Newegg serves up Asus Eee PC to US buyers

$400 a pop, in stock now, apparently

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

31st October 2007 17:05 GMT

US online retailer Newegg has begun offering the 4G version Asus' tiny Eee PC, offering the unit for $400.

Asus formally launched the Eee PC earlier this month. Then, it announced four models, including an 8GB version that's proving tricky to track down. In the UK, we're likely to get only the 4G model, though the 2G version will be made available to schools by educational computing specialist RM - formerly Research Machines.

Asus Eee PC 701
Asus' Eee PC and satisfied US customer

The 2G Surf has a 2GB of Flash storage and 256MB of DDR 2 memory. The 4G Surf ups the storage to 4GB and the memory to 512MB. The next machine up, the plain 4G model, matches that spec but introduces a 0.3-megapixel webcam into the display's bezel. It also ups the first two machines' 2.8-hour, 4400mAh battery to a 3.5-hour, 5200mAh unit.

This week, Asus announced US pricing for three of the Eee PCs: the 2G Surf, 4G Surf and the 4G. They'll cost $300, $350 and $400, respectively, so Newegg's price is right on the money. Shipping is extra. Alas, Newegg does not ship the Eee PC overseas.

However, it does have stock. Over here, so does PC World, its website suggests. However, all the other vendors we've seen are only taking pre-orders ahead of shipment in mid-November.