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[vince]

Have you ever actually tried a eeePC ?  That thing blows the doors off the XO in basically every respect for an adult.  The hardware is 'solidly' built.  It plays movies wonderfully (a movie attached to a Dell flatscreen monitor in 1280x1024 in fullscreen mode is incredible).  The keyboard feels like a keyboard. The wireless actually works without driving you crazy fighting it. There is documentation with the unit.  There is a good wiki. There is a good forum community with technical backgrounds.  It's the anti-XO.

I just ordered a black surf-4G for $ 349 at NewEgg today.  It shipped in two hours.

I'll be cancelling my second G1G1 order that is stuck in "we will receive more units someday although thank you for your Visa card payment last year".   I'll be selling my first one or eBaying it.  All the ineptness and whining and excuses plus (most importantly for me) really barely alpha-quality demonstration software plain wore me out.

My eeePC arrives Monday or Tuesday.  Can't wait.

[s_vick]

I have both.... but not for much longer.  Going to give the XO away.  After an extremely long wait for the XO and a number of "we have no idea where your order is at much less the computer" phone calls, it finally arrived only after going into "b***h" mode, then it was magic how everything was found - that was an extreme disappointment.  So the goal was to have the EEE just for one development project then switch over to the XO. 

Well, that was the plan. 

Reality is that both computers have their advantages but the EEE gets 90% use and the XO 10%.  From a hardware point of view, the specs of the EEE are obviously better and easier to plug in additional support, the XO is more robust, damage proof and the screen is better. What is particularly nice about the EEE is the ability to switch to an external monitor then oversize such that you get a full screen on the monitor - really handy for doing presentations and programming at hot desks!   So as long as you have an external monitor handy at times, go with the EEE.

Ease of use (as well as programming) the EEE is much better.  What I mean by this is that updating, running software, speed, typing, the EEE has significantly better performance.   Since the EEE has Open Office, it is an ideal travel computer for the business class - small enough to be functional but enough ports to turn it into a full computer (external HD, mouse, keyboard, and screen) when near an office or hotel room.  The XO is nice, but the software is not as reliable and outside of the screen, low heat, and ability to turn it into an E-book - the XO comes in 2nd to the EEE on most accounts.

So all things considered, if you are a business person - EEE hands down.  If you are after the "cool" effect or "ice breaker" - XO.  If you are after an easy to use mini-computer that just works - EEE.  If you are a programmer who just needs a travel computer - EEE.  If you hate toting a carrying case, XO.  If you want to use Skype - go with the EEE.  If you desire a warranty - EEE.   

I will be traveling in a few third world places in the near future, so I will probably just take the XO and give it to a street kid.

So the XO is nice, the OLPC operations are sloppy. 

Go Pixel Qi!  MLJ - develop something that puts both to shame!!!!

[Lori]

Agree with you except on the 'give it to a street kid' part.  Please check out these guys first:   http://www.waveplace.com/ http://www.olpcnews.com/implementation/schools/waveplace_foundation_caribbean_children.html

[jimofoz]

I think you're trying to compare peas and cabbages here. They're both green and round vegetables, but that's about it.

The OLPC wasn't designed for business/pro use. It was designed to help teach kids (period). It was never intended to be a "grown-ups" tool. If you're looking for a general computer to use in college or business, pass the OLPC by. If you want to donate to a good cause and get a cool, little, surprisingly useful computer hold on for the OLPC.

I finally got mine a couple of weeks ago and am really impressed with what it does and how it does it. It won't replace my iMac or Dell PC, but it definitely has it uses - besides, it really looks cool.

[Gleth]

I'd say get both.

I have an EeePC and an OLPC XO-1, and they are both the best things to happen to computing in a long time. for different reasons and with a different focus.

One is great for just getting things done, the other is great for learning how to get things done, differently.

I would not give up either of them for the other as I constantly find new ways they both make my inner geek / child giddy with happiness.

Neither is perfect, but then that's part of the charm, and they compliment each other very nicely.

Have fun,
Gleth