Customer Reviews

Asus Eee PC 4G Surf (7-Inch Display, Intel Mobile Processor, 512 MB RAM, 4 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Pure White

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After a little over 24 hours of using this item, I have to say this little gadget is much more than just a fun must-have. Set-up was quick and easy. It connected instantly to our corporate network without any input by me. With our Windows-based units, it normally takes about 10-15 minutes to get everything up and running. At home, I had it connected to my home network in about 10 minutes, most of that time was spent getting my other computer configured.

I do have a few complaints though and they are minor. One, it seems to be a little picky about how it connects to the wireless network. I had to shut it down and restart it several times before it would connect. After it connected once though, it had no problems. Two, the windows (tabs) at times are not visible completely - I maximized a window a couple of times and could not scroll to all of the edges and actually had to close out the window (tab). Setting up my mail was a chore because all of the options at the bottom were not visible, so I just had to hit enter on the keyboard and hope the right button was highlighted.

All-in-all this is a great product. Aside from the screen size, it is every bit as functional as my work laptop. Open Office works great with only minor formatting issues. The keyboard is an acceptable size. I have the 4G Surf model, which at the time I ordered it Asus only listed one model on their website and that was the 4G model. I thought I was getting the webcam and the higher capacity battery. The 4G Surf model does not have those items, but I can purchase them separately. I successfully downloaded the beta version of Skype for Linux, which includes video conferencing capabilities. I have not tried it yet, but it looks like it should work. If you visit some websites, it will tell you that Skype for Linux will have that capability in 2008 - it is available now. I like this computer for what it is - a lightweight travel companion that I can take anywhere and use anywhere. For the price I paid, you cannot get a quality laptop that runs this fast and is this practical. The 900mhz processor and 512mb RAM runs faster than our 1.6ghz Windows-based desktops.

Update: After a little research I learned that you can hold down Alt and left-click anywhere on the window to move it around. Also, wireless works a lot better now - I have no problems connecting anywhere I go. The problems I had before must have been a fluke. The other day I wanted to find certain store, so I parked in front of a restaurant with Wi-Fi and connected to the internet to find where I wanted to go. What a great deal!

The Asus Eee PC certainly doesn't look as sleek as the ultra portable Macbook Air, but most laptops are not as sleek as Apple or Sony products. Still, the Eee PC is a genuinely ultra-portable everyday workhorse with features, performance, and value that make it a terrific machine. I think the Eee PC is probably one of the best values in computing technology you will ever find.

I bought the black 4 G Surf, which means it has a 4 Gig SSD (drive) and does not come with an onboard web cam. I like this machine. It boots up fast and quietly; when I turn it on its ready for me in 20 seconds. No Windows machine I am aware of can deliver that kind of performance on the hardware the Eee PC runs on.

It comes pre-installed with all the software you need to be productive, which is good since this machine does not have an optical disc drive. To install additional software, you do not have to buy a disc drive; instead, you can connect the Eee PC to a network or the internet using the built-in wifi 802.11 b/g connection and download additional software; downloading is also a good way to access updates for the pre-installed software. A BIOS update from AsusTek is already waiting for users of the 4G model.

Since this machine is genuinely ultra-portable, I carry it with me nearly everywhere I take my knapsack. At 2 lbs, it is hardly noticeable. Unlike most notebooks, the Eee PC's power cord is light weight and the SD card I use for extra disc storage weighs less than a penny.


In the office, I use a Windows XP desktop, at home I have a Macbook Pro, and for travel integrating the Linux-based Asus has been seamless and easy even though the Eee PC is the third operating system I am using. Thanks to the open source software that runs on the Eee PC, I can create documents that are compatible with anything on my Macbook Pro or Windows PC. Although I might be considered a "power user," believe me anyone can pick up the Eee PC and use it out-of-the box without any prior experience with Linux;you simply point and click your way to whatever you want. And, for the power user, you can do virtually anything on this machine with the flexibility of installing whatever you want on this machine including installing a new operating system or entirely changing the original set up. With all of the choices open to computer users and the bargain basement cost, I am not sure why the Eee PC has not received more media attention in the U.S.

This is a terrific machine for everyday tasks like web browsing, emailing, document creation, and even writing this review. I highly recommend the Eee PC as a second computer for adults, a first computer for a child or an ultra portable computer for anyone.

A Few Issues that Matter

Keyboard Size:

Some folks may not like the keyboard. The Eee PC uses a small key board; it is probably one-fifth to one-fourth the size of a typical laptop keyboard. I can type fast on this keyboard, but the keyboard is not as responsive as my MBP keyboard and the right-shift key is too small - - it is too easy to mistakenly hit the larger enter key instead. Having said that, I think the keyboard is very usable, but be prepared to spend some time adapting to the small keyboard before you are able to type quickly and accurately on it.

