Asus to push desktop version Eee PC next year

From Digitimes Monica Chen, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Friday 9 November 2007] -

Asus is developing a desktop version Eee PC which it hopes to launch in 2008. The PC will not include a display, but further specifications and pricing are still under evaluation.

Meanwhile, the company refuted Acer's recent claim that sales momentum for the Eee PC has already begun to slow, with return rates above industry averages. Asus claims the Eee PC's return and malfunction rates are both below 1%, with weekly shipments at around 5,800 units, and total worldwide shipments having already reached 100,000 units. With the launch of a Windows XP version Eee PC in December, the goal of 300,000 units is expected to be achieved by the end of this year.

However, with the ongoing components shortage, it will not be easy for Asustek to achieve its Eee PC shipments goal. But shipments are expected to increase significantly after the second generation Eee PC launches in April 2008, since by that time the shortages should have already been solved.