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.
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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!