The Asus Eee PC - Windows? Linux? Mac OSX?

The operating system which comes with the device is a version of Linux (Xandros). Out of the box, the Eee PC runs around 40 pre-installed applications including Skype a web browser and a word processor which will open and edit MS-Word docs. If you're desperate to continue to use MS-Windows, reports on the web indicate that users have been able to install a copy and even run Adobe Photoshop. As the Eee PC is equipped with a 900Mhz processor and 512 Mb of RAM it will almost certainly struggle with manipulating large graphics files of print resolution - but for web publishing, it's been reported to be fine.

There's no internal CD/DVD drive - so the lack of this hardware may slightly hinder those who want to change operating systems, or others who have a need to use discs regularly. However, no doubt that not including Windows or a CD/DVD drive has helped to reduce the price and size of this unit considerably.

Finally, the 3.5 hours of battery life is not hugely brilliant - but users may not be that bothered about this as the unit is so light that there is lo drag such a lightweight machine to the next place where it can be charged up.

Who will super-portable laptops be used for?

Email, web browsing and writing. If these are your needs then this may be your machine. For students who have basic needs for web and document editing, it's almost ideal.

Websites have already popped up offering to help people install various versions of MS-Windows and even Mac OSX - and so it appears that the Asus Eee PC is destined to win a place as a geek hobbyist machine.

While online service companies such as Google are best known for producing search engine functionality, they've also been busy bees in attempting to produce alternatives to some of the functionality which has been traditionally only found loaded on your own computer. Features such as calendars and document writing, spreadhseets and the ability to store and share them online have popped up over the last few years. Certainly their goal of replacing the desktop with the network have progressed quite far. However, you'll still need access to a computer to use these services. And those who need to have access to computers from wherever they are, will still need a portable machine.

There is a rumour that a pink version of the Asus Eee PC will be available for Valentine's day. And if you really can't wait, you can already order leather covers for your machine, or crocodile and snake print!

For more information

Eee PC blog site
http://www.eeeuser.com

Asus Eee PC product page
http://eeepc.asus.com