Starting next year all schools have been directed to achieve a 1 is 2 computer to student computer ratio for student in 9 to 12. With the eventual goal to be 1 to 1.

And you have roughly $1000 a student to do this.

Given that upgrading power and cooling in classroom is not viable (read too expensive) and classrooms simply do not have alot of desk space per student. Vandalism of desktops results in unfair downtime on students who didn't vandalise anything. A small mobile/battery powered device will let you avoid the problems.

So this bottom end of the market is about to become a lot bigger atleast here.

The eee PC does all that and fits in the budget. There are only a couple of other options that even fit the basic requirements.

Huh? Sub-1000 notebooks are commonplace Obes.

I believe microsofts concerns centre around ending support for windows xp and their new steamingpileofs*** not being able to even boot on hardware at that end of the market.

Vista isn't really designed for the sort of hardware that is in an Eee. I would expect something built on the base of the upcoming Windows Mobile 8 will more appropriately fit the niche that ultra-portables need, with Vista (and its successors) remaining their OS product for luggables and desktops.

last edited by Hogfather at 14:41:51 09/May/08

Like a true IT professional you skipped the most of user requirements and looked at the price. And I didn't give a full run down of the requirements.

Small means small.
A student desk is not large, some of the small ones are tiny (eg. 40cm* 50cm).

Decent battery, student needs to be able to get atleast a couple of hours between charges (there aren't 30 points in classrooms). I get 45mins off my heavy toshiba.

Light ? ... kids already carry a tonne of books and gear. A 2kg notebook won't cut it)

Sold state is a bonus. (less moving parts)
Wireless (cos classrooms are not wired, and its amazing what simple things cheap notebooks lack)

And remember in that 1k, you have to include the cost of imaging/preparing/rollout/cases/warranty/insurrance (kids will be kids).

How is a million units mass market, given that a large percentage of the purchasers seem to be IT professionals or technically advanced users?

I think its a mass-market because:

a) 1 million is a lot regardless of what proportion it is
b) its a REALLY big amount for Linux desktops

Also I dunno if the majority of USERS are IT pros or tech users. I've seen a lot of comments that IT types are buying eeePC for their other half/parents (like me)/less tech savvy people just looking for a nice simple lappy.

Hmm I get what you're saying trog, a million is a great big number .. but.

This site claims that as early as 2001 there were as many as 18 million Linux users.

So if a linux-based system sold a million units in 2001 to 100% new users it would have increased the userbase by as little as 4-5%. Presumably there are more linux users now than 2001 with stuff like Ubuntu flying around the internets.

In order for Linux to challenge the MS hegemony there must be much, much bigger numbers at play than a million or so Ees. Sure its significant - but are we talking about people being exposed to Linux as an alternate OS or people buying a $400 mobile web browser that is no more a threat to Windows than Symbian or the BB OS is?

Oh yeh, I knew I had a c)

c) they're on sale at places like Myer, rather than Random McComputer Store XMart

How can the windows one be cheaper? Unless ASUS had to do a heap of tweeking for the linux they're rolling out and are trying to recoup some of the costs involved in that?

Did you read the OP? Smaller solid-state drive.

What's more, apparently you'll only be able to get the XP ones in major retailers, and have to go to computer shops for the Linux ones.

Don't suppose anyone has any idea when the Atom-based 900s will be coming out to Aus? I was just reading that ASUS will be launching them at a trade show in June...

Linux on the EeePC is almost like one of those kiddy-laptops with the calculator screens. You can do certain things on it, but its tiny, and its not very customisable.

There's apparently an advanced mode which gives you a normal desktop (KDE I think) and console so you can do all those linuxy things like cron/ssh/nmap/kismet/etc. :)

Having said that, I just had a play with one of these in store and I'm thinking if I got one I'd probably just wipe the OS and put something esoteric on there like Linux-from-scratch for fun.

I think its a mass-market because:

a) 1 million is a lot regardless of what proportion it is
b) its a REALLY big amount number of Linux desktops

Fixed. As:

Use the word amount with quantities that cannot be counted and number with quantities that could be counted one-by-one.

From here.

You've already counted them and the number equals 1 million.

So Trog:

http://trog.qgl.org/up/enemys.jpg

http://trog.qgl.org/up/enemys2.jpg



last edited by Triamks at 16:11:03 09/May/08

What's more, apparently you'll only be able to get the XP ones in major retailers, and have to go to computer shops for the Linux ones.

This part is the killer :( Removing the best chance we've had in years to introduce average users to something that's not Windows

Having said that, I just had a play with one of these in store and I'm thinking if I got one I'd probably just wipe the OS and put something esoteric on there like Linux-from-scratch for fun.

yeh, I am still very keen to get one of the 900s for traveling. I'll probably absorb the extra cost (or f***ing import buy one in the US) and put Slackware 12 or Xubuntu on it

so you want to pay more but still wipe whats on there and install something else........crazy

? it's pretty easy to justify:

a) I get an extra 8gb
b) I get to contribute to Linux sales, helping prove that there's a market for Linux OS
c) Microsoft aren't getting anything else from me (if they are anyway)

yeh, I am still very keen to get one of the 900s for traveling. I'll probably absorb the extra cost (or f***ing import buy one in the US) and put Slackware 12 or Xubuntu on it

Indeed, I was planning on getting one for traveling as well, was hoping they'd come out here before I go but heading to Canada in about 1 1/2 weeks so I reckon I'll just pick one up while I'm there. The fact that there's a price difference between the linux and windows models in Aus is just more reason to nab one while I'm over there as well.

