Review : Asus EEE 2G Netbook
Purchase Date : June 2008
Cost: $ 300
Store : Amazon.Com
Specs : 7" Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded
The small factor Laptop has been a rage ever since it was launched by Asus, known to be the pioneer in small size laptop series, now known as Netbooks. It was a revolutionary step taken by Asus which defied convention but it paid off well. It started a whole new rage of a product which few thought there would be a demand for. In a world which keeps seeing computer configuration going higher and higher (Processor power, RAM, Storage Size, Screen Size, Graphics Power), Asus brought out a laptop which boasted the smallest of everything... and it was accepted well by us, the consumers.
In the fall of 2007, Asus announced the EEE series of Netbooks, powered by Intel Celeron processors followed later by the Intel Atom series of processors. The base philosophy was simple; Easy to work, Easy to learn and Easy to play and thus the name EEE. Since then Asus has kept introducing one model after another and the world has lost track of how many models of Asus EEE actually exist in various parts of the world. India, as usual, gets ignored and gets the most boring of the Netbooks, though recent launches by Acer and HP seem to defy my statement.
I would talk only about the Asus EEE 2G model.
> Positives :
# Small size
# Linux OS means VERY fast boot time (Xandros OS installed on the Eee is based on Ubuntu 7.10 which itself it a Linux flavor)
# Good Wifi Connectivity (in terms of strength and range)
# Built in Mic
# Good build quality, plastics fit perfectly and no creaky plastic sounds
> Negatives :
# RAM is not upgradable. It is soldered to the mainboard (only on this model. The later ones have the slot)
# SSD (Solid State Disk) Harddisk is not upgradable
# Small Keyboard irritates if working for long (suggest attaching a USB keyboard if planning to work for really long)
# Small trackpad (suggest attaching a USB mouse)
# Lack of Level 2 cache on the processor (only on this model). It makes the laptop quite sluggish
# Wifi does not connect automatically after restart or resume from standby
# Low Batt. life @ 2.5 hours max. (4400 mAh )
If you are an avid windows user and are scared of venturing into the Linux regime, trust me when I say that it is not difficult. Linux CAN be extremely complicated but the graphical interfaces that have been developed have made it a very easy to use operating system with advanced functions hidden inside layers for interested users.
The included OpenOffice.Org is the closest clone to MS Office that you can get(and it's free of cost). Linux has a host of advantages, the biggest that would benefit you as a user is it's ease of usage, fast response time, low cost and security against viruses and attacks (not terrorist attacks, I am talking about Internet based attacks).
Applications, in the OS, are neatly arranged by categories - Internet, Work, Learn, Play and Settings. It cant get more easier than that.
> My Recommendations
I would not recommend buying the Asus EEE 2G at all, based on it's slow processor and lack of upgrade ability. The 4G and 8G would still be a better option. Look for Atom based Netbooks and screen sizes of atleast 9 inches. There are versions available with Windows XP preloaded, although you would have to pay for the price of the OS also then. I would still recommend going along with Linux unless you have a specific application that needs Windows OS.
> Other models that you can/should consider :(get it from the US)
# Lenovo Ideapad S10 (from $390)- Intel Atom Processor N270, 512MB Ram/ 80GB HDD / 10.2" Display/ Windows XP Home
# Toshiba Portege R100 ($400)
# Dell Inspiron Mini 9 (from $399) - Intel Atom 1.GHz/ 1GB RAM/ Windows XP Home
# HP Mini (from $350) - Intel Atom Processor / 1GB RAM / 8.9" Display
# Acer Aspire One (from $300) - 1.6GHz/ 1GB RAM/ 8GB SSD Hard Drive/ 8.9" Display/ Windows XP Home
# MSI Wind (from $380) - 1.6 GHz/ 1GB RAM/ 160 GB Hard Drive/ 10" Display/ Windows XP Home
# Asus EEE 1000HA (from $400)- 1GB RAM/ 160GB Hard Drive/ 10" Display/ Windows XP Home
Cost: $ 300
Store : Amazon.Com
Specs : 7" Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded
The small factor Laptop has been a rage ever since it was launched by Asus, known to be the pioneer in small size laptop series, now known as Netbooks. It was a revolutionary step taken by Asus which defied convention but it paid off well. It started a whole new rage of a product which few thought there would be a demand for. In a world which keeps seeing computer configuration going higher and higher (Processor power, RAM, Storage Size, Screen Size, Graphics Power), Asus brought out a laptop which boasted the smallest of everything... and it was accepted well by us, the consumers.
