In case you haven't heard, Asus is trying to replicate the success of the Eee PC in the desktop market with the Eee Box. The launch of the Eee Box is supposed to be on June 3rd at Computex in Taiwan. Taiwan is the home of Asus and many other computer hardware companies. Most of the motherboard manufacturers, especially the high quality ones, are based in Taiwan.

The specs of the machine will have 2GB RAM and a 160GB hard drive. It will have the same Linux distribution as that found on the Eee PC. This of course means that it is meant for being a box that will primarily be used for surfing and a couple of other basic tasks like word processing. It will be available in white and black. At this point it is unknown whether it will be using Intel's Atom processor, though the chances are good that it will be using it.

 
 

The Australian division of Asus' national regional manager has confirmed that the company is looking for other form factors for the Eee PC. Emmanuele Silanesu, the national regional manager for Asus Australia, confirmed the rumors of a touchscreen portable device that will be based on the Eee PC. He also mentioned that it will be showcased at Computex this year along with the Eee PC 901.

The Eee PC 901, as we have mentioned on this blog previously, contains Intel's much awaited Atom processor. Of course, a touchscreen Eee PC concept will probably be more expensive than the range that the Eee PC resides in. Rumors have it that the new device will not actually be labelled as an Eee PC. Nonetheless, the device will probably be a interesting and useful device, looking at Asus' other devices.

 
 

The presses haven't yet cooled from printing about the launch of the Eee PC 900, and already there are rumors of the next Eee PC around the corner. Rumor has it, that the Eee PC 901 will be released June 3rd, will have some cosmetic and hardware changes. Asus has really stepped up the ultra-portable game, but with as cutthroat of a market, there is no room for hesitation.

The hardware changes in the Eee PC 901 are that it will be using Intel's Atom processor, which has been created with ultraportables in mind. Currently it is using a Celeron-M. They have also added bluetooth. On the cosmetic front, they have moved the status LEDs to above the keyboard, shuffled around the USB ports, removed the Asus logo (now it only has the Eee PC logo), and added some metallic touches here and there. Can't wait to see it in person...

 
 

Microsoft, the maker of the Windows operating system, competes against Linux in emerging markets. Now, with the quick penetration of low cost ultra-portables like the Eee PC going into emerging markets carrying Windows XP, Microsoft is getting the exposure it want

In an effort to make the penetration even greater, Microsoft is dropping the price it charges manufacturers. Microsoft is not going to charge PC makers $26 for Windows XP Home Edition for low cost ultra-portables sold in emerging markets, and $32 for those sold in developed markets. They have also defined low cost ultra-portables as machines with a screen size of less than 10.2 inches and hard drive of less than 80 GB. And they cannot be touchscreens.

 
 

A local Aussie magazine is claiming that when the Eee PC 900 is released down under, it will cost AU$50 more for the Linux version. Here in the US and presumably also in Europe the price of both the WinXP version with the 12GB flash HDD and the Linux version with the 20GB flash HDD, is the same.

I think maybe the price of flash memory may be increasing, and so they are launching the one in Australia with the pricing that will also be implemented in other parts of the world. Of course, another possibility could be that Microsoft has awarded Asus with some money to sell the Linux version for more, however I doubt Asus would take such a risk, most of their customers, especially the trend setting geeky ones, would not be very approving.

 
 

If you are planning on getting TMobile broadband, you can also get a free Eee PC if you sign up with PowerupMobile.com. Customers will receive a free Eee when they sign up for the Web 'n' Walk Max mobile broadband package for two years. The plan also includes a plug and play USB modem.

Personally, assuming the deal pricing and plan is competitive (I don't know what that would entail in UK), this seems like a good deal. You not only get a mobile internet plan, but you get the whole solution, with the Eee PC as well. This is probably best for people who do not already have a laptop that they use frequently, as it will save them the trouble of picking up a laptop to use with the plan.

 
 

The new Eee PC is really starting to catch on. People who are not geeks are starting to talk about it, which means its really starting to hit mass appeal. Of course, this is great news for Asus because this means that it will become an even greater hit. With the new Eee PC running Windows the potential number of users goes up drastically.

Anyway, another improvement that is rumored to hit stateside, and has already been released in Japan is colors. It seems like everything nowadays is colored, starting from iMacs, onto iPods and pretty much everything in the consumer electronics world. The new colors are blue, green, and pink. Can't wait to see them on this side of the Pacific.

 
 

If you are in Canada, and are looking to open up an account, open it with Royal Bank of Canada because, assuming you meet all their requirements, you will get a free Eee PC with your new account. The Eee PC you will get will be the 2G Surf. Though not the best Eee PC, its free so it doesn't look to bad of a deal.

If you are seriously looking into this deal you will want to look at all the various details before you go ahead with it. However, this brings to light the idea that the Eee PC is truly starting to become a real mainstream product that is not just for the geeky early adopters anymore. It has been a surprisingly fast journey for the Eee PC. Of course, with the new Windows version it will become even more mainstream.