Computer Reviews

Ah, the granddaddy of netbooks, the Eee PC. Asus were the pioneer of this small form factor portable computer. Thankfully the 7inch screens from the first models have had a few upgrades since then. This newer 10 inch size, gives a little more to those who don’t have teeny-weeny hands and don’t want to wear binoculars to see tiny text on screen.

Apart from the awful, almost unpronounceable name, this computer provides a huge range of features, in a package that is small enough to drag around anywhere and with a battery life long enough to last for an entire day.

Here’s some of the main features:

• Intel Atom CPU
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive
• 10 inch screen with 1024 x 768 resolution
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• LAN, Wifi and Bluetooth
• 2.81 lbs

The styling is good. So no childish looks from this mini-performer. The screen provides enough size for webpage viewing, although sometimes requiring left to right scrolling. For desktop use I’d recommend an extra monitor as it’s easier to view. The VGA port will connect to almost any monitor, but some monitors no longer have VGA ports, so check first.

1GB of memory is just right.

160GB hard drive is fine, but I’d prefer a smaller solid state drive instead. There is an extra 10GB of online storage offered, but this strikes me as gimmicky, I would much rather they provided a subscription to one of the big online storage firms. I just don’t know how much to trust their in-house offering as Asus are a hardware company.

Networking is a critical component for netbooks that, by their very name, are designed to be online. Fast Ethernet is the staple of office networks, and Wifi 802.11n allows faster wireless speeds on networks that support it. Bluetooth is also included and will connect to Bluetooth microphones and stereo headphones.

The Asus Eee PC just can’t really go very wrong. The important part is that there are no important features missing. The blue Samsung netbook is $50 cheaper than this computer, but has less battery life, so weight up what is most important to you.

Pros:

• Compact
• Cheap enough
• Light
• Standard features

Cons:

• Little more expensive than some other similar netbooks
• Gimmicky online storage

Well this is the first all-in-one PC I’ve looked at carefully. It’s quite functional as a desktop computer, but with only the processing power of a netbook. Pricewise it seems about right and will serve well as a computer for surfing the Internet, writing documents and listening to music if you add speakers or headphones to the mix.

Here’s the features:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive
• DVD burner
• 18.5 inch monitor
• Gigabit Ethernet

So it’s a netbook with a large monitor and a DVD burner. The processor is standard on almost all netbooks and provides only a basic amount of computing power. Enough power for day-to-day stuff, but little enough to frustrate anyone using graphics applications or processor intensive applications like video.

The 18.5 inch monitor is useful. Bigger than most laptops, but smaller than any single computer monitor you can buy.

Hard drive is big enough and the 1GB of memory will run the applications it is intended to, ie. web browser, instant messaging and other basic communication stuff.

The system comes with the now unsupported Windows XP, and although the operating itself is fine, I’d really recommend something newer. Disclaimer: the computer I’m using right now has Windows XP, so take that as you will.

The DVD burner is a plus and nicely tucked away behind the screen, which also makes it a little awkward to get to, but not too bad.

I’m not totally convinced that this machine is worth it. For $300 you can get a netbook of equivalent power, add a monitor for less than $100 and get a removable DVD burner.  And after all that, the netbook can still be moved around from place to place easily. I would suggest it as an always-on computer, perhaps in the kitchen or somewhere like that, where it’s not going to be the primary machine. It’s missing the other thing I’d expect from this type of computer: a touch screen. Sure, it’s smaller and compact, but one could have been added and the price would not have gone over $480.

Pros:

• Compact
• Energy-efficient
• DVD burner

Cons:

• No touch screen
• Not powerful