Customer Reviews
Nice little tool 
2008-10-11
I purchased this little computer as a pilot project. I wanted to show computer phobes that netbooks are a viable way into computers and mobile computing. The advantages are size and weight. The deficits are smaller screen size and storage. However, these are no biggies.
My little Netbook receives a lot of attention. Everyone wants to try it from adults, and especially teenagers who say they are going to ask their parents for one. Who can resist? It does most everything a larger lappie would do except burn CD's and DVD's. The screen size is a tad small, but I don't mind losing screen size for ultimate portability. The keyboard is small, but even with my larger hands and some familiarization you eventually get facile. This took about a week. The speakers are teeney, so don't expect stupendous sound unless you mount externally powered speakers.
On the technical side - the wireless was easy to configure, though I do have to turn it on manually to activate. It easily picks up hotspots and the Linux system in easy to navigate and booting up takes only moments. If there were a slight negative about Linux it's a few more steps involved in moving files and managing Linux folders. I am so used to placing folders on a MAC desktop vs. tucking it away in multiple Linux document folders under a "work" tab. Not an issue as it becomes second nature.
On the hardware side the battery lasts a few hours 2-3, but oddly if left unplugged and shutoff the netbook battery drains itself quite quickly. I had topped the battery to 100% and left it unplugged from the charger for six days. Upon returning the battery was down to surprising 50%. Again, no biggie as it stays plugged in most of the time.
In short, for a very portable, cute and usable laptop this ASUS represents a terrific alternative to heavier notebook computers and is solidly built. Kids love it!
For the complete novice or expert programmer - no one in between 
2008-10-07
Yes, the Eeepc is a wonder, but you need to know what you're getting with this if you don't opt for Windows. You are NOT getting a computer with an open operating system and a few useful programs - you are getting a completely modified version of Linux that is locked from any customization what-so-ever.
If you are a complete novice and just want to check email and surf the web, then this computer is wonderful. And if you are a hardened Linux programmer, you can dig into this thing and modify it to your heart's content.
But if you're like the other 90% of us, you have enough experience with computers that you'd probably like to install something that isn't already on it, and unless you enroll in a programming class, GOOD LUCK!
I'm rooting for Linux, but it has a LONG way to go. It's absolutely impractical for anyone not already an expert with it. I am a database programmer, so I'm usually pretty resourceful when it comes to figuring things out, but even I have spent WEEKS trying to get this thing to do what I want. Once I started modifying it, there were nothing but problems. I swear, I actively had to reprogram the operating system to NOT delete files off the desktop when it's turned off. That's insane. It's not worth it...
Go for the Windows install, or get a Dell Mini. You've been warned...
Nice but the operating system had to go 2008-09-28
It's great, but in order to enjoy it I had to load "eee ubuntu."
Now everything is fine.
I'm Lovin it 
2008-09-13
Its what I had in mind when I decided to look for a small, lightweight little laptop for personal travel use. It filled my every expectation.
I wanted something that I could drop in my carry-on and not have to huff and puff as I was lugging it thru the airport.
I'm not expecting it to do my engineering work, I've got a company unit for that (and what a pain it is to use in the hotel room with all its firewall protection).
There are things that some might want in this that it doesn't have, but they would just make it bigger or more expensive.
I've had it 6 weeks now and am real happy; got what I paid for.
Great product for its intended purpose; and really fun 2008-08-28
This laptop is very small and very light. As a consequence, the keyboard is tiny. People complain about that but they miss the point. It isn't as small as a BlackBerry or similar devices. The laptop is about the size of a small book so it is easy to take with you when you don't feel like lugging a huge laptop.
The screen is very good and the Linux OS is just fine. I like Linux but my wife, you is neutral, said she doesn't care if it has XP or not. She can work with her documents and surf no problem.
I used it when I was on jury duty and wrote to my wife and work since we weren't allowed to have cell phones. It connected to their wireless flawlessly and the time flew by as I watched movies and sent email.
Another cool thing is the huge communities that have been created for this thing. They show how to mod it, put operating systems on it, all kinds of things. You can get an MSI wind I suppose, but it won't have the cult following!
good for its price 2008-08-25
The new Eee PC 900 offers you more options for your mobile computing needs. Incorporating a shockproof design and weighing 2.18 pounds, you will find it "Easy to learn, work and play" - making it your best outdoor companion anywhere, anytime. The large 8.9? screen size allows for more screen space - making it more comfortable on the eyes reading and editing documents when viewing a single A4 page without the need to scroll left or right. On the top of this screen is the 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera that works synchronously with the 802.11b/g wireless to provide web conferencing anywhere, anytime for easier web communications and increased work efficiency. Another great feature is the built-in 20GB Solid State Disk (SSD) which offers 15 seconds boot times that also makes for a quiet, energy saving, shock proof design, which is ideal for reporters, wildlife photographers and other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. On the Eee PC 900L 40 applications are pre-installed such as the Linux Operating System, OpenOffice Productivity Suite, Firefox browser, media player and more. Lastly the special FingerGlide makes operating the Eee PC easy and convenient through simple finger movements on the touch pad that allows for scrolling horizontally and vertically through documents by swiping two fingers up or down across the surface of the trackpad, or zoom in or zoom out of pictures by making pinching or stretching movement with your fingers. With all of these features the Asus Eee PC makes for a fantastic purchase as a well-equipped second PC or a Web access tool, so beat the crowds, and get yours today before they sell out! Intel UMA Display Card 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera WiFi 802.11b/g Wireless 10/100Mbps LAN Hi-Definition Audio Speaker and Microphone Memory Card Slot - MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) Card, SDHC Connections - 3 x USB, VGA, , A/C charger, Headphone, Microphone, RJ-45 (LAN) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 8.85
Slowest Laptop EVER 
2008-08-24
I purchased this item hoping for a small, highly portable second laptop to take with me when I travel for business. What I got, however, is a PC that takes 20 minutes to boot, hour-glasses every time you move the mouse, and is generally completely worthless. Returned and went with the Eee PC1000 and it is a much better machine.
