Eee PC, MSI Wind: Smaller doesn’t always mean cheaper
July 9th, 2008, 3:20 pm · 8 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
At least two new laptops are now available with the new Intel Atom, Intel’s smallest chip ever.
The under-$550 computers from ASUS Computer and MSI Computer Corp. are both selling at Amazon, NewEgg and other online stores (see list after the jump). ASUS added the Eee PC 901 to its lineup of low-priced PCs that start at $299, while MSI began selling its Wind NB U100 series (pictured below).
These mini machines are also called Nettops, net books, mini computers or mobile Internet devices (or MIDs). Intel had said it expected such machines to be in the $200 to $250 range. But, apparently, not these two. MSI’s is $480 while the Eee PC 901 (on right) is $549. Then again, these nettops are more loaded than some of the $299 desktop computers available from eMachines, Dell and HP.
Debby Lee, with ASUS, says its Atom PCs include Bluetooth, the more expensive and durable Solid State Drives of 12 GB to 80 GBs, plus a new scratch-resistant case. Comparably, the company’s $299 Eee PC has a mere 2 GB of storage, 512 MB of memory, Wi-Fi and not much else.
“From our point of view,” Lee said, “it is a mobile internet gadget. It will not replace your desktop or laptops at home.”
Expect to see more of these smaller, cheaper laptops thanks to the Atom chip. I mentioned the Atom last April, when Intel stopped by to show it to me in person. 
In the photo on right, the Atom is the little green and black square.
At the time, Intel said Lenovo’s IdeaPad U8, the Eee PC, a brand called “Thinno,” and a computer from Compal will also include the chip. Since then, I’ve also learned that TV maker Hannspree is planning an Atom-based computer. Read about “TV maker Hannspree to start selling low-priced laptops.”
Even more companies are coming out with nettops. According to the Intel Mobility blog, other MIDs spotted at the recent Computex tradeshow included BenQ, Clarion and Gigabyte. Check out the photos at the MIDs photo shoot.
ASUS’s Eee PC 901 has 12 GB storage, 1 GB of memory, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a webcam and lasts about 7.8 hours. (Two other Atom-based Eee PCs, the 1000 and 1000H, are $699 and $649, respectively, because of larger screens and storage space.) But the screen is small, at 8.9-inches, and there have been complaints about the cramped keyboard. Available online: Amazon.com, Buy.com, CDW.com, Costco.com, Directron.com, Insight.com, Mwave.com, Newegg.com, PCconnection.com, PCMall.com, Tigerdirect.com, Zipzoomfly.com and Zones.com
The MSI Wind NB, at 2.6 pounds, has an 80 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and keyboard that is 80 percent of a full-size notebook. Other features include 3-hour battery, 3 USB prots, and a 4-in-1 card reader. Available at Amazon, NewEgg.com and www.msimobile.com
Related:
- Intel Atom Desktops Could Go for $199 (PC World)
- Make your own Intel Atom-based computer (Boing Boing)
- What Does It Mean When Your Next Computer Costs $250 (Triple Pundit)
- ASUS Eee PC review and Intel Atom benchmarked (AnandTech)
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Hi, gadgetress,
You helped me with a question ages ago and i was wondering if you could help out again?.
My dad is going to buy a new laptop and i am going to help him get kitted up and connected to the Internet.
Everything was going fine until he asked if microsoft word comes with the new computer…i said no!, you have to buy a version of windows office which contains it.
Basically i have looked with some perplextion at the versions on offer and the cheapest and most basic is : Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (3 User Licence) (PC) .
Questions:
A : Is this just an attachment or is it a full version that can go on a new computer and away you go?
B : Do you have to be on line to install and register, etc?.Can you install off line?.
C : It is licenced to three computers.Do they have to be in the same house?. Can i install it on my pc and then travel across land in my car to my dads separate house and install the second licence on his PC?.
D : I need to the point explanations please and that’s what your good at!.
The way i figure you have to register a code on line with microsoft.And register the other licence users on line.
What happens if the pc crashes and you have to reinstall it?.
Love to hear from you with an answer to my woes,
Shaun.
shaun@yahoo.co.uk
Shaun, don’t be lazy and waste her time. Why don’t you go to Microsoft’s website and find the info yourself. I bet you could call your local electronics retailer and in 2 minutes have all the info you need.
Rick, you are the one wasting your own time by writing useless messages like this one.It’s about as helpful as an ashtray on a motorbike!.
The first places i looked was microsoft’s everything site and nowhere does it disclose such top secret information.As for my local electrical retailer…well that would be pc world and there attitude is about the same as yours in your comment.
Gatgitress can think for herself and i’m sure she will be only to pleased to help out if chooses too.
If my comment bothers you so much and you think i’m being obtuse : tell me the answer to my question then.I bet you can’t?.
S.
Oh, my bad. Wow! A site with multiple Tech Women. Let me just quote Paris Hilton with “that’s hot!”
Hey – your not bad old boy after all Rick!, bit sarcastic…but ok.
Thanks for answering the question fella, it means i can now move forward with getting my Dad hooked up to the net…just hope he doesn’t go to any dodgy sites, ha ha!.
Gadgetress : Well, against ricks prediction you did at least reply to my question and i thank you for your time.Thanks for the link – i will check it out and favorite the site.
Take care and keep up the good work,
Shaun.
Why wouldn’t Openoffice sotfware be sufficient? It’s opensource (= free) and so far it does everything that the Microsoft office suite can do.