ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1001P-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 11 Hours of Battery Life) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The overall build of this netbook feels very solid and keyboard is firm, no flex. I love this keyboard, touch typing is no problem. This is a very personal preference though; you should try out the keyboard on any netbook before you buy it.
Cover and palm rests have textured finish that hides fingerprints. My husband asked, "Is that carbon fiber?", and thought it looked cool. The textured surface also provides a better grip than a shiny surface.
The Synaptics trackpad works great. Two-finger scrolling works smoothly, which is good because the up/down keys on the keyboard are pretty small. I don't use the trackpad rocker button very much, I just use tap gestures to simulate the left and right button clicks.
I'm really glad I went for the matte non-glare screen. It is easier to read in less-than-ideal lighting conditions while traveling. The 10.1" screen is clear and sharp, and easy to read at 1024x600, no squinting. The screen swings back and down when open, so that it sits low; it's good to have a low profile when working on an airplane tray.
Windows 7 starter edition ran without lagging, but I can live without all the extras provided by Asus. So, having an extra upgrade license handy, I promptly did a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium on the C: partition, leaving the D: data partition, the ExpressGate partition, and the restore partition intact. I was able to download all necessary drivers and utilities from the Asus support website. Windows 7 Home Premium runs amazingly well with only 1 GB of ram! I'm going to wait and see if I really want to upgrade to 2 GB.
I was concerned that the wireless card was only 802.11g, and not 802.11n, but I really don't notice any difference when surfing the web. I was also concerned that the webcam was only 0.3 megapixel (640x480), but it looks fine and works well with Skype, as does the built-in microphone.
I agree with others that the connector on the A/C adapter is very thin, but it seems strong enough. I'd rather have the pin on the A/C adapter break (which I can replace for a few bucks) than the power receptacle on the motherboard.
When I'm working from home via VPN and Remote Desktop, I like to connect my netbook to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, and wired ethernet. The EEE PC 1001p had no trouble with the 1280x1024 resolution on my monitor. The wired ethernet and USB keyboard work fine. Logitech doesn't provide a Windows 7 driver for my old bluetooth mouse, but I just put the netbook bluetooth into discovery mode and it found my mouse with no problem. Windows 7 had the bluetooth mouse drivers I needed built in.

I inserted a 256 MB SD card into the memory card slot and it was recognized instantly. I'm trying out the Windows Ready-Boost feature with this SD card, but since most of the things I do are not memory intensive (surfing the web, remote desktop, VNC), and it's a fairly small memory card, I haven't noticed much of a difference.
It would have been nice if Asus had included a neoprene slipcase for this netbook. I recommend the Case Logic VLS-110 Sleeve for 7-Inch to 10-Inch Netbooks.
The 1001p has everything I wanted in a netbook: good performance, a reasonable weight, nice screen and keyboard, slick design, and a great price.


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Eee PC 1001P-P The 10.1-inch Eee PC 1001P-P Seashell with Windows 7 Starter shines as the ideal Eee PC for the traveler looking for outstanding wireless connectivity and efficient Eee PC performance.Thanks to the exclusive ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) and the new power sipping Intel Atom N450 processor, you can take this mobile phenom wherever you choose and enjoy up to an incredible 11 hours of unplugged freedom.* The Eee PC 1001P-P is encased in a latticework (checker-patterned) shell that captivates onlookers and features the next generation Intel Atom N450 processor for extraordinary battery life.Plus, it gives you extended comfort with a smooth and easy to use keyboard, large palm-rest, and multi-touch trackpad. For more convenience, the Eee PC 1001P has hotkeys placed above the keyboard – granting you quick access to Wi-Fi and control of the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine that instantly optimizes system performance for the task at hand.Throw in a generous 250GB hard drive and you get the ability to store and access your important data anytime, anywhere. ASUS worked closely to make your Windows 7 experience better with groundbreaking utilities such as FastBoot and LocalMe.With ASUS FastBoot technology, this Windows 7-enabled Eee PC starts up fast so you wait less and do more.LocalMe is a GPS-like application that when connected to the internet provides easy access to local areas and gets you where you want to be. Miles ahead of its competition, the Eee PC 1001P-P provides unsurpassed battery life and superior portability that liberates you from wall chargers and brings you into the next generation of mobility.


