RM have launched their new Asus minibook which is now spec'd with an 8.9" screen and runs Windows XP home edition. Priced at a handsome £285 they predict sales of around 50,000 units in the coming year:
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/06/16/rm-delivers-linux-fuelled-eee
Specifications for the education aimed lite-laptop are exactly as the ASUSTeK 900 model itself, with this SKU shipping with 12GB SDD and a 1GB memory. When querying an Asus spokesperson at the event about which battery will be shipping with said units, we were informed that the new models will soon have the standard extended one that’s seen elsewhere in the world. Saving the local education authorities the £11.75 they are currently charging for swapping out the old one for the new.
One of the clear reasons why RM has gone down this route with Microsoft is the simple fact that most educational software is designed to run on Windows. This in turn makes it easier for schools to add their favourite curriculum software to the RM Asus Minibook.
“The Minibooks have proved a popular choice since launch and we are very excited to be expanding our range to include the Windows version. At around the £200 mark these devices mean that no pupil in the UK should be disadvantaged by not having access to the very best learning and the very best technology.” said Tim Pearson, CEO of RM
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/16/rm_relaunches_eee_900/
The XP-based miniBook will ship with a new release of Windows XP Home Edition that, according to Microsoft, has been tailored for Small, Cheap Computers with Flash drives. That means automatically writing less data to the main drive to prevent undue wear on its write-limited memory cells.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/news/2008/06/16/RM-Unveils-miniBook-Branded-Eee-PC-For-Education/p1Impressed as I am with the EEE PC I'm wondering whether at £285 the price is going in wrong direction.
Any thoughts from our members?
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