Asus Eee PC 2G Surf (7" Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Pure White Reviews

• 2G Surf Nice little PC. Edited to add longer term impressions

  
  By A3I04RM049YS8Y on 2008-01-23
  First, if reading amazon reviews be careful. Amazon has combined the reviews of all of the eee pc models and they all don't have the same abilities. As an example there is no webcam on the surf models and the 2G models are missing software that is included on larger more expensive models. The 2G surf does not include a protective sleeve like the other models. Unlike many other Eee PCs, RAM is not upgradable in the 2G Surf.
  
  This is a review for the 2G Surf model. I bought the green one.
  
  This little PC is a very nice light travel tool. It is between a PDA and a laptop computer. It will do most of what you expect a business / web pc to do
  
  The browser installed is Firefox. Most of the web tools are just links to web pages in firefox. Just about anything you can do in firefox you can do with the eee pc on the web. I have surfed to several web pages. Most of them sized themselves satisfactorily for the 800x480 screen. You can get more screen real estate by pressing F11 which hides most of the toolbars (this works in any browser, not just firefox on the eee). I increased the default text size a bit.
  
  Open Office is a great office app package. I had no trouble opening and using word, excel, or power point documents. It saves in the microsoft office formats by default. If you want to try this package just google "open office". It is free and there are versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. I was pleased to find that the draw program is included. There is no desktop shortcut for draw, but it is available by using the new document button in any open office program.
  
  On the 2G surf the number of games is reduced to make the package smaller. The only games are Solitaire, Penguin Racer, Potato head, and bubble bobble. The only useful one for an adult will probably be solitaire. It isn't much of a gaming machine. Same with the learning apps. Many 4G learning apps aren't included on the 2G model. Being an adult, I'll probably never use the ones that are there. Asus does not offer any apps beyond what is included already installed (as of 1/08).
  
  The media player works well. I have played movies and music with it. I played a DVD quality AVI from a SDHC card with no trouble. MP3s were also problem free from the SD card. It also works well with my iPod. I have a 2nd generation iPod nano and an iPod video. When you plug in Ipod through USB, the eee can see your music and playlists and use the iPod as a media drive. I have read that the newest Ipods wont do this properly. My 5th gen ipod video and 2nd gen ipod nano worked perfectly. The speakers are very good quality, better than my 15" Dell inspiron notebook.
  
  Wireless works fine. I had no trouble connecting to my home g network. Easier than it was in windows. I don't see any reason it would have trouble using hot spots.
  
  The hardware is nice. The keyboard is small but I think I'll be able to manage a decent speed. It isn't a full size keyboard so don't expect to be able to type at full speed error free.
  
  The screen is very bright, sharp, and has good colors. I adjusted my screen brightness nearly all the way down and it still looks good. Again, the resolution is 800 pixels wide by 480 pixels tall, 7" diagonal (same resolution as a DVD movie).
  
  The unit is very small and light for a laptop. It is not small and light enough to fit in trouser cargo pockets. It should fit in a woman's med-large purse or a small messenger bag (man purse).
  
  Don't expect to have a lot of space for media or files. The 2G only has 300mb free. You will need an SD card, SDHC card, or external drive for large files. The 300mb is only good for small files for use with open office. You can't delete any apps or games to free up space without some hacking. If you aren't good with the maddening Linux command line interface, just buy a cheap SD card for extra space. I am not a fan of the Linux CLI. It is similar to using DOS, you have to know commands to get the machine to do anything advanced. If hacking and using the CLI don't sound fun to you just use it like it comes in the box and you will have no problems. Using the default mode is super easy and stable.
  
  I don't have the patience to try to install windows or upgrade to a more full featured version of Linux. The included Operating System works very well and is very easy. You won't even need the manual. I doubt that the 2G model would be very good at running either Windows or other versions of Linux. I am not a big computer hacker. I like to use computer software as a tool, and this thing includes many powerful easy tools. The included OS works well with the included apps. The included apps fill most of my needs, and are perfect for lightweight commuter computing.
  
  My biggest disappointment was the lack of software for keeping your offline email, calendar, to do list, and address book. I could access my google calendar with it, but only when connected to the web. PDA and email software may be included in the 4G model (I have no idea, never used one) but there is no such software on the 2g. Everything you use a palm pilot or ms-outlook for must be done in the browser.
  
  Edited to add more peeves:
  
  Wil not connect to wifi automatically, you must tell it to connect and enter the pass key each time you want to get online.
  
  512mb-ram model 2g surf lags a tiny bit once you have several firefox tabs open. Works like you would expect an XP machine to work, with the same amount of ram. I hoped it would use memory more efficiently. It isn't bad, but it's noticeable. Not a multi-tasking powerhouse.
  
  Edited to add:
  
  If you close the lid the computer goes to sleep, but does not hibernate. It is still using power in sleep mode. I used my PC last night while plugged in. When I was finished I just closed the lid. This morning I unplugged it and put it in my bag, bu did not shut it down completely. The battery was dead late this afternoon when I wanted to use it because it had been sleeping on battery power.
  
  You must shut down completely or there will be drain on the battery. Thankfully, shutting down and booting up take less than 30 seconds.
  
  Edited again to add:
  
  You can get it to log-on to secure wireless connections automatically. It must be done with the network app and not the wireless network app. ??? Typical computer goofyness.
  
