Asustek described "Eee PC" as easy to work, play and learn, which Asustek chief executive officer Johnny Shih said made it more competitive.

"The 'Eee PC' is our answer to where the next one billion users of personal computers are going to come from," Shih told reporters at the product launch news conference.

"We want to enable more users around the world -- housewives, the elderly and children -- to have access."

Asustek also aims to attract more general users hoping it could be seen as their second computer.

"Basically, we do not define the model as a low-priced computer. Rather, it is armed with innovative cutting-edge technology," company spokesman Beck Lee told AFP.

"Hopefully it would become the second computer of a number of PC users."

Weighing only 0.89 kilograms, the 7-inch Eee PC features compact mobility, wireless capability and large flash-based storage capacity.

Originally designed on the Linux operating system, the Eee PC will also become available with the option of shifting to Microsoft Corp's Windows platform when it hits store shelves next month.

The model launched Tuesday carries a price tag of 11,000 Taiwan dollars ($337.40). Three other models of the line will hit the market before the end of next month, with separate prices of 7,999 Taiwan dollars ($245.40), 9,900 Taiwan dollars ($303.7), and 13,888 Taiwan dollars ($426).