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Dec 09

Sylvania GNET28001ON Meso 8.9-Inch Netbook PC (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Ubuntu OS, 4 Cell Battery) Black

Free yourself from clumsy electronics and enjoy uncompromising mobility with the G netbook Meso. Smaller and lighter than a laptop, the G netbook Meso was meant to be used anywhere life takes you. Flexing Intel’s new Atom processor, enjoy powerful computing without the weight: only 2.2 lbs.
Access pictures, music, movies and the web without the bulk of a laptop.
Discover the netbook — the next generation in personal productivity.
Indulge in portable, lightweight connectivity at an affordable price.
8.9 diagonal (1024 x 600) Backlit LED Display
Integrated Webcamera
Intel 945 Express Graphics Chipset
802.11b/g Wireless 10/100 Ethernet
Multi Card Reader 3 x USB 2.0,
Headphone out;
Microphone-in, VGA, RJ-45 LAN
Approximate Unit Dimensions - 9 (L) x 7 (W) x 1.25(H) Approximate Unit Weight - 2.2 Pounds

Sylvania GNET28001ON Meso 8.9-Inch Netbook PC (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Ubuntu OS, 4 Cell Battery) Black

Customer feedback:

This little netbook is half the size of a normal laptop, and weighs hardly anything. I was really impressed with the Ubuntu operating system - don’t be intimidated if you have never used linux before! It is super easy to get used to, and what is really awesome is the add/remove program tool. Instead of going to the computer store and buying programs, you just use this application to access literally thousands of programs to do anything, even great games - ALL ARE FREE!
It operates silently, runs all sorts of programs quickly (3D games not so well), transfers data via USB faster than any other computer I have used, and the battery lasts almost 3 hours - though it was 3.5 hours when I got it a month ago. Everyone who sees this computer loves it too.
When comparing stats to other little netbooks you will see that this is the best buy, and trust me - get the Ubuntu version and stop being a slave to corporate software giants!!!


Oct 04

Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler

o you’re catching up on a little work at your favorite outdoor café, enjoying the scents of summer. Like the mouthwatering aroma of freshly-grilled burgers. The bracing scent of newly-cut grass. But your nose twitches as the smoky odor of overheating electronics reaches it. Then your trusty laptop locks up, leaving you thoroughly in the lurch. You see, heat is your laptop’s most dangerous enemy. And our notebook cooler is the answer.

Features:
- Protect your valuable investment and reduce heat-related instability
- USB-powered cooler with pass-through connector included
- Draw power from any USB port without losing use of the USB port
- Low power consumption
- No batteries or power adapter needed
- 2 Double ball-bearing fans for reliability
- Quieter than a whisper, only 25.9 dB(A)

Antec USB-Powered Notebook Cooler

Technical Details:
Protect your valuable investment and reduce heat-related instability
USB-powered cooler with pass-through connector included
Draw power from any USB port without losing use of the USB port
No batteries or power adapter needed
AQ3 Antec Quality three-year warranty

Customer feedback:

1. PROS
+ The plastic body and metal top are well designed for a solid feel
+ The nice aluminum top spreads head very well and is durable
+ The USB cable is pass through with an extra USB port to connect other devices
+ The cable length is nice and short
+ There is a small compartment to tuck away the cable after use
+ The fans run VERY quietly at either high or low speeds
+ The rubber feet are solid and provide nice stability and grip
+ It now has surface holes for optional rubber pegs for more space to improve air-flow
+ After using mine for well over a year, I can vouch for the durability
+ The 3 year warrantee that comes with the product gives you some comfort in the case the product does fail

CONS
- The fans and outer holes gather dust over time; just clean it with compressed air
- The USB power cord and base connector could be more durable, so handle with care
- The unit looks like air flows through the entire top, but it only flows through the 2 fans positioned in the center; It’s more visible on the Antec Notebook Cooler (Pearl) version than the black and silver one
- The blue LED light may be too bright for some people, but it can easily be covered with electrical tape
- The cable may be too short for those without left side USB ports; purchase a USB extender cable
- The item frequently goes out of stock and has price changes
- The list price of $50 seems unreasonable

2. The cooler sits under my 43 cm (large monitor) Macintosh Powerbook. The Powerbook is often on for 8 to 10 hours a day and keeps everything very cool. The cooler powers from the left-hand USB port. The pass-through USB plug enables the USB port to be used by a printer and other peripherals. There are two fan speed settings, high and low. I only run on the low setting. A good, solid, cost-effective choice.


