Asus to hike prices of notebooks and netbooks

Asus is speculated to raise prices for its existing, as well as future, mobile systems by up to 20%.

Set to become expensive?

Asus badly needs money – or so it seems. After announcing of trimming their Eee product line significantly to cut cost on operations, now the Australian site ARN says the Taiwanese computer manufacturer will raise prices of its existing as well as future notebooks and netbook models by up to 20% from March 1st on. Although it is not specified, this raise could well include the Eee line of netbooks, which are widely considered as the arrival of netbooks.

The Australian site says Asus blames the current financial climate and an increase in the cost of computer parts and manufacturing operations as reasons behind the price hikes. But there’s no confirmation from any official Asus source. In fact Wired reports that Asus Germany has denied the rumor completely, and Asus USA said it is unaware of any such moves. This is to be noted that if the reasons cited were true, then other vendors also would’ve been felt the pinch to raise price. But no rumors of such kinds are reported so far.

Anyway, if the rumors are true, then the present price of Eee PCs which are about $399 or so will shoot up to close to $500, which could make them unaffordable for consumers who wants a decent piece at a budget price.