  Edited again to add:
  I have used it for several weeks now. The biggest drawback to productivity for me is the keyboard size. I make more errors touchtyping than I thought I would. I usually find myself using my two index fingers, which limits me to about 15WPM. I'd gladly add a pound to it for a full sized keyboard at times.
  
  I followed some online instructons and went into advanced mode and added Mozilla Thunderbird to my machine. It now has a full featured calendar/email program. Including research time, it took me over an hour to do this. Asus should have included this free app with the 2G or made it easer to download and install.
  
  Looking back on my purchase: It's still a very useful tool and worth the $300 I paid, but not worth a lot more. Lots of compromises but still useful.
  
  
  [....]
  
  

• The vangard of the UMPC

  
  By A2LOSYJG79BMT on 2007-12-31
  Let me just start by saying that as a software engineer, I have the occasional displeasure of working with 'technicians'. The ability to assemble the 20-piece puzzle that is the modern PC and install and configure Windows does not make you an expert on ANYTHING. I'm so sick of Frye's return merch staff and high school kids working at hole in the wall PC shops commenting on things like they know something.
  
  First off, if you're considering the EEE, please understand that an Ultra Mobile PC is not the same thing as a laptop. Perfomance and size-wise, this little guy lives somewhere between a laptop and a PDA. The keyboard and screen are smaller than the smallest laptop you've seen, if you're looking for a laptop to run Vista on, Dell has a $400-$500 model that will likely suit your needs.
  
  The pre-installed, Xandros-based Linux OS can be run to look more like a PDA interface, but it also has an 'advanced' mode that basically reverts to a classic-looking desktop environment. It will work with MSOffice docs right out of the box, has built in 802.11 wireless with web functionality and (while it lacks a CD/DVD drive) it has plenty of removable storage thanks to an integrated SD card reader and USB ports.
  
  If you're really gung-ho about installing XP, you can do so (even on this lower-end model). There is already a large community springing up around this UMPC on the net, and tutorials ranging from installing windows on a separate SD card to running Halo on this little guy are already out there. I would emplore any user anywhere to try out Linux, though. Aside from 3D gaming, Linux will do everything Windows does, except faster and 100% free.
  
  In that spirit, if you're looking for a computer that you can fit in the pocket of your baggy cargo pants this is pretty much the only machine that's going to do it for you. At any given moment I've got a home network/web server with 3 desktop PCs running, my media server laptop in the living room, my work desktop and laptop... but the EEE is the only computer I actually keep with me at all times.
  
  

• Just what it is supposed to do - except for WifFi

  
  By A3L9767F89Y4U on 2008-04-24
  My 2G Surf worked perfectly for two months and connected with three different wireless routers during that period. I was delighted, because wireless connectivity and size were the features that attracted me to the Eee.
  Then, suddenly, although it still recognized my router's signal, it could not connect to it. Several hours of research on the internet came up with no fix, but did convince me that this is by no means an unusual problem with the Eee. I was never again able to make a wireless connection. Then system hangups began to occur more and more frequently until the computer finally locked completely. At that point I tried to reinstall the system, but the machine hung during the reinstall and was thereafter totally inert.
  An (extended) phone call to Asus support resulted in a return authorization . Four days later a NEW computer arrived. I was delighted with the support. After finishing the initial start-up sequence I tried to make a connection to my router. No connection to the router could be made - nothing but a "pending" status. I have not yet heard from the support group about the wireless issue of this machine.
  There are claims on the internet that both Ubuntu and Breezy (Puppy Linux) have both successfully addressed the Eee wireless problem.
  The Eee 2G is everything I expected EXCEPT for WiFi. Unfortunately, it was the most important feature of the computer for me. If WiFi is important to you, I suggest that you hold off on your purchase until Asus cleans up the problem.
  JD
  
  
  

• Cheap, fun

  
  By A3EBWGKPLGV7XA on 2007-12-27
  The reviewer below me who rated this laptop 1 star is a computer technician and complained about how the resolution is only 800x480 - if only he had known how to read. The resolution is clearly stated in the product description on this very page.
  
  The laptop is cheap ($299 for this model), so no, it is not going to replace a ThinkPad or MacBook. It's simply meant to handle small tasks such as browsing websites, taking notes in class, or sending instant messages. I'm all about Windows, but honestly, this laptop does not need it and only the higher end models can handle it smoothly.
  
  If you like to have the most recent gadgets, try one of these out in a store if you can find it, or even just buy it. At $299, it makes a great gift. Fun to use, extremely small, cheap. I couldn't really ask for more for such a small price for a laptop that is seemingly only going to get better.
  
  

• Great purchase for the price

  
  By A1NVR10TS1F3GW on 2008-01-04
  I happen to be one of the best technicians on the east cost. So trust me on this: Yun is an idiot.
  
  Now, on to the actual information regarding this unit. I've had the opportunity to play with these and I was floored at the flexibility and experience. For such a small and cheap package you can't beat this. I've used the OLPC's and I would much rather be using the Eee system.
  
  Take it with a grain of salt, just don't think your getting a great windows powerhouse laptop.
  
  
• this thing is a godsend...
  By A2MWQDOQXCK029 on 2008-03-15
  Who would have thunk 2 years ago, that you could get a full-fledged laptop with built-in wifi for a $300.00?
  