Oct 04

MSI Wind U100-016US 10-Inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 3 Cell Battery) Black

The U100 has selected a 10-inch wide LCD display as oppose to the typical smaller sizes to provide better comfort while viewing or reading. In addition, the 1024x 600 resolution can relief concerns of the full display of WebPages while browsing, giving you the freedom when exploring the internet. It is embedded with the LED power-saving backlight technology in providing better color fullness and brightness, elevating the total quality of imagery. Furthermore, the lower usage of power can offer a longer operating time. The U100 is equipped with the capability of magnifying text within software, so you may magnify any of the words displayed on the monitor freely, making it easier when you are viewing photos, editing or reading documents. The frame is approximately 26 centimeters in length and 18 centimeters in width. It is only 19-31.5 mm in thickness making it extremely thin. The total weight added with the battery is not more than 1 kilogram, making the U100 very ideal for taking it on the go. MSI has the same persistence for proper ergonomically design even on the keyboards of our smaller notebook computers. The keyboard of the U100 not only has great texture, it also increased the space between the keys to 17.5mm, allowing you to be as comfortable as you can. Plus, ingeniously designed spacebar and touchpad, so your fingers can move smoothly while avoiding strain. Intel Atom Processor uses a brand new design structure as basis adding in as much as 47 million transistors into one single chip, and the size is not even 25 (mm)². This is smallest and uses the least energy (power usage in limited below 1 to 2.5 watts) Intel processors thus far.

MSI Wind U100-016US 10-Inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 3 Cell Battery) Black

Technical Details:
Intel Atom 1.6 GHz Processor
512 KB L2 Cache, 533 MHz Bus speed
120 GB SATA Hard Drive, 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM, 2 GB Max
Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN and Modem Module, Built-in 802.11b/g WLAN Card/Bluetooth Supported
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition

Customer feedback:

Light, affordable, cute, quick, and friendly. I just write with her but she is also a wireless E-mail maven who keeps me in touch with all of the latest gossip. She’ll go anywhere with me. There are people who have pumped up thier mighty-mite into a steroid raging gamer but for me the basic black cute little number says it all, She is so sweet and with a 120 gigabite hard drive she never forgets a thing, She make me proud to take her out to the internet cafe’ When I touch her, I know, what luxury feels like.


Oct 04

Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB Solid State Drive, Linpus Linux Lite) White

An affordable ultra-lightweight mobile Internet device, the Acer Aspire One weighs just over 2 pounds and is perfect for toting in a backpack or bag. The smooth surface is comfortable to touch, and the notebook is accented with distinctive details, such as the attractive orange hinge ring. It has a vibrant 8.9-inch CrystalBrite WSVGA LED backlit display, integrated webcam for easy video chatting, an instant-on feature that powers up the notebook in less than 15 seconds from when you switch it on, and Intel’s latest mobile processor–the Atom. This model of the Aspire One (LU.S020A.012) comes in seashell white, and offers the easy-to-use Linpus Linux Lite operating system and 8 GB of solid-state NAND flash memory.
Designed especially for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet–up to 3 hours with the included 3-cell battery. Other features include 512 MB of installed RAM (1.5 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), multi-format memory card reader, multiple USB ports, and built-in email, web browsing, and digital media applications.
With the Linpus Linux Lite operating system, Acer has improved the user experience by designing a friendly, easy-to-use and comprehensive interface utilizing a more natural approach to screen layout and functionality. Even novice users will be able to quickly pick up on this intuitive, virus-safe and super-responsive Linux environment. With its simple, easy-to-read interface, you’ll have no trouble finding and sharing your files. And if you run out of storage space, the Aspire One’s Smart File Manager instantly and seamlessly merges extra storage capacity from any SD card inserted into the memory card slot into the available main memory.

Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB Solid State Drive, Linpus Linux Lite) White

This Acer Aspire One notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN (Acer InviLink) that’s compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks and offers Acer’s SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency. This notbook provides the following connections:

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
Secure Digital (SD) card reader, also compatible with MultiMedia cards (MMCs)
Multi-in-one card reader supports SD, MMC, Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO, and XD Picture Cards
1 VGA monitor port
1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
RJ-45 port for 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection
56K modem port (V.90)

Customer feedback;

1. I bought the blue version of this Acer One with 512mb ram and 8GB SSD at a local store instead of this white one because for a clumsy and lazy guy like me, it’s gonna turn black in a few weeks. This thing is super small compared to the pictures. Lets say a regular piece of paper will swallow it whole. I am a windows guy because I’m used to it, but I am starting to love Linux on this netbook.
There is an “advanced” mode on this netbook to enable all the features of Linpus such as add and removing programs. To do this, open a terminal(Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.) and type in “xfce-setting-show” without the quotation. Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and click on the Behavior tab. Now check the “Show desktop menu on right click” option and close the window. Now you will see a menu every time you right click on the desktop. You can also add icons of the newly installed programs to the desktop; YouTube can help you with that.
With the netbook in advanced mode, it is so much fun to use; it’s the same as a fully loaded laptop. The screen is very bright and nice, the lid is nice and glossy but can attract finger prints initially. The keyboard is definitely better than the Asus EEE PC that I’ve used before. However, the touchpad buttons on the sides take some time to get used to. The Speaker is on the bottom of the laptop so don’t expect much out if it because it’s not that loud, but i use headphones so that doesn’t bother me. WiFi seems to be stable and has not disconnect since the day i bought the netbook(a week ago). The Intel Atom CPU is better than i thought, i can multitask on this netbook with no problems. Surfing, listening to music on Amarok and installing a program at the same time with ease. Linux will boot up in under 15 seconds every time, and programs open responsively - very speedy little guy.

2. Some observations -
1) Very prone to fingerprints (blue model).
2)CPU usage is around 50 percent playing back Xvid encodes. 720p WMVHD encodes are gorgeous and playback smooth as butter. 1080p encodes - don’t even try.
3) I have tweaked XP a bit - boots in under a minute. Removed fancy but useless XP features. Font is now more readable and the interface is windows classic. Pretty fast after the minor tweaks.
4) Screen is good but reflective. I prefer non-reflective screens.
5) Very light.
6) Fits in my wife’s handbag - imagine her shock to find a computer in there. Well - she thought it was DVD player since my lousy Toshiba portable died after just a year.
7) Webcam’s pretty good. I was having problem with Skype - need to investigate that further. CPU usage with Skype was also around 50 percent.
8) Plenty of RAM and CPU - for all common tasks.
9) Touchpad buttons are very stiff. The right touch pad button is located below the touchpad level (Manufacturing defect).
10) Keyboard is quite good. No problem touch typing away.
12) Battery life appeared to be good from the factory charged battery (2+ hrs). My unit was made 0808 - maybe 2 weeks back!
13) Sound is a bit low volume but better fidelity than expected.
14) 100 GB available HDD space(I guess 15 GB is in a hidden partition for acer system restore functionality). The HDD is made by Hitachi. I have not had good experience with Hitachi HDD’s in the past. Keep my fingers crossed on this one.
15) Almost the same size as my Toshiba portable DVD player - just thinner and much lighter.
16) Has two SD card slots. One takes in the card fully - use it as another drive. Boot from it too - like Linux. Exceptional feature. Neat!
17) WiFi worked in a snap. WiFi crashes if the machine is woken up from sleep about 2 - 3 times.
18) Intel has or is going to have a more advanced chipset specific to the UMPC (4500 instead of 950) to go with the Atom CPU. Keep this in mind. However, I was fine with the 950 capabilites (I don’t intend to use mine for entertainment - even though it seems to work fine in this area).
Update - Skype full screen video (using built in webcam) works fine. Ohter side reported clear picture and sound. Approx 50 - 60% CPU usage.


Oct 04

ASUS Eee PC 1000 40G (10-inch Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

The Asus Eee PC 1000 provides the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body with an extra-large 10.2-inch screen, and is now powered by the latest Intel mobile processor. Designed specifically for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. Coupled with the ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine, you’ll also enjoy up to 8 hours of battery life with this Linux-powered laptop.
The new Eee PC 1000 has a customized, cutting-edge Infusion casing technology in Fine Ebony. Inlaid within the chassis itself, the motifs are an integral part of the entire cover and will not fade with time. The Infusion surface also provides a new level of resilience, providing scratch resistance and a beautiful style while out and about.
It’s also equipped with the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine for automatic detection and adjustments of CPU frequency, voltage, and LCD brightness to minimize system noise and power consumption to save up to 15 percent power consumption, or to maximize system performance according to individual needs.

