When switching to the new Intel Pine Trail platform, ASUS decided to use a proven scheme and installed fresh hardware into the already beloved Eee PC 1005 case, which resulted in a device called ASUS Eee PC 1005PE, which we will consider today. Outwardly, the novelty is not much different from its predecessor 1005HA, but thanks to the new economical platform, it can boast, as the manufacturer assures, eleven hours autonomous work.
Design and construction features
Model 1005PE is made in the best traditions of ASUS Seashell netbooks. Thin, wedge-shaped body, tapering towards the front end, due to which the laptop appears even thinner than it actually is; all lines are smooth and smooth, without abrupt transitions. The sample we tested had a classic glossy black finish. However, devices are also produced with blue, white and pink glossy surfaces, as well as with several types of matte coatings, which are decorated with textures with geometric patterns.
Unfortunately, we were not able to hold in our hands the matte 1005PE, as it is less common than the glossy versions, but you can be sure that this option will be much more resistant to prints. The glossy model, although it looks beautiful, is covered with fingerprints instantly. Only the lower matte part of the case remains untouched. The same plastic should be used to make the frame around the display, which you touch when you open the netbook.
The screen is attached to the body on two small external curtains, which do not do a very good job of keeping the display in a fixed position. If, when working at a table, this does not cause any particular difficulties, then, for example, in a moving vehicle, the lid of a netbook will twitch.
The case, despite its small thickness, turned out to be very durable. When pressed, its panels do not bend, there are no backlashes and creaking in the joints during torsion. On the other hand, the lid of the netbook turned out to be rather weak. It bends easily and squeaks slightly when you press down on the frame.
All LED indicators are located in the lower right corner of the work surface, which is why they are slightly covered with a brush right hand at work. The system status and battery level indicators are duplicated on the front end so that they can be distinguished even when the netbook lid is closed.
The battery in the 1005PE is part of the panel above the keyboard. It's nice that with standard element power supply at 4400 mAh (which cannot be called very capacious) the device does not look thick.
There is a small window at the bottom of the case for access to a single slot random access memory... Since there is only one slot, it is impossible to supplement the RAM with one more bar, just change it. However, not every 2GB stick will work. On the official website of the manufacturer there is a list of RAM modules recommended for installation, and we would not recommend deviating from it, as this can cause a conflict in the system. Before installing a new memory strip, it is better to first make sure whether it will work in this model.
Input Devices
The 1005PE netbook, unlike its predecessor, has an aesthetically pleasing keyboard with island-style keys (which have noticeable gaps). The keyboard has a standard layout and a typical button size for similar devices - 14x14 mm. Already the rest are only keys with navigation arrows.
On the plus side, there are two Fn keys. The right Fn key is located in the navigation arrows area and allows you to quickly and conveniently work with the text navigation buttons, which are functional and aligned with the arrows.
The keys have a short travel and a clear actuation moment, which has a positive effect on typing. The downside to this ergonomic keyboard is that it flexes too much when pressed. When typing dynamically, the background just "walks". This disadvantage is found from time to time in mobile computers ASUS.
The touchpad is made in the same plane with the working surface and stands out only with pimples. So you can find it by touch. It is comfortable and convenient for fingers to slide on such a surface.
The touch panel supports multi-finger input, with the help of which scrolling, zooming and image rotation are realized. Multi-touch makes the 1005PE much easier to use. The benefits of this feature are especially felt in small devices such as netbooks. It is also worth recommending to use latest version drivers, since it significantly expands the multitouch capabilities.
Display
There is no revolution in the information display system. The model uses a 10.1-inch HannStar matrix with a physical resolution of 1024x600 pixels and LED backlight... I liked that the manufacturer used a matte display coating, which is more loyal to increased ambient light. Thanks to the matte screen with 1005PE, it is very comfortable to work in a well-lit auditorium and outdoors in sunlight.
We were not very pleased with the maximum display brightness measured by us - 166 cd / m2. In this case, the uniformity of the illumination was about 80%. Probably due to the low brightness, the manufacturer managed to achieve deep blacks, which allowed the contrast ratio to reach 348: 1. Of course, these indicators cannot be called excellent, but the quality of the matrix for a device of this class will be just right.
Interfaces and expansion ports
It should come as no surprise that the 1005PE's interface set is no different from the standard netbook arsenal. And they are placed only on the right and left ends, as in the 1005HA.
On the right side there is a pair of USB 2.0 ports, an RJ-45 network connector (Atheros AR8132 controller), a card reader for SD / MMC memory cards, as well as a pair of 3.5 mm audio jacks for connecting headphones and a microphone. On the left side there is a connector for a power supply, a D-Sub analog video output, a third USB 2.0 port and a security lock slot.
The ports are evenly spaced and spaced enough to accommodate surround plugs.
Wireless Wi-Fi network in this device is implemented through the Atheros AR9285 Wireless controller, which supports the newer 802.11n standard. Bluetooth module is optional.
Battery life
The 1005PE we tested came with a 4400mAh battery. Also for this netbook there are batteries of increased capacity (5200 and 5800 mAh), but we will have to purchase them separately.
As the sticker on the glossy surface of the device says, with a standard battery the model can work up to 11 hours, which is undoubtedly worthy of respect. It should be noted that the netbook has several power saving modes that regulate the frequency of operation. central processing unit, thereby controlling the power consumption of the device.
For maximum battery life, we tested the 1005PE in Power Saving mode with Wi-Fi turned off. Under these conditions, in the BatteryEater reader's test, the netbook reached 14 hours and 16 minutes (a very impressive result). In the classic BatteryEater test, the device lasted a little less - 10 hours and 9 minutes. It looks like ASUS has delivered on its promise for battery life.
Heat and noise
The work surface and keyboard of the 1005PE do not heat up over 36 degrees, even under heavy continuous use. The highest temperature value on the working surface is reached in the area above the blover and is 35 degrees. The touchpad temperature is 30-32 degrees. The area under the right hand is warmed up to a maximum of 29 degrees. Under maximum load, the keyboard temperature is 30-32 degrees.
The lower part of the netbook is noticeably warmer. In the area of the blover, the surface temperature reaches 38 degrees. Temperature extremes at other points of the lower surface do not exceed 33 degrees.
However, this gap does not endow the GMA 3150 with gaming capabilities. This accelerator copes well with games like the good old Counter-Strike, but it is not capable of more. Video playback on an external display is possible, but only at a low resolution, otherwise problems arise. Therefore, it is not advisable to install an HDMI connector in such devices.