Key Features

Up to 11 hours of unplugged all-day computing to go further than ever before* (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) innovatively saves battery life and boosts performance (Learn more)
Intel Atom N450 processor is now even more power efficient in combination with ASUS SHE
10.1-inch LED-backlit display uses less energy for longer use(Learn more)
92-percent full-size keyboard for a comfortable and precise typing experience (Learn more)
Multi-touch trackpad for intuitive and quick control (Learn more)
250GB Hard Disk Drive Storage for convenient storage on-the-go
Stunning looks and convenient mobility with seashell design weighing a mere 2.8 lbs
1GB system memory (easily upgradable to 2GB)
Convenient Wi-Fi networking (802.11 b/g) & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR for wire-free mobility (Learn more)
Windows 7 Starter for the most reliable and simplest Windows operating system to date (Learn more)
Integrated webcam and digital microphone for video/voice conversations with your friends and family
F9 easy recovery for convenient and easy system reinstallation (Learn more)
Warranty: 1 year global warranty and 30-day Flawless Display Guarantee: If a single bright dot is found, a free panel replacement is guaranteed within 30 days of original purchase

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Get up to an Amazing 11 hours of Battery Life
Special Design with Sophistication to Match
Get the Big Picture in a Small Frame
Strikingly Comfortable. Perfectly Concise.
Easy Connectivity
Quick Recovery with Just One Key
Eee PC with Windows 7 –Life Made Easier
A Brand that Sparked a Revolution - The First Netbook
Customer Warranty –The Industry's Most Complete Netbook Care Package
1 year global warranty
6 months battery warranty
30-Day Flawless Display Guarantee: If you discover one defective bright dot within 30 days of purchase, ASUS will replace the panel at no cost
Free one-way standard shipping
24/7 tech support
What's in the Box
Eee PC 1001P-P Seashell (Black)
Power Adapter †
User Manual
Warranty Card
Recovery DVD / Support CD
Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter
Display: 10.1-inch LED-Backlit Display1024x600 (matte screen)
Intel CPU: IntelAtom N450
Wireless Data Network: 802.11b/g & Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR
Memory: 1GB(upgradeable to 2GB)
Hard Disk Storage: 250GBHDD
Camera: 0.3M Pixels
Audio: StereoSpeakers, High-Definition Audio CODEC, Built-in digital microphone
Storage Cards: 2-in-1MMC, SD(SDHC) flash card slot
Input/Output: 1 xVGA connector, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks: Headphone& Mic-in
Battery: Up to 11hours*,Li-Ion battery
Dimensions: 10.31(W) x 7.01 (D) x 1.02~1.44 (H) inches
Weight: 2.80lbs (with battery)
Color: Black (latticework, non-glossy finish) * Operation lifetime subject toproduct model, normal usage conditions and configurations. For more information, pleasevisit http://eeepc.asus.com/global/computing.html. The estimated maximumbattery life in Windows 7 is measured with MobileMark 2007. **ASUSWebStorage is a complimentary trial service for 1 year after registration.Actual storage capacity varies by model. †To recharge using the AC power adapter, power plug must be fully pushed into the power socket on the Eee PC until it clicks firmly into place. All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in images.

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Dell Inspiron Mini IM10-2863 10.1-Inch Obsidian Black Netbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So far I'm very impressed with this system. The keyboard is just awesome for a netbook, and with Windows XP Home, it's really not all that slow. I've had several heavier applications open at the same time and didn't really have any problems. Aptana Studio (My web development IDE of choice), FireFox 3, TrueCrypt, XAMPP (Apache & MYSql) just to name a few. I've only got a few real complaints about this computer. One, the touchpad is horrible. It really shouldn't have had the two buttons integrated into the bottom of it, it's not possible to have your index finger navigating and thumb clicking at the same time. It's quite annoying (I bought a cheap travel mouse). The other complaint I have is the video playback quality. It's really just not that good. It's actually quite choppy for the most part if you try watching videos in fullscreen. I have however found a workaround for this, and it makes the video quality look awesome (see notes at the bottom).
Pros:
Awesome 10" display
Great almost full-size keyboard
3 USB ports (one of the left, two on the right)
2.6lbs, it's super light
Decent speed for a 1.3Ghz system.Cons:
Cruddy video playback (mostly full screen problems)
Horrible Linux video driver support (Intel GMA 500, google it)
Battery life is a little bit lacking compared to other netbooks.
Touchpad needs to be redesigned.
Video Playback Notes/Quality tweak:
As far as the cruddy video playback is concerned, the one thing that I have found to help with this is the usage of a third party media player. A friend of mine turned me on to a player called KMPlayer [...] which comes bundled with just about every video codec ever made, and not to mention that it's portable (it runs off of a thumb drive). Anyway, you can customize the video rendering to allow for a much smoother playback of videos even on this slower model. Here's what I do:
Right-Click in the main KMPlayer window
Click on "Video (Advanced)"
Click "Video Renderer" up near the top.
Down near the bottom select "Enhanced Video Renderer".
Be amazed at how much better your videos look.
The playback quality that I received from doing this rivaled my full-size desktop with a real graphics card in it. This is definitely the most redeeming quality about this netbook because it really unlocks the ability for this to be a good portable media player. Cheers.


