Many friends and acquaintances frequently ask me for advise when they think of buying a computer. I have basically two questions: How much is your budget and What would you use it for. The rest are just details.

With ultra-mobile portable computers (UMPC) getting popular, the questions still remain the same.

At the Philippine launch of the Asus Eee PC 900 at the Makati Shangrila (May 12, 2008), we got a first glimpse of the big brother of the highly-popular Asus Eee PC 701.

Some interesting notes: 4 GB plus 12 (Windows) or 16 (Xandros) GB SSD, multi-touch trackpad, 1.3M pixel camera, weighing around 0.99 kg, at PHP 24,990.00. As confirmed by Ethan Hung, Asus Regional Marketing Manager, (who graciously sat with us and answered our questions while we were having lunch and he wasn’t) units will be available in stores this week. Just in time for the new school year, if I might add.

There will be accessories, riding on the popularity of the line ala iPod. I think they won’t be pricey, though.
The Asus Eee PC 900 is being marketed as a “girl or student gadget” but men and geeks will also be enticed to give it a second look. It also helps that Asus have opened up a Philippine office. I think I also heard that they also have a service center, too.

Going back to the questions: If you have 25k and would do internet surfing, research and use productivity software on the go, the Asus Eee PC 900 is a good buy.

Thanks to First Tier Brands for the invite.

Shout out to Leah and Aldrin, Abe, Arnold, Eugene, Reggie, Jhay and Racquel (of PDI?).