Eee PC: Most popular Christmas gift in US

The Asus Eee PC is once again in the limelight. This time, it has been billed
as America's most wanted Christmas gift among notebooks products. Several large
American shopping websites have started investigating what the average American
would want as a Christmas gift in lieu of the fast approaching Christmas buying
season; and the result from the American Amazon shopping website and CNET based
on November 14 unanimously places the Asus Eee PC at the top spot on the wish
list.

In America, all the units were snapped up-creating a lack of stock; and
stores were inundated with orders for the Christmas season as soon as it was put
on the shelves. Long queues were noted on launch day as people flocked to lay
their hands on the notebook.

“In the two weeks since its launch in the US, the Eee PC has already sold
10,000 sets,” said Sunny Han, Director, Asus Global Brand Center, confirming the
Eee PC's massive US sales figures. By the end of this year, the projected sales
goal of  350 thousand will be met; and next year that figure is projected
at three to five million.

And this success was not just limited to America, as the Eee PC has gained
popularity globally. In Germany, households have embraced the new lightweight
laptop, with parents enjoying the laptop together with their children. According
to a parent who described how useful the Eee PC is for her, “It is so
lightweight and small that I can bring it around anywhere in the home as I do my
housework. Best of all, the interface is so easy to use, I can check online
transactions, order groceries, and keep myself in touch with friends and family
without any hassles.”

“In places such as Taiwan, US and Hong Kong, it seems like the Eee PC was
sold out as soon as it appeared on the market,” Han said, reflecting on how the
Eee PC's popularity has impacted globally.

A German family enjoying the Eee PC

Driving education

Besides obtaining support in the American retail market, the Eee PC has also
gained a foothold into the US education market. As California's educational
system is highly advanced, California's fourth largest school district-the
Fresno Unified School District, has taken the lead and has purchased 1,300 Eee
PCs from Asus to use as training aids for both students and teachers.

Besides obtaining support in the American retail market, the Eee PC has also gained a foothold into the US education market

Teachers can access, display and transfer video and music with ease in the
classroom; efficiently providing files to students, which the student can
immediately answer using the Eee PC. It also scored very well in tests made in
the school during trial runs held during September. With its shockproof
durability, small size and efficient Internet access, the Eee PC can be placed
on the school desk together with books-making it easy for referencing.

Long queues were noted on launch day as people flocked to lay their hands on the notebook

Judging from student responses, the Eee PC has also received the stamp of
approval from the students. Francis Kao, Product Manager-Notebook Business, Asus
India said, “Looking at the global popularity of the Eee PC, we are very excited
about its launch in India.”