Sigh. Another day, another step away from "ultra mobile" and towards "ordinary laptop". What's next -- an 8-cell, 12-pound 'eeePC' with a 17" screen, HD4850 mobile graphics, and dual 300GB 2.5" 7200 rpm hard drives?

PRESS RELEASE: Harley Davidson announced today that by the end of the quarter they will release a new, four-wheeled vehicle with an enclosed cabin, which they are dubbing the "car". "Our market research indicated that most people just don't like two-wheeled vehicles."

Work just picked up a ee 900 (celeron m, 20gb linux version) for $450 Aus, how is it still selling for $550 US?

I assume i'm not the only one worried with the trend in this new low-cost subnotebook niche where new systems keep getting more expensive and further away from the originally promised $200 mark ?

With their pricing, ASUS has turned the Eee into an Eeew.

I hope they don't create so many models that none of them sell well enough. Apple had a terrible problem with that back before Jobs took over again.

I guess it's time to look for used ones, isn't it?

EDIT: meant as a reply to # 2

I'm waiting for the Dell E. It looks nicer than all but the Wind, which is comparable in appearance. Plus, Dell may not have the best customer service out there, but Asus and MSI? They are both unknown insofar as complete system support, at least to me. Dell is at least a known commodity.

Does seem to be missing the point of a small 'throw in the bag' system the bigger the screen size.

Still, I'm sure plenty of people will bite, depending on price. A lot of people do seem to be looking to windwards though.