From the FoxNews site -
In an article by Lance Ulanoff of PCMag listing the features/components to be avoided when buying computers/notebooks/gadgets this Chrstmas, the photo of the Asus Eee PC was prominently featured at the start.
Its caption reads "The Asus Eee PC, which suffers the misfortune of being inexpensive, having integrated graphics and running Linux on a flash-memory hard drive."
The Eee PC wasn't mentioned again in the main article but among the many supposedly unwanted features listed, the following applies -
Don't buy: Any PC with integrated graphics.
"I promise you that you'll rue the day you saved $200 but did not opt for an nVidia or (ATI) AMD graphics CPU with discrete graphics memory. I contend that discrete graphics capability will speed up your gaming, browsing and video-viewing pleasure."
Don't buy: A sub-$500 laptop.
I came across a deal for a Dell Vostro for under $400. That seems like a real bargain until you try to visit a flash-driven Web site, view online video or play even the simplest PC-based game on one.
Don't buy: Solid-state drives.
These fast hard drives are starting to show up in some laptops, but they're still way too expensive compared with what you pay for the same number of gigabytes on a spinning hard drive. I say wait until next year.
Don't buy: Linux.
The world's cheapest operating system is the darling of every do-it-yourselfer and the potential bane of every cheapskate user.
You'll save money and, I bet, lose your mind if you switch to Linux.
Note to DIYers: This advice is intended for middle-of-the-road tech consumers. You, with the screwdriver in your hand, please feel free to download as many copies of Ubuntu as you want.
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I thought I was going to put my comments about the article here but I figure the article speaks for itself, or rather, the ignorance of the writer, never mind that he writes for a trade mag. For me, it only further explains to me, or rather, reminds me of why I no longer access that site. :(
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
FoxNews - Asus Eee PC - a What Not to Buy this Christmas
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13 comments:
Sarcasm follows... Wow, looks like anyone wanting to play mega-games on the Asus Eee should opt for a maxed-out $3000 laptop instead. Also, for those of you wanting a supercomputer, Asus Eee isn't your best bet. :)
But seriously, the Asus Eee is cool because it's small, cheap and does its job. It won't do everything, but it smaller than a book. I can't wait to get one.
Devices like the Asus Eee are basically pointing us to a Firefox/Google world (ok, there's other stuff too). Reminds me a bit of a prediction I made back in mid-2005 (2.5 years ago):
Look for Google to bring GBrowser to market within 2 years, the GooglePC within 3 years and Google ISP partnerships within 5 years.
Link: Google's Future? GBrowser, GooglePC, Google NetPC and Google ISP
Not a perfect prediction, but Google is one reason why a device like the Asus Eee can exist. Everex introduced the gPC and the Asus Eee is quite similar in many respects.
Thanks for the article.
Mike Reynolds
Hi mike,
Thanks for the link.
Why is it that some trade writers just don't get it even though the whole issue is so clear to plain folks like you and me?
Maybe because they are not actual end-users? :)
I know your question is rhetorical in nature. But if I try to be nice (it's the holiday season after all), technology moves so quickly these days that it's possible for someone to miss such trends. There's no excuse for a tech writer, of course - as keeping track of hundreds of feeds would seem mandatory.
I just hope this person also didn't write any kind of positive writeup on Amazon.com's Kindle :)
HI mike,
If a parttime amateur blogger like me can keep up with trends via feed aggregators, (as you said) there is simply no excuse for a tech writer not to. :(
And yes, +1 re a Kindle review by the same guy.
I saw this news story before. The guy is a n00b. :D
BTW, I get my Eee 2moro. xD
Hi vito,
Never thought I would see the day when PC Mag will have noobs for writer.
Well, I used to think I will never see a notebook sell for less than a smart phone, too.
So I guess anything is possible these days. :)
By the way, which did you get - the white or the black?
I'm a technical user, been programming since '81, have had lots of computers, and love my eee pc.
It's about as small as I'd want to go for a surf/email machine, but it works great for that. I could use it to develop in a pinch, but I think I'd really go turn on one of the big computers for that.
Nonetheless, it really proves for me the concept of linux/flash/cheap computers. And this segment is sure to evolve, become perfected, etc.
Also, as someone turning green in my middle age ... the power consumption is amazing. I have it hooked up through a kill-a-watt monitor and have consumed 0.51 kWh in the week I've owned it. Or for people who think that way ... 5 cents worth of electricity.
I got the white! I have it my hands. :D
It's pretty cool, now to dual boot with XP...
HI vito,
Congratulations!
BTW, does it have the mini PCI-e connector?
Not sure, not willing to find out until I know Australia can open it.
Does that official statement include Australia by any chance?
I see that faux (fox) news is staying true to their course of narrow mindedness.
Hi vito,
Asus recently made a clarification stating the change in policy applies only in countries that do not allow such kind of warranty restrictions. So I guess you have to check local regulations. :(
HI geekbearjeff,
Somehow I always associate FOX with Bart Simpson.
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