Eee PC: Hype or Solid Purchase?

[*trish*]

Hi there,

I've been thinking for a while of getting a Eee PC, since I'm your generic university student for whom it would be perfect to have an ultra-portable laptop to take to class...

However, the hype seems to have panned out. Is it a good deal at $370? I must admit I first jumped on the bandwaggon when it sounded like it was going to be $199 for the base model.

I'm not sure now that it is a clear choice between the Eee and a bargain laptop from walmart or staples for $300-400.

Any suggestions? comments? I already have a expensive-ish apple laptop, so what I am really looking for is something with good internet access and a basic word program that I can lug around and not shed to many tears over if I leave it in a street car ;)

[nolimtzel]

dude if ur a university student dont get it. the screen will kill ur eyes.
just get a nice 15'.

[*trish*]

dude if ur a university student dont get it. the screen will kill ur eyes.
just get a nice 15'.


One of the perks for me of the Eee PC is the size though - and i'd put up with a small screen to get the small body. Is there something similar in size to the Eee?

[goofball]

depends on how often you will use it, how long at a single sitting. The keyboard is a tad small for my liking and i can't really stay comfortable using it longer than 20 minutes. It may differ for you.

[brunes]

dude if ur a university student dont get it. the screen will kill ur eyes.
just get a nice 15'.

The thing that makes the EEEPC good for student sis how small it is - very simple to bring to class and tote around.

OP I recommend getting an external monitor and keyboard and the EEEPC. Then when at home yo have nice screen and keyboard, and all the mobility of the EEE PC in class.

If money is tight you can get CRT monitors for a song nowadays since everyone is ditching them for LCDs.

EDIT: http://eeesite.net/2007/11/eee-pc-external-monitor-awesome.html

[*trish*]

I'm not looking to make the Eee my primary or even secondary computer. I just want something portable to browse the net and jot down notes.

Anyone know the recent history of the Eee PC, and why it never released at the $199 price?

[goofball]

I'm not looking to make the Eee my primary or even secondary computer. I just want something portable to browse the net and jot down notes.

Anyone know the recent history of the Eee PC, and why it never released at the $199 price?

no reason to since nothing to compete with it. I"m sure they would have said something about cost and all that.

There is something else out there but i'm not sure of size or what not.

http://www.belinea.com/en/s_line/product_tagline.jsp?node=652&artnr=399501

http://www.fic.com.tw/product/umpc.aspx

[Evil Baby]

I don't have the Eee PC but just as a side note. if you decide not to get the Eee PC and get one of the other budget machines, make sure you don't go any larger then 14.1 inches. My 14.1 hp was great for class. Wasn't too heavy or awkward to carry around, but my g/f's 15.4 was a P.I.T.A. Before I bought my 14.1 I wouldnt' even bring her machine to school because it was too annoying and heavy to carry around.


are the bargin machines small and light or are they just older 15.4 inch machines?

[akbar_k]

I'm not looking to make the Eee my primary or even secondary computer. I just want something portable to browse the net and jot down notes.


Well then I guess you're looking for a toy. It may give you some enjoyment for a few months (I'd wager <4 months).


I don't have the Eee PC but just as a side note. if you decide not to get the Eee PC and get one of the other budget machines, make sure you don't go any larger then 14.1 inches. My 14.1 hp was great for class. Wasn't too heavy or awkward to carry around, but my g/f's 15.4 was a P.I.T.A. Before I bought my 14.1 I wouldnt' even bring her machine to school because it was too annoying and heavy to carry around.


are the bargin machines small and light or are they just older 15.4 inch machines?

There are some bargain machines that are 14" but the last month or two I have seen a lot of 15.4" on sale.

I agree, get a 14", don't bother with 15.4". Even though it sounds only a bit bigger, they seem to make them a lot bulkier. The HP/Compaq 14" line is great.


