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October 28 (updated below)
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I received the ASUS EEE PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook two days ago. My initial impression is that this is a mountainous computer. Below are more specific comments.
1) OS: Windows Starter
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Runs really well without any problems. I reflect another 1GB of RAM would develop it faster, but I can easily live without it for my main purpose of taking research notes, writing papers, and using the Internet.
I have not had a chance to try out all of my software yet, but Windows Office 2007, bLADE Wiki, Chrome, and other programs I frequently exhaust work unbiased gorgeous. Windows 7 Starter does hurry more than three applications. I have four begin now.
Thankfully, I had no distress enabling language relieve (IME) for Japanese and Chinese. In general, I have also found some things a slight more intuitive than XP or Vista. At this point, I examine absolutely no reason to hold an upgrade.
The inability to change your desktop image is a mean-spirited marketing decision that I hope Microsoft will reconsider. Not only that, but the wallpaper makes it explore like you have a crack or dust on your cloak. You can score around this and hurry up your computer a puny bit in the process. In your commence menu right-click on computer, rob properties, advanced system settings, performance, and "Adjust for best performance." Your background will be solid blue.
2) Screen
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Surprisingly crisp and positive. Yes, it is miniature, but so is the computer 
3) Keyboard
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I have no anxiety at all typing on it. Some owners of past Asus models have complained about a warped site bar. Indeed, the state bar is slightly elevated on the left side. However, I beget this was intentional. When you press the function key with the blue "running man" note on the left it switches power settings (stare comments below for an update on the keyboard) .
4) Battery
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I am not clear yet how to obtain the advertised 10.5, but I am easily getting 9+ hours out of it on the power saver mode. It is improbable. The power adapter is quite runt and seems to charge it up very expeditiously.
5) Sturdiness / Quality
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The computer feels surprisingly solid and less flimsy than more expensive computers I have bought in the past. It is not the most handsome computer out there, but it seems well-built. It has a fabulous lack of annoying lights. The only one remaining is the power light in the upper good. The blue LED is annoying (as it is on most computers made nowadays), but distinguished less of a spot than others out there. If computer manufacturers would set aside the power light befriend on the bottom apt under my hand with the rest of the lights I would be grateful.
6) Partitions
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My memory was partitioned into a C and D drive. There are generous reasons to have a partition, but personally I consume none. It is relatively easy to change the partition.
7) Bloatware
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One or two programs (as far as I can snort) that I was able to fast retract. Nothing at all like my last computer that had over a dozen.
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November 5 (update)
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It is a astounding computer and I wouldn't hesitate to acquire it again if I had the chance. At this size (10.1 scurry) and with these specs (battery life, memory, etc.) it seems to be the best computer on the market. I smooth give it 5 stars.
However, I have had concerns with the keyboard. Be positive to examine it thoroughly when it arrives. I ordered the same model for someone else and it arrived with what looked like melted keys next to the spacebar. We sent it aid to Amazon for a replacement and the unique one that arrived is unbiased gorgeous.
My "w" key was sticking the other day. I sprayed some compressed air under it and it started working again. I never eat or drink approach the computer, so I cannot imagine what it was. That is the first time I have had something like that happen on any computer. It has been about a week since that happened and has been working handsome.
After looking at last year's models in the store, I can perceive that my "warped" region key was probably not intentional. It doesn't hit the cover and is barely noticeable, so I have not shipped it befriend for a replacement. I remain glad with the product overall, but I mediate they really need to work on quality control for their keyboards.
It's been 2 days since the release of Windows 7 and this netbook. With one-day shipping, I've been playing with the machine for about 6 hours. So, I have some initial thoughts, but no mammoth insights into battery life or exercise while traveling (I'll try to update after my business mosey next week) .
My overall impression is very clear. It's minute and easy to utilize. The keyboard and trackpad work as well as my plump sized laptop. I've installed a bunch of basic programs like Firefox and have had no problems. The only minor frustration I have is one of the laughable limitations of Windows 7 Starter Edition: you can't change the desktop's wallpaper. It's a comical limitation, but not worth paying to upgrade to Home Premium to overcome.
