Asus preloads Eee PC models with Ubuntu

Canonical, sponsor of the Ubuntu project, has announced that three Asus Eee PC netbooks will now come the Ubuntu 10.10 operating system pre-installed.

The company said the "sleek and lightweight" hardware combined with the Linux-based Ubuntu OS makes the devices "some of the most user-friendly PCs on the market", as well as providing cost benefits for organisations.

"Many businesses are turning to Ubuntu as they look for a cost-effective, proven, and easy to use and manage operating system that can be delivered on business-quality laptops," Chris Kenyon, vice president of OEM Services at Canonical said in a statement on Thursday.

The three models that will come with Ubuntu are the Asus Eee PC 1001PXD, 1011PX, and 1015PX. The company said they went on sale through Asus' sales channels on Thursday.

Each of the models has already been offered for sale with the Microsoft Windows 7 Starter operating system as standard.

Hardware specs vary according to each device but they all come with a 10.1-inch display. The 1001PXD has an Intel Atom N455 processor, whereas the 1011PX and 1015PX each come with the higher spec Atom N570 processor.

On Monday, Asus launched the Eee PC X101 which comes with the MeeGo operating system pre-installed. Windows 7 Starter is also offered as an alternative.