Comments on: 9-inch EeePC gets higher-res display and choice of XP or Linux

By: Tippy

Tippy — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:04:39 +0000

I read it’s going to be Vista. They’ll be working with Microsoft on a somewhat specialized version — it won’t be a standard install.

I suspect Microsoft wasn’t going to cut them a reasonable deal so they went with Xandros, then the Microsoft execs involved looked on with horror as the eeePC sold like gangbusters and everyone sang the praises of the default operating system and programs, and pundits prognosticated that more and more sub notebooks would come with Linux. Then went back to Asus and worked things out, i.e. drastically lowered the price on licenses.

By: Shagbag

Shagbag — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:42:06 +0000

Although no OEM comes out and says it, there are various reports on the web that an OEM licence for XP costs an OEM around GBP30-50.

The last I read (and I’ve just combed the MS Press Release site), however, was that M$ was going to stop selling XP licences to OEMs on 30 June 2008. If the 9″ EeePC is coming out ‘mid-2008′ then ASUS will have to take a punt on how many OEM licenses to buy before 1 July 2008.

Additionally, post-April 2009, XP users will only get XP security updates for free. All other support will have to be paid for.

There’s also the cost of MS Office to consider. GBP50-300 depending upon which version you want.

Sure, you can still download and install Open Office on XP but if you’re going to do that, why do you want an XP licence in the first place?

By: Jon Packard

Jon Packard — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:50:54 +0000

Let’s not forget that using Linux instead of Windows XP is one of the factors that allowed the Asus EEE PC to have such a low price tag. I would be shocked if the Linux and Windows XP versions of the new EEE PC will have the same price tag. Also, Asus chose Linux for the default OS because it fits very well with the design goals of the product. In some cases, Windows XP may not be as useful as Asus’ customized Xandros. A lower price is not the only benefit of chosing an EEE PC with Linux installed.

By: jon

jon — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:14:42 +0000

Can’t wait, 2gb ram, 16gb SSd, XP 3g card??? SIM? and i can leave my laptops at work and home and use this little one for commuting. Wasn’t impressed by 7″ screen need more power same form factor and low price. Windows XP is the de facto ..Vista sucks remeber KISS.