Summary:
Ordinarily the the 1025c would be an attractive but average netbook (with performance at or below previous generation models but with less energy consumption), but the poor graphics rendering in combination with the lack of RAM options took the 1025c from a four-star netbook down to a one-star rating.
I can't think of anybody who would benefit from the ASUS 1025c. It is sub par out of the box, which means mainstream users will be frustrated. While it can do the things it advertises, it doesn't do many of them well. The geeky among us who are brave and knowledgeable enough to turn sub-par devices into something usable will also be disappointed. Manually providing the much-needed RAM upgrade voids the warranty and the drivers necessary to take advantage of many of this netbook's features in other operating systems are poorly supported or non-existent. To find out why I've come to that conclusion, read the details below.
Otherwise, consider a Kindle Fire or smartphone for a cheap internet device, an AMD Brazos-powered netbook for an energy-saving multimedia device, or... well... if I had another productivity netbook to recommend, I would have purchased that instead.
Quick Pros:
- attractive casing
- solid build and keyboard
- perfect size for me
- decent price
- power-sipper/battery life
Quick Cons:
- lack of productivity = low value, despite decent price
- Intel chipsets fall short/aren't ready
- Poor support for OSes outside of 32-bit Windows 7 Starter
- Poor Intel graphics within 32-bit Windows 7 Starter
- 1gig RAM is not enough to be productive in Windows 7 Starter
- no USB 3.0
- Did I mention that the Intel chips fall short?
Before I get into details I want to qualify my review by stating why I chose the 1025c...
I was in the market for a netbook under $300. I work as a web developer from home but travel and backpack regularly. My primary foci were on size, weight, battery life, and the ability to type comfortably. Performance was secondary. I feel that netbooks are not the right systems for gaming and multimedia, so those two items never crossed my mind.
I envisioned swaying in my hammock in the middle of a national park, getting work done, powering my netbook with a solar panel, and returning to civilization to upload my completed projects to my clients. Web development doesn't require much processing power - the back end of web sites/apps are just text documents. Typing up a web site takes roughly the same resources as typing up a Word document.
So even though I expected any netbook to feel and behave a lot slower than my desktop computer that I built, I also expected any netbook to meet my needs (hence the modest budget; I didn't feel like I needed the very best netbook). If it could handle rendering web pages, it can handle making web sites. Games, HD video/multimedia, and working with graphics would have been nice to have, but did not influence my decision.
I purchased this netbook on May 20 because the 1025c seemed like the right choice.
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THE GOOD...
...the battery life!
This was probably the most important purchasing factor and it didn't fail to disappoint. I'd never expect to get the battery life that any manufacturer posts in their ads, and true to form, I've never seen Windows estimate a full battery life of 12.5 hours like ASUS claims. It's in the 8-9 range on power-saving mode, low brightness, muted (I am often commuting and don't have room in my pack for headphones) and not playing video. Ubuntu (more about my dual-booting below) consistently notes less battery life, (likely due to less support for ASUS's Windows-based proprietary energy controls) but is still in the 7-8 hour range.
Yet I regularly take four-hour bus/train rides and regularly have 80-85% battery at the end of the trip. If you do the math, that suggests the battery will last longer than 12.5 hours, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's not a linear decline (the longer you work, the more the RAM fills up; the more RAM fills up, the more the computer needs to use the hard drive as virtual RAM; the more your hard drive runs, the more power is used... thus, the longer you use your computer, the faster the battery drains). I have no expectations of ever counting on the ability to work for 12.5 hours straight without a charge. It's nice, however, to never have to look for one of the few train seats with an electrical outlet.
...the "instant on" feature.
It is truly around the 2-second mark... at first. If the RAM is full, the instant on creeps to 10+ seconds... just to get back into Windows. More time is needed to show whatever programs you were running. Still, if the RAM isn't full I am impressed by how quickly it boots and returns from sleep/hibernation. It actually lives up to the 2-second claim.
...it's a sexy beast!