  I brought this with me to Malaysia for a short trip and found it to be extremely useful. It's very small and light weight. Wifi is virtually ubiquitous and free in Malaysia, so I was able to give this thing a run. I considered installing XP, but for what I do, which is essentially exclusively surf the Internet, I now think this would be pointless. The OS which comes with the Eee is both stable and functional. Not only that, it boots-up within seconds. Try that with XP. I had a few people approach me and make inquiries on the small laptop I had in my possession. All were impressed.
  
  While very happy with this little puppy, there are however some downfalls. The screen's resolution is one. I found myself having to scroll across in order to read the full content of some, but not all websites.
  
  The keyboard is another issue. While it's fine for sending off a quick email, anything more than that is a hinderance.
  
  The mouse pad is too small, leading to frustration incorrectly scrolling or choosing a particular tab within Firefox for example.
  
  While not a grand slam, it is a home run. Asus has done a formidable job with this 2G and I fully recommend it. While some may not consider $300 disposable, I can say that if this were get lost or stolen, it would be easy to replace.
  
  my2cents.
  
  
  
  
• Great PC for the price
  By A26VV82D6URJHB on 2008-01-05
  I too am in IT and apparently smarter than the self-proclaimed 'best technician in the bay area.'
  
  This is a good performing PC out of the box and is designed for people wanting ultra portability at a great price. Sure the resolution is only 480x800, but it says that on the box... so, if you order a computer with that resolution and expect to receive one with a higher resolution you have issues.
  
  This will run windows, but is designed with Linux in mind and will run best with that. Also, 2GB of drive space is inadequate for Windows, but perfectly suited for Linux.
  
  The pros are this is a super light and fast computer. If you need something for a non-technical relative to check emails, have a student that wants a laptop for notes, or just want a second PC that you can carry around in your bag/purse - this may be the prefect computer for you.
  
  For the size, it is powerful, but not something that you would play intense games or run a web server with. The screen is small, but it weighs 2 pounds where most laptops weigh around 7.
  
  
• After a little work, it's the Perfect tool...and it fits in my purse!
  By A1CSQDQU3IOLX1 on 2008-01-21
  The size is definiately the major selling point here...it's wonderfully small, no case needed, and it fits nicely in my purse.
  
  I was getting a little upset by the default desktop. It reminded me of my OLD palm pilot. This is a fine interface for kids or seniors, but I was actually considering returning it. I have an iBook G4, an iPhone, and a couple of desktops (PC and Mac). If this was just going to be an overgrown pda (albeit with a Word clone), it was redundant.
  
  After a quick search, I found step by step instructions for downloading and enabling the "advanced" desktop. I've never used linux before (advanced Mac/PC user), and I was a bit intimidated, but was able to follow instructions, and the "advanced" desktop is just like XP, only quicker! I definitely recommend that any user intent on having XP put the advanced linux desktop on it for a few days first. Also, the 2G does not have java plug-in installed. That was another quick 5 minute install. I believe that the 4G Surf model has the advanced desktop and java plug-in installed, you just need to enable the desktop mode.
  
  With the OpenOffice suite, and other software installed it is almost a replacement for the laptop, especially when traveling. I found an inexpensive 8G sd card, threw that in the built in slot, and can watch movies, listen to music, type, surf, etc. I can upload my digital photos to Flickr, and free up card space while traveling.
  
  Yes, it has a small screen, yes it has a small keyboard, but I wasn't planning on writing the great American novel, nor was I going to invite a few friends to watch a movie on it. The screen and keyboard are effective and quite well sized for a portable unit.
  
  With a half hour of setting up, I am overjoyed with my little pink lappie!
  
  
  
• Just what I wanted
  By A21FII9JSBNPUE on 2008-02-01
  I am delighted with this little machine. It is a very light travel companion. I do webmaster work, and this is the lightest, smallest machine I know of that can still be equipped usefully to read email, surf the web, and even do some emergency web maintenance if called for. Note that I do have smallish hands, so the size of the keyboard is not the issue for me that it might be for some.
  
  A few Google clicks got me to all the information I needed to get my Sprint U720 working, and get the GIMP and MySQL Query Browser installed and running, allowing me to see to all the essential tasks of taking care of a web site remotely. Open Office can handle Word and Excel documents. The text editor included with the machine has line numbering and even markup highlighting, and the file manager can be used to manage FTP. So, for pennies more than $300, I have the tiny portable keep-in-touch computer I've been wanting, and it's also fully capable for web site maintenance or even the occasional crisis!
  
  Am I sorry I didn't get bigger memory version of the machine? No, because by getting the smallest configuration available, and having that work as I need it to, means the bang-for-the-buck ratio is terrific!
  
  
• A perfect little on the road computer
  By A13H5US9Z7L9M7 on 2008-02-09
  I love this little computer!
  
  I would not want it to be the only computer in my life, but that is only due to its size. But I love having it in my life.. due to its size. Does that make sense?
  
  It is loaded with linux. which just means that it is not microsoft. It has no effect on the user. It comes with an anti virus on board..it is wi-fi ready which means that you turn it on, give it a minute or less to find a connection and go. I did not have to link it to the network in my house, it found it and uses it. I have not had any trouble finding a connection outside of the house either.
  
  Remember .. it is the size of a book.. the screen that you use for a browser is 7 inches. you can change the text size if you like. You might have to use the side scroll to see all of the page, but this has not been an issue.
  
  As I said, I am glad that I have a traditional sized laptop, and for that matter y desktop. But for sticking in your bag when you travel, or are out for the day, I do love it. It is sort of the link between a phone where you can surf and check email and the regular laptop.
  
