Technology Tuesday on Empty Streets: Asus EEE PC 1000HE

I always thought that my Hanna(HP Mini 2140) was the best business laptop in the market, however knowing how competitive these companies are in terms of technology and consumer sales it wouldn't take very long before the competitors would try to catch up. One such competitor Asus has released their new hybrid laptop which was priced slightly lower than that of the HP Mini 2140. Using the new Intel Atom N280 processor with a 10-inch LED-lit screen, 6-cell battery, 160 GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11n wireless networking, and a revised keyboard. Asus also claims the battery will last for 9.5 hours.

At CeBIT 2009, Asus unveiled the 10-inch EEE 1008HA, introducing the new design concept "Seashell".

General Specs of the Asus EEE PC 1000HE

• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers , Bluetooth antenna , Wireless LAN antenna
• Width 10.5 in
• Depth 7.5 in
• Height 1.5 in
• Weight 3.2 lbs
• Color Black
• Notebook type Budget, Netbook
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11 n (draft), Bluetooth

Processor

• Processor Intel Atom N280 / 1.66 GHz
• Data bus speed 667 MHz

Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache

RAM

• Installed Size 1 GB / 2 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• RAM form factor SO DIMM 200-pin

Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 160 GB
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

Optical Storage

• Type None

Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

Card Reader

• Card reader type 4 in 1 card reader
• Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick , MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , Memory Stick Pro , SDHC Memory Card

Display

• Display Type 10 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1024 x 600 ( WSVGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features LED-backlit , Zero Bright Dot
• Screen type Widescreen

Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio output compliant standards Dolby Sound Room , High Definition Audio
• Audio Input Stereo microphone

Notebook Camera

• Camera Type Integrated
• Notebook Camera / Sensor Resolution 1.3 Megapixel

Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard , Touchpad

Telecom

• Modem None

Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data link protocol Ethernet , Bluetooth , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , Fast Ethernet , IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , IEEE 802.11n (draft)

Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin
• Interfaces 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A , 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45

Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories Carrying case

Power

• Power device form factor External

Battery

• Technology 6-cell
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 8700 mAh
• Mfr estimated battery life 9.5 hour(s)

Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Software Recovery CD , Microsoft Live , Microsoft Works , Drivers & Utilities , InterVideo DVD XPack , Microsoft Office Ready (60-day trial)

Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

Product Summary:
The good: Excellent battery life; improved keyboard; competitively priced.

The bad: Slightly faster Intel Atom CPU fails to impress; other Netbook-makers have shown more innovation.

The bottom line: Asus practically invented the Netbook market, and the Eee PC 1000HE is an overdue overhaul that offers a new CPU and great battery life, but misses some of the competition's bells and whistles.

Specifications: Processor: Intel Atom (1.66 GHz) ; RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM

Here is a video product review from a renowned tech reviewer about the Asus EEE PC 1000HE: