Dave Winer’s definition of a netbook:
…what a netbook is…
1. Small size.
2. Low price.
3. Battery life of 4+ hours. Battery can be replaced by user. Atom processor seems to be a requirement, those that aren’t Atom aren’t selling (and are apparently being discontinued).
4. Rugged.
5. Built-in wifi, 3 USB ports, SD card reader. It seems it must have 802.11n to be taken seriously.
6. Runs my software.
7. Runs any software I want (no platform vendor to decide what’s appropriate).
8. Competition (users have choice and can switch vendors at any time).
I’m about to buy another eeePC to replace my first (pictured). I need a computer to go to New Zealand with, and want to have an eeePC to work with around the house (in bed, in the backyard, in M’s study). I can’t decide whether to get the 901 model or the 1000. I love the size of the 901, but am attracted by the slightly bigger keyboard of the 1000. Will have to make up my mind soon.
The eeePC was released around this time last year, wasn’t it? It’s good that it’s been so popular. I do wonder if eeePCs, or any other netbook or other computer for that matter, will ever become as easy to use as a mobile phone.
8 Comments
In some ways I like the increased complexity of a PC over a phone but I imagine it would depend a lot on what you do with it. I couldn’t stand web surfing on my current (very basic) cell phone, but maybe if I had an iPhone that would change. 😉
EeePCs are very cute looking – some of our students have them. very handy size.
Why the 1000 and not the 1000h? The speed tests show that the 1000h is faster, even though it doesn’t have SSD.
BTW the 1000h has some very cool touchpad software that you can download from the touchpad manufacturer, as it is not “officially” on the ASUS site. Site is in some form of Chinese, but it is pretty straightforward.
It allows you to do things like zoom in and out on a document by making your fingers wider apart, and double tap to open a specified program, or push down three fingers on the pad do the same as TAB> ..and more….
I also am
Kathryn, 1000h’s what I meant. Lazy typing 🙂
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Want one, especially for my writing / conferencing adventures. I need a machine whose battery that will last the long flights from Darwin to anywhere (ie. 3.5+ hours).
My only question is, what are the associated costs for software? I’m a “mac person” and I’m a little loathe to have to shell out for more software… I’ve yet to look into the open source alternatives.
The Eee 901 is my current pick if I had to buy one now. It’s got the best battery life of them all so far with the possibility of 6+ hours IIRC. I would like a better keyboard though and some of the competitors do have nice ones. The Dell for example was nice to type on though some of the keys were arranged oddly. My 701 is fine for now and I suppose what I’m waiting for is weight under a kilo, a decent keyboard, and long battery life. Screensize I’d be happy with 8.9″ and may go to 10″ at most. Any bigger and it will have trouble fitting in my shoulder bag 🙂 With 32GB SD cards coming on to the market, hard drive space isn’t really an issue these days.
I want to get one too – and am having the same dilemma as you – 901 or 1000h. Have been umming and aahing about it for a while now. Maybe we should buy our two at once and try and negotiate a discount. 🙂