Posted on Saturday, November 10 2007 @ 0:07 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Asus
says it's going to release a desktop version of the Eee PC in 2008. The specifications of this cheap system are still under evaluation but one of the things that are certain is that the desktop Eee PC won't ship with a display.
Some component makers pointed out that no matter which version of the Eee PC Asustek launches, they will benefit. However, they noted that since Asustek is currently not seeing outstanding performance in the desktop PC market, the Eee PC's transition to a desktop version should prove difficult for the company, although the benefits of the plan still outweigh the drawbacks.
On the other hand, some PC vendors remarked that with the growing trend of notebooks replacing desktops, desktop PCs will eventually head toward multi-core CPUs and the mid-range and high-end markets. If Asustek launches a low-price desktop it will not have any positive selling points, other than the Eee PC brand.
Regarding recent comments from Acer claiming that sales momentum for the Eee PC has already begun to slow and that return rates for the product are above industry averages, Tseng pointed out that the Eee PC's return and malfunction rates are both below 1%, according to internal data, while weekly shipments are around 5,800 units, and total worldwide shipments have already reached 100,000 units. With the launch of a Windows XP version Eee PC in December, the goal of 300,000 units is expected to be achieved by the end of this year, added Tseng.
