Asus is always trending in the digital and mobile market, so many people are already used to the announcement of new and very interesting products from a wonderful Taiwanese manufacturer. Asus Eee PC 900 was no exception, because by its release the netbook market was already full, and the potential buyer, in fact, had nothing to surprise. But a mobile device in a very short space has become a sales leader.
Market positioning
Notebook Asus Eee PC 900 is aimed at people who value convenience and comfort, preferring to always have the Internet at hand. The manufacturer considered that this particular model will appeal to the female gender, students and people who prefer outdoor activities. Today on the market, this small and very pretty device is available in all kinds of colors.
Dimensions (225x170x35 mm) allow you to place the laptop even in a small woman's bag, not to mention the briefcase, folder or urban- style backpack . Each step of the manufacturer in promoting a mobile device constantly emphasizes its compactness and user friendliness. This is expressed in public advertisements on television, commercials on the official website and on advertising booklets that are distributed in women's boutiques and supermarkets.
About device performance
Even a person who is poorly versed in computer components will note that the filling of the Asus Eee PC 900 netbook is very weak. The problem lies entirely in the processor - Intel Celeron 900 MHz pulls down the entire performance of a mobile computer. Neither a solid-state drive, nor the amount of RAM in the device (1 GB) can save the situation. The integrated GMA 900 video adapter based on the 910 GML Express mobile chipset makes it possible to run simple games. However, this productive is more than enough for full-fledged work and Internet entertainment.
There are no problems with the interfaces and connectors in the Asus Eee PC 900. Technical specifications are at their best: the ability to connect to a local network (RJ-45), Wi-Fi, card reader, VGA and as many as 3 USB 2.0 connectors. It is worth noting that the device has a built-in camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels, which allows you to transmit high-definition video in real time.
Device Options
Asus always pays attention to the packaging of its products. The manufacturer is trying to convey to the buyer all the possibilities of his electronics literally at the first acquaintance. Even the packaging of the device is a real advertising booklet. The Asus Eee PC 900 netbook is drawn on the box in all its glory. Features, including the serial number and manufacturer information, can be found at the end of the box.
The buyer will also be pleased with the equipment: the netbook itself, a power supply, several disks with software, full instructions and a case. It is worth noting that the cover for transporting the laptop not only looks attractive, but is also made of a fabric that is pleasant to the touch, which can protect the device from falling. Many netbooks in the more expensive range are equipped with mouse manufacturers, and some users are unhappy that such a wonderful mobile device has not even received the most inexpensive input device.
Appearance and build quality
There are no complaints about the factory assembly. The user will not detect any creaks or other extraneous sounds during operation. The lid of the device opens tightly, but, on the other hand, this is a plus, because for many mobile devices the problem of fixing the screen in the right position is relevant.
The owner of the Asus Eee PC 900 will please the characteristics of the plastic itself. Although it does not have a matte finish and is able to collect fingerprints, its high durability will not allow the laptop to break if it is accidentally dropped. Thus, the manufacturer once again emphasizes that the device is made for active people. There are also negative reviews in the media regarding the characteristics of plastic. Strength is achieved due to the thickening, which led to the weighting of the netbook cover, which in the process tends to fill up the device back.
The main feature in any netbook
Comfort in working with a mobile device begins with a high-quality screen, which not only should convey natural colors, but also have a decent resolution. The TN matrix with a resolution of 1024x600 dpi is quite difficult to call high-quality, but do not forget that the screen is 9-inch. To communicate on the Internet and work with basic applications, this is enough. But for viewing videos in the family circle on the screen of the Asus Eee PC 900, the device is definitely not intended, because the viewing angles leave much to be desired.
Judging by the reviews, the manufacturer made a rather strange decision, providing the netbook with a 16: 9 aspect ratio screen. After all, this size is intended for games and multimedia. When working with office applications, it would be more pleasant to see a 4: 3 screen in front of you.
Usability
If the buyer needs a small typewriter, then you need to carefully study the Asus Eee PC 900 netbook. The characteristics of the keyboard in it are very different from the international standards of such devices. It's all about placing buttons. At first glance, the manufacturer clearly forgot to add half of the basic buttons, however, having examined it in detail, the user will find that they are all available, only have a chaotic arrangement and are activated using the functional mode.
