go easy
Asus Eee, a newly released personal computer co-designed by semiconductor giant Intel and Taiwanese manufacturer AsusTek Computer, has a unique name. It stands for 'Easy to learn, work and play; Excellent internet experience and Excellent on the go' - a somewhat awkward designation of the low-cost sub-notebook as a consumer-friendly device.
Dollars and sense The HK$2,998 price tag on the Eee PC has helped fuel high demand for the product since its release last month in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
At 920 grams, the Eee is slightly heavier than the previously top-selling and more expensive LifeBook U1010 from Fujitsu, which weighs 610 grams. It also has a seven-inch screen, compared with the LifeBook's 5.6-inch display.
Bells and whistles The Eee's low price does not mean it lacks features. It has a 900MHz Intel Celeron a M353 processor, 512 megabytes of random access memory and a 4-gigabyte hard drive.
The built-in operating system is Linux, but it can be used with Microsoft's Windows XP. It also has a touchpad, a webcam for video-conferencing, stereo speakers and four-cell battery that supports up to three hours' use per charge.
More bang for your buck In addition to those features, the Eee has more than 40 built-in applications, including the Open Office suite.
With a great price-to-performance ratio, the Eee might be worth a mention on your Christmas wishlist.