  Do I need it? Absolutely not.. Do I love it? I do. I think it would be great for certain business folk, and just for people who travel a lot. It is a perfect little computer for kids. It is lightweight and simple simple simple to use. There is little or no setup needed.. you pretty much sign in and answer a question or two and go!
  
  
  
  Do I recommend it? Absolutely!
  
  The 2 gig is plenty. If you need more storage pick up an SD card and plug it in.. but for regular users, I doubt this will be necessary.
  
  
• bad build quality, almost seems more like a toy
  By A2RIXSMGE9VIBG on 2008-02-23
  when we got the eeepc today my 15 year old daughter's first question was if it is a toy computer or a real one. most reviews here feel that $300 is sooooo cheap. actually for what you are getting its not.
  
  PRO: i was kind of impressed about the way linux was implemented on this little machine. the small display is actually not bad, bright and sharp. has just about every program you would need on the road already installed, like skype, chat clients, word processing, wlan, games, media players, etc.
  
  CON: the look and especially the feel is somewhat 'cheap'. after only a couple hours, the mouse keys stopped to work as did the tapping function on the keypad. big bummer. the screen and the keyboard is really too small to do any kind of serious work for any length of time.
  
  all my other computers are macs, i might just be totally spoiled by the (usually) excellent apple build quality.
  
  UPDATE: after pondering if i should return this for an exchange or refund i decided to return it. for only $100 more i bought a certified reconditioned dell inspiron 1525 laptop with 15" wxga, 120gb hard drive, etc.
  
  
• Not a "Laptop", but a new class of computer
  By A3HU7H0Q3YXXPX on 2007-12-31
  For all those who criticize this product by comparing it to a Windows Laptop, I am sorry by you are wrong.
  
  This is an Ultra Mobile Personal Computer. If you want a computer for on-the-go, to use Skype for WiFi calls, a real Browser (Firefox), and the ability read/edit/send all Office documents, this is it.
  
  Yes, the keyboard is cramped, yes, the screen is small. It weighs 2lbs, and for the price it is a 5-star winner. If the price were $700, this device deserves to be heavily criticized. It is $299.
  
  Can't go wrong with this!
  
  
• Perfect Little Computer
  By A1W3EWVNMLHIAA on 2008-04-08
  I just stumbled onto this while looking at laptops, since I was looking for one to use for word processing and internet, and didn't want to spend a lot. I bought the 2G surf, and I love it. Although I can't speak much about the more complex technological aspects of it, I would say that it works great and is very easy to use (except typing is a tad difficult at times due to the small keyboard). If you are having doubts about buying this because you never heard of the company or because it is so inexpensive, trust me that it is a great value.
  
  
• Eee PC is a MUST WAIT
  By A1T6TGHNICADVZ on 2008-02-21
  I've owned this product for a while, and it's a gadget that is a lot of fun to have and a hell of a conversation piece.
  
  But that's where it really stops.
  
  Unless you are prepared to do the following, this gadget is not for you.
  
  * Spend a lot of time on the Eee PC forums.
  * Not be afraid to hit alt-T to run command line functions from the Terminal.
  * Learn UNIX commands, but be friends with "sudo apt-get".
  * Brag a lot of having a first generation product.
  * Consider purchasing a soldering iron to install a touch-screen lcd screen, GPS, or additional memory.
  
  The battery life is pitiful for something so small, and the screen is atrociously small.
  
  "Why of course it's small!" You may argue. "The whole thing is small!"
  
  For a retort like that, someone must not have been following CES 2008 where they show cased the next generation Eee PCs with larger screens (horizontally) and Wi-MAX included.
  
  If you're a savvy consumer, you should wait for that.
  
  If you want to learn Linux now or are confident in your "modding" skills, then this laptop is the most fun you will have in a while. The next iteration of this product will be fairly useful on its own--you won't find a "need" to mod it to have it be a pleasurable product.
  
  
  
  
  
• Love it!
  By A1KSB5Y4FYDL86 on 2008-03-11
  I am thoroughly delighted with this product. It is everything their claims say, completely easy to use and does everything I could ask. Writing a doctoral thesis or editing a full length movie would be difficult but everything that a basic computer would do is right here plus portability, etc. I have been bragging about it to everyone who will hold still. The instruction book could stand an index, but most tasks are intuitive anyway. Just began using the built in Skype...what a deal! Everyone should have this rather than one with dozens of applications that will never be used, at 2 or 3 times the price. Was a little concerned about Linux (I am not a computer geek) but no problems at all.
  
  
• Have finally bought my Asus Eee PC. And yes it's great!
  By AX11Q0EEG1ZYB on 2008-03-28
  Have finally bought my Asus Eee PC. And yes it's great!
  
  Other than the webcam and memory (small on all models) There is no difference between the 2G and other models; Identical processors operating system, RAM & box.
  
  And the 2G are much easier to find and less marked up. (This product is basically impossible to get in the UK - would recomend trying Amazon in the US as UK retailers have big waiting times)
  
  >> Good Points
  
  > Superb Build Quality, the best i have seen on any laptop. It looks like it's from apple. but even more robust. An extremely well designed product , roughly the size & weight of a book an can be picked up in one hand easily. It's very portable. Can't wait to take it down the beach and to cafes it's perfect for this.
  
  The processor / RAM in the Eee PC is the same as in much more expensive UMPC 's (eg. Vye) most use the 900mhz intel mobile chip.
  