ASUS Eee PC 1000 40G (10-inch Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

Specifications

Internal memory: 40 GB solid state disk
RAM: 1 GB DDR2
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
Memory expansion: Slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
Operating system: Linux
LCD: 10.2 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels
Networking: Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Peripheral connectivity: Three USB 2.0
External video: One VGA
External audio: One headphone and one microphone port
Webcamera: Yes, 1.3 megapixels
Battery: 6 cells, up to 8 hours
Weight: 2.93 pounds (47 ounces)
Dimensions: 10.5 × 7.5 × 1.5 inches

Customer feedback:

1. My EEE PC 1000 40G just arrived today. In the past hour I’ve managed to unbox it, plug it in and power it up, connect it to a secure WiFi access point, create a Google document, sync all my Firefox bookmarks from my other computer, and log into a secure system at work - and this is the first time I’ve ever used Linux (though computers are my day job.)
I was worried the 1000 would be too much larger and heavier than the original 700 model, but the difference is barely noticeable. What I DO notice is how much easier it is to type on the 1000’s keyboard, and how pleasant it is to be able to view a typical 1024 pixel wide Web page without having to scroll sideways to see all of it.

2. I have had my eee for about a month now and really love it. The screen looks absolutely great. Native resolution is 1024×600, which is more than adequate for most stuff. The built in speakers are also surprisingly good. MP4 movies and MP3s play and sound great on this little guy. The keyboard is a reasonable size and very workable compared to the earlier versions of the eee. Network connectivity is good. It seems to connect to most Wifi hotspots very well. Although, it is slow making the initial connection. The power brick is also very lightweight which is a nice surprise. It comes with 1 Gig of Ram which should be more than adequate for most people. I upgraded to 2 gig with no issues. Also, the hard drive is solid state, no moving parts.
The OS uses Xandros Linux which is a Debian variant. The User Interface is not customizable unless you know a little bit about Linux or are willing to learn. If you do know a little about Linux, its pretty easy to tweak. All the tools you need for a traveling NetBook are there. Firefox 2.x, Thunderbird 2.x, Skype, Open Office 2.x, Terminal/Shell, File Manager, a media player (MP4 movies play great), and MP3 Player. The MP3 player has a funky UI, but it works with my iTunes library just fine. I just had to copy the files over and put them in the eee’s music folder.
Only a few negatives that I have run across. The fan seems to run a lot which is kind of odd since it has a solid state drive. The right shift key is very small and on the wrong side of the arrow key. This messes up touch typists. Inserting or removing USB devices while the NetBook is on may cause it to lock up. It works find with USB Drives and Mice as long as they are connected with the machine powered off.


Oct 04

ASUS Eee PC 900HA 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel ATOM N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 4 Cell Battery) Shiny Black

The ASUS Netbook Eee PC 900HA offers more options to users for unique user experiences. Long hours of battery life, built in high speed connectivity and exclusive 10GB file-encrypted Eee Storage with easy accessibility makes it the ideal traveling companion for outdoor activities. The 8.9 display provides comfortable viewing, and a full QWERTY keyboard makes for easier typing and relaxing usage. Built-in camera ensures users stay in touch with the important ones. User friendly XP pre-loaded. ZBD Guaranteed for best quality LCD. Content includes Eee PC, battery, AC Adapter, Sleeve Case, Manual and Recovery CD.

Product Summary details:
SHINY BLACK,8.9 INCH TFT WIDE,1024X600 (WSVGA),INTEL MOBILE CHIPSET,INTEL ATOM N

ASUS Eee PC 900HA 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel ATOM N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 4 Cell Battery) Shiny Black

Technical Details:
- XP-Preloaded with 160G large HDD.
- ASUS Super Hybrid Engine and 4 cell high density battery pack allow for longer battery lifespan. Super Hybrid Engine offers a choice of performance and power consumption modes for easy adjustments according to various needs.
- High Speed Connectivity Anywhere with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g.
- Exclusive 10GB Eee Storage with easy accessibility anywhere online.