Output
The biggest plus of the ASUS Eee PC 1005PE is its incredible battery life: 14 hours on a 4,400mAh battery certainly deserves respect. I really liked that this device has a matte matrix, which allows you to work comfortably in sunlight, and standard layout keyboard. The quality of the keyboard itself, however, should be attributed to the disadvantages.
In the new release, the netbook comes in seven color options, giving users a choice. The good news is that this Seashell is available in a matte finish. On the whole, the quality of the body and the whole device deserves a positive assessment. All this allows us to assert that this model definitely worth seeing.
Thank you storeRemarket for the netbook provided for tests
Weight: Weight: 1.1kg Additional Information: Additional information: working hours from 5 to 13.5 hours. (depending on the supplied battery capacity) Remote control: Remote control: no TV tuner: TV tuner: no Waterproof case: Waterproof case: no Width: Width: 178 mm Length: Length: 262 mm GPS: GPS: no Thickness : Thickness: 36.4 mm GLONASS: GLONASS: no Webcam: Webcam: yes Number of webcam pixels: Number of webcam pixels: 0.3 million pixels. Fingerprint reader: Fingerprint reader: no Kensington lock: Kensington lock: no Metal case: Metal case: no Shock-resistant case: Shock-resistant case: no Stylus: Stylus: noConnection
Microphone input: Microphone input: yes Built-in Network Card: Built-in network card: yes Built-in fax modem: Built-in fax modem: no Number of USB 2.0 interfaces: Number of USB 2.0 interfaces: 3 FireWire interface: FireWire interface: no FireWire 800 interface: FireWire 800 interface: no eSATA interface: eSATA interface: no Infrared port (IRDA): Infrared port (IRDA): no LPT interface: LPT interface: no COM port: COM port: no PS / 2 interface: PS / 2 interface: no VGA out (D-Sub): VGA out (D-Sub): yes mini VGA out: mini VGA out: no DVI out: DVI out: no HDMI out: HDMI out: no Micro HDMI output: Micro HDMI output: no DisplayPort output: DisplayPort output: no Mini DisplayPort output: Mini DisplayPort output: no TV-in input: TV-in input: no TV-out output: TV-out output: no Connect to docking station: Docking station connection: no Audio input: Audio input: no Audio / headphone output: Audio / headphone output: yes Microphone input / headphone output Combo: Microphone input / headphone output Combo: no Digital audio output ( S / PDIF): Audio digital output (S / PDIF): no Max. LAN adapter speed: Max. LAN adapter speed: 100 Mbps USB 3.1 (USB-C) interface: USB 3.1 (USB-C) interface: no USB 3.1 Type-C interface: USB 3.1 Type-C interface: no USB 3.0 Type-C interface: Interface USB 3.0 Type-C: noNutrition
Battery type: Battery type: Li-IonVideo
Video processor: Video processor: Intel GMA 3150 Video memory type: Video memory type: SMA Two video adapters: Two video adapters: no Video adapter type: Video adapter type: built-inMemory
Memory type: Memory type: DDR2 Number of memory slots: Number of memory slots: 1 RAM size: RAM size: 1 ... 2 GB Maximum size memory: Maximum memory size: 2GBScreen
3D support: 3D support: no Screen resolution: Screen resolution: 1024x600 Touch screen: Touch Screen: No Screen Size: Screen Size: 10.1 "Wide Screen: Wide Screen: Yes Multi-Touch Screen: Multi-Touch Screen: No LED Screen Backlight: LED Screen Back Light: YesCPU
Number of processor cores: Number of processor cores: 1 Processor frequency: Processor frequency: 1660 MHz L2 cache size: L2 cache size: 512 KB Processor type: Processor type: Atom Processor code: Processor code: N450Expansion slots
ExpressCard Slot: ExpressCard Slot: NoSound
The presence of speakers: The presence of speakers: yes The presence of a subwoofer: The presence of a subwoofer: no The presence of a microphone: The presence of a microphone: yesType of
Type: Type: Netbook Operating System: Operating System: Win 7 Starter / Win 7 UltimateStorage devices
Optical drive: Optical drive: DVD no Storage capacity: Storage capacity: 250 GB Hard disk type: Hard disk type: HDDMemory cards
Flash Card Reader: Flash Card Reader: Yes Compact Flash Support: Compact Flash Support: No Memory Stick Support: Memory Stick Support: No MiniSD Support: MiniSD Support: No MicroSD Support: MicroSD Support: No MicroSDHC Support: MicroSDHC support: no SmartMedia support: SmartMedia support: no xD-Picture Card support: xD-Picture Card support: no SD support: SD support: yes SDHC support: SDHC support: yes SDXC support: SDXC support: no microSDXC support: microSDXC support : NoWireless connection
Bluetooth: Bluetooth: optional Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi: yes 3G: 3G: no Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi standard: / 802.11g / 802.11n WiDi support: WiDi support: no LTE: LTE: no WiMAX: WiMAX : no GSM / GPRS support: GSM / GPRS support: no 3G (UMTS) support: 3G (UMTS) support: no EDGE support: EDGE support: no HSDPA support: HSDPA support: no 4G LTE: 4G LTE: noInput Devices
Positioning Devices: Positioning Devices: Touchpad Keyboard Backlight: Keyboard Backlight: NoThe development of netbooks does not stand still, but now there is a greater desire of companies to separate their offspring from the general mass, which is gradually developing into a kind of "market wars". Almost every netbook company has a unique model that grabs attention. So the company ASUS, whose products we paid attention to this time, not so long ago presented an updated line of Eee PC netbooks, the design of models of which is directly related to nature, or rather to mother-of-pearl sea shells. This is where the second name of the series is derived - Seashell.
In this review, we will take a look at one of the new line of netbooks, namely the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell.
Specifications
To begin with, by tradition, let's get acquainted with the technical characteristics of the tested netbook, which we received thanks to the report of the PC Wizard program. Batch data was collected from the manufacturer's website.
