Eee PC: keeping things simple

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Our review of the latest in the Eee PC roster, the 1000H, is now online, and it’s the most usable model yet. But this marvellous chart tells its own story (click to enlarge).

The “Easy, Excellent, Exciting” (yes, that is what it stands for; no, I couldn’t believe it either) brand now consists of 12 models – and that’s only those in official existence.

There’s also going to be a 701SD with external storage, an Atom-based 900A, and a Celeron-based 1000HD to complete a line-up which will comprise 15 different Eee PC options. And that’s before the $900 S101 arrives to take the brand to a whole new level of absurdity.

Without a chart like this I certainly wouldn’t be able to tell you what’s inside each one, so I can’t imagine how the average PC World shopper goes about choosing.

Netbook price hikes and the Eee PC effect

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Like several other members of the PC Pro team, when the original 7in Eee PC arrived on the scene I was a huge fan. I wanted one, I debated ordering one, but I saw the huge waiting times others were experiencing and decided instead to hold fire. And I’m glad I did.

Since then the number of “netbooks” has multiplied, the original has got bigger and better, and there are still more on the horizon. Rumours of Lenovo (now confirmed – Ed) and Sony joining the fray may turn out to be unfounded, but it’s clear even the most sceptical of manufacturers has been forced to admit the little things have taken off in a way no one predicted.

But with each new model, each new name, the prices have been slowly creeping in the wrong direction, to the extent that what was once a pocket-money investment is now a slightly more laptop-sized dent in your wallet. (more…)