NetbookTech

Thanks to LaptopMag’s interview with ASUS CEO Jerry Shen, we now have additional insight into what’s coming down the road from ASUS in terms of netbooks. ASUS recently celebrated the first birthday for the Eee PC – the system that really got the whole netbook trend started. Here are the major tidbits of information from the interview:

• ASUS has sold close to 4 million Eee PCs thus far with a target goal of 5 million by the end of 2008 (this doesn’t include the EeeBox)
• All Eee PC models – from 7 inchers to 10 inch systems are selling well. The company does not plan on releasing anything larger than a 10 inch display b/c it would otherwise be a notebook
• The Eee PC has actually helped promote the ASUS brand – making their overall notebook business better
• Return rates for both Windows and Linux are similar
• No plans to put Vista on Eee PCs though in the second half of next year, expect to see Windows 7 on it
• ASUS is considering both a tablet convertible design and a touch-screen enabled laptop form factor
• Price ranges for future Eee PCs will be from $250 to $700 dollars. New products expected in Q1 and Q2 of next year
• ASUS working on a technology called “ExpressTest” which will improve boot time and battery life

You can read more at LaptopMag.com.

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