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Manufacturer |
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Eee PC 1008 Series |
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CPU |
Intel Atom N280: 1660 MHz (10 x 166), 667 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 cache |
Intel Atom N280 processor: 1.66 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 cache |
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Mobile Intel Calistoga-GSE i945GSE |
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Samsung M4 70T2864QZ3-CE6 1 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM |
DDR2 800MHz SDRAM, 2 SODIMM slots for memory expansion up to 2GB |
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Digital Flat Panel 10.1 "LCD, WSVGA (1024 x 600); XGA (1024 x 768) |
10.1 "wide LCD display with WSVGA (1024 x 600) and XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, LED backlighting and ASUS Color Shine technology |
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Graphics accelerator |
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 224 MB |
Integrated graphics with Intel GMA 950 with dedicated memory up to 224 MB |
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HDD |
Seagate ST9160310AS (160GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II) |
SATA 2.5 "HDD from 160 GB 5400 RPM + 10 GB Eee Storage |
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Optical drive |
Not provided |
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Card reader |
Built-in 2-in-1 card reader for Secure Digital (SDHC) and MultiMediaCard |
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Networking capabilities |
Network Card (Atheros AR8132 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller) |
Leased line connection with a speed of 10/100/1000 Mbps |
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Interface connectors |
1 x mic input |
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Expansion cards |
Not provided |
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Realtek ALC269 @ Intel 82801GBM ICH7-M - High Definition Audio Controller |
Built-in sound card 16-bit 3D Sound Blaster Pro Compatible |
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Multimedia |
Built-in stereo speakers |
Built-in stereo speakers |
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Battery |
3-cell Li-polymer battery: 2900 mAh, 32 Wh |
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AC / DC power supply |
Universal power adapter: |
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Dimensions, mm |
262 x 178 x 18-25.7 |
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Security |
BIOS and HDD boot password |
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Pre-installed software |
ASUS utilities and software: Additional software: |
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Operating system |
Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 (32-bit) |
Windows XP Home |
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Products webpage |
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The netbook is based on the Intel Atom N280 processor, which is the main one for this category of mobile devices. The processor is manufactured using 45 nm technology and provides the minimum required performance, operating at a frequency of 1660 MHz with a FSB of 667 MHz. There is support for technologies such as Execute Disable Bit, Enhanced Intel Speedstep and Intel Hyper-Threading.
The Mobile Intel 945GSE chipset used in the netbook is specifically designed to support low power processors. This chipset has a low-power integrated Intel GMA 950 video adapter, and also supports the use of single-channel DDR2-400 / 533 memory with a maximum capacity of up to 2 GB. Four PCI Express x1 ports, up to 8 USB 2.0 ports and two SATA ports are used to support internal devices and peripherals. Optionally, a network controller can be installed that provides support for a connection at a speed of 1 Gb / s, as well as an Intel High Definition Audio audio chip and support is implemented. Intel technology Active Management Technology, providing new methods for managing remote clients for business applications.
Supply
The ASUS Eee PC 1008HA netbook is shipped in a single package with beautiful design... The sides are painted white and light green. They contain useful information such as a brief technical description, a list of possible color variations and several logos of supported technologies. The title sides have a more varied design. So on the front there is an image of sea sand, on which the netbook itself is located next to the sea shell, thereby emphasizing the exclusivity of the design. On the opposite side, the netbook is shown in an open state. A special handle is provided for easy transportation.
Equipment
The complete set of the netbook is quite standard for devices of this class, i.e. it contains only basic necessities. Thus, in the package, in addition to the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA netbook, we found:
- user guide;
- warranty card;
- a cloth for cleaning the display;
- DVD-disk with drivers and utilities;
- power unit;
- cable for connecting the power supply to the 220 V network;
- special cover.
A special cover allows you to protect the netbook while hiking from unwanted environmental influences. It is quite simple and has nothing superfluous. The outer part of the cover is made of black suede fabric, while the inside uses a softer material, somewhat similar to foam rubber, also in black. The position of the netbook in the case is fixed with a zipper, thereby preventing accidental loss.
Appearance and ergonomics
The design of the ASUS Eee PC1008HA netbook immediately attracts attention, due to its characteristic design, reminiscent of a beautiful seashell. Indeed, ASUS Eee PC1008HA has a smooth rounded body, with a fairly low weight, only about 1 kg. In addition, the maximum thickness is 2.5 cm, making it one of the thinnest netbooks in existence. The color scheme is quite catchy - it is pearlescent pink. An additional elegance is given by the use of a glossy coating, which, unfortunately, causes slight complaints from the point of view of practicality. Note that there are other colors available: white, ruby red, blue, black and sapphire blue.
Opening the netbook does not present any particular problems - you just need to lift the lid with little effort. In addition, the small projection on its edge facilitates the matter. The interior design of the netbook is white and almost completely glossy, with the exception of the keyboard.
There are no connectors, indicators or keys on the front side.
On the right side there is a two-format card reader that works with memory cards (SD (SDHC) and MMC), as well as several connectors, namely one USB 2.0 connector, two mini-jack (headphone / microphone) connectors and a connector for local network RJ-45. All connectors are covered with plastic caps.
There is also a plastic cap on the left side, it covers one USB 2.0 connector and a mini-VGA connector for connecting an external monitor using a mini-VGA to VGA adapter. There is also a place for a DC-in connector for connecting a power adapter and for a small ventilation hole.
In the center of the rear side there are two indicators showing the status of connection to the mains and battery charging.
The bottom of the netbook has several design features... One of these features lies in the absence of a battery compartment, which at first a little alarmed, but the fear quickly passed, because the battery is already installed and located inside the case. The second feature is a special seat for a mini-VGA to VGA adapter, which is additionally fixed with a magnet. Also on the bottom there was a place for several stickers with important information and a pair of vents.
Matrix, input devices, camera, web camera
To display the image, a 10.1 "widescreen TFT-matrix equipped with LED backlighting is used, which significantly increases the image quality, in particular due to increased contrast. The presence of a glossy coating prevents image fading in the sun, but at the same time, it is prone to characteristic glare.Maximum display resolution for comfortable work is 1024 x 600 (WSVGA), although there is an opportunity to set the resolution a little higher in height - 1024 x 768 (XGA). This resolution may seem somewhat impractical due to the constant need for image scrolling. But when working with programs whose window sizes exceed 600 pixels in height, it becomes more than necessary. Among other features of the display, it is worth noting the presence of proprietary technologies, such as Color-Shine, which increase the image quality, a wide range of backlight brightness adjustment and fairly good viewing angles.
On the edge above the display are a fixed 1.3-megapixel webcam module and an array of microphones for high-quality audio when talking over the internet.
