51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Travel or Second Computer, January 26, 2009
This review is from: ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, 20 GB Eee Storage, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Pearl White (Personal Computers)
Note: Please see final Update (July 12, 2010) below.
Original review:
This computer
ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Pearl White would be relatively few peoples' choice as a primary computer. It does not have the power to accomplish processor-intensive tasks such as audio or video editing, photo manipulation, or other such tasks. Nor does it even have a built-in CD, much less a DVD, drive to play those media devices. (They can be played via an external drive should the owner desire to do so.)
However, for use when traveling, or at home, for simple web-surfing or e-mail communications, and/or for those for whom the included simple capabilities are sufficient, it is a superb piece of engineering, available at a VERY economical price. If your requirements are few, it COULD be your primary or only computer but, in any case, it makes for a superb - and I do mean SUPERB - travel companion.
That is its primary purpose.
Having researched this relatively new laptop/notebook category ("netbooks") for the past few months, I determined that this particular netbook is the best one currently available, offering the best performance, the best features, the best compromise in size and weight, and, far and away, the best value for money.
This new category has seen its sales skyrocket in the one year that it has been available and it is predicted that sales will greatly increase (even though sales of other computer categories are falling, due to the current economic conditions).
This is apparently due to the fact that a great many people find that a so-called "smart phone" is just not adequate for staying in touch, reading news (or e-mail), or surfing the web. Something larger, though still inexpensive and easily transportable, is required. "Ultra-portables" have been around for quite a while but, priced in the $1000.00 - $3000.00 range (more or less), they are not affordable or practical for most people. Hence, this new "netbook" category was introduced late in 2007. The AsusTeK company was in fact the originator of this class.
I received mine from Amazon on January 20, 2009 and I have been using it since. Now let me tell you that both my wife and I have been using Ubuntu Linux on our respective main computers since May of last year (we both completely gave up on that disaster known as Windows Vista!) so I have some familiarity with Linux. But I was not prepared for this version, evidently a modified Xandros version of Linux. It is so simple to operate (and so stable), that it is almost "scary!" There is just no way to make something complicated out of this simple system! Those people who are familiar only with Microsoft Windows (or even Mac) will be positively amazed as to how simple, easy and, above all, INTUITIVE the operation of a computer can be made to be! This operating system is an ideal way for someone to get into the "computer age" and also to become comfortable with using Linux.
(You really have to wonder: with all of their large, highly-paid, engineering and design staffs, why can't Microsoft or even Apple design a computer operating system which is truly simple for anyone to use?)
I shall flatly state that ANYBODY who is able to read this review will be able to use this particular computer and its Linux operating system, even someone who has no experience whatsoever with operating a computer. There will be NO "computer classes" necessary! (It comes with a printed Software User's Manual which has instructions such as this: "WEBCAM - Click Webcam and start video recording or image capture. Activates Webcam.") Believe me, no instruction manual is necessary at all. This is TRULY the computer "designed by geniuses for use by idiots" (and I include myself among the latter).
If you are familiar only with Windows (or Mac), at first glance the operating system will appear VERY strange to you. But take my word for it: within a day at most you'll be wondering why you ever put up with all of Microsoft's foibles!
Even my wife, who generally has to be shown how to use something new (and who doesn't really like "new" things or "changes") had absolutely NO difficulty at all operating this computer. Without any instructions from me, she reacted, on her first exposure to it, as a duck does to water the first time it goes in! (I had told her that she would have absolutely no problem with this "new" operating system. She did not believe me at first. But when she actually used the computer, she had to agree that I was right!)
A helpful printed Hardware User's Manual, helpful in that it assists you to quickly get familiar with the computer's switches, lights, and connections, is also included. I do recommend reading this.
The computer comes compete with its restore disks as well. These disks are often omitted with lower-priced notebook computers yet can really prove invaluable. (To use them, you would need an external drive as mentioned above.)
The Linux "user interface" is six different "desktops" named, respectively, "Favorites," "Internet," "Work," "Learn," "Play," and "Settings." Each one contains items on which you will click. Several have sub-menus containing other items. (For example, clicking on Web Mail brings up some sub-menus allowing you to choose your web mail service, Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, and AOL.)
You can select your "Favorites" by using the "Customize" icon within "Settings" and then you would only rarely need to even navigate to the other desktops.
"Web" activates Firefox 3.0. "Music Master" (which is really Amarok, a fabulous music player [it can be used with Windows, Linux, or Mac and I highly recommend it]) is available as are icons for "Web Mail." "Documents" brings up Star Office (similar to Open Office and also by Sun Microsystems), should you wish to prepare a document, and there are more items than there is space here to mention just waiting for you to use. Nor is mentioning them in a review necessary; when you see them, they are totally self-explanatory. It even offers built-in Skype computer telephone service!
Connecting to the internet is a breeze either wired or wireless. The wireless connection procedure is so simple and obvious that a child could accomplish it. (We use Verizon Wireless but I'm certain that wireless connection would be easy regardless of the ISP.) A wired connection is simply connecting your computer to your DSL/cable modem. With a wired connection, you're on the internet instantly! (I tried it myself just to see.)
There are those on this site who, in their reviews of this computer and its operating system, have characterized the included Linux system as "a joke" or even worse. Take my word for it - FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS COMPUTER WAS DESIGNED THIS LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM IS DEFINITELY NOT "A JOKE," at least in my opinion! Being so simple to operate, this operating system is all anyone will ever need on a travel or second computer. (When traveling, you just want your computer to function properly AND simply, without having to worry about its operation, security, functionality, etc.)
If a particular person wishes to replace this Linux version, fine, that's their business, but I think that, overall, they will NOT be improving the overall usefulness of this computer when on vacation or travel. (The minimal, though battery-friendly, processor is the limiting factor, not the operating system.)
Frankly, though I much prefer Ubuntu Linux for its almost limitless capabilities (and its extreme security) used on a "main" or "primary" computer, when I'm on vacation or visiting friends, I am not interested in performing esoteric computer tasks; I merely wish to, 1) get my e-mail, 2) surf the web a bit, and, 3) listen to internet radio. We often show people some of our pictures which we keep on our computers.
But that's about it so I personally have no intention of replacing this simple Xandros Linux operating system. It accomplishes all that I require of a travel computer and there is no sense, in my opinion, to try to "convert" this computer to allow it to perform tasks which may be beyond the capabilities of the Intel Atom processor included.
This relatively new processor is designed to use very little power (thus maximizing battery life) and to accomplish simple tasks.
It does this very well indeed and I think that the computer should be accepted for what it is - a good TRAVEL/SECOND computer.
At least that's the reason for which I bought mine!
Is that the reason YOU are considering this computer?
If so, I believe this one, as configured here, is the best current choice.
Others' opinions will vary, naturally. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I do not believe that this small netbook computer has the power to be most peoples' primary computer. That, of course, includes upper elementary, high school, and college students. If you want a more capable computer, it is my opinion that you should buy one of those ultra-portables - which are far higher in price ($1000.00+) and, possibly, in weight and size as well as in capabilities - rather than one of these simple small netbooks.
This little computer accomplishes all of the basic tasks I listed above simply and reliably. I think that is all most people need when traveling or visiting. (Your main computer can be left at your home.) As with all Linux operating systems, it is inherently secure from viruses, trojans, spy- and other malicious software so you can be quite confident that your computer won't be...
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