTERNET THE USEFUL, MARVELOUS THING IT IS.
SUCH ABUSE OF LANGUAGE IS VERY ANNOYING!!!!
THINK ABOUT THAT YOUR FIVE YEAR OLD (SOMETIMES YOUNGER) CHILD CAN AND DO READ ANYTHING ON THE
NET. IS THIS HOW YOU WANT THEM TO ADDRESS OTHER PEOPLE?? YOU PEOPLE FORGET THAT YOU ARE THE EXAMPLES FOR THE CHILDLREN TO LOOK UP TO.

[Johan S @ Apr 6th 2008 8:33PM]

Agreed.

Also, the 800x480 resolution sucks. When they come out with ones that have 1024 width resolution (which is the minimum for decent web browsing) or higher, I will probably buy a few.

[Colin @ Apr 6th 2008 8:36PM]

...Can someone please tell me what the big deal is about these? I honestly have absolutely no desire to have one, and do not understand why anyone else would.

[The Dude @ Apr 6th 2008 8:49PM]

They're good for the bare fundamentals and for mobility, I guess. They hit a nice price-point too. (Although you could get a full-fledged cheapo laptop that can still do more at that price too.) I don't personally have a need for them; I carry around a 15.4" laptop to my university without a problem.

[Reader @ Apr 6th 2008 10:05PM]

I have no desire to buy a pink pony (okay, that's kind of a lie), but that doesn't mean there isn't a use for one.

[Carl Vitullo @ Apr 6th 2008 10:20PM]

it's because they're small, their specs aren't too bad, and they're highly hackable.
if you want something in it and you're feeling courageous, you can add it yourself.

[Mario @ Apr 7th 2008 9:30AM]

When the Eee first came out, I too thought WTF. I couldn't cope with anything less than my pretty powerful 15.4" laptop that has an ample HDD, and the Eee was deficient in all these areas.

However, my lappie is bulky to carry and there are times when I'd like a second PC as a backup. As I wouldn't be using a second computer much, I wouldn't want to spend much on it.

So basically, I've come round to the Eee PC. It won't be for everyone (and others will have different reasons for liking it: modding, kids first computer, etc), but no computer is.

[paragraph @ Apr 6th 2008 8:44PM]

More Functionality than an UMPC
Less Cost than a full laptop

These appeal to those who have no use for anything more than office apps and the web. They weigh next to nothing (compared to a laptop) and work good enough for office tasks.

Allthough, the average engadget reader will probably just get a $500 15.4in laptop.... since we're all manly-men with large biceps and can handle the extra 2.5lbs ;)

Seriously though, the appeal is that they are cheap, light, small, and don't smell of snake oil.

[Blooper62 @ Apr 6th 2008 8:44PM]

Well.... its the wii of the computer world its small, cheap compared to other computers, and its functional. The only thing missing is duct tape

[Anthony @ Apr 6th 2008 8:56PM]

I've had mine for three days now. First thing I did was blow away Xandros and put on Windows XP Pro. I abolutely love it! It's not a primary laptop or desktop replacement, I have a ThinkPad T61 for that, it's for traveling on business and/or pleasure when the ThinkPad is too much and the AT&T Tilt is not enough, roughly 50% of my trips. The keyboard is too small for touch typing, but I don't plan on writing novels with it.

Given those parameters, the screen size is great, the weight is perfect and the price is very attractive. I can easily access webmail, and there is plenty of screen real estate for Firefox. I can watch movies stored on an 8GB SD card with VLC, so I no longer need my Archos for these trips. I can also make video calls with Skype thanks to the built in camera and ample processor

At $399 plus the $20 cost of a small bluetooth dongle, so I can use my 3G Smartphone when Wifi is not available, and $20 for an 8GB SDHC card I would call it the perfect traveling accessory.

For those looking at it as a primary PC, yes it does fall short of even the most budget notebooks in terms of storage, display and keyboard. But, for those looking at it as an accessory for the frequent traveler that does not want to go without or lug too much, it hits the mark.

[Hamson @ Apr 6th 2008 9:52PM]

So my question is, where the hell do you get an 8GB SDHC card for twenty dollars?

[schmitty338 @ Apr 6th 2008 10:32PM]

...,,,first site I sent to is a computer place around the corner from me here in Canada, they have several 8GB SDHC cards for $29.99CDN...if they are that cheap here in Canada i'm sure somewhere sells them for around $20.

[JAmerican @ Apr 6th 2008 10:39PM]

I've had mine since the beginning of March and the second day, I put Windows XP on it and installed a touchscreen the same week. I love it. Its definitely was worth the purchase. I am looking forward to th Atom EEE since it should have better battery life. Although I love my EEE with touchscreen so much, I may just keep it over th 9" model. It really depends. Getting a 9" touchscreen is pretty expensive compared to 7". I got mine for $55. I got a 16GB SDHC. I play GTA Vice City, Fable, Max Payne on my EEE. I even played Goldeneye. Really great little machine. Not only that but it is little to no burden on your back :D.

JAmerican

[agroupofletters @ Apr 6th 2008 10:59PM]

@ Hamson

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208293
not quite 20, but close enough

[roman.kim @ Apr 6th 2008 9:03PM]

Well I've had my black 4G for a few months now, got it with Linux for 399, and put XP on it. This one comes loaded with XP, so I think it's a pretty good buy. It makes a reasonable secondary laptop.

