This should be a pretty long one, compared to my other posts. Also, welcome to the new emporium at it’s new home – lloydhumphreys.com/blog!
The EEE PC from Asus is the latest piece of god-like techno-gadgetry that Asus have thrown at me lately. I’ve been looking around for a decent, reasonably priced sub-notebook for general browsing, email and document editing; and the only decent thing I’ve come across is the Dell M1330. But then again, it does cost a helluva lot more than this sub-notebook I’ll be taking a look at here.
Having found the Asus EEE PC in my favourite PC mag; Custom PC, I wanted one, the second I saw it. Well, the second I saw the price tag, at least. £200? Not a chance, says I! Well, according to the web… it’s a big chance. It’s a nice little laptop and here are some of the specs:
- 2-8GB Solid State Disk (allows for a sub-10 second boot and a 5 second shutdown)
- 7-10″ screen (10″ confirmed by Engadget, not out yet)
- 3.5 hour battery life (4 cell, 6 cell lasting 4.5+ available)
- Chic black and white finishes
- 256/512 ram – may not sound like much, but for the OS it runs, it’s perfect (also, I read somewhere about a 1GB version.. X fingers. And if not, I’m hoping the RAM can be upgraded – unless a “void if broken” seal is over the RAM cover…)
- 900MHz Intel Celeron M ULV 353 (Ultra Low Voltage)
- AMI BIOS
- 802.11 b/g Wireless capabilities
- Intel GMA 900 Integrated Graphics
- 5.1 channel HDAudio, built in stereo speakers/microphone
- Runs Linux – an Asus modified distribution of Xandros (more on this later on)
- Uber-simple UI
- Comes with a ton of apps already loaded
So, it looks pretty good on the spec.
It features the traditional clamshell design, a touchpad, a full QWERTY keyboard and a VGA webcam. It uses the non-volatile NAND flash memory, making it less susceptible to shock damage. The 7″ screen does not fill the whole space, and leaves an unusual bezel all the way around; for the speakers, the Asus logo and the VGA webcam. The battery lies at the back, held securely in place by dual latches. The integrated microphone is towards the front of the machine, and nearby is a panel which allows for a PCI express mini card device to be installed in a free slot. The EEE PC has the following ports:
- 3 USB
- 1 RJ45 Ethernet
- MMC/SDHC slots
- Headphone jack
- Microphone jack
- VGA out (to a larger screen, if necessary)
- Kensignton Security Slot
The 7” versions come with 2 and 4 GB Solid State Drives (SSD’s) and the 10” comes with an 8GB SSD (and probably 2/4GB optionally).
Given Xandros’ small footprint, space on the disk is not massively consumed. However, for the powerusers among us, 2GB wouldn’t last long – which is why I’m waiting for the 10″ version. The 10″ version also packs an SDHC slot, so up to 8GB extra can be slotted in for roughly £25.
The EEE PC runs on a modified distro of Xandros. The UI is clear and simple(easy mode), so it’s perfect for children and older users alike. However, despite the simplicity it packs a full-sized Firefox browser for surfing. As I said, the UI is simple. It’s split up into tabs: Internet, Work, Play, Learn (also Settings and Favourite’s but those are the main 4) and each tab has its own set of applications. According to Asus the EEE PC comes preloaded with 40 different applications. In desktop mode, the interface resembles that of the typical Windows XP desktop, with the traditional “Luna” theme installed. Desktop mode is not easily accessible; however, the user must perform a series of hacks to allow it to be viewed.
Some applications included are:
Internet Tab:
- Web Mail
- Web
- iGoogle
- Messenger
- Skype
- Network
- eBook
- Google Docs
- World Clock
- Wikipedia
- Internet Radio
- Wireless Network Finder
Work Tab:
- Accessories (Calculator, PIM, Screen Capture)
- Documents (OpenOffice Writer)
- Spreadsheets (OpenOffice)
- Presentations (OpenOffice)
- PDF Reader
- File Manager (Explorer, basically)
- Dictionary
- Notes (Sticky notes on the screen)
Learn Tab:
- Science
- Language
- Mathematics
- Paint
- Web-Learn
Play Tab:
- Games (Solitaire, etc.)
- Media Player
- Music Manager
- Photo Manager
- Video Manager
- Webcam (integrated into the Asus)
- Sound Recorder
Settings Tab:
- Anti Virus
- Volume
- Instant Shutdown
- Printers
- System Info
- Date&Time
- Personalization
- Add/Remove Software
- Touchpad
- Disk Utility
- Diagnostic Tools
- Desktop Mode
- Voice Command (More later)
The EEE PC User Interface can be test-driven here using links and a set of screenshots.