The keyboard of the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA netbook is standard for modern ASUS devices, but significantly different from previous models series Eee, and pleases that for the better, although not without complaints. The latter are not many, and they refer only to the block of arrows, to the keys of which you need to get used to. As for the rest, the keyboard is very convenient to work with. The keys are flat and rather large with a slight roughness, which ensures good contact with the fingers. The application of symbols is also pleasing, they are well distinguishable and perfectly readable. So, for the Cyrillic alphabet, a light green color is used, for the Latin alphabet - black, for functional symbols - blue. In addition, all symbols are very clearly visible when backlit. By the way, an interesting and useful point of the keyboard is the functional implementation of changing the display resolution on a key and quick access to the task manager on a key.
On the left above the keyboard, almost at the very edge, there are two paired keys that allow you to turn on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless modules and turn off the touchpad.
The netbook power button is located symmetrically on the right; it is made of metal and has LED backlighting.
Above the keyboard, in the center of the hinge of the netbook lid, is a block of indicators that displays: battery charge status, access to the hard drive, wireless network activity and Caps Lock activity.
The installed touchpad has support for the multi-tap function, which makes it possible to instantly zoom. The touchpad is quite comfortable to work with, it has good sensitivity, the ability to scroll vertically and horizontally, as well as a relief surface for better contact. You may not like, perhaps, the small area of the touch panel. Under the touch panel there are two standard keys made of a solid metal plate.
Acoustics
The speakers of the speaker system are located at the front bottom behind the grill, which is why in some situations there may be slight complaints about the sound quality and volume. To a greater extent, they will depend directly on the location of the netbook. Although, in general, the speakers are very high quality, and are able to reproduce a fairly clear sound without distortion even at maximum volume, which, by the way, is quite high.
Power supply and battery
The netbook is connected to the network using the AD6630 power supply unit (30 W, 19 V, 2.1 A) manufactured by ASUS. During operation, significant heating of the power supply unit is noticeable only when recharging the batteries, and the rest of the time it is in a warm position.
For autonomous operation, the netbook uses a 3-cell lithium-polymer battery, as mentioned above, located inside the case.
Testing
To carry out this stage, we have selected several popular test packages that allow you to objectively evaluate the performance of all components of the netbook. We compared the test results with the market leaders:
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We express our gratitude to the company PF Service LLC (Dnepropetrovsk) for the netbook provided for testing.
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The Asus Eee PC is a very interesting product in terms of its positioning in the electronic device market. It belongs to a rather specific class of devices, occupying an intermediate position on the market between ultramobile (with a matrix of 10-12 inches) notebooks and PDAs. In general, this market is inhabited by a fairly large number of the most different devices, including web tablets, small devices with a 5-7 "screen with slide-out keyboards (UMPC), various mono-functional devices (for example, GPS navigators or electronic readers), etc. The main characteristics for devices in this segment are size and weight - on the one hand, universal laptops with a screen size of 10 inches and above, where you can place an almost fully functional keyboard, on the one hand, small screen), but they can be carried in a pocket or a small belt pouch.
Figuratively speaking, the products of this sector are aimed at users who need small and light electronic device so that they can always carry it with them, and at the same time they are not satisfied with the functionality of a PDA or the portability of a small laptop. The problem is that the circle of such buyers is rather narrow - most are quite happy with a PDA or laptop (or both devices together). Therefore, the main circle of buyers is a narrow niche of enthusiasts who actively use various mobile gadgets, or an equally narrow category of professional users who need such devices for their work. And since the volume of sales is small, it is difficult to recover the costs of development and organization of production. Therefore, almost all devices in this market niche are relatively expensive and have a poor price-functionality ratio, which further reduces their consumer appeal.
ASUS Eee PC, oriented specifically to this market segment, has two very important features that make it unique: firstly, it is positioned not as a niche, but as a mass device, and secondly, it has a fairly low price.
What makes the Eee PC unique is that ASUS is trying to bring to market a model that is versatile and simple enough to satisfy the basic needs of non-professional users, while being extremely cheap. To buy the same web tablet for $ 2,000, when it is quite possible to do without it, only a fairly wealthy person who does not count money can afford. And at a price of $ 300, you can buy such a device simply by going to the store for purchases - it will still be "useful on the farm." And the Eee PC is almost a fully functional laptop.
And here we come to the main point why ASUS marketing was so successful. The company announced at a very early stage that the retail price of the Eee PC would be just $ 199, which is what almost anyone would pay for a computer capable of performing all the basic tasks assigned to it. So great is the marketing force that the $ 199 laptop has become one of the synonyms for the Eee PC.
Of course, in life everything turned out to be not so rosy, the prices for the beginning of sales ranged from 350 to 500 dollars even in the USA, where such electronics are traditionally inexpensive. Nevertheless, even for this money, a functional alternative to the Eee PC is only some old models of used ultraportable laptops, imported from countries where there is generally a demand for them (in Europe, for example, the volume of this market is minimal).
ASUS Eee PC
Externally ASUS Eee PC is extremely similar to the old models ASUS, S200 and S300. At one time, ASUS had a whole line of such devices and supported them in the market, although the market niche for them was not to say that it was very large. You can get acquainted with the reviews of these models on our website:, S300. By the way, it is worth dwelling in more detail on the "representation" of the Eee PC on the Internet.
Resources on the Internet
Long before the ASUS Eee PC was released, there was a large army of people who liked the device and were looking forward to its release.
ASUS has created a dedicated website to support the Eee PC, which is located at the third level in the asus.com domain. Here you can find out basic information about the device, select the model you are interested in, as well as get support or download the necessary drivers and programs.
In the English-speaking segment of the Internet, there are quite a few sites dedicated to the Eee PC, for example,. This site contains a lot of interesting information about the model, there are also forums. There is also a similar Russian site. The Russian-speaking community dedicated to the Eee PC is also associated with this site, it is located here http://community.livejournal.com/eeepc/.
Finally, don't forget about our forum. There is a fairly voluminous branch devoted to the Eee PC. In it you can read and discuss the model, and ways to solve emerging issues and problems with the installation additional programs and devices.
As you can see, the Eee PC has a pretty strong presence on the Internet. Well, let's take a look at the model that we tested.
ASUS Eee PC case
So let's take a look at our Eee PC.
The first thing that surprises is that at such a declared price the case does not at all give the impression of being cheap, the plastic of the case is of sufficient quality. At the same time, the Eee PC is available in several colors! We tested white mother-of-pearl, this Eee PC has an all-white mother-of-pearl body. There is also a fairly common black version. In addition, ASUS offers several "color" options with covers made in various pastel colors - green, blue, pink ... The design is not far behind - it is made at a much higher level than you would expect from a budget model. Beveled edges, a round central part, a silver insert near the touchpad, a battery inscribed in the design of the case - everything is done at a good level.