Screen:
The 7-inch display is crisp and sharp, but not as bright as some laptops and the resolution is only 800x480 pixels. You are going to scroll the screen more than you would on a 15-inch desktop or laptop. To alleviate this problem, be prepared to buy one accessory: a wireless mouse. The touchpad is responsive, but I think touch pads are particularly poor pointing devices when a lot of scrolling is required.

Disc size and Memory:
The solid state hard drive is fast and responsive. Applications load quickly and disc access occurs with a breeze. Although nearly half of the 4 GB SSD is used by the pre-installed software, you can use SD cards to extend your storage capacity. I have over 1 GB of space available on the internal SSD with nearly 50 data files installed. Unless you are installing large video or music files, your data files are not likely to occupy a lot of storage space. Remember, the Eee PC is for productive work, data communications, and Internet access, it is not your game PC and I wouldn't use it like an iPod either.

Battery life:
I have been able to get slightly over 3 hours of battery life out of the Eee PC when I turn wifi off.

For the last year or two I've been using two computers for mobile web access and note taking. One is an aging iBook that's starting to develop keyboard and battery problems, and is heavier than I'd like to carry in a backpack or camera bag. The other is my Nokia 770, which is cute, but slow and very limited when it comes to typing or writing notes. I thought about buying a Nokia 810, but the reviews I've read suggested the Eee would be better for my uses. I decided to risk a purchase.

So far, I'm pleased. The Eee boots fast, it's quiet, the screen is more than adequate, and it's very light and compact. True, the keyboard isn't great, but I found it reasonably easy to adjust to. Installing other apps isn't easy, and the 800MHz processor doesn't support graphic editing, but that's not what this machine is intended for; if you want to run the Gimp, get a faster machine. The same goes for running Windows. I thought about installing XP, but that's really stretching the capabilities of this machine, and trying to make it into something it's not.

The Eee is at its best providing a light, inexpensive and very portable platform for basic web activities and simple office tasks. The screen is bigger than any of the pocket-sized computers, the keyboard is better than anything you'll find on a web-enabled phone or Nokia WiFi terminal, and it's a fraction of the price of the more powerful hand helds. As a student computer it's the perfect combination of portability, function, and low cost. If you keep its limitations in mind, and use it for what it's intended for, I think you'll be very happy with it.

My desktop crashed and was going to be gone for 3-6 weeks. This notebook was recommended to me as a good travel and home use laptop. The start-up is very fast and the 7" screen is vivid. It also nice to know that it was durable and did not have a `hard drive' but was solid-state disc. The keyboard is very small and is slightly uncomfortable unless you are a child or have small hands. The finger pad can be adjusted for sensitivity, but I found it to be less sensitive than I needed. I took it on a long trip and found that I had great difficulty getting it to connect to its Wi-Fi. I was in the San Francisco Airport, Phoenix, Charlotte, Orlando and friends home who had Wi-Fi. I was only able to connect in Phoenix. It was fast but it was also very frustrating to not get connected.

The Linux software is very easy to understand and has all the programs you need for work or play and it is all compatible with Microsoft Office. Do be aware that although some of the ASUS notebooks come with Windows XP, it is VERY difficult to install Windows XP on your own. Once connected, it is great for Email and basic word processing. There is a port if you want to view your work on a larger screen. There are also 3 USB ports, jacks for microphone and headphones and a slot for a memory card (I used mine for photo transfers). The battery claims it will last for up to 3.5 hours, but mine only lasted 2.5 hours and if you use the Wi-Fi you'll use up a lot more power. The speakers are very small but give a perfectly adequate sound. This device also includes SKPE, so you can view and speak to others by using the built-in camera and microphone.

It is all very nifty and easy to learn, but I was very frustrated with the lack of connection through WI-Fi. Considering that this unit is less than $400-$500, it is a good bargain and I would expect better used for kids who are going to bang it around and use it for less complicated uses with less memory. I did end up returning mine to save up for a larger laptop with Windows, so I can only recommend this for teenagers or younger.

This is concerning the 4G Surf models only. Amazon throws all the reviews (and product specs) under one heading, even thought here are some differences between them. That isn't Asuss fault; it is Amazon's, but I wanted to point his out.

Here are some things to keep in mind with this:
There is no web cam with the 4G Surf. (no big deal to me, but others should know)

The 4G Surf memory is upgradeable, but it is a project compared to the 4G. It isn't impossible, but it is more in depth and I am putting that off for another week or so. The extra memory is inexpensive though, and I definitely would encourage picking up 1G.

After being on for a while (maybe an hour, maybe two) the touch pad loses all sensitivity. The design seems to have heat sinks under the touch pad (just a guess) and it heats up just enough to make it useless. I recommend you also purchase a USB mouse so you aren't stuck.

It arrives with Linux installed, and it is wonderful. I am keeping my system Linux, though I may install Ubuntu. The only problem I found with Linux is it isn't compatible with my Canon software. Therefore, I also bought a small compact flash card reader so I can transfer my photos. The image editor included doesn't support Canon's RAW format, which is what I shot, but it does support most others.

