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Asus Eee PC 1018PB Review
Product Summary
Looking for something basic in a laptop? Not everyone is a gamer with a need for a gigantic screen and HD clarity. Some people, believe it or not, just use their computer for browsing the internet, communicating with loved ones (or not-so-loved-ones, as the case may be), and some basic small business, and home computing functions. If this describes you, then the Asus Eee might be just the right size and price for you. It’s cheap, it does the basics, and it’s super portable. No frills here; just a small netbook with the essentials at a price you gotta love.
The Features
The screen on the Asus Eee is not going to blow you away. In fact, at 10” it’s about the size of a tablet or e-reader. It is widescreen capable with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, which is decent for a computer this size. It may not be the best for watching videos, but it does have both VGA and HDMI ports, so if you have a huge TV already and want something to stream videos, the Eee can do this for you. The processor is also not meant for those who have a need for speed. It’s an Intel Atom 1.66 GHz Processor that gets the job done for the simple functions you will likely be doing on this computer. It comes with 1GB of RAM with the ability to be expanded to 2GB, which most users recommend. It also has a 250GB hard drive. This may not sound like a lot when compared to the 750GB of the HP Pavilion or even the 500GB of the MacBook Pro, but 250GB is still a significant amount of space. For the average user, this computer will have no problem storing all your music, files, pictures, and videos. The 8.5 hours of battery life make this a very portable computer for the traveler, or just the person who likes to be online from various rooms of her home. It supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and IEEE 802.11 wireless networks, has a sound card and microphone, and runs video on AMD Radeon HD 6250 technology. The operating system, like many of its other features is not top of the line. It comes with Windows 7 Starter. This is (appropriately) a very basic version of the Windows 7 OS, but, again, gets the job done if you are only using your computer for browsing, word processing, and staying organized. The 0.3MP webcam is a bit sad. It still allows users to chat via Skype or Google Talk, but the overall picture quality is crummy. The Asus Eee is not lacking in the ports department though. As mentioned, it comes with ports for VGA and HDMI. It also has 3 Hi-Speed USB ports, an Ethernet port, and slots for SD, SDHC, and MultiMedia cards. Don’t expect an optical drive. Finally, for $275, you won’t be paying-off your new laptop on a credit card for the next year—a wise choice in a weak economy.
The Design
Perhaps “cute” best describes this computer. It’s not sexy or sleek, but it does have a nice weight and feel when carrying it around. Its dimensions are small, making it ultra-portable, and the ports and slots are conveniently placed down both sides. It is 10.3” wide, 7” deep, and 1.4” thick. This is pretty thick for a netbook, but at 2.8 lbs you’ll barely notice it’s in your bag when traveling about town.
What Users Say
Users of the Asus Eee say they love the sound quality and weight of this computer; though, they are frustrated by the small keyboard and the cursor that jumps around the screen while typing (a common problem with computers that have sensitive touchpads located where it is hard to avoid bumping them with your palms). Some users were also disappointed with the Windows 7 Starter OS, claiming Windows XP may have been a better choice for this computer. Still others say the processor is too slow and that the video quality is poor. Most users agree that the weight and battery life are incredible, and that they would recommend this netbook to a friend.
Final Thoughts
Different strokes for different folks. This computer isn’t for everyone. In fact, it is for a very specific cross-section of the computing population. This computer is for those who need a compact, portable computer for, say, writing that novel they’ve been thinking about, or for keeping track of personal finances and keeping up with friends on social networking sites. If you buy this computer expecting to play games or whip around the internet at the speed of light, you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a cheap computer with reasonable speed and basic functionality, look no further.