  > Good office tools. was surprised by this but the Spreadsheet, Word & Presentation tools are very good. Would make quite a good portable office. even has port for a projector. The operating system is significantly better than windows XP home and much cheaper than XP Pro.
  
  MS could learn from this - they rob themselves of the UMPC market by charging £100 for software when the machines themselves cost c £150.
  In fairness the Eee PC office tools are carbon copies of MS Excel / Word / PPt - just much much cheaper.
  
  > Wireless. Picked up about 5 wireless networks from my flat! I think the surf model have a slightly better wireless feature but no webcam.
  Compatible with T Mobile web n walk modem ( Hinari USB Modem) . This does take a little manual reading but was quite easy.
  
  > Internet including picture / video / flash based sights work great.
  
  > Boots up very quickly. Just a few seconds.
  
  
  >> OK it's £180 Points
  
  > Small screen, but it is cute. I still like it It reproduces colours very well and does not look pixilated at all. Can handle small text clearly.
  
  > Can run c 3 aps at a time, not much more. And struggle with 5 + web windows. I don't think this is a problem. This is a portable Fun PC. but is not really for multi tasking.
  
  > Speakers are not 'high definition' quite loud but sound is a bit tinny.
  
  > USB Modems drain battery life to c 2.5 hours. Still good.
  
  > Add on the cost of memory card bacase the 2G device has none left!
  most of the 2G is taken up by the operating system
  
  This is a fanstastic product that has 'Invented' the UMPC market.
  
  
• Nice travel laptop
  By A20DZX38KRBIT8 on 2008-05-14
  The biggest attraction this laptop has other than it's size is the fact that it doesn't have windows but Linux so you know it will work. Great little laptop with all the features of a full size notebook. Great internet, great OS (Xsolaris Linux), great browser (Firefox), great work on the go all in one (Open Office) and Pidgin messenger. No annoying confusing buggy, bloated, worthless windows OS, no relentless windows live messenger hell, just easy well laid out computing. You can load XP on this notebook but there isn't any need. My son loves it and at 6 years old already prefers Linux/Mac OS X to windows. I have the 4gb Eee PC as well which I use for business trips secondary to my Macbook Pro which I would not risk taking on a plane becasue it's expencive. Next to a Macbook with OS X Leopard it doesn't get any better then a truly portable, fully loaded laptop with Linux and no Windows programs or windows live prisons. Mac and Linux forever!!!
  
  
• A LITTLE gem!
  By A2O20KGR65R9LC on 2008-01-07
  Don't have any illusions. This is not going to replace a high end laptop or desktop for "serious" work. The keyboard and screen are really small, and you'll want to add a USB mouse. But if it's small you want, if you want a featherweight machine that nearly fits in a pocket, on which to browse the web and write emails in a coffee shop, this is the machine for you.
  
  Non-techie types: Don't let the OS deter you. I bought it -partly- because it is shipped with Linux, but I've been using it like use my Apple PowerBook...because you can. Can't give higher praise than that. In other words: Everything just works. Wireless setup, in particular, took 60 seconds.
  
  Linux users: Bring up a shell, and you're right at home.
  
  
  
  
• Great value, but some issues to consider
  By A2EC0DX0QPNRNC on 2008-02-26
  Over all, I'm very happy with this product, and glad I bought it, but you should consider the following points:
  
  a) You really need additional storage. I bought an 8GB SD card.
  
  b) This version of the Eee does not come with an e-mail program. You need to download and install Thunderbird. How to do so is not obvious for someone new to Linux.
  
  c) Once you learn how to go beyond the simplified interface you discover that it comes with a fax program, but this version of the Eee lacks a fax modem. If you need to send faxes, buy the next version up.
  
  TIP If you are confronted with a dialog box that is bigger than the screen you can Alt-drag it so you can see the hidden part of the box.
  
  
• eee in a nutshell
  By A3L448KO40P0TR on 2008-04-17
  Im gonna give you a simple rundown on this little baby to I hope it helps you out and gives you some starter info for buying(you know you are) and tweaking your eeePC, or E(for short).
  
  This is a great little system, especially for newcommers to the Linux Community who want to get away from Windows based systems.
  
  I originally got one of these portables for travel purposes,and to throw in my backpack to use at my girlfriends, and hotspots, but its also alot of fun to tinker with, as I will describe in a nutshell.
  
  The E does everything it claims. I have played a variety of media formats which include music files and video without any problems(at least the formats that I mostly use) It has many applications included to roundout the system, as well as any of my other PC's. The sound quality via the E itself is somewhat lacking but will be just fine for the traveler. I have hooked it up to my home system while streaming online and it sounds alot better, and works well with my Skullcandy headphones.
  
  I was very surprised at how clear the picture was with video playback. Its actually quit clear to be honest, but with the screen so small you might find it a bit uncomfortable over an extended period of time. About the same I guess with watching video on your mp3 player.
  
  Configuring it to work on the net was a no brainer. I was up and running in less than 2 minutes with ho hassles from the Atheros Netware that Asus has integrated into the E. A 5 year old can run the wizard its that easy and fast.
  
  As aforementioned, I bought it for a traveler mostly. Is it something to use as a primary system. I don't think so, its not like you can use this at a LAN party. And if its your first wanted notebook, save your money and spend an extra 200usd on a fairly good full fledged notebook. I am a gadget person, so I had to get one of these. I nicknamed mine the eeeMp3 due to the size. Its literally slightly larger than a DVD or Playstation case. The manual is almost the size of it. I was in tears for hours due to laughter on how cool this thing is, but I digress, lets get back to how nice this little baby is.
  
