01/30/2008, 8:30am, EST
Wednesday, January 30thASUS preps $500 'iMac killer' Eee PC desktop
ASUS is expanding its Eee PC line to include not one but multiple extra models, including an all-in-one desktop, the company said today at a press event. The E-Monitor will aim to do what the original Eee PC notebook did for portables by reducing the cost of entry for the class; the system will have a screen between 19 and 21 inches large but use Intel's low-cost Shelton platform to help drive down prices. A finished system should cost just $500 despite including a TV tuner, ASUS says. The Taiwan PC maker does not elaborate on full details but is most likely to use Linux to improve both relative performance and the cost, which is less than half that of the $1200 base iMac it sees as a rival.
The computer builder also says it will build a headless desktop, the E-DT, which will at first use a Celeron but then switch to the Shelton platform. Most details are unavailable, though the price should range between $200 and $300 and is being pushed towards the $200 mark. A third system known as the E-TV will combine a basic Eee PC platform with a 42-inch LCD TV and should cost about $200 more than a comparable TV that ships without such features.
ASUS plans to ship the E-DT first in April or May, at the same time as projected enhanced Eee PC notebooks. Both the E-Monitor and the E-TV are scheduled to launch in September, shortly after the Shelton platform becomes available for production.
E-TV prototype
Filed under: computers, Apple
Other story tags: Intel, Linux, ASUS, Eee PC, iMac, Celeron, Shelton
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If not, why bother?
"The E-Monitor will aim to do what the original Eee PC notebook did for portables by reducing the cost of entry for the class ..."
- Paper towels reduce the cost of entry to the linen napkin class. - Plastic shopping bags reduce the cost of entry to the travel luggage class. - Cracker Jack reduces the cost of entry to the diamond ring class.
A 12 year-old can produce gourmet meals by following Wolfgang Puck's recipes too, especially with Chef Puck present for guidance and to set standards. I just don't recommend betting on the 12 year-old to produce the same quality meals without access to those resources.
Let's see, cheap computers. Why would anyone want to spend less on a computer? You're right, these things are crap. Next thing you know, everyone will be able to afford a simple computer. Hell, some people might pick one up as a secondary travel computer, since most people can't fathom why someone would spend $2000 on a 'second' laptop.
The problem that a lot of people don't understand is that most people could give care less about some 'gourmet' chef and their overpriced foods, where 'presentation' and the 'wow' factor is as 'important' as taste, servings, etc.
And you break your own point. Most people don't have those resources, and can't afford to make the puck's food as well as he. Same goes with computers. Most can't afford to pay the extra for the 'experience' of a mac, mainly because Apple refuses to "lower" itself to that market.
But, I know, even though they might get yelled at and blamed for buying houses they couldn't afford on loans that are soon to break them, just because they wanted to live in a better neighborhood, they should go out and spend the extra $500-$1000 and get a mac, because they'll be better off.