True, due to the cheapening of the design, I had to go to some tricks. So, instead of big screen- a screen with a larger diagonal, probably 9 inches, would fit into the case - the screen is only 7 inches. By the way, it should appear on the market soon enough new model Eee PC where a larger screen will be installed.
To fit the small display into the body, another one (black) is inserted into the white frame. It also houses the laptop speakers. This arrangement is convenient - the sound goes directly to the viewer. But the speakers are very quiet, it is difficult to use them even in a noisy room, and the sound quality is poor. With any active work with sound, you have to connect headphones. The frame itself does not look very good in combination with white, and a small screen in a large body creates a feeling of a budget model.
Of course, the main attention in such a model is paid to weight and size parameters. The dimensions of the case are very modest: 22.5 × 16.4 × 2.15 ~ 3.5 cm. The weight according to the specification is 0.92 kg, the weight of our laptop with the battery is 1050 grams. In this respect, the Eee PC outperforms even a paper diary. As a convenient multifunctional notebook this laptop will look really good.
By the way, the Eee PC has an interesting bundled power supply. It looks like a PSU from mobile phone, not from a laptop - small and plugs directly into an outlet. The power supply unit has a universal plug, onto which an adapter for sockets of different countries is put on.
The included case is also worth mentioning - the Eee PC can be carried without the risk of being scratched.
The laptop has built-in speakers (albeit small), a microphone and a webcam with a resolution of 0.3 megapixels, as well as an output for external headphones and a microphone input - it is quite suitable for convenient web conferencing and calls over the Internet (this is an option, in our sample it was present ). Skype is already included in the package.
Connectors, body layout
In terms of expandability, for its size, positioning and price, the laptop is very well equipped. Firstly, it has as many as three USB 2.0 connectors, this is enough for almost all occasions, for example, you can connect a USB flash drive and an external mouse and keyboard. The EeePC also has a standard VGA output - when working on a table, you can connect a large external monitor, and "at a visit" - a projector, for example, for self-presentation.
The EeePC has a card reader for SD / MMC cards - it can be used both for working with flash drives (for example, for a camera), and for increasing the laptop's own memory - the card will do just fine for an additional disk.
To connect to networks, the laptop has a port for a wired network and Wi-Fi. The model we tested does not have a modem. There is also no Bluetooth interface that could be used, for example, to communicate with a phone, but then the model would become even more expensive ...
Let's take a closer look at how the connectors are located on the laptop case.
There is nothing on the front edge, only indicators.
On the left there is a network connector, a plug instead of a modem connector, a USB port, a ventilation grill, audio connectors. Everything is conveniently located.
There is a card reader on the right, two more USB port, output to an external monitor or projector, Kensington lock.
By the way, pay attention to the contours of the case - from these angles you can see its real thickness. The beveled corners obscure the dimensions, and the Eee PC looks even thinner than it actually is.
On the back there is only a power connector.
The bottom of the laptop. In the last two photos, pay attention to the location of the battery in the case - it is largely responsible for the weight and thickness of the laptop.
The indicators, as already mentioned, are placed on the right front edge of the keyboard panel and are made in the form of LEDs located under special holes in the case. There are 4 of them - work, battery status, access to the hard disk, WiFi status. When working, laptops are blocked by the wrist of the right hand and are not visible.
Technical data model, configuration
The Eee PC is built on Intel's new mobile platform for low-cost laptops and gadgets. Processor - Celeron 900 ULV, operates at reduced voltage. According to the current information, the processor operates at 630 MHz in standard mode, due to which it has very good power consumption and heating indicators. Perhaps, in new BIOS versions, the ability to enable the maximum operating mode (at the prescribed 900 MHz) will be implemented. In general, Her PC does not work very quickly, especially when starting and loading applications. However, in office work, this is not annoying.
The Intel 910GML platform with integrated graphics GMA900, although quite old, has good performance even by modern standards, and the status of "obsolete" allows you to set an attractive price.
The amount of RAM installed depends on the model. In the "younger model" and, according to the available information, in all surf models, this memory is soldered directly into motherboard and is not upgradeable. In 4G and 8G models, you can independently rearrange the modules - the connector allows this. However, for this you need to open the case, or rather, a special hatch. And this hatch has a seal. ASUS originally stated that damage to the tag would void the warranty. For some countries (USA, UK, etc.), explanations have been issued that you can open the hatch and replace the memory yourself, and this does not lead to the withdrawal from the warranty of the entire device. For Russia, it is not yet clear whether this is so or not.
The situation with the "hard disk" is no less interesting. All ASUS Eee PC models use SSD memory - an analogue of flash, seemingly different big amount read-write cycles (flash memory fails after a certain, albeit quite large number of write cycles). The memory can either be soldered directly on the device board, or inserted as a module into a PCIe slot, where it can be upgraded or replaced. The size varies - 2, 4 or 8 GB, you can upgrade only in the 8G model. In principle, even 8 GB is very small for a computer, especially with an installed windows system... However, the Eee PC is unlikely to be the only computer, it should rather be paired with a large computer or laptop - so it is better to store all the information there, and download only what you need on the road to the Eee PC. In addition to the built-in disk, it is quite possible to use external storage with a USB interface, or purchase a flash memory card and insert it into the Eee PC card reader.
The Eee PC comes standard with a 10/100 Mbps wired network connector and an 802.11B / G wireless card. In both cases, Atheros chipsets are used. There is no modem (although there is a plug on the case, it is possible that the modem will be available in other models as an option). There is no Bluetooth either. I would like to have this wireless interface, only this would definitely lead to an increase in the cost of the design, moreover, do not forget that Bluetooth is a closed standard, unlike Wi-Fi.