  If your afraid to buy one due to the fact that it has Xandros Linux installed, don't be. Its easy to learn and the E Community is huge, and many take this machine seriously. It looks like a toy, but its not. Its a full working system.
  
  Now for some fun:
  
  When you first boot it up(after the registration process) you are going to see this absolutly chaotic display of a so-called "desktop" set in eeeasy mode. You gotta get rid of that really fast. It makes the E look cheap and like Leapster from the toy store, and most of the applications installed are NOT visible in this mode. You have to:
  
  1. customise the X11 manager called IceWM. This can be done by opening the terminal. It takes about 1.5 hours to tweak. A little longer for extra enteries. I spent about 2 hours. Even so The IceWM menu has that Windows look. Gotta dump that next and hit up a repository for a new theme.
  
  2. not all of the KDE is loaded. So connect the E to the net and download packeges for kicker and ksmserver.
  
  All this will load the Advanced mode of the E. Now the E looks the way a Linux machine should with a KDE desktop. All information for doing this can be found on wiki....Hit up the forums and read before you do this. Google will be your best friend for a bit. Google howto:kde for wiki bringing you to the eeeuser forums.
  
  ok, we all had to learn the DOS commands at some point. Its no different if your new to Linux. How did you learn Windows?
  
  Your gonna find a huge community hacking away at thier machines and offering info and tips, but be careful, you can easily make your E unstable or unbootable.
  
  Now for more fun:
  
  You can run a variety of alternative distros on this machine. After getting bored with Xandros, and you will. It took me 1 day. It might take you longer,but your gonna do it. You can boot of USB with ease. I have run several other distros on the E: Damn Small, Puppy(there are a few versions) with some strip downs like pupeee or Breezy to name a few. I would recommend anyone with some Linux experience to mount one of these, or any other Embed distro just in case your SSD fails for backup purposes. Stick with the ones customised for the E, since they are pretty much fail safe. Some distros might take a little tweaking and a little Linux familiarity. I plan on trying several other pendrive bootables just for grins, and its fun. Im just a gadget tweaking kinda dude.
  
  Overall if your new to Linux or have difficulty following instructions, I would just keep it in the stock eeesy mode and use it that way. I would be a shame for anyone to wreck thier machine. Just hit up the forums, and proceed with caution, and dont over apt. Download from the top repositories like Xandros or Debian Sarge. Whatever you do, dont be cruel to your E and install XP. This is a Linux machine.
  
  Well there are tons of other things you can do with this that I did not mention, like dual booting, mp3/iPODing, overclocking, other distros, and the list goes on, and on. wiki is your best friend for information. This is a great tool, and alot of fun. Happy Hacking on your new eeePC!
  
  I have nothing negative to add to this review. It works just great.
  
  EDIT__EDIT
  
  OK I said I would give you all some sort of update on the Eee. All I am gona give is a distro update. So here goes. These are all the Linux distros that I have run on Eeee::::
  
  Damn Small
  Ubuntu 710 with QEMU/Kq
  Ubuntu 804 also with QEMU/Kq
  SLAX
  safepup
  Puppy
  pupeee
  MiNT 4 with boot hotfix
  MiNT 5 B1-32 both Beta's will work with the v4 boot
  MiNT 5 RC2-48
  
  I am currently running pupeee/USB...SLAX/card....Ubuntu/USB-no QEMU
  
  QEMU is a frontend for running Linux within Windows,just like DSL embed off flash operates . I am running many game modules and PETS. So overall. My suggestion as a 20+ geek,,,,dont waste 500USD on a Win version, buy a full fledged notebook. your not gonna do with a Eeee what you think you are regardless if your waste your money on a Galaxy. The Galaxy is GREAT! dont get me wrong, but its a traveler,aHotSpotter, or a machine for those interested in getting away from Micro$oft. Its a great start for new Linux users.
  
  And thats the way it is CYA!
  
  
• Addictively Handy
  By A2CU4HA7M2439U on 2008-05-29
  I've had my 2gb Eee for about two two weeks now, enough to really put it through its paces, and I love it.
  
  Before I get into the good stuff, though, there are a couple of caveats. I don't think these amount to problems with the device, since they're natural consequences of its design rather than flaws, but they're probably important to note. The main caveat is that I doubt the Eee would be adequate for anyone as a replacement for a full-blown, up-to-date desktop or laptop PC. The screen real estate, storage capacity, and keyboard are all a little too tight for that--a consequence of the unit's small size. As always, choice of a computer is never just about power, though: it's about finding the right balance of features, size, weight, and cost for an individual's particular needs. The second caveat is that if the features you need are ones that the Eee provides out of the box with the pre-installed operating system, it'll certainly work well for you from the moment you turn it on, no worries at all. However, while it's possible to add great flexibility and functionality to the device by adding and tweaking software, you'll need to have or gain a basic working knowledge of the Linux operating system to make that happen, unless you want to buy and install a copy of Windows XP (which opens another can of worms...). The version of Linux that comes pre-installed on the Eee really is fantastic, and any decently intelligent person who's willing to spend some time learning, experimenting, and surfing some user forums online for solutions can learn whatever he/she needs to know in pretty short order. But, if you're not already familiar with Linux, there will be a slight learning curve involved if you want to add software, etc.
  
