Second Impression: Asus Eee 900
I’ve been using my Eee heavily for 5 days now and I figured I would post a second impression. As I mentioned in my previous post, the Eee is tiny and thats why I am loving it so much. Its very light weighing around 900grams which makes it very easy to lug around and pick up with just one hand. I really can’t wait till my next business trip so I could carry this with me.
The Eee version I got was the Linux version which comes with a 20GB hard drive. The system OS is very easy to use because Asus have a very simple and basic interface setup by default. When you first turn on the computer it takes less than 30 seconds, maybe around 20 to boot up. You are then greeted with a colorful and simple icon based interface with tabs on top. If you want Internet apps you click on Internet, if you want work apps you click on work, very easy. Since I wanted a bit more control I installed the advanced interface which is similar to most Linux and Windows based systems.
Here are some quick tidbits: I’ve gotten used to the keyboard but the problem is I can’t type properly on other keyboards now! The battery life is around 4 hours with normal use while the speaker volume is surprisingly louder than my Macbook which is cool and the screen is really sharp and very viewable from a lot of angles. Its also as bright as any other laptop screen. Overall I can’t find much to complain about. Although its a 900mhz celeron the Eee is very snappy with most programs launching nearly instantly.
My only issue with the Eee I guess is that when its running on batteries the CPU speed drops to 630mhz to save power and I haven’t found a way to turn this off. Other than that I have no regrets whatsoever with this Eee, I would definitely recommend it.
Update: Just an FYI, I haven’t seen the Eee 900 in Kuwait. All the ones I’ve seen here are the 7inch screen version, this one is 8.9inch. I ordered mine from Amazon for around KD140 and paid around KD8 for shipping to Kuwait with USWS. It didn’t get held in customs, probably cuz the box is really small. Here are links to the Eee 900 on Amazon:
Asus Eee 900 with Windows [Link]
Asus Eee 900 with Linux [Link]
it looks cool but is it tacky?
what do u mean?
i mean the HP mini notebook looks like it has a pretty solid build,this looks like one of them kiddie laptop toys for kids
ah. well i guess it depends. usually if a laptop isnt black it doesnt look serious like the macbooks. i personally dont think the Eee 900 looks childish. The Eee 700 looks more childish because it has the larger speakers around the tiny screen but this looks much better.
yeah exactly,but the specs are pretty good.
might get one,thanks for the info!
I have the sony vaio which is around the same size but it’s really flimsy… Is this durable though?
The one you’re talking about is very primitive which is exactly what I need
I just heard that Asus build some macbook models for Apple. Can anyone confirm that?
good thing its more peaceful than macbook air that cuts cakes and human flesh =P
yo mark… do you feel comfy usin’ linux\windows over your eeepc or you like macrap more? (i’ll start calling mac macrap… since i’m an anti-mac)
Congratulation on being satisfied ‘n happy about something cuz these days news stuff aren’t always cool…
Hello
I found that ASUS will be launching a new model code named Eee 901 in the near future.
Does anyone know about it? What are the differences between the new model and the Eee 900, if any?
Here are some links:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/asuss-atom-based-eee-901-shows-up-in-pictures/
Pictures:
http://www.blogeee.net/2008/05/14/exclu-eeepc-901/
Mark, since you already have the old model, could you please tell us what is new in the Eee 901 model?
The Eee 901 will have a new intel Atom chip which is supposed to use less power, so instead of lasting nearly 4 hours it should in theory last nearly 6. The 901 though is said to cost $650 which is a hundred more than the 900.
Supporting ASUS Eee
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080605/tc_nm/computex_laptops_dc;_ylt=Ag6L2529w7zvK7UtKN0tJnFT.3QA
Mark, you should be able to select between two modes “high performance” or “power saving”.
You can find this in Bios .. Operation Mode setting in the Advanced panel. Dont remember which F Key you hit upon booting though!
If you do not have this option then your bios got the new released 0501 version.
My Black Eee 900 is on its way with a 2GB upgrade memory that I got from ebay for $40. I will Install XP windows and will push this baby to the limit.
Hi Mark, kindly clarify: The Linux loaded is 20 GB where as Windows loaded is only 12 GB hard drive ?. I am trying to get one. Which one do you suggest?
Yeah Linux comes with a 20GB drive, Windows with a 12GB one. I would get the 20gb version and try linux out, if you dont like it you can install windows yourself, they provide you a cd with all the windows drivers anyway.
Finaly ! My Black Eee Pc 900 is on it way!
Will upgrade it to Windows XP and 2GB memory that I found on ebay for $40.
Mark, a quick Q: Did you have to pay for tax when shipping to USWS PO Box in NY?
I ordered it before June 1st so no i didnt
What does it mean to order it before June 1… was it tax free before that date and does not apply anymore?
Thanks
yup, New York law now requires amazon to tax people
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=amazon+tax&btnG=Search+News
I ordered it after June 1 and I did not pay tax !
Hey UncleBenz, where did you order your Asus from?
Thanks
does it support arabic? can you read arabic email and websites?
Amazon but price went up a little. You can always find them on ebay but surprisingly more expensive than Amazon.
Festiq, I dont know about Unix, we need to ask Mark. But if you install XP windows for sure you can do Arabic.
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900 the 8.9 inch is availa at Best Buy Kuwait in Hawalli now with Windows XP for 160 KD with one year local warranty, which is close to online price, I think not a bad deal
Asus EEE PC 900 the 8.9 inch is available at Best Buy Kuwait in Hawalli now and it is with Windows XP for 160 KD with one year local warranty, which is close to online price, I think not a bad deal
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