But I don't see a problem with getting the linux model and chucking a different distro of linux on there you're more familiar with using, I do the same thing with a windows laptop anyway and probably will chuck ubuntu on the eeepc too.

Out of curiosity, how do you reinstall the OS on to an EeePC without an optical drive? Does it have native support in the BIOS to recognise USB drives or a bootable recovery partition or something?

Hogfather: from: ubuntu.com:

o install Ubuntu on the Asus EeePC in its stock form, you will have to create a USB based bootable installer or use a USB-connected CD-ROM drive to run/install Ubuntu. In addition to this, a few simple software modifications will have to be completed for hardware support.

when are these being sold? and also i dont understand this solid state stuff, can u just put a big 120gb portable usb hdd on it and not really worry about any of that stuff?

How can the windows one be cheaper? Unless ASUS had to do a heap of tweeking for the linux they're rolling out and are trying to recoup some of the costs involved in that?

suck it down

windows wins again

no optical drive is a little dongs, how are you meant to burn your photo's?

USB key is one option I guess... but they could have at least put in a slot load

Odd, they're the same price as each other in the U.S., All $549.

I'm wondering what the specs are because I know for a fact that the Linux version has better specs.

How is a million units mass market

it wasn't. the call for another 10 was. this was dumped by many disties when the 9" linux model with the 20gigger was announced.

What's more, apparently you'll only be able to get the XP ones in major retailers, and have to go to computer shops for the Linux ones.

huh? (checks work website).. er.. no dude. dunno if Myer sell Linux models though.

Out of curiosity, how do you reinstall the OS on to an EeePC without an optical drive? Does it have native support in the BIOS to recognise USB drives or a bootable recovery partition or something?

the same way you preinstall XP/Vista/Server 2003 from a USB drive?

check out http://forum.eeeuser.com/

The fact that there's a price difference between the linux and windows models in Aus is just more reason to nab one while I'm over there as well.

I have this 'hunch' that the linux ones will change in price again

when are these being sold? and also i dont understand this solid state stuff, can u just put a big 120gb portable usb hdd on it and not really worry about any of that stuff?

http://forum.eeeuser.com/

AMDwindows wins again

oooh it's awn bitch. it's awn. :P






last edited by koopz at 20:51:15 09/May/08

I've got Ubuntu running really well on my EEEPC on a 8Gb SD card, standard Xandros is on the main drive still. This means I can easily switch between them depending what I'm doing. Also upgraded the RAM to 2Gb which made a bit of a difference to speed.

Plenty of people have modded bluetooth, usb hubs, and even 20Gb Ipod hard-drives into them. so they can be modded pretty well. Only real complaint I have is the camera is pretty crappy with bad driver support.

What sort of things do you go back to the default Xandros for? I've been wondering if there's any good stuff in it; from what I've seen there's nothing I could live without or not get working easily in Ubuntu.

it can be handy when I want to do something quickly as it does load heaps quicker than ubuntu does. Also if I want to lend it out to family the default xandros is good.

I'm still wondering why the new Asus X38 motherboards aren't coming out with Xandros SplashGate built into the motherboard as advertised last year :/

I'm sure MS have had nothing to do with that it :/


**edit**

last edited by koopz at 22:04:51 09/May/08

it can be handy when I want to do something quickly as it does load heaps quicker than ubuntu does.

ah yeh ok, fair enough. Surely there's stuff that can be done to make ubuntu load faster?

Are you running regular Ubuntu or Xubuntu?

huh? (checks work website).. er.. no dude. dunno if Myer sell Linux models though.

I hope you're right, and the damage is just limited to Myer. From TFA:

Adding to the impression that Linux is now the poor cousin, the XP version will be sold through "selected retailers" while the Linux machine will be available through "computer resellers". (Translation: No more Linux machines in Myer.)

the EeePC wouldn't have gotten much credit if Myer didn't get behind it in the first place.

I keep thinking I owe someone in the online community a big thank-you for this eh.

the triple e really should have died by now in our pissy little Aussie market, but it's going pretty well.

that said.. who the hell buys the pink one? we've done a lot of them thru work by special order... and it boggles the mind. who other than Paris Hilton is going to walk around the place with a Pink lappy?

that said.. who the hell buys the pink one?

Koopz in case you wondering who the people with long hair and funny bumps on their chest are ... they are called women and the bumps are called boobs

does anyone know when they are being released in australia? Noone seems to have a clue

hamij, the article I linked says the end of May

Yeah - only issue is that I've called many local stores and they havent even heard of it - even though they stock the 701, would just assume that if they were getting it in then, they would at least have heard of it

I'm wondering what the specs are because I know for a fact that the Linux version has better specs.