Finally, here is a table that summarizes all the technical specifications. different models Eee PC.
| Eee PC 2G Surf | Eee PC 4G Surf | Eee PC 4G | Eee PC 8G | |
| CPU | 800 MHz Intel Celeron M ULV @ 571 MHz | 900 MHz Intel Celeron M ULV 353 @ 630 MHz | ||
| RAM | 512 MB (DDR2 unsoldered) | 512 MB (DDR2 SO-DIMM) | 512 MB (DDR2 SO-DIMM) | 1 GB (DDR2 SO-DIMM) |
| Flashdisk | 2 GB | 4 GB (unsoldered) | 4 GB (unsoldered) | 8 GB (PCIe) |
| battery | 4 e.: 4400 mAh, 2.8h | 4 el .: 5200 mAh, 3 ~ 3.5h | ||
| Expansion slots | MMC (plus) / SD (HC) card reader | |||
| Display | 15.25 x 9.15 cm, 7 "diagonal (17.78 cm); WVGA (800 × 480) | |||
| Network | 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, 802.11b / g Wi-Fi (PCIe) | |||
| Ports | 3 USB 2.0, VGA D-SUB | |||
| Sound | High Definition Audio, built-in speakers and microphone | |||
| Dimensions and weight | 22.5 x 16.4 x 2.15 ~ 3.5cm, 0.92kg | |||
| web-camera | No | VGA (640 × 480) 30 fps | ||
| OS | Linux OS (Xandros); Windows XP Home | |||
Using the Eee PC
The key characteristic of the Eee PC is that it is small. This has its pros and cons.
The small keyboard can only be typed with two fingers. All keys are the same size, so if you get used to it, there are not too many misses. I personally still find this printing mode extremely inconvenient, but colleagues who do not know the blind method of printing have a different opinion: printing is only slightly more inconvenient than on a large laptop, but the size and weight make the Eee PC an ideal choice for traveling on business trips, so when chances are they would have bought such a device for sure.
The screen also seemed too small to me - for example, too few lines are displayed in a word processor, it is inconvenient to type and edit text. In addition, our version did not support Russian at all. The widescreen display has a non-standard resolution of 800x480 pixels - it requires its own driver (this is especially important when installing Windows on your own).
The Eee PC has a flaw that is more or less common in almost all ultra-compact notebooks. The heaviest part of the case is the battery, and this is located under the matrix. On the table the Eee PC is still quite confident, but when you hold it on your lap and open the matrix to the maximum angle, the laptop wants to tip over backwards.
During its operation, Eee RS did not cause problems with noise. I personally did not understand if he had a fan or not, and opinions were divided on the Internet. The downside of silence is heating - the case heats up quite noticeably even in standard office mode. After an hour and a half, the laptop is noticeably warm. The palm rests and the bottom of the laptop in the middle also get warm.
The software part of the Eee PC is based on a revised version of Xandros Linux, a rather exotic distribution. To perform some functions of fine-tuning the operating system, it is required to perform non-trivial actions. Out of the box, the number of settings for the system is minimal - output to an external monitor, its resolution, two power saving settings - that's, perhaps, all of the interesting things.
Working in "office" mode, in principle, does not cause problems. Eee PC starts up quickly enough, reacts to actions (for example, launching new applications), albeit with a delay, but not critical. In general, usually not annoying.
One of the "jokes" can be noted (by the way, the same was practiced with the S200) that the recovery system was written to a CD in the absence of a drive on the Eee PC. So system recovery is possible only if you have an external drive or laptop or computer.
Operation - Eee PC Software and Shell
The EeePC does not come with the traditional Windows laptop market, but with a version of the free Linux OS - a simplified assembly of Xandros Linux (however, now there seems to be no delivery option with Windows as well).
The laptop implements a fairly simple and functional software shell to call the applications you need... There are several tabs in the shell, in which programs are grouped by functionality:
applications for the Internet (browser, Skype, mail, messenger, Internet radio),
applications for work (all Open office, dictionary, file manager and other applications),
programs for training (a set of some utilities, for example, the periodic table of elements, planetarium, other applications for students),
entertainment (games, media player, catalogers for music, photos and videos), webcam application and sound recording.
A separate tab is dedicated to selected applications.
In general, the shell is quite convenient for the niche "between a laptop and a PDA" - applications are conveniently sorted out, they are easy to find.
Convenience of work - personal opinion
In my opinion, the Eee PC is too small to be comfortable to use all the time. This device is for traveling and traveling, when you can "do something", but you do not need to do anything seriously. In this niche, he looks confident enough.
In any activity, the Eee PC is a compromise option. The keyboard is too small to type on with only two fingers. The screen resolution is enough to view mail or briefly work with text, but when trying to do something more serious, the lack of screen space is a big hindrance. It seems that a model with a larger screen size and resolution will be more convenient in constant work, especially since there is room even in this case. In general, in theory, you can do everything on the Eee PC, but in practice it is inconvenient for serious work. Although "clicking", sitting on ICQ or the Internet, watching a cheat sheet at a speech is quite an option.
Since the laptop does not have a hard drive, it is insensitive to vibrations and shocks and can be operated comfortably, for example, in a car. This is a big plus for a traveling device - a variety of troubles can happen on the road, which are gentle HDD may not survive.
Speaking of traveling, a few words about the battery should be said. We tested a model with a large 5200 mAh battery. The laptop worked from it for 3 hours in read mode (i.e. with one application running and wireless interfaces turned off). For a short trip or commuting, this battery life is sufficient, but you shouldn't expect a full working day on battery with the Eee PC.
Positioning
The ASUS Eee PC is not a laptop, but rather a versatile personal digital assistant as it should be - more convenient than a PDA and smaller than a full-featured laptop.
It is unsuitable for constant daily work, so it is unlikely that it should be positioned as a student laptop or a laptop for poor users - in this case, it will be the only computer and will not cope with all the variety of tasks that have fallen on it. And in order for it to be at least somehow convenient in work, you will have to buy an external keyboard, mouse and monitor for it, which will significantly raise the price. The Eee PC doesn't even have an external optical drive. So if we are talking about a single computer, it is better to buy a budget laptop that costs about $ 800, which already has everything you need.
But the Eee PC is a nice addition to your main desktop or large laptop that can be difficult to carry around all the time. It is convenient to take it with you on short trips and business trips. It is lightweight, takes up almost no space and is quite suitable to pass the time - once again view (and slightly edit) a document or presentation, check your mail, surf the Internet, and finally play a little.
Eee PC can be used in a bunch of other cases - for example, for a short time chatting in ICQ, talking with someone via Skype (all the more, it is included in the software bundle), using the Eee PC as a telephone receiver, reading something at home for a future sleep etc. By the way, when discussing the Eee PC in our conference, another application was proposed - as a small laptop for setting up and testing the operation of various industrial and server equipment. In this role, he will also be quite in place.
Finally, it is worth mentioning separately a very special category of users who might like the EeePC - women. A small, lightweight and graceful toy that easily fits into a handbag and is capable of performing the vast majority of the tasks of an undemanding user - the Internet, mail, communication, work with documents. Plus, the Eee PC is cute on the outside.
