Technology Lust: ASUS EEE

[akirlu]

Okay, the name is unpronounceable: eee. It sounds like you're about to flee the monster. But it's a nicely compact subnotebook that only weighs two pounds. If it's light, cheap, easy to toss in a bag, and comes with wireless web browsing and a decent word processor, that's all I really want, anyway.

I've been wanting to fondle one in person -- because the real question is whether I can cope with touch typing on a keyboard that small -- but it looks like all the sources are online-only, even Best Buy and Costco. Still, it was tempting enough when I heard from Charlie Stross that the 4 gig flash disk Ultra is only $400 for a New! Wireless! Subnotebook! but those only come in black and white. Now ASUS has pushed up introduction of their entry-level model, and the Surf is only $300 (!) and it comes in candy-floss pink and spring green! Oh, oh, oh. Technolust. It's pink, dammit. That might just push me over the edge.

Comments

What a GREAT name!

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

That would make me want one even more, because I say "EEE!" at regular intervals, myself! It is indeed cute as all get out. I share your lust.

Re: What a GREAT name!

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I guess it is an amusing name. I just tend to be sufficiently full of myself to find saying "EEE!" to computer sales clerks a bit awkward, not to say discomfitting.

[laurel]

The biggest problem with the OLPC XO is the keyboard is too tiny for adults; 'course this is only a problem for geeky adults like me who wanted one, the keyboard seems perfect for the actual target market (kids in developing nations). Otherwise so far it rocks for wireless, web, all that jazz.

I am curious about the EEEs. Was surprised to see that their screen rez is actually less than that of the XOs.

Spring green made me add that one to my wishlist; still want to see one in person. I know a couple of people who have EEEs of some stripe and love 'em so far.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

The keyboard is also smaller than normal on the eee, but Charlie can manage it.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I can't offhand remember noticing if Charlie's hands are as big as mine, or not. I have a comparatively big handprint, for a girl.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

We'll get him to take a picture of his hands next to a measure.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I posted and asked him, but someone else has replied who may have the answer.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's good information to add to the pool, though I find that comfort with a particular size/form factor is very individual, and nothing really substitutes for handling the thing in person.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I would really like to see one in the flesh, but all the folks I know who have one are in the UK. The green is a really nice color. The turquoisy blue isn't bad either, if blue is your thing.

[sraun]

And there's a sky blue one now too! The Nokia N810 is what's really tempting me, but if I had more toy budget, the EEE would be high on the list.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Yes, I should have mentioned the blue, I just happen to like pink and green better. The Nokia looks nice, but wordprocessing is more important to me than PDA/Phone comboness. So the keyboard and software is key.

[cobrabay.livejournal.com]

I got a brief chance to have a play with an eee yesterday, a black 4Gb model. Very nice. Not a very fast machine when loading apps, but then I have to use some fairly crufty Windows boxes at work and it was much better than those. I tried playing a couple of music tracks, and the speakers sounded quite decent, not loud, but not too tinny. I copied on a video file from my memory key, (12Mb Xvid encoded avi), copy speed was good and it played the file fine. It wasn't internet connected and no free WiFi in range so I couldn't try the browser, but it was Firefox so I assume it would have been fine. I had no problem with the keyboard, typing was comfortable and despite the touchpad being half the size of the one on my laptop, it was easy to use accurately.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review. It has already occurred to me that I could get to play with an EEE not for free but for the cost of an Amazon restocking fee -- 15%, or $45 -- and if I decide I like it, I could just keep it. The main question now is whether I care if I can put XP on the thing or not. If not, I susbect the 2gig model would be fine.