In the fall of 2007, Asus announced the EEE series of Netbooks, powered by Intel Celeron processors followed later by the Intel Atom series of processors. The base philosophy was simple; Easy to work, Easy to learn and Easy to play and thus the name EEE. Since then Asus has kept introducing one model after another and the world has lost track of how many models of Asus EEE actually exist in various parts of the world. India, as usual, gets ignored and gets the most boring of the Netbooks, though recent launches by Acer and HP seem to defy my statement.
I would talk only about the Asus EEE 2G model.
> Positives :
# Small size
# Linux OS means VERY fast boot time (Xandros OS installed on the Eee is based on Ubuntu 7.10 which itself it a Linux flavor)
# Good Wifi Connectivity (in terms of strength and range)
# Built in Mic
# Good build quality, plastics fit perfectly and no creaky plastic sounds
> Negatives :
# RAM is not upgradable. It is soldered to the mainboard (only on this model. The later ones have the slot)
# SSD (Solid State Disk) Harddisk is not upgradable
# Small Keyboard irritates if working for long (suggest attaching a USB keyboard if planning to work for really long)
# Small trackpad (suggest attaching a USB mouse)
# Lack of Level 2 cache on the processor (only on this model). It makes the laptop quite sluggish
# Wifi does not connect automatically after restart or resume from standby
# Low Batt. life @ 2.5 hours max. (4400 mAh )
If you are an avid windows user and are scared of venturing into the Linux regime, trust me when I say that it is not difficult. Linux CAN be extremely complicated but the graphical interfaces that have been developed have made it a very easy to use operating system with advanced functions hidden inside layers for interested users.
The included OpenOffice.Org is the closest clone to MS Office that you can get(and it's free of cost). Linux has a host of advantages, the biggest that would benefit you as a user is it's ease of usage, fast response time, low cost and security against viruses and attacks (not terrorist attacks, I am talking about Internet based attacks).
Applications, in the OS, are neatly arranged by categories - Internet, Work, Learn, Play and Settings. It cant get more easier than that.
> My Recommendations
I would not recommend buying the Asus EEE 2G at all, based on it's slow processor and lack of upgrade ability. The 4G and 8G would still be a better option. Look for Atom based Netbooks and screen sizes of atleast 9 inches. There are versions available with Windows XP preloaded, although you would have to pay for the price of the OS also then. I would still recommend going along with Linux unless you have a specific application that needs Windows OS.
> Other models that you can/should consider :(get it from the US)
# Lenovo Ideapad S10 (from $390)- Intel Atom Processor N270, 512MB Ram/ 80GB HDD / 10.2" Display/ Windows XP Home
# Toshiba Portege R100 ($400)
# Dell Inspiron Mini 9 (from $399) - Intel Atom 1.GHz/ 1GB RAM/ Windows XP Home
# HP Mini (from $350) - Intel Atom Processor / 1GB RAM / 8.9" Display
# Acer Aspire One (from $300) - 1.6GHz/ 1GB RAM/ 8GB SSD Hard Drive/ 8.9" Display/ Windows XP Home
# MSI Wind (from $380) - 1.6 GHz/ 1GB RAM/ 160 GB Hard Drive/ 10" Display/ Windows XP Home
# Asus EEE 1000HA (from $400)- 1GB RAM/ 160GB Hard Drive/ 10" Display/ Windows XP Home
Labels: Review : Asus EEE 2G Netbook
posted by Jeetesh at
6:44 PM
2 Comments:
can you install linux applications to do things like use AIM or sync an ipod? if it's based on ubuntu, i would think you could but i didn't see any such option.
Yes... Linux based install files can be used.
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