At the same time, it seemed that thanks to the announced low cost of the EeePC, the user would not even have to puzzle over whether it would be useful or not - such a purchase could well be made under the influence of the impulse “I liked it!”.
Price
Unfortunately, the price situation turned out to be a little different from what was expected. From a marketing point of view, everything is very cool - in publications to this day, "Eee PC" and "laptop for $ 199" are used interchangeably. But in reality, everything is not very good - even in the USA with their democratic prices, models with normal characteristics cost $ 400 - this is not much lower than the price for a "full-size", albeit very cheap laptop. Because of this, the Eee PC is dangerously close in cost to cheap laptops, which it clearly loses in functionality if a poor user buys the main and only laptop "for the household". However, even for a "gadget" the difference between $ 200 and $ 400 is quite significant, and already makes the buyer think "do we need this joke?"
Therefore on this moment it is more likely that the novelty will become just not a "super-cheap laptop for poor users", but another gadget that complements a laptop or desktop computer, and will be of interest mainly to users who are traditionally interested in this kind of gizmos. Perhaps it will be interesting and how to "buy as a gift", but again, it is one thing to buy a gift for $ 200, another - for $ 400. In addition, users who are not particularly familiar with computers and are accustomed to Windows are practically will surely scare away operating system Linux with the suggested shell (although in general it is quite convenient) ..
At the moment, the Eee PC will most likely be sold only through the Eldorado retail network, the average price for a 4G model should be about 10-11 thousand rubles (the model costs 9999 rubles for the stock). The preliminary announced price for the 9-series Eee PC, due out in the summer, is around 400 euros.
Output
EeePC occupies an intermediate niche between a laptop and a PDA. It is a good addition to another computer, a convenient tool to do a little work or while away the time on trips, business trips and short business visits. With a few additions, the EeePC almost catches up with ultraportable laptops in functionality, but costs less.
However, at current pricing and positioning, the EeePC is likely to fail to gain traction and remain a niche product for gadget lovers looking for just such a hybrid.
At the moment, there is no shortage of netbooks on the market, but from time to time there are such models that are significantly ahead of others in their characteristics - both in terms of external and internal. One such model is (ie, the "shell"), which at the moment some call the best netbook on the market. It is thin and light, and contains quite good components inside, so it justifies its price.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA "Seashell" specifications:
Display: 10.1 ″, WSVGA + (1024 × 600)
CPU: Intel Atom N280 (1.66 GHz), 667 MHz FSB
RAM: 1 GB DDR2 (667 MHz)
HDD: 160GB 5400rpm SATA + 10GB Online Storage
Graphic card: Intel GMA 950 integrated
Network and communication with other devices: Wi-Fi Broadcom 802.11a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Optical drive: No
Ports: 2хUSB 2.0, VGA, RJ-45 / Ethernet (Gigabit), stereo headphones + line-out
Battery: 3-section, lithium polymer
OS: Windows XP
Other: 4-in-1 card reader, built-in microphone, 1.3 megapixel webcam
Dimensions (edit): 26.7 x 17.8 x 1.9 - 3.05 cm
The weight: 1.09 kg (without power adapter)
Price: $429,99
Appearance, quality of materials
The Eee PC 1008HA Seashell brought a completely new design into devices of the ASUS Eee PC netbook family. As the name suggests, the shape of the case is somewhat reminiscent of a shell, and it brings freshness and personality to its design. All ports are covered with plugs, which serve more decorative than protective role. ASUS claims that the thickness of this version of the Eee PC does not exceed 2.5 cm at its thickest point, but it tactfully keeps silent about the legs that are on the bottom of this netbook. So the maximum thickness is still greater, but this does not negate the fact that the 1008HA still stands out from the crowd with its thin and light body.
Once again, ASUS has done everything to surprise both users and us, the reviewers, with the build quality of the Eee PC line. Glossy black plastic practically does not bend, and the keyboard with its strength does not lag behind best models business class. All body parts are perfectly matched to each other and secured together with meticulous attention to detail. ASUS claims that the plastic used in the Eee PC 1008HA has a special "Infusion" coating that makes this netbook scratch resistant. During the test, I did not have the opportunity to scratch this case with something, but one thing is for sure - the glossy case, like a magnet, attracts fingerprints to itself, and after just a few minutes of use, this brand new netbook takes on a slightly dirty look. The 1008HA is still available in white, blue and pink, so we strongly advise against buying black.
The 1008HA has a redesigned keyboard that is now 92% of the standard size, a big break from the old, clumsy Eee PC series keyboards. The touchpad from Synaptics is quite large for a netbook. And if ASUS made some sacrifices in terms of design, it is only in order to make the 1008HA as thin and light as possible. We'll come back to this a bit later.
Display
The new Eee PC 1008HA Seashell uses a standard and well-known LED-backlit panel with a resolution of 1024x600. The glossy finish on the screen helps improve color and contrast, but glare and reflections on the screen - both indoors in bright light and outdoors in direct sunlight - can be a real problem. And while the 1024x600 resolution is very good compared to 800x480 in the older models, I'm still disappointed that the Eee PC 1008HA is no higher. Other manufacturers such as HP and Dell already offer 1366x768 netbooks.
The vertical viewing angles are at an average level - when viewed from below and from above, the image is slightly distorted. Horizontal viewing angles are better, and therefore this display shows a normal picture at large enough angles, so if you watch a video in a company, then everyone will be able to see everything perfectly.
Input Devices
As mentioned earlier, the 1008HA has a new keyboard that is 92% of the standard size. The keys are slightly smaller than on a standard laptop, but if you like the shape and feel of regular keys, then this keyboard is sure to love it. But personally, I like the keyboard that is used on the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE better, as there is more distance between the keys, and therefore it is easier to avoid typing errors. Still, this particular keyboard is very comfortable, and it is quite possible to quickly type emails or edit documents on it while traveling.
The 1008HA's Synaptics touchpad allows you to apply specific finger movements to, for example, zoom in or out. And to simulate a click with the right mouse button, you can use a click with three fingers at once. Control panel Synaptics on Windows lets you create your own finger gestures for a wide variety of actions. The surface of the touchpad is covered with small dots that allow you to figure out where its borders end, but they also make the surface rough, making it difficult for your fingers to move quickly. The left and right keys are combined into one "rocker", and it is quite simple to accidentally press its middle part instead of the desired one - left or right. The touchpad keys have a fairly soft back travel, so it is often difficult to know if you pressed it or not.