The Eee is a toy, first and foremost. It's the equivalent of the '5th car' for technophiles. People get bored of it. It sure looks good in _Post Your Desktop_ threads. Something for the man who has everything. Pure disposable tech bling.

[phyrefly]

The Eee is a toy, first and foremost. It's the equivalent of the '5th car' for technophiles. People get bored of it. It sure looks good in _Post Your Desktop_ threads. Something for the man who has everything. Pure disposable tech bling.

Have you ever used one?

This 'toy' can run everything but the latest games and apps. It's enough to fulfill the needs of say... 80% of computer users?

Yeah, the screen isn't that great, but eee + high capacity SDHC + VPN will do almost everything a student would want it to do except play post-2006 games.

[Rehan]

Have you ever used one?

This 'toy' can run everything but the latest games and apps. It's enough to fulfill the needs of say... 80% of computer users?

Yeah, the screen isn't that great, but eee + high capacity SDHC + VPN will do almost everything a student would want it to do except play post-2006 games. The post at http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5860176#post5860176 will put his "knowledge" of the Eee into perspective. ;)


*trish*: You should buy the largest "ultra-portable" that you can handle carrying around all the time. A 12.1" laptop will give you more functionality, but they're also bulkier, heavier, and more expensive. For its size and price, the Eee is an excellent device.

[Amourek]

The screen and keyboard are the main weaknesses. On many webpages you'll be scrolling across horizontally to see the whole page. The keyboard might be okay for jotting down notes if you have small fingers, but only after you get used to it.

[hagbard]

The battery has me concerned. My wife really wants to get a Surf for my 11 year old son who's currently using the school's Alphasmart, which they're going to give to another kid. I don't know if he'll make it through a school day on one charge.

[nolimtzel]

The battery has me concerned. My wife really wants to get a Surf for my 11 year old son who's currently using the school's Alphasmart, which they're going to give to another kid. I don't know if he'll make it through a school day on one charge.

get him the lenova x61.
9 hour charge with 9cell batt.

[terrybear]

if ya wait abit longer HP is supost to be putting out a EEE PC killer featuring a 9" display & I believe a more powerfuller cpu.

[mkylau]

FWIW, this might be an alternative

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4187

[hagbard]

get him the lenova x61.
9 hour charge with 9cell batt.

Under $500?

[hagbard]

FWIW, this might be an alternative

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4187

That would be perfect, but where do I get it?

[rogeryen]

FWIW, this might be an alternative

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4187

no one is hyped about them, the kohjinshas are so much more sexier.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4011
super ultra portable, comes with a harddrive, runs vista/xp, plus it's a tablet.

[*trish*]

if ya wait abit longer HP is supost to be putting out a EEE PC killer featuring a 9" display & I believe a more powerfuller cpu.


Does anyone know anything further about this? This sounds perfect, as long as it stays in the $500 range (pipe dream?)


As others have mentioned, yes, I do want a bit of a toy - and that's why the original price of the Eee PC had me so excited. Is there really no small, laptop like device for internet browsing around $200?

[rogeryen]

Does anyone know anything further about this? This sounds perfect, as long as it stays in the $500 range (pipe dream?)


As others have mentioned, yes, I do want a bit of a toy - and that's why the original price of the Eee PC had me so excited. Is there really no small, laptop like device for internet browsing around $200?

nokia n800?

[appleb]

I would not buy a laptop with the intention of using it for taking notes in class. I know many friends who had laptops for that purpose, but they ended up going back to pen/paper instead because it's much faster. The laptop just wasn't practical.

I'm planning on picking up one of the new EEE's coming out this April, with the better resolution screen and a more efficient CPU (the most common complaint on the original eee was the low screen resolution). Not sure when it'll actually arrive in Canada though.

[ShadowVlican]

I would not buy a laptop with the intention of using it for taking notes in class. I know many friends who had laptops for that purpose, but they ended up going back to pen/paper instead because it's much faster. The laptop just wasn't practical.

