Asus Eee PC 4G Review

Asus did make a prototype Eee PC with a 10-inch display months ago when they first announced the Eee PC (you can find photos of it if you search the web). Asus encountered supply chain problems and other issues that ultimately led to the need to increase the price of the 7-inch model. Some "rumors" floating around the web suggest that Asus scrapped the 10-inch model because they couldn't bring it to the market at a low enough price to make it attractive to consumers.

We haven't heard anything "concrete" about the 10-inch Eee PC since the original prototype was displayed ... so Asus could issue a press release tomorrow saying that the 10-inch model will be available by Christmas, or the 10-inch model may never come.

Your guess is as good as anyone else's guess. Maybe we should consult a "Magic 8-Ball."

 

haha yeah ive just heard things in a few diff forums about it coming in april. really the only thing holding me back is hoping for it in april. as well as hearing ubutnu is not good for the SSD drive and people are having issues installing it as well as wifi issues.

 

Great review. How far back does the screen go on the hinge? Also, you mentioned that it gets pretty hot. Is it too hot to hold by the edges of the keyboard with both hands? That's probably how I'd hold while reading with while lying down.

 

If you compare the temperature overlay images to the temperature images from some of our other reviews you'll see the Eee PC didn't stay as cool as some notebooks ... but it wasn't the hottest either. The Eee PC got into the 110-112 degree Fahrenheit range after 2+ hours of use. By comparison, the hottest notebook we've reviewed (the Toshiba Tecra M9) reached temperatures of 150 degrees during benchmarks.

I wouldn't say the Eee PC gets "too" hot to hold ... just uncomfortable for prolonged (more than 1-2 hours) direct skin contact.

Oh, and the screen doesn't go all the way back 180 degrees, but it does open very far back. We had to return our review unit (loan period was over) so I can't measure the exact maximum angle it opens.

 

so would you recommend this to people? as far as either xp or ubuntu is concerned?

and do you think it could output to a tv an hd movie or even a video_ts file? this all coming from say an external hdd or something.

 

We wouldn't have given the Eee PC an Editors Choice Award if we didn't think it was a great notebook for its class. We would absolutely recommend the Eee PC for any consumer looking for an ultra-compact subnotebook for travel, school or general use around the house.

That said, you have to do some work to fit XP on the 4GB SSD and make it work smooth. Also, the 800x480 screen isn't the best for Windows since Windows prefers a minimum screen resolution of 800x600. As far as Ubuntu is concerned. I don't know why you'd necessarily want to replace the customized Xandros Linux that was developed specifically for the Eee PC with Ubuntu Linux ... since you'll have to do a ton of work to make Ubuntu play nice with the Eee PC. Although Ubuntu is great, I don't really see what the benefit is over the customized Linux that comes with the Eee PC.

As I said previously, I don't think the Eee PC would make a great "primary computer" so it's really only meant for people who already have another full-featured desktop or laptop and want a small laptop they can take everywhere.

If you read the full review and initial review with video you'll see we had no problem with video output to TVs or higher resolution external monitors. That said, the video playback did start to "stutter" when we had the Eee PC playing video on a 19-inch LCD at 1280 x 1024 resolution ... but it only "stuttered" when we tried to open other applications or move between tabs, so video playback to a higher resolution TV or external monitor should be fine if you ONLY play the video and don't multitask.

 

i mostly would want xp or ubuntu for complete control over the system and run it like a real computer. the xandros is nice and all its just far to simplisitc.

I guess the Eee pc to me comes down to whether or not i think the 1001 model is coming or not and what it will offer. so far the only thing holding me back minus the os issues which i think can be overcome with some patience is the tiny screen.

 

Hmm ... well, Xandros is basically just as capable as Ubuntu but you probably think it's too simplistic because the customized Xandros on the Eee PC is setup for the "Easy Mode" by default.

You can actually activate the "Advanced Desktop" mode (the standard Xandros desktop interface) quite easily ... and you can switch back to the "Easy Mode" if you don't like the Advanced Desktop.