Oct 04

Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Sapphire Blue

A great choice for business travelers who like to travel light as well as those who need extra-long battery life, this affordable ultra-lightweight Acer Aspire One (LU.S050B.133) weighs just over 2 pounds and is packed with a 160 GB hard drive and Windows XP operating system. It has a vibrant 8.9-inch CrystalBrite WSVGA LED backlit display, integrated webcam for easy video chatting, an instant-on feature that powers up the notebook in less than 15 seconds from when you switch it on, and Intel’s latest mobile processor–the Atom. Offering a cool deep blue hue, the netbook’s smooth surface is comfortable to touch, and it’s accented with distinctive details, such as the attractive orange hinge ring.
The integrated webcam at the top of the screen’s bezel provides easy access to video chatting. Weighing just 2.17 pounds, the stylish Acer Aspire One goes anywhere with you. Designed especially for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet–up to 5.5 hours with the included 6-cell battery. Other features include 1 GB of installed RAM (1.5 GB maximum), 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), multi-format memory card reader, multiple USB ports, and built-in email, web browsing, and digital media applications.
It comes preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system, which offers more experienced users an enhanced and innovative experience that incorporates Windows Live features like Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging and Windows Live Mail for consolidated email accounts on your desktop.

Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Sapphire Blue

Product Features
1.6GHz Atom N270
1GB DDR2 SDRAM
1.3 Megapixel camera, SDHC and multi-format media readers
802.11b/g, Ethernet, three USB 2.0, VGA, and 3.5mm audio out
One free mini PCI slot for WWAN, 160GB hard drive (2.2 pounds)

Customer feedback:

1. I’ve had mine for 3 days now, and it’s been really hard to put down and walk away from. Obviously the poratability of it is a big reason, but also because the 6 cell battery lasts so long that I feel like I can just leave it on for a while without feeling the need to keep powering it down or charging it all the time. Also, boot up and shutdown times are a lot faster than my regular laptop. The build is very solid. There is no flex in the screen or keyboard. I’m not sure how it would hold up if dropped on a hard surface, though. I hope I never have to find out. Keyboard response is nice. The keys don’t feel cheap or like they would snap off if more than a little pressure is placed on them. Keys are close to regular size so typing on it doesn’t take much getting used to, if at all. The screen is highly reflective and the outer coating has a glossy finish, which I don’t prefer because it leaves fingerprints too easily and makes it difficult to see the screen in the daylight. But I’m willing to live with this simply because the computer has so much else going for it.
This computer uses the 1.6 GHZ atom, which is the standard processor included with most ultraportables right now. I’ve noticed that I can run some moderately intensive software on it, but not smoothly for long periods of time. I tried loading some music software for which a 1.4 GHZ processor is recommended (Native Instruments Absynth 4), just to see how well it would run. I found that it was capable of operating, but it was easy to make the CPU spike if I played more than a few notes at once. Not that I was planning on using this a a music production tool, but I was interested in seeing what I could get away with in case I find myself stuck on an airplane or car trip with my Aspire One and a pair of headphones and want to play around with sounds a little bit. Native Instruments FM8 wasn’t so processor intensive and operated much more smoothly. In short, I got about the best response I could have hoped for with the processor and soundcard included. Fairly functional for light doodling.

2. This little gem is perfect for travel, or just taking from room to room of the house. My wife and I keep ours almost exclusively on our couch or under our bed for access pretty much at our fingertips. The weight of this thing is incredible. I find the boot time to be plenty fast (use MSCONFIG to reduce some of the startup applications). We also discovered that although it doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive, you can install CD-ROM based programs by networking another computer with this, so you can then access the CD-ROM drive of another computer using the Acer Aspire One. You’ll have to “share” the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive of the other computer. After that, just insert the software disc and access it through the Acer. Presto, you can then install all your software on CD’s without actually having to buy an external drive.
My ONLY complaint about this thing is that it is extremely difficult to upgrade the RAM from 1GB to 1.5GB. You actually have to remove the keyboard, facia, to get to the bottom side of the motherboard. A huge pain. There are about 3 videos on YouTube that actually show tutorials of people replacing the 512GB removeable memory chip, with a 1GB chip. It isn’t easy, and unless you have some background in computer upgrades, I might forget about this upgrade altogether. That is the ONLY reason this computer didn’t get 5 stars. Why Acer didn’t do like every other laptop I’ve ever seen, and put a door for easy access to the memory slot is beyond me.