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A larger sibling to Dell's Inspiron Mini 9, the Inspiron Mini 10 in obsidian black adds keyboard comfort and even more entertainment-friendly dimensions to the Inspiron Mini family. Like the Inspiron Mini 9 and Mini 12, the Mini 10 is a compact, easy-to-carry Internet companion that's ideal for teens, tweens, travelers and "Tweeters" to surf the Web, chat with friends (both via text and using the integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam), stream video and audiocontent, and upload on-the-go photos to blogs or social networking sites. Standard built-in Wi-Fi means quick and easy wireless internet access to hotspots in the home, on campus, in a local coffee shop, in the office or at a conference.
The Inspiron Mini 10 features an intuitive Dell-developed custom home screen interface that is designed to make it easy to find what you're looking for. Intuitive icons link directly to groups of similar applications, like games, Web and entertainment, and favorite web links for quick access. Plus, the home screen can be personalized, putting your favorites front and center.

A bright 10.1-inch display is designed to be able to present web sites without a lot of left-right scrolling, and the 92-percent full-size keyboard is large and easy to navigate. An HDMI port also allows you to connect the Mini 10 to your HDTV for large-screen, high-def viewing. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (533 MHz; maximum capacity), integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, 3-in-1 memory card reader, and up to 3 hours of battery life.

It comes preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system, which offers more experienced users an enhanced and innovative experience that incorporates Windows Live features like Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging and Windows Live Mail for consolidated email accounts on your desktop.

A Better Keyboard You won't lose any flexibility with the Mini 10's keyboard. At 92 percent the size of a standard laptop, it's almost as if the Mini 10's keyboard is at full range. And with a multi-touch track pad, your fingers will have an easy time navigating. Plus, it's spill resistant, so you can rest assured if accidents happen.

Display and Audio The Inspiron Mini 10 has a 10.1-inch LCD screen (1024 x 576; WSVGA) with TrueLife high-gloss/anti-reflective technology, which features a sharp contrast finish that's well suited to immersive 3D games and watching videos. Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Expand your screen by connecting to an external monitor or TV using the HDMI port. This notebook has two speakers for stereo sound.

Power-Sipping Processor Newly designed from the ground up, the Intel Atom Z520 uses a 45nm (nanometer) design structure with new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--to conserve even more energy and give you more time away from the wall outlet. The Intel Atom Z520 provides a 1.3 GHz CPU speed with a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 512 KB L2 cache--which uses just 2 watts of power. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) It supports Intel's 64-bit computing architecture, which can allow the use of extended virtual and physical memory with compatible 64-bit software, as well as Intel's Hyper-Threading technology for speedier multitasking.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. With the integrated Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones as well as use Bluetooth-enabled headsets for handsfree video chats. It comes with the following external connectors:

3 USB 2.0 ports (1 powered) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
Analog video output: None
10/100 Fast Ethernet networking
1 headphone (line-out) and 1 microphone (line-in)
3-in-1 memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Multimedia Card (MMC), and Memory Stick

Dimensions This laptop measures 10.28 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds.

What's in the Box This package includes the Dell Inspiron Mini IM10-2863 (obsidian black), 3-cell rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and printed documentation. It's backed by a 1-year limited warranty with mail-in service. Dell provides a variety of service offerings and add-on options to help ensure devices are easy to use and maintain optimal performance, including:

Dell Support Center: Quickly access Dell service and support from an icon on your desktop that provides automated fixes, software upgrades and tools to help keep your system up-to-date and running efficiently.
DellConnectRemote Assistance: Dell experts help diagnose and solve PC problems via an Internet connection (available only on Windows-based systems).

Even More Storage and Access to Your Files Dell has teamed up with Box.net to offer exclusive web-based file storage, access and sharing to Inspiron Mini users, including a free Basic plan with 2 GB of remote storage space that's expandable to 25 GB. The Inspiron Mini 12 includes a direct link to a Dell-exclusive home page on Box.net (www.box.net/dell), providing you with an easy way to add incremental online storage space to easily manage your digital lives. Individuals can safely and securely upload files of any type to their Box, including photos, videos, music, documents and presentations, and then access those files from almost anywhere on any device.

Box.net's world-class service requires no software to download. With its OpenBox platform, Box.net enables people to edit documents and photos directly from their web-browser and post media to their blog or social networks, further enhancing the mobility and user experience on the Inspiron Mini.

Additionally, with Dell Remote Access you can find, use and share your digital world, even while away from home. Whether you use a mobile phone with a web browser, a computer outside your home, or share files and folders with a friend; you will have the ability to access files and devices in your home from anywhere with Internet access. Here are some examples on how you could use Dell Remote Access:

Remotely control any PC running Windows XP or Vista on your home network as if you were sitting in front of it.
If you have a smart phone with document viewers, you can open presentations, spreadsheets, and documents.
Take a picture on your phone and upload it to a folder on your computer... and then share the folder with a friend.
While on a vacation, transfer pictures from your camera (using an Internet connected PC) to a folder on your home computer, so your friends and family can see your vacation in real time.

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