Appearance neither influenced my purchase decision nor my rating but I have to give it credit: the satin finish and the materials for the base are attractive. I like looking at her. The matte screen is a huge plus, too. My only gripe is the trim around the screen. It looks like 70s era wood paneling painted black... only plastic and fake. The fit and finish of the plastic frame is a bit uneven, but since the rest of the casing exceeded my expectations, it is not something that will lower my rating.
...the 1025C is solid.
The casing is good and the keyboard isn't mushy. It's not bomb-proof, but I'm more concerned with scratches on the finish rather than the casing getting crushed in my pack.
When you press a key on the keyboard, only that key goes down. The keyboard panel doesn't bow like in other netbooks. Keyboard layout is decent. The ?/ key is smaller than the rest and a bit difficult to use, but I expected a learning curve when transitioning from desktop to netbook. I also feel like I have to press a lot harder in order for the key to register, but again that may be a learning curve deal. I was concerned that my wrists would get sore when typing so close together for extended periods, but this has yet to happen.
...YouTube, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger with web cam work just fine.
'nuff said about that.
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THE UGLY ("flaws" that don't bother me but may bother you)...
...difficult/impossible RAM upgrade.
A lot of people complain that the RAM isn't upgradable and/or they expected a RAM panel on the bottom that they saw one on a YouTube video... well...
a.) ASUS's US site makes it clear that the RAM isn't upgradable
b.) ASUS's generic site makes it clear that models will vary from region to region
c.) I've never seen a video where ASUS claimed that the panel will exist in final US production
d.) all the videos that I've seen that show the RAM panel are either in other countries and/or
e.) are previews (pre-US-production/pre-release) at tech shows, and
f.) none of them actually show the use of the panel or otherwise prove that RAM swapping is possible, and
g.) all the people that point out the panel are not ASUS employees making RAM claims
so I think some people assumed too much.
ASUS consumer tip! ASUS tends to release their products to the Asian market first. If you're on the bubble about a new ASUS product, find out what Koreans are boasting or complaining about and assume it won't get fixed for the Americas... because history indicates that ASUS tweaks, but not necessarily fixes, their products between releases to the Asian, American, and European markets.
Besides:
a.) portable computers are notorious for being difficult or impossible to upgrade. One should expect a lack of RAM panel as standard.
b.) rumor has it that the RAM actually is upgradeable (ie, not soldered to the motherboard). I have yet to try so I cannot confirm, but I've read forums where US users have claimed to have successfully upgraded their 1025C's RAM to 2gigs.
c.) even though that voids your warranty, rumor has it that ASUS forgot to use any sticker or tape that rips when you've opened the case (again, opening the case and voiding the warranty is standard - that is not an ASUS thing), so if you do upgrade and later have a problem, just be careful not to rip any evidence sticker and pop the old RAM back in before sending it off for repair. ASUS will never know.
RAM TIP! IF YOU PLAN ON UPGRADING THE RAM, DON'T USE THE CRUCIAL-BRAND RAM THAT AMAZON SUGGESTS -- IT WON'T WORK. AMAZON DOES NOT SELL THE 2GIG CRUCIAL RAM THAT WORKS IN THE ASUS 1025C. FOR THAT, GO TO CRUCIAL'S WEBSITE AND GET ITEM #CT2880876 (currently $14.99 + tax + free 5-9 day shipping)... or do your own research on other brands that Amazon sells.
...some people complained about the screen being too bright.
I think the brightness has a good range. I usually keep it on the low end just for battery life, boosting it in bright daylight situations. However, some reviewers have noted that the brightness is higher than on past models, so bear that in mind if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.
...at least one person complained of fan noise.
I've never noticed any fan noise. It's so quiet that I was under the impression that the N2600's energy efficiency made the fan unnecessary. I'd actually prefer a more audible fan noise so that I know that it is in there and working.
...No USB 3.0.
I knew there would be no USB 3.0 before purchasing, so I can't rightly lower my rating for this. But USB 3.0 should be the standard by now.
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