I'm planning on picking up one of the new EEE's coming out this April, with the better resolution screen and a more efficient CPU (the most common complaint on the original eee was the low screen resolution). Not sure when it'll actually arrive in Canada though.
speak for yourself but i can type way faster than i can write.... not to mention it also depends on the subject... obviously math will be on paper/pen but English will be typing

i'm also waiting for more competition to come up... currently i think these notebooks are too darn slow.... my minimum requirement is for them to be able to playback a 720P H.264 AVC1 mkv file

it's all thanks to asus for starting this lineup of extremely portable pcs at a low price....... before we've only had either or, not both

[akbar_k]

speak for yourself but i can type way faster than i can write.... not to mention it also depends on the subject... obviously math will be on paper/pen but English will be typing

i'm also waiting for more competition to come up... currently i think these notebooks are too darn slow.... my minimum requirement is for them to be able to playback a 720P H.264 AVC1 mkv file

it's all thanks to asus for starting this lineup of extremely portable pcs at a low price....... before we've only had either or, not both

Most students screw around in class with their laptops and don't actually take notes. Pen and paper for note-taking is still the fastest. Microsoft OneNote is pretty good though. I used the 2003 version.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Microsoft_Office_OneNote_2007.png

As a side note, listening to the teacher more and writing less may give you better insight that can't be gained from merely reading the textbook or your notes.

720p h.264 avc1 mkv? You're dreaming. Give it 2-3 years. Very demanding on the CPU.

[ShadowVlican]

well in that case you're address an issue that's beyond the paper/pen vs laptop.... more towards self discipline..

regarding the HD video playback, i may be dreaming right now... but it's certainly possible right now too!

too bad no manufacturers design ultra-portables with 1.6GHz+ dual core CPUs... all these ultra-portables are weak as sh*t.... so much for watching HD Anime or documentaries on the TTC commute....

(yes i know why they don't design ultra-portables like that... but i have solutions that may not keep everyone happy...)

[phyrefly]

720p h.264 avc1 mkv? You're dreaming. Give it 2-3 years. Very demanding on the CPU.

It seems like you've been living under a rock. No XP on the eee? Asus will soon SHIP XP pre-installed. Plus, it's not hard to install as long as you have a SD card and USB stick.

It might not handle 720p but anything below runs fine with ffdshow installed. Plus, it shows how much you know about digital video when you want to watch 720p on a 7" screen. What's next, 1080p on a Zune? :D

[hagbard]

My wife got tired of me not buying anything so she went ahead and ordered on her NCIX account. :o

[ShadowVlican]

It might not handle 720p but anything below runs fine with ffdshow installed. Plus, it shows how much you know about digital video when you want to watch 720p on a 7" screen. What's next, 1080p on a Zune? :D
i used to watch SD (480P) media on my dell axim x50v... not gonna bother calculating the pixel density, but it's probably too much for u ;)

[akbar_k]

It seems like you've been living under a rock. No XP on the eee? Asus will soon SHIP XP pre-installed. Plus, it's not hard to install as long as you have a SD card and USB stick.

It might not handle 720p but anything below runs fine with ffdshow installed. Plus, it shows how much you know about digital video when you want to watch 720p on a 7" screen. What's next, 1080p on a Zune? :D

Next time read the context. I was merely responding to ShadowVlican who wanted 720p with those specs. In your haste to be right, you missed valuable information.

Installing (http://wiki.eeeuser.com/windowsxp)XP on the current Eee is possible, if frustrating.

7" notebooks need a year or two to mature. At that time there will be more choice, speed will have improved, and it will be a better buy.

Right now it's for geeks who have to have one of everything, whether it be practical or not. Consume, consume, consume. Landfill-ware, e-waste. Do you really need more electronic junk that you don't use?

[edifonzo]

if ya wait abit longer HP is supost to be putting out a EEE PC killer featuring a 9" display & I believe a more powerfuller cpu.