The 9-inch is going to be better, no doubt, but it will also probably be more expensive. If it's going to be $449-$500 or more, then it defeats its own purpose because you can get a real laptop for that kind of money.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2008 9:04PM]

I just checked BB.COM, this is the 4GB model, This should be the price for the 8GB model. And I want to see a $199 2GB surf model please.

[James Cameron @ Apr 6th 2008 9:09PM]

Wrong! 8G is 499.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2008 9:17PM]

James Cameron
@ Apr 6th 2008 9:09PM
Wrong! 8G is 499.
_______________________

This SHOULD be the price for the 8GB, this IS the price for the 4GB...

[James Cameron @ Apr 6th 2008 9:28PM]

@Drew

I'm not sure what you are talking about. 4G are listed as $399 and the 8G are $499 and this is almost every where.

[TK @ Apr 6th 2008 9:29PM]

I believe that I read somewhere that the 9-inch model is going to go for $500 initially, which is roughly the same price point as the 9-inch HP "netbook" 2133. I'm interested to see if either can suceed at a price point that is starting to close in on a full laptop, and how they compare with one another. If I could get the 9-incher with XP for $399, I would probably buy one right now (I've played around with the 7-incher and the whole side scrolling thing in Firefox just gets annoying really quickly).

[ToniCipriani @ Apr 6th 2008 9:31PM]

Not only 9-inch models coming, the 7-inch models are getting refreshed with the Atom.

[roman.kim @ Apr 6th 2008 9:32PM]

True, the 8G IS $499. But only fools buy it.

The the 8G has 1GB or RAM (512mb more then 4G), and an extra 4GB storage space.

You can save money and buy the $399 4G model, and buy with a $20 1GB RAM stick, and a $10 4GB SD card.

I have 2GB RAM, 8GB SD card, and overclocked to 1GHz.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2008 9:33PM]

James Cameron
I'm not sure what you are talking about. 4G are listed as $399 and the 8G are $499 and this is almost every where.
____________________________________________
I am saying that this is overpriced, the price for the 8GB should be $399, considering the horrible resolution of the 7" screen.

[Michael @ Apr 6th 2008 9:36PM]

Sorry but im lost why would you want to spend $500 on a piece of crap with 4gb of storage and a 7 inch screen that runs in 800x600 and has little or no use outside of web surfing o.O ....

I dont understand what the excitement is ment to be about yeh its small but its not like its overpowered or even remotely usefull for anything but another way to waste money on elecronics that you dont actually need.

For an extra $200 you can have this and its way less craptastic that that asus thing

http://dellstore01.dell.com.au/public/cart/configurator.jsp?prd_id=628172&sr_no=1

[James Cameron @ Apr 6th 2008 9:50PM]

@Michael

Don't tell me you link us to a 14inch 50 pounds laptop.

You have to understand. Some people would love to have something small and compact and easy to carry around and function as a regular laptop.

[Ninjakamster @ Apr 6th 2008 9:54PM]

I am sick and tired of the several people like you that say for the same price or a bit more, you can get a bigger, more featured laptop.

The point of the EEE is that it is small AND cheap. Many ultraportable laptops this or around its size are quite expensive and out of the budget of many. Many want a laptop this size, NOT a 15" notebook.

I think many college students would love to take this around for quick note-taking in a lecture hall, not a fricking 15" monster.


Your link doesn't even work Michael, so you EPIC FAIL.

[Michael @ Apr 6th 2008 9:56PM]

Im confused is everyone these days lost the plot? It has a 7 inch screen and 8 gig of storage ..... what exactly makes it functional? The complete lack of storage or the 800x600 screen where you have to scroll side to side to view a normal webpage?

All i was illustating was that for your money, an extra $200 you can have something that i would consider barely functional.

[Ninjakamster @ Apr 6th 2008 10:04PM]

No, you are the only one who has "lost the plot".

Everyone knows it is not supposed to be a primary computer, it makes an excellent supplement computer. Its a great computer for my brother who has a huge desktop at home and wants a small laptop to take along to watch movies on, listen to music, take notes when he is in college this fall, etc.

The very small footprint and weight are great plusses.

There are a lot of happy EEE users out there and they all cannot be crazy.

If your happy with a larger laptop, good for you, we don't care. Some of us actually like portability along with a cheap price.

[Paul @ Apr 11th 2008 11:06AM]

"All i was illustating was that for your money, an extra $200 you can have something that i would consider barely functional."

See, here's where you kill your own argument. You're saying that for $200 more, you get something that's barely more functional. That "something" is a much bigger, much heavier laptop that's a pain in the a$$ to haul around. It's also loaded with bloatware and probably takes eons to boot up and shut down.

For $200 less you get the Eee which is smaller than a $2k+ VAIO, boots in < 30 seconds, shuts down in about 15, and can do e-mail, office apps, Skype, plays media, and does a pretty much everything else a PC can do other than store a large amount of data. If you need to store a little more data you can spend $30 on a 4-8gb SD card or USB drive and you've got plenty of movies or music for a plane ride.

If you don't like the Eee, that's cool, but that doesn't mean it's not a really useful product for a lot of people.

[Maze @ Apr 6th 2008 10:06PM]

Why does some people like to put something so bad into something so good?

[andres @ Apr 6th 2008 10:13PM]

why does some people like to kill grammar?

[Chebwa @ Apr 6th 2008 10:13PM]

Ah, an Engadget Eee PC article.

Cue the 50 or 60 "why not just get a real laptop" comments. Again.

[iofthestorm @ Apr 7th 2008 2:02AM]

Lol, look above your post, they're already here.