May 12 — Asus eee PC 900 day

p2pnet news | Products:- Today is Asus eee PC 900 day as the low-cost computer begins shipping in Europe and North America.
“It would be an exaggeration to characterise the response to the 900 as a frenzy, but there is a definite frisson of excitement,” says OVUM.
Significantly, it’s available in a Windows as well as a Linux versions which has, “clearly annoyed some of the nerdier eee PC fans from whom the ability to avoid Windows was the whole point of the product, but may help to make the device acceptable to a much wider market,” the story states, going oin:
“If the windows variant does prove successful it will be a validation of Microsoft’s decision, earlier this year, to extend the life of Windows XP beyond June 2008; specifically for the inclusion in this type of product. If Microsoft had decided to discontinue XP and prevent use beyond next month, as it had planned, the developing MIDs market would have been left entirely to Linux; However, Microsoft clearly believes that the MIDs opportunity is worth pursuing.”
With the above in mind, Bill and the Boyz are slashing the price of Windows XP to low-cost laptop makers as they aim to, “see off the threat of Linux in the budget market,” says PC Pro, continuing in recent months, Microsoft has stepped up its efforts to have Windows used on such machines, striking deals with Eee PC maker Asus and the OLPC project.
“Now the company is prepared to offer all low-cost laptop makers a discount on the Windows XP Home licence,” says the story.
“Microsoft will charge PC manufacturers $26 (£13) to have Windows XP Home preloaded on low-cost machines sold in emerging markets and $32 (£16) for those sold in developed markets,” it goes on, quoting PC World.
“And manufacturers could get as much as $10 more off of those prices if they are eligible for Microsoft’s market development scheme, potentially reducing the price of the XP licence to as little as a few pounds,” it says, adding:
The discount applies only to systems with screens no larger than 10.2″, excluding touch-screens, and with hard disks no larger than 80GB, adds PCPro.
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.Stumble It!
low-cost computer - Asus Linux Eee PC 900, May 12, 2008
OVUM - New version of Asus eee PC will test the limits of the MID market, May 12, 2008
PC Pro - Microsoft to slash price of XP for low-cost laptops, May 12, 2008
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