Almost perfect ! [review about goods and bads] 2008-08-24
Don't read bad reviews (one star ones), are from people with bad skills in computers.
THE GOOD:
> Little machine that you can put even under your long coat
> Low power consuption (my powerful desktop pc is like a dragon)
[note: imagine a world with 34 Watts computers, this will cause more inexpensive energy prices, low oil prices, less CO2 = less hurricanes and inundations, my powerful desktop pc consumes 350 Watts. Now my energy bill goes down using the eee pc, and I can leave it downloading stuff 24 hours]
> High screen resolution with small pixels (1024 x 600 8.9'')
> Browse web pages without need the horizontal scrolling (due to 1024px)
> Easy to handle with your hands (very confortable at the pivot)
> Web cam and microphone integrated
> Jacks for your earphones and microphone
> VGA output
> 3 USB ports, 1 SD/MMC card port, 1 ethernet port
> Wifi integrated
> You can upgrade it (ram, etc.I buy a touch screen for this little machine)
[note: there are unused/used internals usb ports. if you know about electronics (im engineer) you can use it to put some internal upgrades and/or use usbhubs, look for instructions on the web]
> Perfect and easy to read instrucctions
> You can install windows xp using a usb memory or a sd card (instructions in the web), even with ubuntu and compiz ;-), or if you are not so skilled in computers, using a usb-dvd unit
> Video hardware supports 3D applications (not a nVidia card but works)
> very light (two pounds)
THE BAD:
> Heatsinks are below of the keyboard and the pad (you can feel the heat), video processor and bridge chips consumes a lot of power = HEAT
> You need like a week to use the keyboard like a pro (of course, is little)
> Battery life 2.5 hours only (I buy this and not the eee 901 since I don't care about battery life because *I use it at home* and the celeron processor is faster than the atom ). Anyway you can find a 10400mAH battery for 40 dollars (7 hours of batery life!)
[note: I'm not totally sure about performance vs atom, since some benchmarks said that the 901 is faster, and others said that the celeron is faster than the atom, but then WHY THEY CHANGE BACK TO THE CELERON M with the avanced models like eee pc 904HD ? ]
> Pads buttons fells cheapee
> No caps led diodes indicators (you need to install a app like firstcap in xp) and for linux there is one in the dvd (included)
> No integrated bluetooth (the eee pc 901 have it)
> No DVD burner/reader (of course, there is no space to put one)
RECOMENDATIONS:
> Change the desktop colors to 16 bits (increase perfomance a little, battery life a little too, and reduce heat)
> Reduce the screen brightness
> Turn off virtual memory (with 1GB of RAM, it is not necesary)
> Turn off unnecesary windows services (annoying and memory eaters)
> Delete all windows unnecesary files (like drivers that you will never need, like virtual memory, they use a lot of hard disk space)
> Buy a inexpensive usb bluetooth device if you need it (you can find it at amazon, they are very tiny *for laptops*)
> Buy the 10400mAH battery if you need more battery life (more money *40* but it worth)
> Install both, windows xp and linux http://www.eeebuntu.org/, with compiz too for 3d desktop stuff
> Buy a 32 GB SD card or extra storage if you need it (not necesary at all) = more money
> Get and install the touch screen (optional but trekkies like me love it) = more money too
> Buy a slim usb dvd-rw, usb powered (more bucks, not necesary at all)
> Asus are launching advanced eee pcs every month, SO YOU CAN REPENT OF WASTE YOUR MONEY and not wait a little bit. VERY BAD TACTIC MARKET. Anyway THIS IS THE MOST SUPPORTED EEE PC now, you can find a lot of things from fans to touch screens and internal upgrades.
OVERALL 4.8 OF 5
THIS LITTLE NOTEBOOK, IT IS A ULTRAPORTABLE DEVICE ! some people expect 120GB or hard disk, 2GB of ram, 256MB of video memory, etc. If this is your desire, buy a laptop with thats features, not this one.
Great purchase! 2008-08-23
This is one of the best purchases I've made. It is the perfect travel computer for checking emails and archiving digital photos without lugging a big heavy laptop through the airport.
Fantastic little machine ready to go anywhere you are! 2008-08-07
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RM1TN6CXDYUDY I'm Christian and I'm reviewing the eeePC 900 (which I love!) for an online talk show, GoodDayJoplin.net
Hopefully the review is helpful to you! This laptop is an amazing little laptop that can do anything a regular computer can. Give it a try, you'll probably like it.