ASUS has also included a number of dedicated toggle keys and shortcut keys in the netbook to make it easier to operate the netbook. This is to turn on / off the wireless module, touchpad, as well as combinations with the FN key to change the screen brightness, volume, etc.
Ports
In terms of port count, the Eee PC 1008HA is no different from other netbooks.
Front: no ports
Back: hinges and battery indicator
Left: AC input, VGA, USB, ventilation grill
Right: card reader, USB, microphone, headphones, and Ethernet.
Curiously enough, the VGA port is organized, which is the same as the USB-to-video ports on digital cameras... In order to provide an exceptionally thin case, this port is hidden inside the netbook, and the VGA adapter is stored in a special compartment in the bottom. It can be taken out when needed, or removed when not.
Performance
Of course, when it comes to benchmarking netbooks, it's impossible to get impressive results. Moreover, it should also be noted that all models based on Intel processor Atom's performance is almost identical. It is quite enough for surfing the Internet, Email, create and edit Microsoft Office documents, listen to music and watch movies. You can even do light image editing in programs like Photoshop or GIMP.
ASUS also included an exclusive app in the box that allows you to both underclock the processor to extend battery life, and overclock it from 1.66 GHz to 1.7 GHz.
If the Eee PC 1008HA has any performance issues, it is due to a special VGA connector, which is USB-to-VGA, and therefore slower than normal video output. If you are using an external display, expect the graphics performance to be slower than other netbooks, even though virtually all netbooks use the same integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics card. Basically, if you just connect an external monitor in order to edit text in Word, show a presentation in PowerPoint or watch a video in regular format (DVD quality), then the performance will be enough. But if you play 720p and 1080p videos, then it is clearly not enough.
wPrime (CPU performance, the lower the numbers, the better):
Sony VAIO TZ (Core 2 Duo U7600 @ 1.20GHz) - 76.240 s
HP Pavilion dv2 (AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 @ 1.60GHz) - 103.521 s
ASUS Eee PC 1000HE (Intel Atom N280 @ 1.66GHz) - 114.749 s
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA (Intel Atom N280 @ 1.66GHz) - 116.030 s
HP Mini 2140 with HD screen (Intel Atom N270 @ 1.60GHz) - 123.281 s
Acer Aspire One (Intel Atom @ 1.60GHz) - 125.812 s
Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (2009) (Intel Atom @ 1.60GHz) - 126.406 s
Samsung NC20 (VIA Nano ULV U2250 @ 1.30GHz) - 173.968 s
PCMark05 (overall system performance, more is better):
Sony VAIO TZ (1.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) - 2,446 PCMarks
HP Pavilion dv2 (1.60GHz AMD Athlon Neo, ATI Radeon HD 3410 512MB) - 2,191 PCMarks
ASUS N10 (1.60GHz Intel Atom, NVIDIA 9300M 256MB) - 1,851 PCMarks
Toshiba Portege R500 (1.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) - 1,839 PCMarks
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA (1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Intel GMA 950) - 1,564 PCMarks
Acer Aspire One (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GMA 950) - 1,555 PCMarks
ASUS Eee PC 1000HE (1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Intel GMA 950) - 1,535 PCMarks
Samsung NC20 (1.30GHz VIA Nano ULV U2250, VIA Chrome9 HC3) - 1,441 PCMarks
HP Mini 2140 with HD Display (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GM1 950) - 1,437 PCMarks
3DMark06 (graphics performance):
HP Pavilion dv2 (1.60GHz AMD Athlon Neo, ATI Radeon HD 3410 512MB) - 1,520 3DMarks
ASUS N10 (1.60GHz Intel Atom, NVIDIA 9300M 256MB) - 1,417 3DMarks
Samsung NC20 (1.30GHz VIA Nano ULV U2250, VIA Chrome9 HC3) - 151 3DMarks
Acer Aspire One (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GMA 950) - 122 3DMarks
HP Mini 2140 with HD screen (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GM1 950) - 112 3DMarks
ASUS Eee PC 1000HE (1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Intel GMA 950) - 92 3DMarks
Sony VAIO P (1.33GHz Intel Atom, Intel GMA 500, Windows Vista) - 88 3DMarks
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA (1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Intel GMA 950) - 83 3DMarks
HDTune (processor test):
Audio
The quality of the built-in speakers on the Eee PC 1008HA is not bad for a 10-inch device. I'm not a fan of their placement (in the bottom front corner), but even I admit they sound pretty good. They have an excellent volume level (enough to fill a small room), and even at maximum sound, distortion is minimal. Of course, the bass is lacking, but the mid and high tones are quite on par.
Of course, advanced users will still use external speakers or headphones. And the sound in them is just great.
Temperature and noise
The Eee PC Seashell does not exceed the comfort levels for the case, which was made possible by the use of the Intel Atom processor and the well-thought-out design of the case. During normal operation, the netbook can be easily held on your lap. The only time the case heats up is when you attach an external display.
This small, shell-like netbook remained reasonably quiet during our tests, so it's safe to say that the 1008HA is one of the quietest netbooks around. But, of course, it would be better if it was noisy, but at the same time it cooled better when an external display is connected.
Here are the case temperatures that were measured when a monitor with a resolution of 1280x1024 was connected. In its absence, the bottom temperature did not rise above 35.5 degrees Celsius.
Autonomous work
The battery life of this 3-cell lithium-polymer battery is pretty impressive considering it's a small travel laptop. In our test, we set the screen brightness to 70%, turned on wireless network and used a special profile in XP for autonomous operation. In this state, the netbook lasted 6 hours and 36 minutes. Of course, it is a little embarrassing that the battery cannot be removed or replaced, or a battery with a larger capacity can be installed, but such terms are quite sufficient, so it may not be necessary.
conclusions
At first glance, the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell may not seem like an extraordinary netbook. Indeed, a large number of other devices have the same processor, graphics, and a standard 10-inch display, so it doesn't have many options to stand out from the crowd.
However, even though the 1008HA lacks a bit of performance, its prime merit is not it, but some finishing touches. Its thin and light design, exceptional battery life and a near-full-size keyboard make the Seashell a very attractive travel laptop. If you are ready to close your eyes to the impossibility of changing the battery and the poor performance in terms of HD video, then the 1008HA is perfect for you and will be a worthy choice for you.
Good:
- thin and light
- exceptional battery life
- interesting built-in VGA adapter
Badly:
- built-in battery
- Poor VGA performance in terms of HD video
- bad touchpad keys