Specs are exactly the same apart from the Windows version being 12Gb and the Linux version having 20Gb, the idea was to keep the price the same because one model you pay for a bit of extra flash space, the other you pay for a windows license to balance it out, apparently the extra flash is worth more in Australia though.

What's more, apparently you'll only be able to get the XP ones in major retailers, and have to go to computer shops for the Linux ones.

guys, we have the linux one at harvey's

guys, we have the linux one at harvey's

Thats because the 701 only comes in a linux variety - there's currently no way to get an eee with Windows pre-installed.


However, the (not yet in Australia) 900 comes in Windows and linux varieties; according to the linked article, the linux one will not be available at general retailers.

there's currently no way to get an eee with Windows pre-installed.

Lies... there's plenty of places selling them, for example umart

wow only $390 for lunix one at umart

one of the computer guys was telling me the other day that the windows one might never even make it, since microsoft is playing shinanigans with windows XP licencing.

seeing as how there's not supposed to be any new copies sold after july 1, there's some doubt as to whether we'll see them or not

Erik I think your computer guy is just wanting Linux to win somewhere.

Firstly Microsoft will be aware of the potential for this platform in educational markets and developing (read poor) markets. They would also be aware that this is probably the first linux "off the rack" PC and it has worked well.

Standard XP as an OEM and retail option is (possibly) going away true. You'd have to read all the releases but MS are moderately vague about if they are going to enforce the cut off. Honestly don't be surprised if Dell continues to offer XP, and I rekon HP would probably still be able to sell you 300 machines with XP on it (and it'll still be an option via VLK).

Windows XP Embedded (XPe) however is not going anywhere. So the tech is still being developed and supported.

National Retail Manager for ASUSTeK Australia, told apcmag “we’ve been working with Microsoft on a special condensed version of XP which has just passed the R&D tests this week”

Sounds to me like MS are preparing to hit this market and infect young student minds with their propaganda. Quite possibly an embedded/cut down version to try and out perform Linux.

keeping in mind that you'll be able to buy Oem Vista Biz Edition and legally downgrade to Oem XP Pro for quite awhile.

you don't read much about this as it's not something that MS like to advertise. it pads the stats on Oem Vista Biz sales.



last edited by koopz at 20:05:35 12/May/08

Been playing around with an Eee PC 900 today, customer bought the linux version and then installed xp (from somewhere overseas), he wanted the bigger drive and xp.

They seem pretty cool, the bigger screen makes a huge difference over the 701.

Do you know where he got it from?

somehwhere in the uk I believe, apparently it worked out to about $500aud

It was actually from singapore duty free.

here we go;

embeded linux for every new asus mother board - thats 1 million desktops with pre-installed linux every month

Splashtop Linux desktop to appear on every Asus motherboard

At first it will be featured on Asus’ P5Q (high-efficiency design, Intel P45 chipset) family of motherboards, starting with the P5Q Deluxe, P5Q-WS, P5Q3 Deluxe, and P5Q-E. Later Splashtop will be featured on all the company’s motherboards, over a million units a month.

Holy f*** that's true!

yeah i forgot to add the link, my bad
also http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/05/prweb942944.htm

that sounds pretty awesome

(from the above link)

Despite the obvious convenience factors, Asus is most interested in Splashtop for its energy efficiency. Using Splashtop the computer is still powered on (pretty much like normal, less the disk activity) but the key here is that you don’t have to leave your computer on all the time. If you just want to check your email or go to a web site, you can simply leave the system off and boot into Splashtop, which takes just a few seconds. You will have instant access to a basic Linux desktop with applications like Firefox and Skype.

I'm really hoping something like Splashtop gets applied to a little unit like this

So if a linux-based system sold a million units in 2001 to 100% new users it would have increased the userbase by as little as 4-5%

Increasing a userbase by 4-5% is massive... when's the last time Windows did that? Who cares, it's irrelevant because you can't compare the two because they're completely different things. Windows is a product designed from the ground up to make money. Linux is designed to be made for free by people who want to work on it voluntarily, with the opportunity available to make money from the software indirectly (e.g. providing supprt, materials etc).

as old man Obes said... this device has a very real and viable entry into schools.

think about that for a second...

when you left school did you know what Linux was? Apple? MS Windows?

Asus are succeeding in this venture as they've put MS on the back foot.. and they're more than prepared to push *nix if MS doesn't come to the table.

MS are indeed coming to that table... which may just turn out to be too little too late.

Look out for new Asus monitors with *nix based PCs built into them in the next couple of years =)

still.. money talks and bulls*** walks. at least some good came out of the failed Gigabyte-Asus partnership.

I like it :)

last edited by koopz at 22:25:35 15/May/08

Increasing a userbase by 4-5% is massive... when's the last time Windows did that?

Stupid comparison. Lern2numbers.

Increasing Linux's userbase by 4-5% would be a change in actual market share of less than 0.1%. Due to its widespread takeup increasing Window's userbase by 4-5% would mean a near-corresponding market share change.

Basically, increasing Linux's userbase by 4-5% would be a nearly insignificant change in market share - which is what actually matters if the Windows monopoly is to ever be undone by Linux.