IT Professionals

Three Hundred Dollar Dell Notebooks – Eee Killer?

Posted by on Jun 13, 2008 | 4 Comments

Have to admit, despite the fact that I cannot seem to make Dell products appear at my door step for the life of me, this news of a Dell competitor to the ASUS Eee is rather compelling for what it is. And much like we have seen with the ASUS Eee, you will be able to run either Linux or Windows XP with these upcoming Dell machines.

Speaking for myself, I honestly cannot see the value in something like this. Why would I want this Dell or the Eee which provides me with ultra-tiny keyboards and barely usable resolution? Honestly, if I want a portable device, it would be my Blackberry or an iPhone. Now this is not to say that I do not understand what Dell is trying to do. This graphic clearly illustrates the different levels of usage as Dell believes them to be. And like ASUS, they are trying to shove a product that in my opinion we really do not need. I simply fail to see the value in these toys?

Think I am nuts? Hit the comments and set me straight on this matter.

  • Agarath

    The sad thing about the Eee is that its latest models are pricing them selves way too close to a small full service laptop, to be worth it.

    I think there is a valid use for a touch screen small MID device that will perform a variety of tasks for a fairly mobile user.

    I’d like something like a Eee / kindle to read tech and finance related PDFs that I’ve been down loading , for reading on a bus during my transit times.

    Now the Atom processor gives a laptop power on level of what was available 3 years ago, with a power reduction that is frankly fantastic.

    The Eee, is pushing itself out of the market, I personally am waiting to see the MSI wind in person before I begin to really start a decision process.

    I’d like to think that this is a change of thinking dynamic, for “more is better” to perhaps “enough is good enough”.

  • http://www.smallbiztechtalk.com/blog Small Biz Tech Talk Blog

    I haven’t heard a lot of reviews from users of these new machines, obviously, so it’s hard for me to know how user-friendly they actually will be. But it does seem like a lot of the new “cheap” white books, laptops, etc. are competing in the wrong sector, and I agree with you that many of them seem like they are more in line with PDAs than they are with full-scale, actual computers. For complicated business tasks, there’s simply no way these new machines are going to measure up to regular-sized laptops and full-scale desktop computers in terms of power, efficiency and capabilities. The thing about technology is there is always something bigger, better and more interesting and innovative on the horizon, so no matter what you are buying, it loses value the second you get it home (much like a car or anything else you’d take “off the lot”). I think anyone that uses these should, as with any computer, make sure first that these inexpensive machines are really going to fulfill their needs before purchasing. Enlisting the help of a good technology professional is always a good way to choose the right products, particularly for small business users and other business users without a formal in-house IT department to consult.

  • John Fisher

    I have used both models and am getting to like them for portability, weight and size. I am waiting for the larger drives, but I agree that the price is making them LESS attractive. My smart phone will have to do for now. It would be nice to have pencil sized fingers for typing when on public transport. A cut down version of ViaVoice or similar would prove most beneficial for us that have cigar shaped fingers. Price has to be kept sub £250 for most of my friends to consider it.

  • D Lowrey

    Purchased one of the Eee 4GB Surf’s about a month or so ago. (The one without the webcam.) With the 2 GB chip I purchased with it…ended up running me about $400. Since I used my stimulus check to purchase this…took almost the whole check when you figure in the shipping costs.

    Immediately upon arrival…I loaded XP onto the system. Can’t stand Xandros & didn’t feel like loading either Kubuntu/Mint/ PCLinuxOS onto it. Maybe in the future when they come out with versions for the Eee.

    As for actual use…got it for Ham radio use…being able to use it lying in bed with a USB keyboard light & as a movie viewer from my desktop. Not needing a powerhouse to do any of these…works perfect for me.

    Of course…I couldn’t use it to takeover or run a 3rd world country…but it does EXACTLY what I needed it to do. Was affordable on my budget & is the same size as a portable DVD player. What more could I ask for?