Toni.org

EeePC

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by

Toni Schneider
in ,

eeepc.jpg

A while ago, I asked for a Firefox computer, a simple solid state laptop that’s optimized to run just Firefox. Yesterday I got an EeePC and it almost fits the bill.

What I like:

  • It’s affordable ($399, models under $300 are forthcoming)
  • It’s small and light (and cute)
  • The out of box experience was very nice, just the basics, none of the extra steps and bloatware you get with PCs and Macs
  • It runs everything I need: Firefox, Open Office, Skype (all of it, plus a bunch more, pre-installed)
  • It starts up quickly (under 30 seconds, much faster than my MacBook) and is very silent (it has a solid state drive)

What I don’t like:

  • The screen and keyboard are tiny
  • I was hoping for a longer battery life (seems like it gets about 3 hours)

Update: Check out my comparison of the eeePC and the OLPC XO

Comments

18 responses to “EeePC”

  1. Andrew Avatar
    Andrew

    Toni,

    As a fellow Firefox-box fancier, thanks for the report. I am prepared for the small keyboard and screen and low battery life. Did you get a spare battery, and, if so, what were the cost and weight?

    Reply
  2. Toni Avatar
    Toni

    Andrew, I just got the basic battery. It's actually pretty sizable, so I'm surprised that it's relatively weak.

    Reply
  3. Donncha’s Wednesday Links at Holy Shmoly!

    […] is lusting after the Eee PC. Toni already bought one and he has the same complaints I had reservatioons about, * The screen and keyboard are tiny * I […]

    Reply
  4. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    As one of the apparently small group of Dvorak Simplified users out there, can you confirm or deny the availability of a Dvorak Simplified layout being available on the EeePC via hardware or software?

    Reply
  5. Leo Avatar
    Leo

    Guys, the only thing this beauty is missing is a 10 inch display … anyone knows is either Asus, or some other vendor is working on a 10 inch affordable, solid state linux laptop ?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Toni Avatar
    Toni

    Chris, I've not found a way to get Dvorak running on it. Seems like something that will be figured out though.

    Reply
  7. iank Avatar
    iank

    Chris, Toni, I've gotten it using dvorak in `Easy Mode' with the following: http://iank.org/eeepc/

    Reply
  8. mardona Avatar
    mardona

    Hi, you know I just got a new eek..I mean ee pec… partly because I am a firefox fan, too, and a writer and this reminds me of a baby hermes typewriter i loved so a hundred years ago. Problem is I cannot load firefox pages..thats the message..no matter what i do. Any suggestions?

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. Zsolt Avatar
    Zsolt

    Yes, ASUS is already working on a 10 inch version of the Eeepc, slated for Q1/Q2 of '08, although ASUS denies this. Follow the developments at Engadget:

    http://www.engadget.com/tag/EeePc/

    Reply
  10. Doug Avatar
    Doug

    these babies are sold out everywhere. should I just wait for the 10 inch?

    Reply
  11. Philipp Avatar
    Philipp

    Its such a great laptop. Just what I need in terms of hardware at a fair price. http://www.quiels.com/blog/?p=171

    Reply
  12. KhaosTheory Avatar
    KhaosTheory

    I have been lusting after one of these guys for about a month now. I do not know this for a fact, but it is closer to Christmas time and the demand is up, and the supply is down, meaning high prices. Maybe if y'all get them after Christmas or maybe a month or two later they will be; Cheaper, have a 2.0 or such revision, and may people could provide better feedback on what you can do with it. I am unsure on the 10.0 inch screen, but I do know they are coming out in new colors in February.

    Reply
  13. tommEE pickles Avatar
    tommEE pickles

    According to this news, no 10" screens

    Reply
  14. OLPC versus eeePC « Toni’s Garage

    […] No Comments I am now the lucky owner of both an OLPC XO and an Asus eeePC. I wrote about the eeePC before, now I got a chance to compare these two Linux-running, cheap ($200), kid-friendly, […]

    Reply
  15. Thomas Avatar
    Thomas

    I can't find a battery for sale. Anyone know who has them? I have the 8 in pearl white. You would think Asus would have them.

    Reply
  16. fatalfragger59 Avatar
    fatalfragger59

    Alright…. although there is a solid state drive built in already… can a normal laptop hard drive replace the SS Drive because i have a 160gig sittin on my desk getting no use whatsoever…. so all i need to know is whether or not a normal hard drive can replace the standard solid state drive…

    Reply
  17. Sir Notappearinginth Avatar
    Sir Notappearinginth

    I saw one of these a few days ago. Nice little machine, good to see something not-Windows not-Mac in high street shops. (£230 for the base model.)

    As for hard disks, well, best to use a USB enclosure, and make sure that you're using mains power – I suspect that you'd be lucky to get an hour out of it on battery (unless the disk is spun down when not in use).

    (And this stupid blog is rejecting symbols in email address local parts. Nothing invalid about them…)

    Reply
  18. Roy Avatar
    Roy

    Will EEPC run "outlook express" email if I put Outlook on a flash drive ?

    Reply

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