Complete instructions are listed in numerous web forums such as this one:

http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=1003

So, unless you are just someone who knows Ubuntu forwards and backwards I doubt Ubuntu will give you any benefit over the Advanced Desktop mode in Xandros.

 

Well, Ubuntu does give you access to a wider range of pre packaged software, and you do get access to their awesome community support.

Plus, Ubuntu Mobile (coming soonish) looks like it'll suit the EEE perfectly.

 

Most software will work between both systems. They both use almost identical package managers, so same software access on both sides.

More software included in the install may not work out to be the best thing with the limited storage. Right now with the EEE's system you get the "needed" programs, and can add any optional programs you might want.

 

Just broswing the Xandros site, I cannot find any way to access their software repository.

Plus, Xandros are one of the companies to bend over and present themselves for Microsoft, and so I try to steer clear of them. I'll be Arch-ing it up though once I get my EEE, should be blazing.

 

I'm not sure I follow you. Apt-get and the synaptics package manager work just fine (same as in Ubuntu), and they clearly list all available servers in the their forums. I found all my addon apps I usually install on my ubuntu machine on the eee pc after modifying the sources.list.

What are you trying to imply about Microsoft and Xandros?

 

hi.

greetings from malaysia.

i have a question about the Eee and XP.

without trimming the installation files, XP will take up 3GBs of the SSD?

 

When all was said and done after the install, and the swap file was removed, I had about 1.5-1.7GB free.

 

It was mention in the article - this one or one of the others - that it would be great to use with verizon and sprint (broadband access). Verizon has a usb broadband adapter that I have used on my laptop and computer. Will it be possible to test if the usb verizon device would work?

Also, would GotoMyPC work as well for those that remotely connect to their computers?

 

Asus is reportedly working with wireless providers to get USB wireless cards to work with the Eee PC so that you can surf the web anywhere you can get cell phone reception. I think the only thing holding the Eee PC back right now is Linux drivers.

We had a Sprint USB card in the office a short while ago and tested it with the Eee PC. The Eee PC detected that a device was connected but couldn't figure out what to do with it because it didn't have the drivers ... and Sprint doesn't have Linux drivers at the moment.

Of course, if you install Windows XP on the Eee PC you can use a Verizon or Sprint USB adapter and it will work ... as long as there are XP drivers available.

UPDATE: I just stumbled on a little-known press release from Sprint that was issued back in September of this year. Apparently, Sprint DOES provide Linux support for their USB broadband modems. As I mentioned above, the Eee PC recognized that something was plugged in when we connected the Sprint Novatel U727 to the USB port but it didn't know what to do with it. All you have to do is follow the instructions in Sprint's Linux setup guide and it "should" work:

http://www4.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/downloads/Sprint_Mobile_Broadband_Setup_Guide.pdf

Please note: We had to return the Sprint Novatel U727 and the Eee PC to Sprint and Asus already (our loan periods expired) so we cannot confirm if the Sprint USB broadband modem works with the Eee PC or not.

 

Can you access a command-line terminal shell (e.g. tcsh) on this machine? I'd like to use vi and gcc on this machine for ad hoc programming.

 

Ctrl + Alt + T.

Or you can navigate to the command shell and work from there.

 

Iono if this has been asked before, but:

1) My flash drive should be detected (I want to install Ubuntu from there) without any trouble, right?

2) I can has Beryl?

3) Out of curiosity, what "GPU" does it have? I know it has no dedicated lovin', but does it have the stock GMA900?

 

Thanks, Jerry

 

Uses Intel 915 chipset and GMA 900 graphics.

 

Awesome.

 

JerryJ,

Any word from Asus on when we will be able to run the Eee PC 701 at the advirtised 900 MHz and not only at 630 MHz? I'm running XP Pro and all the programs I have run to look at CPU frequency report it at 630 MHz: 9X multiplier and 70 MHz FSB. These include Everest Ultimate 4.2, cpuid, and RightMark. It is not like the Celeron M ULV 353 or i910GML chipset are new. These programs should be reporting the frequency correctly.

It is reported that the 8804 bios has a choice to run FSB at 70 MHz and 100 MHz. I would load up this bios but it sounds like this bios is unstable.

