Hackers no longer have to resort to their own devices to get Windows on Asus's Eee PC. For those unfamiliar with the machine, the Eee comes in $399 and $499 models, both with seven-inch screens and no moving parts (a 4GB or 8GB solid state hard drive replaced the usual spinning disk). And people are gobbling up like they're going out of style.
The first models came with Linux preinstalled, but tinkerers immediately set their sights on putting other OSes, namely Windows, on the devices.
Asus says that Windows XP-based Eee PCs will hit the market before the end of the quarter. (Sorry, Vista lovers!) Both the 4G (4GB drive) and 8G (8GB drive) models will offer the OS. Pricing has not been announced, but since Linux is free, it will undoubtedly be more if you want Windows. I'd expect to see the 4G model to hit somewhere between $469 and $499, depending on how angry Microsoft is at Asus for doing the Linux machine in the first place.
But there may be more good news for consumers: Asus's move into the Windows world with the Eee could quickly lead to a price war in the notebook market. For the first time in over a year, this could be a good time not to buy a new laptop, as we wait to see what happens to this industry when the Eee muscles its way into Windows territory. Also reportedly in the works: A bigger Eee with an 11-inch screen (and larger keyboard), which would make getting work done so much easier. Will it run Windows, too? We'll see in short order!
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