Eee invasion begins soon

It's coming!  Indeed, it is probably already sailing over the waters of the Pacific Ocean on its way here to be unleashed next month.

It is the Asus Eee notebook PC.  The big news is that it cost only $199 in its initial configuration.  At that price, it won't include Windows XP, but based on the hardware inside, it is capable of running XP if you have a licensed copy laying around.  But to keep costs down to PDA level, Asus preinstalls the Linux operating system. 

The OS has two modes, Easy and Full Desktop.  Easy gives you basics and is ideal for computer novices and children.  It is more like a PDA interface, but with a larger (7 inch) screen.  Full Desktop mode provides a Windows-like experience which is more full-featured and, of course, more complex for novices but simple for veteran computer users.

The hardware mix is interesting in the way it permits a very low selling price.  There is no hard drive, just a durable and fast solid state flash memory drive for storage and (initially 4GB, but larger capacities will be offered later - and there is onboard expansion with a SD card slot).  There is also 512MB of operating RAM.  The processor is a low voltage 900MHZ Pentium M, hence its ability to run XP if you decide to install it.  There is no optical drive, but there are 3 USB ports for connecting external devices such as a CD or DVD drive. 

Other hardware goodies include a VGA-out port that allows you to connect an external monitor or projector (could this be a portable PowerPoint machine?), Ethernet port, modem, and built-in 802.11b/g WiFi.  There is also a built-in web cam and microphone with Skype preinstalled for VoIP calling and video conferencing. 

This may be the right PC for you kids and your parents, and maybe you - if you need a light traveling companion primarily for email, web browsing, and word processing.  Indeed, it could be the ideal remote terminal from which you access your office PC using services such as GoToMyPC or LogMeIn (although I don't know if either service has been tested on the Eee). 

The Eee may hit the U.S. market as early as August.  Expect to add the Eee to your Christmas list for your kids and your parents this year.  You may even want one for yourself, especially if you don't need a full Windows-based notebook PC, but would like a higher level of mobile functionality than you can get from a smart phone.