Asus posts teaser of 'super-slim' Eee PC netbook

Asus is preparing to launch a very thin Eee PC netbook that may be sold with a Linux distribution, a teaser on Facebook suggests.

Posted on the official Asus Facebook page on Wednesday, the teaser describes the device as "no ordinary netbook", noting that the "super-slim" subnotebook "has a twist".

Inviting comments, the post also asks Asus fans: "Given that we were first to try Linux with the Eee PC 701 back in 2007 — we'd like to know again: is Windows still a firm requirement for your everyday needs?"

The netbook market was indeed kicked off by Asus and its Eee PC 701, which ran Linux. For a while, netbooks led to a resurgence of desktop Linux, but it was not long before Asus and Microsoft engaged in joint promotion of Windows as the best netbook OS.

Since then, netbooks have almost all been sold with Windows as the pre-installed OS, although several Linux companies have made their name promoting the open-source alternative as ideal for netbooks, which are frequently too underpowered to handle even the Starter version of Windows 7 with grace.

The slim Eee PC is the second device in a series of four being gradually hinted at by Asus, the first being some kind of cross between a phone and a tablet. The four devices will be officially revealed at Computex, which runs from 30 May to 4 June in Taipei.