As I said in another thread I don't think I have ever bought a computer that was running at 70% of the speed that it was being advertised at. Kind of a bummer really. I have heard no official statement from Asus. I really think it is criminal to say it is 900 MHz if that is not the case. It would be like buying a car that is advertised as having a 200 HP motor and after buying it discovering that in reallity there is a governor that limits it to 140 HP.

I also find it a bit odd that there was no mention of Asus under clocking the CPU in the review or tweaking guide. I really think people should be aware of this.

 

There have been reports of a beta BIOS update that addresses this. I think some folks may have been able to download it. More info on this forum:

http://forum.eeeuser.com/index.php

It's a relatively new forum, so a search for BIOS should turn up relevant news/info without having to read through a lot.

 

We upgraded the inhouse one we had for a while, and it ran fine at 100mhz. There was a certain power saving setting that if enabled would make the system unstable.

That BIOS was trash in my opinion though, since you had options to change things that had little or no explanation. It also broke all ACPI control, and you lost the ability to use any FN key, change screen brightness, etc.

Asus should release something better though fairly soon, since they are actually in the wild at this time.

 

Thanks. I'm aware of this forum and have been discussing this there as well. My understanding is that the 8804 bios is actually the oldest and all subsequent ones do not have a choice of 100 MHz FSB.

 

Which bios was this? Do you have a number for it? Thanks!

 

I just noticed this post.

JerryJ, Which bios was this? Has it run stable for you?

Thanks.

 

Both of us used the same EEE Pc

I want to say 8804

 

Thats what I thought.

Version: 8804 Date: 07/25/2007-18:18:29
Version: 0204 Date: 10/05/2007-23:34:14
Version: 0401 build: 10/17/2007
Version: 0127 Date: 2007/11/06


I'm very tempted to run 8804 but it is the oldest bios and some people are having issues with it (as you did). I suspect that there is a reason that Asus has not enabled changing the bus to 100 MHz in later bioses. Lets hope they sort it out.

Thanks!

 

I suspect the BIOS issue will be sorted out soon. If you want maximum performance you CAN use the 8804 BIOS ... just be prepared to deal with a few headaches. Even running at less than 900MHz the Eee PC was fine for casual use ... mainly because Linux doesn't need as much processing power compared to Windows.

I had a chance to speak with the folks from Asus at a press event last night. I was hoping to find out more about BIOS updates, accessory availability (there is an extended life battery pack and accessory kit being sold outside the US for the Eee PC), and find out about the 8G model.

Unfortunately, the people from Asus couldn't give me any of that information. It seems like they're focused on getting the Windows XP version of the Eee PC launched as soon as possible. Apparently, despite great sales numbers, most users (and would-be) users are complaining that the Eee PC doesn't have Windows. Asus is taking those comments seriously and is trying to get a Windows version of the Eee PC out ASAP (by December if possible).

 

Hi..
Sorry just cut in the middle of discussion..but i'm really interested in getting Asus eee and since there's a 20% discount in Dicksmith here..i'm in NZ btw..
the retail price is NZ$599 so..after rebate it will be NZ$479.
So..about linux..is it easy to get the software? and i supposed installing it will be as easy as windows rite? never deal with linux b4.
and will 512MB of ram will be enough if i plan to edit picture ( providing i can find and install the software)

Thanks for the help..
really appreciate...

 

kobo_sen,

In order to get software, there are a couple of methods:

1. Synaptic

In synaptic, there are a couple stock repositories made specifically for the eee. There are a couple of programs there for editing image files. If you want more programs you have to add a couple of repositories from xandros or maybe debian stable. (Tread lightly with adding and installing from non-stock repos).

2. sudo apt-get

Apt-get is a console based installer. This only works if you already know what you want to install.

Check out www.eeeuser.com. They have a great site and a good wiki and would probably answer all your questions regarding the eee.

hope this helps,

lorsban

 

is there a 10 inch coming out soon?
some say asus denies it, why others say its coming

 

The 10-inch model was a prototype that Asus made early this year. They seriously considered releasing it but decided to shelve it "indefinitely."

