Php33k for Asus Eee PC 900?! I’d get a Compaq notebook instead
No freakin’ way! That’s what I commented on Abe’s post which details that the new 9-inch Asus Eee PC 900 sells for Php33,900 here in the Philippines.
The price of Php33,900 (see PC Corner listing here) for the Asus Eee PC is a little bloated because it will come with Microsoft Windows XP Home, a whooping 2GB of RAM and a bigger storage space of 12GB solid state drive.
I’m sure a variant that comes loaded with Linux will be available and much cheaper but I think the current price tag is an overkill. Blogging buddies Ade and Jaypee has been seducing me, I mean encouraging me to get the Asus Eee PC for some time now but I’ve always told them that I’m holding our for the 9-inch model.
Now that it’s out and available but with such a price tag, I’m having serious second thoughts.
Think of it, what else could I get with Php33,900? I did some snooping around the net and found this gem:
Compaq Presario C765TU NOTEBOOK
It’s technical specs:
Processor Intel® Celeron 550 (2.0GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Chipset Mobile Intel 965
Operating System Free DOS
Graphics Intel® X3100 Graphics
Video Memory up to 358MB Shared
Display Panel 15.4-inch WXGA High-Definition** Widescreen Display
Standard Memory 1GB
Memory Slots 2 slots, 1 in use, 1 available
Hard Drive 120GB
Optical Drive Super Multi 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
Networking/Wireless High speed 56K modem, integrated 10/100 LAN, 802.11 a/b/g WLAN
External Card Expansion ExpressCard slot/54 slot (supports both 34 and 54 form factors)
Media card Integrated 5-in-1 digital memory reader slot (xD, SD, MMC, Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO)
I/O Ports Built-in 350K webcam, RJ-45, headphone, microphone jack, Omni-directional microphones (2), AC adapter, S-video out, Kensington lock, VGA, USB 2.0 (3), Rj-11
Battery 6-cell Li-ion
Power 65W AC adapter
Approximate Weight 2.45kg (5.39lbs)
It’s priced at PhP 24,950.00 at PC Corner while Asianic sells it for Php 27,950. Load it with Ubuntu Linux or a Windows XP (or both in a dual-boot setup) and it’s a better buy than the Asus Eee PC 900.
There’s even enough change to get myself a decent wireless router (Linksys WRT-54G) and setup a wireless home network so that I could blog from anywhere in the house. Heck, there’s plenty of change left for a pair new jeans and a tee. It looks like the notebook I’ll be getting in two months’ time won’t be an Asus Eee PC. Disappointed, I really am with Asus Eee PC 900.
Am I the only one?
for sale eeepc 1000h
P22k
Specification:
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Home
Display: 10″
Intel CPU & Chipset: Intel Atom
Keyboard Size: 95% of Ordinary
Wireless Data Network: WLAN: 802.11 n
Bluetooth: YES
Memory: 1GB (DDR2)
Storage: HDD 80GB
Camera: 1.3M Pixel
Audio: Dolby Sound Room Certified (only support on XP OS) Stereo speaker
Digital Array Mic
Battery: 6 Cells, 4.2 ~ 7 hrs*
Weight: 1.45 kg
alexphilspencer@yahoo.com
wow. 24k for a laptop with decent specs? Nice. But I’d still go for the Asus eee PC for its ultra-mega portability. I already have two computers: a desktop for home/server use and a Toshiba Satellite running on Core Duo – but I need a computer to be real “personal” with me. The eee pc can be brought anywhere, without sending you to the chiropractor. It’s a “glorified calculator”. It’s really not meant to be used as a full-time computer, but as a lifestyle accessory. That’s just me.
But you know what would really make the eee pc unbeatable? If Asus gives it touch screen features.
When you’re after ultra-portability then the Asus Eee PC is the answer. Same goes if you’re after souping up your lifestyle.
But the way I see it, I should get the most value out of my hard-earned money especially if many of us are not that well-off. Owning a computer or laptop is already a privilege, using it to prop up your social status just for the heck of it is something my conscience would not take.
Then again, to each his own. And if Asus does give the Eee touch screen features, I’d still go for a Compaq because they’re known for their reliability and pretty soon they’d catch up and put touch screen features to their notebooks as well.
For that price (33K), you can get a much better computer even better than the Presario model that you have. 33K = 800+ US$, you can get a very nice laptop already if you get it here.
Well I haven’t bought the Presario – yet.
That’s basically the new setup I’m planning in 2 to 3 months’ time. All I need in a laptop is connectivity, productivity and a little class.
I’m not looking for a desktop replacement, just something I could get online with and work on anywhere I go.
It’s good to hear from you again dude, it’s been so long.
Well, I actually broke the news way before Abe did, just saying.
Oops! My bad, My Asus Eee PC’s feed is in a separate folder in my reader and I only got to read it after publishing this post.
But I’m still not going to get an Asus Eee PC.
No Eee 900 for me either. Hehehehe!