Asus backs down on Eee PC memory upgrade

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 11 Dec 2007 at 10:05

Asus has back-tracked on its insistence that upgrading the memory in the Eee PC will invalidate the computer's warranty.

Eee PC units ship with a small sticker placed across the memory cover that reads "warranty void if seal broken or removed".

The policy upset a number of Eee PC owners, who wanted to boost the low-budget PC's paltry complement of memory. The machine boasts a single memory slot, with a 512MB SODIMM pre-installed.

Asus says it's changed its mind after customer feedback. "Asus Computer International recently received feedback from one of its valued customers with questions concerning the purpose of a seal stating, "Warranty Void If Removed" over the access door to the single SODIMM slot on some models of the ASUS Eee PC," the company's statement claims.

"Asus wishes to assure its customers that merely breaking or removing this kind of seal will not void the Asus Limited Warranty.

"Although Asus recommends that customers use Asus-approved service facilities and components, Asus is committed to honoring the terms of its Limited Warranty and making sure that its customers are free to make appropriate hardware and software modifications and upgrades, regardless of whether the service is performed by an approved facility, a non-approved service provider, or by the customers themselves."

The company says it will remove the stickers from new machines to avoid any further confusion.

Earlier this month, the company announced a new, upgraded model of the Eee PC that will ship with 1GB of RAM and an 8GB hard disk.

Click here for our review of the Asus Eee PC