Just in: An eeePc and replacement water pumps for the laser from Hong Kong. I got the eeePc because I wanted a dedicated Ubuntu machine. I couldn’t get Ubuntu installed on my old mac. I’m going to see if I can now get the reprap host software running. Also going to try installing SciLab.
Prometheus Fusion Perfection 
Although I’m leaning towards using a proper programming framework (even easier and faster: ipython, scipy, traits…), I did succesfully install scilab on ubuntu:
See http://www.scilab.org/team/sylvestre.ledru/ for ubuntu/debian packages.
Nice – I’ve got an EeePC 401, which I was planning on using as my RepRap host, but I could never get it to print reliably. Using the default OS, or EeeUbuntu, or the RepRap DVDv0.6, I always had issues with pausing between gcodes.
Your Eepc looks newer and faster, so it’ll probably work a bit better. There’s a USB instal of the host software here:
http://mattchan.homelinux.net:55555/reprap/
It’s new and untested, but it might get you started.
Wade