‘World’s Easiest PC’ Going for $199 - ASUS Eee PC

At the Computex Taipei 2007 Intel Keynote Address, Sean Maloney, Executive Vice President of Intel, invited ASUS´ CEO Jonney Shih on-stage to show off the “world´s easiest PC” – the Eee PC.

The name Eee PC, according to Shih, comprises of three “easy” concepts: “Easy to learn, Easy to play and Easy to work.” Shih also commented that while ASUS is constantly pushing back the boundaries of engineering, it is also adept when it comes to marketing names. “You all know the Wii, now here is the Eee,” he said, likening it to the popular Nintendo Wii game console, which allows even beginners to pick up and play in a matter of minutes.

Maloney described the Eee PC as a “fine addition” to other ASUS products, and this is in line with Intel´s “World Ahead” marketing drive – which aims to provide anyone around the world a chance to own a PC. “It will give them the chance to access the Internet and share in the 21st century opportunity,” Maloney added, referring to the wiring up of the next one to one and a half billion people who are still without a computer.

“We really hope that there are far more people are looking for a low-cost and very easy PC in the world,” Shih said, reiterating that an affordable PC that is designed for both the young and old would really expand the market - perhaps by another billion dollars.

Shih also stated that ASUS plans to start shipping the units in July or August, with a target of selling 200,000 units this year – all under the ASUS brand. Amid gasps from the audience, the Eee PC units were revealed to come in at an extremely competitive price of around USD $199 for the 7″ units, and about USD $299 for the 10″ version.