Oct 04

Asus Eee PC 2G Surf (7-inch Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Sky Blue

Get the power of a full-sized laptop in the ultra-compact ASUS Eee PC 2G Surf, which offers a full QWERTY keyboard, 7-inch screen, and preinstalled Linux operating system. (This laptop is also compatible with the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.) You’ll be able to stay connected to email and the Internet easily thanks to the Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g). Because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive (with 2 GB of storage), the Eee PC is optimal for weathering rough handling and sharing space in overstuffed bags. This 2 GB Surf model does not include an integrated Webcam. With a rapid start-up time, the Eee PC is always ready to get into action.
The 2G Surf comes in a number of colors: blush pink, galaxy black, sky blue, and lush green. For the students and professionals, the Eee PC comes with a powerful selection of software to maximize personal productivity–over 40 built-in applications. The Open Office suite of software enables the user to open, edit and create documents, presentations, spreadsheets and databases that are compatible with Microsoft Office. For journalists, photographers and other professionals who need to use a computer in the field to create, to communicate and to collaborate with other colleagues, the Eee PC’s combination of power, extreme portability and rugged build makes it the ideal computing solution.
It’s also a great choice for young students, with a built-in Dictionary that’s great for homework, and it includes two modes of intuitive graphic user interface design to accommodate both experienced and inexperienced PC users. The Eee PC also handles your digital images, movies, and music as well as Internet radio.

Asus Eee PC 2G Surf (7-inch Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Sky Blue

Specifications
Internal memory: 2 GB solid state disk
Memory expansion: slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
RAM: 512 MB DDR2
Processor: 800 MHz Intel Mobile CPU
Operating system: Linux (supports Windows XP)
LCD: 7 inches, 800 x 480 pixels
Networking: 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Peripheral connectivity: three USB 2.0
External video: one VGA
External audio: one headphone and one microphone port
Webcamera: no
Battery: 4400 mAh
Battery life: up to 2.8 hours
Weight: 2 pounds (32 ounces)
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches

Customer feedback:

1. This little PC is a very nice light travel tool. It is between a PDA and a laptop computer. It will do most of what you expect a business / web pc to do. The browser installed is Firefox. Most of the web tools are just links to web pages in firefox. Just about anything you can do in firefox you can do with the eee pc on the web. I have surfed to several web pages. Most of them sized themselves satisfactorily for the 800×480 screen. You can get more screen real estate by pressing F11 which hides most of the toolbars (this works in any browser, not just firefox on the eee). I increased the default text size a bit.
Open Office is a great office app package. I had no trouble opening and using word, excel, or power point documents. It saves in the microsoft office formats by default. If you want to try this package just google “open office”. It is free and there are versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. I was pleased to find that the draw program is included. There is no desktop shortcut for draw, but it is available by using the new document button in any open office program.

2. First off, if you’re considering the EEE, please understand that an Ultra Mobile PC is not the same thing as a laptop. Perfomance and size-wise, this little guy lives somewhere between a laptop and a PDA. The keyboard and screen are smaller than the smallest laptop you’ve seen, if you’re looking for a laptop to run Vista on, Dell has a $400-$500 model that will likely suit your needs.
The pre-installed, Xandros-based Linux OS can be run to look more like a PDA interface, but it also has an ‘advanced’ mode that basically reverts to a classic-looking desktop environment. It will work with MSOffice docs right out of the box, has built in 802.11 wireless with web functionality and (while it lacks a CD/DVD drive) it has plenty of removable storage thanks to an integrated SD card reader and USB ports.
If you’re really gung-ho about installing XP, you can do so (even on this lower-end model). There is already a large community springing up around this UMPC on the net, and tutorials ranging from installing windows on a separate SD card to running Halo on this little guy are already out there. I would emplore any user anywhere to try out Linux, though. Aside from 3D gaming, Linux will do everything Windows does, except faster and 100% free.


Oct 04

ASUS Eee PC 900 16G (8.9″ Display, Intel Mobile CPU, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB Solid State Drive, Linux) Pearl White

The Asus Eee PC 900 provides the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body with a larger 8.9-inch screen. Even with the larger size of the Eee PC 900 when compared to the original Eee PC, the new model weighs just over 2 pounds–perfect for students toting to school or road warriors packing away to Wi-Fi hotspots. And because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive (with 16 GB of storage), the Eee PC 900 is optimal for weathering rough handling and sharing space in overstuffed bags.
Other features include a 1.3-megapixel webcam integrated into the bezel above the LCD, a Secure Digital memory card slot, Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), multiple USB ports, a VGA output for connecting to a monitor, and 1 GB of RAM. It comes preinstalled with the Linux operating system, and it’s also compatible with the Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system. For the students and professionals, the Eee PC comes with a powerful selection of software to maximize personal productivity–over 40 built-in applications. The Open Office suite of software enables the user to open, edit and create documents, presentations, spreadsheets and databases that are compatible with Microsoft Office. For journalists, photographers and other professionals who need to use a computer in the field to create, to communicate and to collaborate with other colleagues, the Eee PC’s combination of power, extreme portability and rugged build makes it the ideal computing solution.