  What I happened to need was a device that would act as something about halfway between a laptop and a PDA. I'd lugged laptops around before and got sick of dealing with the weight an bulk (even with smaller, lightweight models). They generally supplied plenty of computing power, but many times I'd just opt not to carry the weight around. More recently, I tried a high-end PDA (a Palm Tungsten T5), which was excellent for what it was, and was OK handling a number of pc-ish tasks, such as word processing with a fold-out keyboard. It had two problems, though: the tiny screen made any sustained writing tiresome, and was too small to allow for any fine editing or page design, and the web browser, though it enabled me to access simple email, etc., couldn't handle most web pages easily--especially the portal for the intranet at my work, which I use all the time.
  
  So, what I needed was something that would essentially give me a size and weight comparable to that of a PDA, but give me functionality, especially in terms of word processing and web access, much closer to that of a full laptop. In this niche, the 2gb Eee really shines. So far, with a minimum of tweaking, I've been able to add a number of software solutions for different things, such as mindmapping, note-taking, and web page design (all important to me, since my line of work is academic), and I've also been able, with the help of a 4gb SD card, to add a number of sweet open-source games, and even figured out how to convert DVD's into files playable on the Eee, which makes it a great little video player. I've also added the capacity to read ebooks (something that comes with the 4gb model), and in that regard I think, for usability, the Eee rivals Amazon's kindle in some ways: it doesn't give you the nice e-ink display, but it does give you ebook reading functionality _plus_ near-full laptop functionality for a much lower price tag. For my purposes, that's worth the trade-off.
  
  In any case, right now my simple 2gb Eee, with a 4gb expansion card, is serving the functions of a pda, laptop, portable gaming system, and portable audio and video player--like a Palm, laptop, iPod, and PSP all in one package that's about the size and weight of a trade paperback book. That's a whole lot of bang for $300. I'm hooked.
  
  
• Asus Eeepc 2G (Blue) is worth the price
  By A3I7IAKM0FQJ8U on 2008-02-02
  I received this item today. I purchased it for our 5 year-old daughter who wanted a machine for games and for visiting sites like Noggin and PBS Sprout. I also bought it, selfishly, to use for casual web browsing at local wifi spots. The Eee PC can actually fit in my purse, with plenty of spare room, and it is cute and speedy and good for basic computer functions and web browsing.
  
  I received the Eee PC at 4:55pm today. At 5:00pm, I broke the seal on the box. By 5:08pm, the machine was on, configured, connected to the internet via wifi and serving up a nickjr.com game for my daughter. Not since I opened my first ibook G4 have I had such a pleasing and effortless introduction to a new machine The Linux OS is easy to use, boots super-fast, and looks simple and attractive. The OpenOffice suite seems to work well, with the Word processor being adequate. I missed a lot of things about Word, but this program can get the simple jobs done well enough.
  
  I was very surprised by the wifi card in this machine. I can pick up a total of 10 wireless networks from my house with the Eee PC, compared to only 2 from my iMac G5.
  
  PROS: Price point, size, weight, nice wifi capabilities
  
  CONS: Keyboard is tricky to use - I am having some trouble with typing accuracy, but, given the size of this nifty gagdet, what could I expect?
  
  The Eee PC is a great mini notebook, and I would recommend it as a fun little toy with potential for grown up modding fun in Linux. I can't wait to try it out around town at wifi hotspots and see what it can do. And I can tell you that my little girl just loves it. It is perfect for little hands.
  
  
• great machine great rice
  By A1ZPXDQ7F9W95E on 2008-04-06
  I already own an ulta-mobile laptop (a 4 pound toshiba) but I find myself grabbing my eee when I want to take something portable with me. I'm drinking deeply from the linux kool-aid and am enjoying it.
  
  Most websites I visit have those ads and dancing silhouettes trying to get you to apply for another mortgage and such. I've found that due to the small screen all the banner ads and crap you don't want to see is what gets cut off on the side and the content you want is the only thing that shows on the screen. Yes you have to scroll down more than usual but that's a great trade off for a screen of content you want without tons of crap you don't. I rarely do any side to side scrolling.
  
  The wireless is awesome. In comparison to my other laptop and all my friend's laptops the eee gets a stronger signal and connects way faster.
  
  space wise--that isn't an issue either. You simply move the user partition to the SD card (you are getting an SD card, right?) and suddenly I have an additional 16GB of space. Might as well call this thing an eee 16G surf not an eee 2G surf.
  
  the other criticism of the eee is typing. Well if you touch type prepare to be very frustrated unless you have child-sized hands. If you are like me and only use your index and middle finger to type, then typing is no issue either. I'm just as fast and accurate on the eee as I am on a full size keyboard.
  
  I highly recommend this little machine. Battery life is great, just make sure you get that SD card and move the user partition. I also bought a portable DVD player carrying case to use for eee transport. The eee goes where the DVD player goes. Accessories go in the side pouch where DVDs would go. The eee is small, but it isn't going in your cargo pants pocket. At least it doesn't fit in my pocket and I'm 6'6".
  
