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So cheeep, so tineee

Asus Eee PC 

Even though I live in Taiwan, I hadn't had a chance to play with the Asus Eee PC until just a few days ago. (I've seen a few in local coffee shops, but I never had the nerve to ask if I could fondle the keyboard.)

Anyhow, wow… the thing is small. Much smaller than I expected. I really like what Asus is doing with this device. "Real" laptops are not truly mobile devices… they are portable desktops, running an OS that makes more sense in a system that doesn't need to be booted up or shut down all the time. The Eee boots in under 20 seconds, shuts down just as fast, and fits in a small bag or coat pocket. It is 1/5th the price of most subnotebooks, does 80% of what most people use a computer for, and 100% of what people use their computers for when sitting in a coffee shop. This market is going to be huge.

That said, I do hope for a real keyboard that I can touch type on, and a larger LCD. I think the Palm Foleo got a lot of things right. Instant-on, lovely form-factor, real keyboard… a mobile work pad for all the moments of life when you wouldn't think of using a full laptop. Too bad Palm didn't bring the Foleo to market.

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4 Comments

Kevin K. says:

Bought one for my mom. She loves how easy it is to use, but she, too, would like a larger keyboard. Surely there’s room for a cheap, mobile device that has a real keyboard.

Melissa says:

I very much agree about the Foleo. I really wanted one of those. Hopefully it will return as a much stronger product.

C.H. says:

I had one. Had to ebay. The keyboard was just too small. I’m looking at an HP mini now.

Vance says:

I’d be up for the HP mini design. The heat, bad battery life and glossy screen would keep me away from it, though. Maybe the next version will fix these issues.

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