Along with the netbook, I purchased a 2 gig upgrade: Crucial Technology CT25664AC800 2GB 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 PC2-6400 Memory Module and an external DVD burner: ASUS USB 2.0 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive SDRW-08D1S-U (Dim) . If you peek at the pictures above you can look fair how easy it is to install the memory. It did prefer a limited more force than I liked to acquire the memory mask after unscrewing the one screw, but everything else went smoothly.
Oct 28 Update: Read the comments on this review for my initial battery impressions as well as some grand comments from other folks.
Relevant context for this review: This is my first netbook and I have been a strong Mac OS convert for the past 2 and 1/2 years. I swore I would never prefer anything with a Windows OS again, but bought this because the label, size, and battery life were what I needed.
BOTTOM LINE: I have been playing with my netbook for three days now and can say that it is everything I expected.
POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Battery life is astonishing and recharges in an hour (max) : I did some light web-surfing for a couple hours one night and had 82% of battery left when I was done. UPDATE: I watched a 45 min. episode of Excited Men that I downloaded and it only former up about 10% of the battery. Aesthetic awesome.
- Size is great: about the size of a hardcover new.
- Weight is distinguished better: half the weight of my MacBook Pro, the same weight as my girlfriend's MacBook Air.
- Note point is right: I got mine for $387 and feel like anything $400 or less is a magnificent effect for what you procure.
- Mask is dinky, crisp, and clear: Larger would be easier to ogle, but miniature is the point of a netbook, suitable?
- Windows 7 Starter is adequate: Not slothful, even with 4 windows initiate at a time. I'm calm getting re-familiarized with the Windows 7 file structure and how you install applications, etc, but that's not a fault of Windows 7. There is a wallpaper application on the Asus website that allows you to produce any photo your wallpaper (study under "Downloads" for Windows 7...I believe it's first on the list) .
- Asus tech befriend was satisfactory and efficient: Yes, I had to call when I was initializing Windows 7 because I got an endless "Initializing icon" during set-up. They said something must not have installed upright on set-up.
- Keyboard is smaller but acceptably easy to use: Again, minute is the point, so you have to inquire some dissimilarity. I have to seek when I type or I form mistakes (normally, I type by touch) . I hit "z" instead of "shift" if I don't witness.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Asus almost hides their phone # for customer attend on the website and the book that comes with the netbook honest lists the website. Not kindly if you don't have other access to web when having disaster.
- I had to call Asus succor during set-up. Yes, it was resolved rapidly, but this is the kind of thing you don't have to do with Mac OS and why I secure frustrated with Windows.
- Have to protect from viruses again: Netbook comes with free, 61-day protection, but I dislike having to pay and update protection all the time. UPDATE: Ogle first comment below for a tip about free virus protection.
- Not a mammoth "lap top" computer. It's very puny size, makes it hard to employ on your lap. Grand easier to employ sitting at a table.
- Pleasing hokey, kid-like Eee PC toolbar seems like more of a link to stuff you can lift (games, etc.) than a heavy-duty "tool" that is provided to fabricate Eee PC experience Eeesier. UPDATE: I figured out how to rep rid of this under settings, so this is a non-issue now.
Okay, that's my impression so far. Will update if it changes. I consider I'm going to hold it and choose it on an 18 hour flight and two week chase to South Africa next week. Hoping to be able to utilize it to play (on plane), skype, and research travel/touring info while away.
UPDATE 11/2: I'm liking the machine more every day. I have now attach itunes and doubletwist on my machine so that I can sync my Palm Pre (phone) and access all of my itunes music and other media purchased through itunes. Both are working broad. I have also installed a bunch of things I need to patch the WebOS code on my Palm Pre and that is working like a dream. Lastly, I downloaded initiate office (free open-source word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow and more) and notion to exercise that instead of paying for MS Office.
