Review: Asus Eee PC 4G 701 Galaxy Black
(Yes, I am quite back.)
This is a review of the Asus Eee PC 701 4G in Galaxy Black.
I received my Eee PC from www.newegg.com last week. Shipping was strange, as it was the New Year's crap that every shipping company tries to pull. Came in one piece though. On it now writing this review.
Packaging: (10/10)
The Packaging was simple--a box smaller than my father's Toshiba laptop. Inside, was the Eee PC, power adapter, warrantees, instructions, manuals, battery, and carrying case. Was easy to take out of box and easy to assemble (put battery in, lock it, plug the charger into wall.)
Functionality: (9/10)
This laptop is extremely portable (one half the size of my brother's 15.4" HP). Goes just about anywhere you want to take it. The keyboard is small, but gets easier to use as you begin to use it (I was used to it within 30 minutes; now I can type 70-80 wpm on this keyboard). The touchpad is fairly nice, with scrolling feature, and a single bar that acts as both left and right click depending on which side is depressed. The only problem I have is with the right shift key being so close to the (up) arrow. 3.5-Hour battery life, charger is as small as cell phone charger (no power "brick"), and it makes as a great web surfing computer with Atheros 802.11 b/g.
Hardware: (9/10)
This laptop is solidly built throughout. Great quality. Has:
-4 GB Solid State Disk
-512 MB DDR2 667 standard (upgradeable to 2 GB [one slot 200-pin SO-DIMM])
-Intel Dothan-based mobile CPU (630 MHz-900MHz)
-built-in webcam and microphone
-3 USB 2.0 Ports
-VGA out for external monitor
-SD/MMC (SDHC compatible) card reader
-Built-in speakers with Intel HD Audio codec
-Mic and Headphone ports
-Atheros Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
-Lithium-Ion 5200 mAh (3.5 hour battery life)
-7" LCD display (800x600)
I was surprised that the screen is highly readable and clear despite its small size. Colors look great, and the VGA-out supports up to 1600x1200. Webcam looks great, and the sound is amazing. The little CPU behind the Xandros-based operating system pushes it along nicely, producing little heat, which is removed by a small heatsink/fan (barely audible). The 512 MB RAM might be a bit of a hang-up on the system, but I bought a 1 GB SODIMM for 23.99 to go along with this laptop (Crucial with Micron D9FTP chips), and it runs everything great. Lack of CD drive wasn't much of a set-back, because it makes it so much smaller and more power-efficient.
Software: (10/10)
The Xandros-based operating system has everything I need, from Skype and Firefox, to Amarok and OpenOffice 2.0. The Eee PC can also run Windows Vista and Windows XP/XP Pro if you like. Xandros even has games and such for when you get bored. The whole OS is linux-based, and is divvided into tabs labeled "Internet", "Work", "Learn", "Play", "Settings", and "Favorites."
Looks: (10/10)
It. Is. Small.
It looks stylish in my opinion. Compact. USB ports are nicely arranged. Everything is where it should be.
Overall: (9.6)
If you are looking for an ultra-portable laptop computer, the Asus Eee PC is for you.
-KMR
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Originally Posted by Luke122