ASUS Eee PC 900 16G (8.9 inch Display, Intel Mobile CPU, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB Solid State Drive, Linux) Pearl White

Specifications
Internal memory: 16 GB solid state disk
Memory expansion: Slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
RAM: 1 GB DDR2
Processor: 900 MHz Intel Mobile CPU
Operating system: Linux
LCD: 8.9 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels
Networking: 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Peripheral connectivity: Three USB 2.0
External video: One VGA
External audio: One headphone and one microphone port
Webcamera: Yes, 1.3 megapixels
Battery life: up to 3.5 hours
Weight: 2.2 pounds (35 ounces)
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 1.33 inches

Customer feedback:

1. Asus markets this computer an easy, excellent, and exciting computer to use. They are not wrong with this piece. I own the 701 model and have purchased this one because for the same price as my 701 model ($400), I am now getting a 1.9″ larger screen, double the memory, four times the storage space, better resolution, an improved webcam, and a better touchpad. I use the EEE when I’m laying in bed and when I travel. With all the things that go with me on travels, the last thing I need is a computer deadweight. It is light, compact, and fits in woman’s mini backpack purse (or larger sized purse). I don’t even notice it with me, and carrying the computer is no longer a hassle.
While the 900 model does not have the new Intel Atom chip or the longer battery life, it does work quickly to boot everything I want to use it for - IM’ing, web surfing, and email. I also have the ability to do work with Open Office, which has drivers compatible to Microsoft Office. Hence, transferring files is easy. As a bonus I did not expect, the Linux version includes some perks - such as a music manager (for a small library of my mp3 favorites to play), games when I’m bored, Internet Radio, and handy references tools (e.g., dictionary). I chose this version over Windows because of the quicker boot and everything ready to go. With the Windows XP version, the only included software is Microsoft Works. In addition, with the 901 and 1000 series, the weights and prices of the EEE start to increase, and go against my inexpensive convenience. It looks as though Asus repackaged this model line because its “new life” was only one month before the 901 came out.

2. Technical points:
1GB RAM is still a lot. Windows XP were designed when 1/4 of a GB or less was common, so on 1 GB it runs like a breeze. Unless you have about 10 programs running, there should be no need for the system to swap between RAM memory and the disk - which is where the disk write speed could make a difference. The Linux system has disk swapping disabled and I would do the same on Windows XP if I decided to install it. If you get a low memory warning from the system you can always close some program, but you can have a lot of programs open before this happens with 1 GB of RAM.
You can also disable the cache in the Firefox web browser to speed up the web browsing.


Oct 04

ASUS Eee PC 901 12G (8.9-inch Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 12 GB Solid State Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

The Asus Eee PC 901 provides the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body with a larger 8.9-inch screen, and is now powered by the latest Intel mobile processor. Designed specifically for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. Coupled with the ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine, you’ll also enjoy up to 8 hours of battery life with this Windows-powered laptop.
At half the size of regular notebook and weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the Eee PC 901 is perfect for students toting to school or road warriors packing away to Wi-Fi hotspots. And because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive (with 12 GB of storage), the Eee PC 901 consumes less power, allows the device to boot quickly, produces less heat, and is less susceptible to shock damage. The Eee PC 901 also features 1 GB of RAM, 1.3-megapixel webcam integrated into the bezel above the LCD, tri-mode Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), integrated Bluetooth connectivity, Secure Digital memory card slot, multiple USB ports, a VGA output for connecting to a monitor.