Yes, but at what price?

[edifonzo]

"Installing (http://wiki.eeeuser.com/windowsxp)XP on the current Eee is possible, if frustrating.

7" notebooks need a year or two to mature. At that time there will be more choice, speed will have improved, and it will be a better buy.

Right now it's for geeks who have to have one of everything, whether it be practical or not. Consume, consume, consume. Landfill-ware, e-waste. Do you really need more electronic junk that you don't use?[/QUOTE]"

Installing XP on the EEEPC is very simple, the most basic way is in the back of the manual.

It is actually easier that installing on my dell or lenovo because all the drivers are on the Asus CD and there is an program on the ASUS CD that auto loads them for you.

Also, the EEPC is very environmentally friendly as its power usage is less than a standard laptop.

The EEEPC also buck the consumption trend for needing the most powerfull processor or memory. Many people do not need a C2D with 4gb of ram and a 500gb hard drive, for browsing and school work.

I am not saying that the asus EEEPC is for everyone but please do not put forth your incorrect "facts".

[Gee]

If you want a practical portable. Get the X61. Best portable around. Long battery life and it is a PC.

You get what you pay for, so don't expect to pay $500 for it

As for taking notes. Get a good audio recorder and record the lecture and use pen and paper for diagrams. Spend your time concentrating on what the professor has to say. Note taking distracts you and you have no clue as to what is going on.

[Beradon]

As for taking notes. Get a good audio recorder and record the lecture and use pen and paper for diagrams. Spend your time concentrating on what the professor has to say. Note taking distracts you and you have no clue as to what is going on.Why not use your notebook to record lectures? Even better, get a tablet pc and use it to record and takes notes+drawings.

[rilhouse]

Hi there,

I've been thinking for a while of getting a Eee PC, since I'm your generic university student for whom it would be perfect to have an ultra-portable laptop to take to class...

However, the hype seems to have panned out. Is it a good deal at $370? I must admit I first jumped on the bandwaggon when it sounded like it was going to be $199 for the base model.

I'm not sure now that it is a clear choice between the Eee and a bargain laptop from walmart or staples for $300-400.

Any suggestions? comments? I already have a expensive-ish apple laptop, so what I am really looking for is something with good internet access and a basic word program that I can lug around and not shed to many tears over if I leave it in a street car ;)

well it depends, if your a science student and are taking courses with a lot of equations a would recommend a light tablet. of course your looking at at least 3x the price.

even if your just taking standard notes i think the eee is a bit small for every day use. i would get a 15" cheap laptop for 700-900$.

[Ryukishen]

if ya wait abit longer HP is supost to be putting out a EEE PC killer featuring a 9" display & I believe a more powerfuller cpu.

I do believe you're talking about the HP UMPC 2133. It's been revealed, but not much is known about it so it's really not a viable option for a short term fix as it's not out yet, and probably won't be out for atleast a few more months IMO.

[blahraptors]

IMO the laptop is much too small to use comfortably for more than 30 minutes in one sitting. You will need to scroll a lot since the resolution is so low. The battery life is horrible.. I'm not even sure if it'll even last a 3hr lecture on a full charge. That said, it is a neat little laptop and runs XP extremely well. It's very light and portable, and it's even smaller than my notebook! As for using it to take notes in class, it will be useful for some but not all classes. For example, psych would be a good class to use this in since there is lots of note taking, and I type much faster than I write.

[aimfox]

EEEPC is not even a laptop, lmao... It's so small that its almost like a handheld PDA.. Some kid in my school is using to play high graphical games.. watch that mobo fries in a few days

[Rehan]

It's so small that its almost like a handheld PDA.. That's precisely its main benefit. Handheld UMPCs with a feature set even close to the Eee's cost a lot more.

If you don't need anything so small, there are better options. But if you do need a small "laptop", the Eee is hard to beat in terms of value.