We may "eventually" see a 10-inch version of the Eee PC, but don't hold your breath. Asus usually lets the press know about new products well in advance, and the fact that they aren't talking about a 10-inch model anymore suggests they are going to focus on the 7-inch Eee PC for AT LEAST the next 6 months.

Asus is still trying to get Eee PC production levels up to where they need to be, then they plan on making accessories available like extended life batteries, 3G/broadband accessories, etc.

 

It's tough to blame them for focusing on the 7" model. I'd love to see a 10" myself, but given the way price creep affected the 701, I'd have to assume we'd be looking at the same thing for a 10", and with the higher starting price that almost puts you in striking distance of some of the bottom end notebooks.

Plus, the 701 is selling like hotcakes and getting tons of press, so I can understand why they'd want to ship as many as possible as fast as possible before Christmas.

 

thanks, hopefully i can wait, and it won't be too expensive....

 

There is nothing in this review that indicates that this machine can be used straight from the box only if one has acsess to wireless server or has high-speed connection. A complete novice relies on advertising to make a purchase.
Denny

 

Well, a review on a user forum is not the equivalent of an advertisement.

A complete novice should not rely on advertising in any event. Advertising doesn't always tell the whole story.

But to answer what I think your question is, yes you can use the Eee right out of the box. You don't have to have an internet connection at all, ever. There's no software registration setup like you have with Windows machines.

 

a wonderful review, touched every aspect I was concerned about. I'm about to buy this laptop, but has asus released a fix for the battery meter problem yet? As soon as they get that working properly it's all I need.

 

Is it possible to replace the cpu? I want to swap it with a core solo ulv or even a core 2 duo ulv if its possible.

 

This notebook uses the Intel 915 chipset, the Core processors currently use 945/965 chipsets. The most you could upgrade to is a Pentium M ULV processor and LV/ULV processors are soldered instead of socketed like regular processors, so its just about next to impossible.

 

Jerry, thank you for the great review and all the info and answering everyone's questions... ok.....now for the dumb girl questions, lol.

i just got this little gem and was so excited.

i have a big work laptop, provided by my office and home laptop and desk top, i wanted this baby as a travel companion to jus do my personal email, forum posts, lite surfing and most important online poker on the road.

i couldn't download my poker, full tilt and such, it just kept saving the download file and not giving me a run or install option. on reading a few of the other forums, it seems maybe because of not having windows OS.

the manual does give explanation of how to install windows xp with an external drive and such. ok here's the dumb question, the only windows xp disc i have is from an old dell laptop that's long since gone that says for dell computers. can i use that? or do i have to go buy windows xp disks and how much does that cost, plus the external drive.

i have no particular affinity for windows, is there a way to download some programs without changing to windows os.

ok and the really dumb question, what does BIOS mean?

the manual is so simplistic, it doesn't cover some of these issues and basic things like downloading programs or how to make them compatible with the linux.

please help! i really want this to fill my needs, i love the size, weight, key board, screen resolution everything.

i had gotten the fujitsu u810 lifebook and sent it back cuz the screen was TOO TINY and caused eye strain this screen is perfect and you can increase text size easily if needed when on a screen where the type is too small.

 

Too bad...

 

does the card slot on the eee PC support SDHC cards?

thinking of getting a 4gb card to increase the storage.

thanks

 

Where could I find the 4g model in Canada?

 

Alot of places, NCIX, Canadacomputers, Anitec, etc.

 

Yes it does, Class 6's are something you should aim for

 

What would you suggest? I'll be ordering this for my dad and it's the first time I've done anything like this. Heh. - 3-;;

 

EEE users - How do you honestly feel about your EEE? Do you think it was worth the 400 dollars? I keep trying to push myself to buy one but I keep hesitating.

Two things bother me.

The 7 inch screen and the small hard drive space. Granted, for 60 bucks I can buy a 16gb SD card... okay great, so I've got what... 18 gig to play around with? 400 + 60 = 460. I spent 500 on my laptop and it's got 2gb memory and a 160 gig hard drive.

I'm just having trouble justifying getting it. I don't even have the money for it, but tax returns are coming soon... maybe I should just stick to my laptop?