Pick up a SD card to use for extra space. I bought the 8G Amazon has for less then $40. The laptop recognized it right away, but my two other systems weren't able to.

All things considered, I believe this will be the next wave in computers. I would recommend this to almost every one.

The Eee is not a full lap top. It has no drives and I wouldn't want to subject it to much abuse. IT DOES excell at what it is; a small light travel companion for getting on the WEB, wireless ready right from the box, and doing light tasks. The Linux based system, which has yet to crash, is not compatable with Windows or Apple, keeping us from networking with our computers at work. Since the system is so stable we are apprehensive about installing the Windows XP disk that came with the Eee, and are becoming converts to Linux. I have bullet pointed features we discovered after two "vacations" and an extended stay in the hospital, unrelated, totaling I guess well over 100 hours of use.
- VERY Light weight and compact - size of most portable DVD players
- Keyboard layout and touch pad functions diffrent from PCs or Apples
- Keys are light weight almost "toy like", so no pounding
- Battery life short lived, will need two for a transcontiental flight,
recharges quickly though
- Screen is clear and crisp
- WEB pages load quickly
- The amount of preinstalled software is amazing
- Ready to go right out of the box, on line in less then 10 minutes,
mostly spent typing in my codes.
We, the whole family, highly prize our Eee and show it off when ever possible. And will buy others in the future. Sorry, but I have not tried using external drives, loading software nor using external keyboards/monitors, as we have yet found the need to do so.

Pros: Small, portable, fast boot-up, comes with great programs

Cons: Keys are smaller than normal

This is a great computer. It is small and portable. I was skeptical at first because I thought that the screen would be too small to read. I was wrong. Sure it is smaller but still can be read easily at arms length away (just as if you were typing on a regular laptop) I am actually writing this review on it right now. The keyboard does take some getting used too. The keys are smaller but I am sure after a few weeks, everything will be ok. I am a student and this is great to take to class because it boots up fast and is very light weight and portable. It is half the size of a manila file folder.

This computer is great for internet usage and writing papers. It is not a computer for playing a bunch of games or if you need to install major programs.

Openoffice program is great for writing papers. You can also save as a .doc file so it will not affect the file if you need to transfer a file to Microsoft word. I bought the white surf version without the webcam or the extended battery. To me, the webcam and an extra half-hour of battery life is not with an extra $50.00. Just get the surf model.

In conclusion if you want something lightweight, portable, and will be mostly using it for word processing and internet, this is the computer for you!

If you understand what the eee pc is then you (SHOULD) love it!! In my opinion its the perfect secondary, take it anywhere computer. The pre-installed Linux is great for beginners and hobbyist. I found out Linux is nothing to be intimidated by. The word processor, data base, slide show presentation(Power Point like) ect. is all compatible with MicroSoft Office. It even looks and feels like Microsoft Office. It's basically the same thing but its free! I feel almost guilty using it, its crazy!!

I know its a Microsoft world but if you keep an open mind you MAY see that the Version of Linux that comes with the EEE pc is just as easy as Windows but without all the 100,000 plus viruses to worry about. Oh yea and it hardly ever locks up.

The only complaint that I have is that I wish the battery would last a little longer but for $350 I can live with it.....

Be very careful when ordering one of these; Asus has been changing the spec on the 4G without notifying vendors such as Amazon. I ordered and returned two units to Amazon that were missing the mini-pcie expansion connector in the expansion bay, and a third unit that I inspected at a local store was missing the expansion bay entirely, so I couldn't even upgrade the memory. The units that are shipping, unlike the units that have been reviewed all over the web, are NOT EXPANDABLE.

I purchased this machine as a travel pc and have to admit that it's a fun little pc to use. The start up is quick - really quick. We needed quick directions. Got them in less than 3 minutes. The other laptop and desktop were still booting up. I was wary of Linux operating system having never used it, but it is so user friendly. It's just like windows - only different icons. I connected it to my home and office network in a snap. In less than 10 minutes I was browsing the web. I thought the small 7" screen would not allow full screen view and scrolling, but it does. I have only had a few sites where I have to horizontal scroll but i can live with that.

The pc comes preloaded with very usable applications. I love OpenOffice. I can work on WORD and Excel docs. on the fly. and i dont have to carry the heavier laptop as much. It fits in my travel bag. I am typing this review on it. The keyboard is a little small and takes a little getting use to. But having used small notebooks before it is very workable. It may be a problem for men with large fingers.

I let a 7 and 12 year old use it and they love it. The small keys are perfect for them and it is very durable. It has been knocked around a few times and is solid. They love carrying it around because of the wireless. They have gone to all their favorite sites and I have yet to hear of audio or video not playing.

All in all this is a great little lap top. Ideal for kids, travel, fun. Great to have in car with kids. It's light, durable and a great addition to home or office. It even allows for you to convert to Windows operating system. But why would you? It even looks cool. People ask all the time is it a real laptop? Get one, you wont regret it.