The Eee PC 900 with the 8.9 inch display isn’t even shipping in most companies yet, but Asus is already looking ahead and planning at least two new models in the Eee PC line. We’ve known for a while that Asus was planning to launch an Eee PC with a 10 inch screen, but now it looks like the company’s also hoping to bring an 11 inch version to market.
Honestly, at 11 inches, I’m not sure you can still call the Eee PC an ultraportable. It’ll just be a small notebook. And since Asus is selling the Eee PC 900 with the 8.9 inch screen for $549, I assume it’s safe to say the larger unit will set you back a few bucks more, which means it’d be hard to consider the 11 inch version low cost either. On the one hand, it makes sense for Asus to stretch its most recognizable brand. On the other hand, the name Eee PC has come to be associated with low cost, lightweight machines. These future plans seem more like brand dilution than brand promotion to me.
On yet another hand (yeah, I know, most folks only have two, but bear with me here), “Eee” stands for easy to learn, easy to work, easy to play. And if Asus wants to promote the ease of use of the Eee PC over the whole portability thing, then this move does make some sense. After all, the company had previously announced plans to release a desktop computer, and even a television set under the Eee name.
I bet once Asus designed the 10″ one, some bright fellow noticed that with a bit of tweaking to the frame, it could do 11″ too.
Just like the 7″ is *almost* the same size as the new 8.9″.
But yeah, you’re right. These will be higher-priced units. Unless Asus kills the 2G Surfs, the 4G Surf, and drops the 4G by at least $100 in price.