  
• Better than expected!
  By A14OFXIHIBWLSW on 2008-04-22
  I received my Asus EEE yesterday. I only had a minute or two to play with it, so put in the battery, fired it up and tried to connect to my wireless network. It just hung at 'pending' and wouldnt' connect til I did a little reading and realized you should always connect via the "NETWORK" icon rather than "WIRELESS". Tried it that way and worked like a charm, haven't had an issue since. People are saying that it is difficult to type on. Well YEAH, it's frickin tiny! What do you expect? I actually found it a lot easier than expected to type on. Within a half an hour of getting used to it I was typing with hands on home row, around 40wpm. I also am astonished at the reviews about the touch pad. I think it is much easier to use than the one on my 15.4" laptop! It's very sensitive. Everything worked as it should out of the box. It's so small and light. It does get quite warm after longer periods of use, but I haven't had a laptop that hasn't. Battery life does go quick, if anyone has any recommendations of where I can find a better battery, please let me know. Mine probably lasted about 2 hours of constant use til I got the 'low battery' warning. In short, I wouldn't change a thing about this laptop other than a stronger battery. Excellent deal for $300.
  
  
• Fantastic
  By ABMRGB5E2TXTV on 2008-06-14
  This little machine kicks arse!
  
  One thing you should not do: Don't get the 2G model if you want to install anything. Setting the destination for binaries to anything other than the the main drive is nearly impossible (and I am an advanced linux user). With the OS and everything else installed that leaves you with only a few hundred M to play with.
  
  I went in and wiped out all the internationalization configs to clear up some memory.
  
  Pick up the 4 G Model if you want to save some cash, and then get an SD card for non-application files.
  
  Another thing to note: the middle of the mouse button is not the button, it is a rocker. Press the left side for left click, right side for right click. Took a little while to figure that out, but now it works great.
  
  
• Test: Asus Eee PC
  By AMQIRFV60M1EX on 2008-01-12
  If you want to see a more detailed review and a test of thw Asus Eee, visit this two webpages, they were very helpful fot me:
  
  http://hup.hu/node/48116
  
  http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20071204171837107/Asus-701-General_Operation.html
  
  
  
  
• Good computer, but slow processor
  By A28ZA3U8Z0OQ67 on 2008-01-29
  I found that this little guy does most of what I'd want a regular notebook to do (word processing, pdf viewing, web browsing), but be forewarned: the battery life is low (about 3 hours, depending), the screen is utterly minuscule (the mostly-unnecessary speakers take up about 20% of what could be more screen), I STILL cannot adjust the mouse settings to where it can actually feel my tap on the first try in many cases, and the processor is painfully slow. The computer starts up quickly, sure, but it takes longer to run OpenOffice!!
  
  
• Asus Eee
  By A16E2X4MK81A7D on 2008-02-17
  First off, for the price the Eee would receive an easy 10. its ultra portable, doesn't lag to much, has office applications, pretty cool GUI, Pidgin Messenger, Games, and much more. all of which are located on a 2G solid state hard drive.
  
  Price aside, I encountered two inconveniences with this laptop. First, its not the fastest; it does lag, but not horribly. when surfing the net the Eee seems to lag considerably if their is a lot of traffic, or if your 30 ft away from the router. The wireless card isn't the best but it still works. Second, 2G is really just enough, to allow the OS, and other Apps. room on the HD. I would personally go with 4G HD if i had to buy again.
  
  Apart from these two negative aspects i would have to say that the very affordable price of the Eee would have to cancel these small problems out. It does for me anyway; i hoped this helped some of you.
  
  
• The Ultimate Companion PC
  By ABXANRX4GPYRZ on 2008-03-08
  This small, amazing computer is perfect for anyone on the go. Travelers, students, business people.
  
  It is so small and light.
  
  Check your email and browse the web anywhere there is WiFi.
  
  I have a full size Apple MacBook and bought the Asus Eee PC 4G Surf as a second laptop because it is so small and portable. It is a far better experience than trying to use a PDA or cell phone for these purposes. The real keyboard and larger screen makes these tasks a breeze.
  
  I put in an 8GB Transend SD card so I have plenty of storage space.
  
  I bought the white color and love it.
  
  Highly recommended.
  
  
• EEE PC revisited
  By A1Q6AP0HPUVHAA on 2008-03-19
  I must first apologize to Asus for my previous review - I had pretty thoroughly bashed the unit because of difficulties in getting the wireless working. I found I was entering the wrong key for the WPA, hence my trouble. I'm still not satisfied with Asus's tech support - but the fault was mine. Here's my re-review.
  
  I purchased this unit for work for use in our production area - we run an intranet web site where we're putting all of our work instructions. Employees move from station to station to complete different jobs, and the ability to hand them a cheap web machine means they carry the work instructions with them (the convenience of paper), but always have the latest and greatest right there (Revision control for you ISO-9000 folks).
  
  Now that I've corrected my thoroughly bone-headed mistake, I'll be putting this puppy through its paces over the next few weeks. So far, however, it's definitely up to the challenge.
  
  

• Targus PAUM009Y09U Ultra Mini Retractable Mouse
• Targus ACH74US Ultra Mini USB 2.0 4-Port Hub
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Standard [OLD VERSION]
• Microsoft Office Standard 2007 FULL VERSION
• Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007

• Transcend TS4GSDHC6 4GB SDHC SD 2.0 SPD Class 6 Card
• Asus Eee PC 4G Surf (7" Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 4 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Pure White
• Asus Eee PC 4G (7" Screen, 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 4 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Galaxy Black
• Asus Eee PC Black Case Cover Pouch Carrying Bag
• Transcend 16GB SDHC CARD (SD 2.0 SPD CLASS 6) with Compact Card Reader