I want an Eee PC
September 29th, 2007 | 
Author: 
The other day I mentioned the Asus Eee PC as an alternative to buying the OLPC XO. Yesterday, I decided that I am getting one when it finally hits the streets. A couple of months or so I saw it available for presale on Allasus.com. I dismissed doing so because of the $150 non-refundable deposit. That made me too nervous. Then while surfing I found out that I could preorder without a deposit at Citrusmicro and decided to go for it. In case you haven’t heard of the Eee PC it is a small sub notebook sporting a 7 inch screen using a flash drive instead of a traditional hard drive. The Eee PC runs Linux so start up and shutdown happens within seconds rather than minutes. Ever since I got my Nokia N800 I have been fascinated with Linux. I am a big fan of open source software and I really feel a new shift coming in operation systems; I plan to be a part of it. In fact, I am going to put Linux on an old laptop I have as soon as I get some free time. I am also looking into taking some Linux courses at the local community college. It was suppose to debut earlier this month, but this week I read that it has been delayed again. The only good thing about that is that at least it’s not just e-book devices that run into problems. From what I gather it should be out prior to the end of October. The biggest thing about the Eee PC is its small price tag. When first announced it was suppose to be just $199, aimed at low income families, students, etc. Unfortunately the price has gone up to $259 for the basic configuration of 2GB storage/256mb RAM/no camera/black case only. There are two other models at $299 and $399. These have more RAM, storage, include an integrated web cam, and the choice or color (white or black). All models have WiFi, Ethernet, and a 56k modem. My greedy side wishes that it also included Bluetooth, but I do have a dongle. So this won’t be a deal breaker. I think that this will be great to share with my soon-to-be seven-year-old son to use. The smaller keyboard will fit his fingers a lot better than mine. I can see him liking this much better than his learning laptop toys for kids that have that tiny little screen. As far as e-books, I don’t like reading novels or pdf files in landscape mode. It’s high time I get over that and try something new. This would be great to take notes on in class, keep up with RSS feeds, email, and blogging on the go, since it weighs in at less than two pounds. While you are waiting for the OLPC and the various new e-book devices coming out, take a few moments and check out this potentially great device.
Some links for more information:
Eeeuser.com: Blog and Forum
Laptoping: Blog
Clove.co.uk to order from UK
http://event.asus.com/eeepc/ Asus flash Demo of Eee PC
Posted in Devices
For Linux, you don’t need to wait ’til you have a not-gonna-use-it-seriously-anymore-laptop. My recommendation to you, so that you can get used to Linux is this:
Download Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download)Burn the image to a CD.Put the CD into your drive and reboot.
When you restart, you’ll be able to boot Ubuntu Linux from the CD. You won’t have to install anything on your hard drive. Moreover, it won’t touch your file system or mess with anything unless you tell it to.
If, after a while, you decide that you like what you see, you still don’t have to uninstall Windows. You can install Ubuntu on a separate partition; when you boot your computer, you’ll be given the choice of starting Windows or starting Ubuntu. Admittedly, this is a bit tougher and can even be a bit dangerous; I don’t recommend doing this ’til you’re sure you love Ubuntu.
Love the blog, keep up the great work.
–An Ubuntu Evangelist
Ack, it didn’t retain my HTML! (Even though the preview said it would). Just for the record, the steps are:
1) Download Ubuntu [or Kubuntu, or Xubuntu]: http://www.ubuntu.com/
2) Burn the CD.
3) Put the CD into your drive.
4) Reboot.
Best of luck.
Thanks So much Andrew,
It’s funny you suggested Ubuntu. Out of all the Linux flavors this was the one that stood out the most to me. I just didn’t know where to begin or if I could run it from a CD. I’m downloading this today. I am so excited.
Ellen
Andrew,
Another thought. Can I run Ubuntu from a USB thumb/flash drive?
Ellen
You can run from a USB, but it isn’t quite as simple as downloading something and putting it on a usb key. Search for it and you’ll probably find instructions.
P.S.-What blog system are you using here? I’m typing this on a XO, and while it isn’t the paradigm of what web should be, it is a bit slow to print caracters as I type in this commentary box.
As I scroll up and down, it’s fast though. This also happens on a few other websites, but usually it’s on those with too much flash content, but I don’t see any here (or is the title bar aflash?). Be sure to give out your experiences with the Asus plaptop. Indeed we live in interesting times!h flash content, of which I can’t see here… hmm.. oh well
Eduardo,
I use Word Press to run the blog. As far as running Ubuntu on usb I have been searching tonite and so far it doesn’t seem like a good idea. I have made my CD and tried using it on my Dell laptop, but it won’t connect to the Internet. More research and it seems it may be my Inspiron E1705. So I will try it on another computer. Other than that I feel like it was having a great big N800. I love it and all the apps and games that came with the program.
WOW! I just realize that you said you were typing on a XO! as far as I know there is no flash on my blog. I am trying to keep it as simple as possble. Once I get my Eee Pc I will certainly report back here. You must write up a review on the XO and I will post it here or if you have a blog let me know so that others can get this info. I feel honored that you dropped by!
Ellen
Ellen:
Feel free to email me if you continue to experience problems connecting to the Internet from the Live Boot CD. I’m not an expert, but I can likely help and/or point you to an appropriate web page.
andrew dot m dot kasper at gmail dot com
Regards,
AMK
Thanks Andrew,
I wanted to email you, but I didn’t want to intrude. Will be in touch soon.
Ellen
Hi Ellen,
My name is Christopher Lawton. I am a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and based in San Francisco, Calif. I enjoyed reading your blog about e-books and in particular your thoughts on the Eee PC. I was wondering if we could connect offline over the phone to talk about the Eee PC for a story I am working on. I’d be happy to explain the story further if you wanted to email me directly at christopher.lawton@wsj.com. Thanks much. I hope to hear from you.
Best,
Christopher Lawton
Christopher,
Tried your email address, but it came back undeliverable.
Ellen