Although the XO-1 is pretty nifty, these look pretty awesome, too. I'm really looking forward to cycling around with a laptop that doesn't weigh as much as a small child.
The XO appeals to human nature. You buy one, and a child in Africa gets one as well. This model has copped a bit of flak due to its US$100 pricetag near-doubling from the initial idea. They're now available for US$189, hence why they cost US$400 to buy if you are a private buyer, you're essentially buying two.
The EEE is most certainly full of epic win, however the release date keeps getting pushed back, and the price keeps going up. Asus have put the higher-resolution model on the backburner, I was looking forward to that.
Australia is also getting shafted, these will not be available to the general public here, but rather in bulk tender. So maybe Harris Techology or Harvey Norman (or Aldi?) will buy 100,000 of them, rebrand them as Their Brand EEE, add $100 (if not more) to the price and sell them.
Realistically, I think the idea of UMPCs is great, but the execution often promises more than it can deliver.
These two models, however, have shown that there is genuine market interest in the area, and have developed important technologies (eg: the XO's grahics chip sleeps whilst not in use, but still keeps a picture on the screen, giving savings in battery power) which look to promote alot of future progress and competition in the area of low-price ultralightweight laptops.
It's ok, I can relate. I seem to constantly find myself babbling about either linux stuff or transnational social movements to anyone unlucky enough to fall into a conversation, these days. Or bicycles, now and then.
I've seen the "buy one for Africa" deal with the XO, and it does appeal to me - I've signed up for email notification when they become available. My only concerns with the XO are that, 1) their increased price tag will mean that they fade away before they hit the water, and 2) that the combination of (1) and living in Australia will mean that getting parts (which I know are meant to be easily replaceable) and finding a support community like Ubuntu's forums will be hard.
That said, I love what I've seen of the XO enough that if it's practical (read as: "available from Australia") there's a good chance I'll get one.
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ninetydegrees
no subject
on 2007-10-11 01:47 am (UTC)The EEE is most certainly full of epic win, however the release date keeps getting pushed back, and the price keeps going up. Asus have put the higher-resolution model on the backburner, I was looking forward to that.
Australia is also getting shafted, these will not be available to the general public here, but rather in bulk tender. So maybe Harris Techology or Harvey Norman (or Aldi?) will buy 100,000 of them, rebrand them as Their Brand EEE, add $100 (if not more) to the price and sell them.
Realistically, I think the idea of UMPCs is great, but the execution often promises more than it can deliver.
These two models, however, have shown that there is genuine market interest in the area, and have developed important technologies (eg: the XO's grahics chip sleeps whilst not in use, but still keeps a picture on the screen, giving savings in battery power) which look to promote alot of future progress and competition in the area of low-price ultralightweight laptops.
Sorry all I have to talk about is nerd things :(
no subject
on 2007-10-11 07:00 am (UTC)I've seen the "buy one for Africa" deal with the XO, and it does appeal to me - I've signed up for email notification when they become available. My only concerns with the XO are that,
1) their increased price tag will mean that they fade away before they hit the water, and
2) that the combination of (1) and living in Australia will mean that getting parts (which I know are meant to be easily replaceable) and finding a support community like Ubuntu's forums will be hard.
That said, I love what I've seen of the XO enough that if it's practical (read as: "available from Australia") there's a good chance I'll get one.