ASUS Eee PC 901 12G (8.9-inch Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 12 GB Solid State Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

Specifications:
Internal memory: 12 GB solid state disk
RAM: 1 GB DDR2
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
Memory expansion: Slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
Operating system: Windows XP Home
LCD: 8.9 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels
Networking: Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Peripheral connectivity: Three USB 2.0
External video: One VGA
External audio: One headphone and one microphone port
Webcamera: Yes, 1.3 megapixels
Battery: 6 cells, up to 6 hours
Weight: 2.42 pounds (38 ounces)
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches

Customer feedback:

1. The Pros of the 901:
- Uses the Intel Atom processor. Though the Atom doesn’t produce significantly more CPU performance vs. the previous 900 model’s Celeron M 353, it does use much less power. So you’d be looking at similar CPU performance, but with much better battery life AND runs cooler.
- With the Atom comes also a 2nd generation graphics chip in the GMA950 (vs the 900’s GMA900). The 2 big advantages of this are; the GMA950 has a peak pixel fill rate of 1600 megapixels per/second (the GMA900 has a peak of only 1332 megapixels per/second) and more video-decoding is now done in hardware on the GMA950. Combine those together and that means windows will open faster and watching videos will be smoother.
- Uses a Solid State Drive (SSD) for storage. SSD technology means; no moving parts (much less chance of bad things happening and dead silent operation), performance is at least on par with hard drives, and SSD uses less power.
- Has a nice big Trackpad. Unfortunately the default drivers for it leave a LOT to be desired. Luckily though, if you install the manufacturer’s drivers instead (search google for “elantech touchpad drivers”) then the functionality is INFINITELY better with options like multiple-finger tracking and night-n-day difference in tracking sensitivity.
- 1.3 megapixel Webcam. The 900 has 0.3 and a few competing models also only have 0.3
- Built-in Bluetooth. Nice option if you use BT GPS or use your BT phone as an internet access point. Or whatever you’d like to use BT for.
- Wireless-N (802.11n). If you’ve got it, you’re gonna fly. If not, it’s there when you’re ready
- Free 20gb online storage provided by Asus.
- 6 cell battery (4-8 hours). Some of the competitors come with only a 3cell
- SD Card reader slot that’s flush. Along with SSD getting larger in capacity and cheaper all the time, so is SD Flash memory. 32gb capacity SD cards are already coming out and with the card being flush it’s almost like a miniaturized, super-steroided Floppy Drive! :-)
- Has a dedicated button for operating the “Super Hybrid Engine” option. This basically adjust the speed of the CPU up or down to conserve power or gain performance.

The Cons of the 901:
- I’ve got big hands (I wear XL gloves) so I’m hit the hardest by the petite keyboard. I’m also a typer so it’s going to be a bit of a learning curve to adjust to using the 901. Smaller hands will probably adjust much easier.
- No CD/DVD drive (no using it as a portable DVD Player). Not that big a deal for me really, I usually watch DivX videos (which can just easily be copied to an SD card for viewing.

2. I’ve had my Asus Eee 901 (black with XP) for about two weeks now, and am very impressed.
I had followed the news of the Eee for several months, but had assumed that it was a “cheap” (i.e. poor quality) computer. Then, about a month ago, I met someone who had the Eee 900, and saw it first-hand. It did not give the impression of being a cheap computer. It looks and feels like top quality.
Now that I have been using it, I’m even more impressed!
I travel a LOT, and have long been a fan of ultralight computers. I had a Sony Vaio T350P for several years and recently replaced it with a Fujitsu Lifebook P series (which I also love!) The Lifebook is great for around town… it has a 12 inch screen, 7 hour battery life, and weighs 2 1/2 pounds… but for travel I am always looking for something smaller.
From my experience so far with the Eee 901 it seems almost perfect. It comes with 12 gig of solid state memory (no worries about hard drive problems… (a TSA inspector recently dropped my Fujitsu on the floor at an airport! Fortunately it was not damaged.)
The Eee has a 4 gig “C” drive for the system, and an 8 gig “D” drive for programs, plus a SDHC slot that can function as an “E” drive for documents, music, etc. I put all my programs on D, and have a 16 gig HDSC card for an E drive. This gives me a total of 30 gig, which is all I will ever need for a “second” travel computer.
The Eee has a comparable battery life to the Vaio and the Fujitsu ultralights, which is about 6-7 hours of normal use. The screen is small, but sharp and easy to see. The weight is less than the Sony, but about the same as my Fujitsu, at about 2 1/2 pounds.
The speed is great. Runs my Powerpoint presentations (with lots of graphics) with no problems. I put some movies and music on it, along with MS Office 2007, & Paint Shop Pro… and all work great. It even has a webcam for face-to-face on Skype!