Interest in Asus Eee PC Fizzling Out?

With the recent announcement of Asus regarding the pricing and specs of the Eee PC indicating lower specs and higher prices, it seems interest in the sub-note is fast fizzling out. In posts after posts in popular forums such as the Eeeuser, TipidPC, and Notebookreview, user after user expressed their disappointment over the developments and indicated their decision not to purchase one.

If Asus sticks to its latest pricing schedule when it finally releases the Asus Eee, it would really be a pity since the higher price range really bumps it up to the cost of entry-level fully configured traditional notebooks. So from being an impulse buy with the chance of becoming an iconic product, the Asus Eee will attract a considerably smaller market - those intent on having a small, lightweight sub-note that can be carried around quite easily.

Because at USD349, the Asus Eee falls into some kind of twilight zone. Add USD75 more and you can buy a fully-functional laptop. So unless you have a very compelling reason to use a small, lightweight but "incomplete" subnote, chances are you will pass up on the Asus Eee PC.

So Asus would be wise to stick to a USD199 price for an entry level model, complete with webcam since the webcam just about "completes" the product. They can keep it at 2GB, 256MB, and a 2 cell battery. But users should be able to upgrade the thing. And keep the USD199 price. It is such a psychological price that determines whether a product is an impulse buy or a planned purchase. At USD199, it is personally an impulse buy. At USD249, I would think twice about it. Which is what I am actually already doing. :(