ASUS EPC1000HA-BLK026X PC Notebook

I've been following the development and introduction of netbooks for the last couple of years.  The idea of having a virtual full function ultra small and light laptop has appealed to me for an awfully long time.  But until recently those tiny Sony Vaios with their $2,000 price tags kept me from indulging.

But then about 2 years ago when Acer introduced their Aspire One Netbook for around $400 I sat up and took note.  I also started salivating.  Unfortunately, when I got to briefly get my hands on one I realized that my thick fingers and that keyboard were not a match.

But then the action started heating up with ASUS, MSI, Samsung and yes Acer introducing netbooks with 10" screens and keyboards that approached full-sized laptop keyboards.  Hardly a month went by without someone either adding more battery life, lowering the price or adding the n th added feature.

My response to this?  Analysis paralysis!  I was caught in the research loop.  This happens to me from time to time.

A Friend Comes Through
A buddy of mine whose company indulges his every techno-geek whim (call him a rainmaker) had acquired several different netbooks for his office.  "Try anyone that you want."  I wasn't exactly a hard sell.  I took the ASUS Eee PC 1000HA home for a couple of weeks.

ASUS Eee PC 1000HA
This particular ASUS model is a slightly stripped down version of ASUS 1000.  Bluetooth and 801.1n Wireless Lan capabilities were omitted.  For me, not a biggie since my home network operates on 801.1b/g  which is supported.

Specs at a glance

Intel Atom N270 Hyperthreading Processor 1.6GHz
10.1" LED Backlighted Screen (1024x600)
1 GB Memory (upgradable to 2GB)
160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
3 USB 2.0 ports
6 cell li-on battery (5 - 6 hrs)
Dolby Stereo Speakers
Windows XP Home
4-in-1 Card Reader
3.2 lbs.

Its 10" backlighted matte finish screen produces brilliant images and text under all lighting conditions.  The keyboard, with the exception of one odd quirk is among the most comfortable to type on.  For some odd reason ASUS chose to assign the right "shift key" to a small key at the outermost reach of the keyboard where either the right cursor or "End" key usually reside.  It took a couple of days for me to get comfortable this placement.  And, while you can reassign key values using a common utility, I found it is easier locating a small key at the outer perimeter of the keyboard than it is if that small key is moved inward.

The power of the Intel Atom N270 processor is robust.  While some critics may dismiss the Atom powered netbook as a light-duty machine, I'd venture a guess that it will satisfy the requirements of more than 95% of laptop users.

Running Windows XP Home in as much as 2GB of memory, the system is extremely quick and responsive.  The unit I have been testing is using MS Office 2007 Professional and has Adobe Photoshop, handling both with ease.

Notably absent on this and all netbooks is a built in DVD Reader/Writer.  For me this is a minor problem that can be resolved with an external slim-line USB CD/DVD Burner for as little as $50.

Bottom Line
With this model now available for as little as $300, it is a very attractive buy.  I preferred it to the MSI Wind that has its own keyboard quirks.  Will I buy it?  Honestly, I'm still stuck in my research loop.  Word is that this fall netbooks will be shipping with the new Windows 7 Operating System.  Maybe I'll just wait for the holiday system to begin.

Rudi