But the touchpad is perfect. It is very convenient to use, because its dimensions allow you to move the cursor around the screen with one touch. Yes, and alternative buttons that simulate a mouse click are pressed easily, without much effort. Efficiency is added by a characteristic click that notifies the user of the action taken.
Mobility rate
Many manufacturers are starting to forget about the purpose of netbooks in the digital device market. In pursuit of high performance and low weight, an important parameter is missed - the autonomy of the device. For Asus Eee PC 900, mobility characteristics come first, as the manufacturer installed a four-section battery with a capacity of 4400 mAh.
Asus announces three hours of continuous use on a single charge. You can extend your uptime by one hour by disabling the Wi-Fi wireless interface. It becomes clear what the manufacturer was motivated by supplying the device with a weak processor, because it is thanks to its low power consumption that the netbook is able to work offline for such a long time.
Manufacturer Tricks
You can only purchase a device in a store with the Linux operating system installed . Naturally, this step of the manufacturer affected the low price. However, not every user will like to work in an unfamiliar environment, so the Taiwanese giant supplied the package with a recovery disk with Windows XP for the Asus Eee PC 900. The operating system, of course, is trial, and requires the owner to purchase a license, but this does not prevent it from being used for free, because Work on a netbook is not blocked.
It is worth noting that there is still a difference in netbook performance with the installed Linux and Windows system. In the latest version, the Asus Eee PC 900 netbook does a poor job with several demanding applications.
Laptop service and technical support
Although Asus is a market leader, it has constant problems with support, or rather, with current updates on its official website. Therefore, when buying a mobile device, IT experts advise you to reliably store the disks included in the kit with all the necessary software, otherwise, in the case of force majeure, restoring the system to operation is very problematic.
Many owners are interested in installing on the Asus Eee PC 900 Windows 7. Why not? The operating system will easily find on the Internet all the necessary drivers and allow you to work with the updated shell. But before installing Windows 7, the owner must be aware that system performance will change for the worse: applications will open with a delay, a long switch between windows will appear, video will slow down when viewing in HD quality.
Repair and dust cleaning
Studying reviews on the Asus Eee PC 900, you may find that the netbook is considered one of the few devices that have a complex disassembly and assembly sequence. To perform global cleaning, you need to completely disassemble the device: remove the keyboard, disconnect all modules, disconnect the display connectors and pull out the motherboard. Not to mention the assembly, which is not only done in the reverse order, but also requires additional skill with connecting the cables to the display and connecting the power cables.
Definitely - for a simple user, all these actions will bring a lot of trouble. You can’t do without a service center, because a strange cooling system can quickly clog up, especially for those owners who are used to taking a mobile device with them to bed. And if the buyer thinks that the Asus Eee PC 900 netbook can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, walking through the air intake slots, then he is very mistaken. In addition to cleaning the fan blades from dust, he will not be able to reach any components.
Customization of the system for yourself
But with the upgrade, the manufacturer pleased the buyers. A basic improvement is the installation of XP for the Asus Eee PC 900. It is more for convenience than an indicator of performance, but it is still a step in the right direction. After all, if you recall, the laptop comes without an operating system. Accordingly, the buyer simply receives a gift of Windows XP.
The second upgrade requires a small investment from the owner. In the Asus Eee PC 900 laptop, the memory has a capacity of 1 GB, but its capacity can be doubled by installing the appropriate module. System performance will be noticeable with the naked eye when working with resource-intensive applications. And if you replace the regular PCI Express Mini SSD-drive with a faster and larger volume, then in the hands of the user will be quite frisky netbook.
Finally
As can be seen from the review, the Asus Eee PC 900 is fully consistent with the niche declared by the manufacturer and, judging by the price, it can even compete with the budget segment. However, its functionality due to poor performance may not be enough for users who are looking for a mobile device for entertainment. But if we are talking about a device for work and leisure outside the home, then it is better not to find this netbook on the market. In any case, the user will have to decide which device he needs and for what purposes.