As the image above/below suggests, the EEE PC is capable of running Ubuntu. I, however, will be installing
Windows XP, unless the Xandros desktop pleases.
There’s a flickr gallery here demonstrating it.
Also, it is possible to run Windows XP on the device which is detailed in the user guide which comes with the EEE PC. It is possible to install nearly all Linux operating systems on the device, and Windows XP (older versions may have difficulty running due to driver issues). Compatibility with Apple OS X is uncertain, but is prohibited by the EULA anyways. Windows Vista will certainly not run; due to the hardware is requires. Due to the lack of Optical Drive, OS’s must be loaded via USB flash drive or external Optical Drive.
The EEE PC also integrates the “Voice Command” feature. While this could prove quite embarrassing in public it could prove quite useful. It allows you to Open applications using common diction – such as “Surf The Web” opens FireFox. I am unsure on the ability to use voice recognition software to type documents, but I’m sure it’s available somewhere with a little bit of digging.
I can’t wait to get hold of my EEE PC. I’ll hopefully get the 8G (16G if possible), 10″ version, with 1GB RAM. This should be sufficient for my browsing 
And of course, I’ll be getting a black one!
Nice Site! Thanks!
No problem
avenged sevenfold will easy avenged sevenfold
Thanks!,
Hi
As a fresh lloydhumphreys.com user i only want to say hi to everyone else who uses this board
Merry Christmas my darling friends! I’m drunk as a cobbler !!! Sittin’ against the monitor alone and cryin’ a song…! Join me tonight!
Linkin park & Jay Z !!!
This is final
Ladies and gentlemen, put our hands together for the astonishing…
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 8th wonder of the world
The flow o’ the century…always timeless…HOVE!
Thanks for comin’ out tonight
You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with us
We appreciate that…uuunnnh…
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in VA
Was herbin’ em in the home of the Terrapins
Got it dirt cheap for them
Plus if they was short wit’ cheese I would work wit’ them
Boy and we…got rid of that dirt for them
Wasn’t born hustlers I was burpin’ em
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ sheezy my neezy keep my arms so breezy
Can’t leave rap alone the game needs me
Haters want me clapped and chromed it ain’t easy
Cops wanna knock me, D.A. wanna box me in
But somehow, I beat them charges like Rocky
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty, he who does not feel me is not real to me
Therefore he doesn’t exist
So poof…vamoose son of a bitch
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Fo’ shizzle my nizzle used to dribble down in VA
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
That’s the anthem get’cha damn hands up
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Not guilty ya’ll got-ta feel me
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
Yo, It starts with
One thing, I don’t know why
It doesn’t even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
All I know
time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
It’s so unreal
I Didn’t look out below
I Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on, and didn’t even know
Wasted it all just to
Watch you go
I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me, will eventually, be a memory, of a time when I tried so
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
LP, Jay-Z, help me out
Oh, they havin’ a good o’ time out there
It starts with
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
LP, Jay-Z, help me out
Oh, they havin’ a good o’ time out there
It starts with
H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A
LP, Jay-Z, help me out
Ladies and Gentalmen
It starts with
WOW!
Asus Eee is very convenient to carry. It is my walkaround laptop wherever i go. The battery life could have been better though
Asus Eee is perfect for ladies who does not want to carry a very heavy laptop. i like the Asus Eee because it is very compact and easy to carry anywhere.
In it something is. Thanks for the help in this question, the easier, the better …
And very interesting inforgation you can find here
See you!
gunherfieldu
i recently bought a white Asus Eee PC and i am very surprised about the size of this machine. it is very small and lightweight compared to my Toshiba laptop.
i bought an Asus Eee PC about a month ago and i am still amazed of its compact size and how lightweight it is. 1
I own an Asus Eee and an acer netbook but i often use the Asus Eee because it is so much lighter and easily fits in my small bag.
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i always use my Asus Eee PC when i am travelling. It is very convenient to carry on any place.
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I got an Asus Eee as a christmas gift. It is very compact but i wish that the LCD screen was larger.
Asus Eee is not only portable, it is also one of the most affordable netbooks you can buy. Asus is also a good brand which means quality and reliabilty.
Если Вы играете в букмекерских конторах или собираетесь заняться этим для того, чтобы выигрывать и зарабатывать на этом, то моя информация будет Вам интересна.
второй дивизион
Заходите на мой сайт AlexBet ru
my Asus Eee PC broke down a couple of months ago. I bought a new one which is still an Asus Eee, i love this netbook.
Great Blog, Mate! I am constantly on the watch for new and interesting sites and postings about speaker systems… which is what led me here. I certainly plan on visiting again! Adios