I’m still working on some kind of grid of all the new low-cost mini-laptops coming out, but I have to say that it’s a little difficult to keep up!
In particular, Asus seems to be coming out with new models all the time. Many are listed on their web site, though many don’t seem to be shipping yet, and a few are already being discontinued. Here are a few highlights of what I see in their product line:
* The 7″ models appear to be being phased out in favor of the new 9″ and 10″ models. (A possible exception to this is the 7″ 701SD.)
* The low end pricing seems to be hovering a little under $349, while the upper end models are going as high as $699. (There are rumors of a new $249 device in 2009.)
* Some new longer life batteries are coming out, addressing one of the criticisms of this device.
As it relates to school purchases, I worry about how much this product line is changing. It is difficult to start a one-to-one project with one model and then have to change models repeatedly as the program grows. On the other hand, this is the nature of mobile technology (especially when it’s geared toward the consumer market, which is almost always). More features, lower costs, more change … it’s a blessing and a curse.
It is will be interesting to see how stable Dell’s Inspiron Mini line is. (They don’t even seem to be shipping yet. Anyone used one?) Right now, the limited number of options and the general stability of Dell’s product line seems pretty appealing.