Netbook Lounge » Eee PC

Netbooks may NOT be a threat to Microsoft?

Stuart — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:49 +0000

So after the story of netbooks becoming a threat to Microsoft next week, another story has emerged via Lilputing that opposes it. No, Bill Gates hasn’t ordered the destruction of Linux, but Asus has decided to eliminate the Linux Eee PC option in the Philippines.

An Asus official has said that response to Linux in the country has been poor, so the company has decided to eliminate the option and make the Philippines a Microsoft mad nation, with all of Asus’ efforts from now on set to be put into Windows machines.

One of Asus’ original reasons for using Linux, like other manufacturers, was the extremely cheap cost of loading computers with them, but Microsoft – ever conscious of the market – is now offering discounted Windows XP licenses for netbooks and other “ultra low cost PC” makers. If this is a sign of things to come across the world, the story on netbooks threatening Microsoft’s profits may be made null and void quickly. But who would expect anything less of Microsoft than to quickly solve a problem?

Netbook prices falling in Taiwan

Stuart — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:22:45 +0000

If you live in Taiwan, you’re in luck as netbook prices just won’t stop falling! Hewlett-Packard, and Acer have dropped their netbook costs in the country, and now its Asustek Computer’s turn, with fresh plans to lower prices on some Eee PC models to meet its annual shipment goal of five million units and also to clear out inventory of some older models.

The Eee PC 901 price is dropping from NT$16,900 to NT$12,900, which works out to be roughly US$420, a drop of around US$130. The Intel Celeron M processor-based Eee PC 900 has already been phased out of the market in Taiwan, but prices for the Celeron M-based Eee PC 1000HD (down to US$450) and both the Eee PC 904 and 1000H (price cuts of about US$30) have been lowered.

HP has dropped the price of its 2133 Mini-note unit by around US$60, while the cost of Acer’s Aspire model has been cut by about half of that. Whether these price cuts are permanent or temporary for inventory clearance isn’t clear, but now might be a good time to invest in a brand new netbook if you’re in Taiwan.

Asustek targets 30% netbook market share

Stuart — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:35:05 +0000

Taiwanese manufacturer Asustek Computer is targetting a 30% share in the netbook market according to the DigiTimes, and they have a sound plan on how to do it.

Company president Johnny Shen told the Times that “the company has adjusted its mid-range and entry-level Eee PC’s pricing and market position, and expects to launch an Eee PC priced at US$200 in 2009.” If this strategy is carried out, it would lead to shipments of 6 million to 7.5 million units.

Asustek’s major market is Europe, which contributed to around 53% of the company’s third quarter revenues, with the Asian Pacific region contributing around 36%. The Eee PC itself contributes approximately 22% of Asustek’s total revenue.