Score an Asus Eee PC 900 for $294

(Credit: Asus)

Are you looking for a lightweight, ultraportable PC that's easy on the wallet? Mwave.com has the Asus Eee PC 900 20G for $294 (after a $65 mail-in rebate). Ground shipping will run you about $11.

In case you're not familiar with the Eee PC, it's one of the new breed of "Netbooks" that have become incomprehensibly popular in recent months. I say that because I'm not a fan--I prefer a full-size screen and keyboard, and enough processing power to do more than just check e-mail and cruise the Web.

That said, people seem to really love these little guys, and the Eee PC 900 has earned high marks from CNET and users alike. This model features an 8.9-inch screen, 20GB solid-state drive, 1.3-megapixel Webcam, and Linux operating system--all wrapped in a 2.2-pound package measuring just 8.9 inches by 6.5 inches by 0.9 inch. Travel-friendly it is.

The rebate deal (PDF) runs through the end of October, so you've got plenty of time to research the Eee before buying. I'll admit this is a very attractive price point, but I'd still be more inclined to pay $400-500 on a full-fledged notebook. Agree? Disagree? Inquiring cheapskates wanna know.

[skaorsk8]

I'd definitely just get a full fledged notebook. It's more versatile (being able to run more programs), and although it's a larger investment, it will last you a much longer time as software requirements grow and change. (You can argue that if everything is done in the browser, it won't be that much more taxing - but I'd disagree based on Firefox. A 6 year old computer that could run Firefox 1.0 very quickly would have a lot more trouble with today's Firefox 3.0).

[cvk55]

I've got a full sized 15 inch laptop I rarely take on flights because it weighs too much . I need something small and light so I can pack more in my carry-on bag and avoid that $15-25 checked bag extortion. I need internet, word processing and slingbox playback capability for in-room entertainment. If one of these can do that then I'm buying one tomorrow.

[rickbroida]

I can't speak for the Eee PC, but the HP Mini I tested a while back couldn't run full-screen video at a smooth clip. Of course, it was running Vista, not Linux.

[MakaiOokami]

You may need to do some leaning about Linux.

Linux is MUCH MUCH different from a Vista or Mac OS.

AVI
MPG
MP4
MOV
WMV

and so many other file extensions are essentially copy-righted and therefore are not immediately available on many Linux platforms. Linux is usually a free operating system (not always though), and generally they do not make any profits. As a result they often can't liscense.

I recommend going to www.ubuntu.com and download the .ISO file. Then use a cd burning program to burn the .ISO file onto a 700MB cd. Afterwards you can actually put it in your cd drive, boot up, and access this version of linux without any installation or changes to your pc. It'll run a bit slower than normal because it will be loading off a cd. This is a great way to give it a try. You'll have problems with getting the wifi up and running but you shouldn't have any problems as long as your computer is hooked up to a wired connection.

If the above details aren't clear enough, or concise enough, then I can almost guarantee that the Linux OS on there is not going to be for you. It should be preloaded with firefox for the browser, as well as Open Office for word processing, excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, and even a database. So it has a nice degree of functionality but it is somewhat complicated to get used to Linux.

You don't need to INSTALL the OS the live cd will show you what you're getting into. Linux can be different forms and run differently than the copy of Ubuntu.

Mac is for people that have the money, and the desire for some of the best PCs and graphical editing capabilities as well as invest in Mac products and don't want to have to buy a new operating system every 2 years...

Windows are for people who just don't want to invest time or effort in understanding computers, and are fine with having a lackluster experience or who desire gaming on a PC and the largest amount of products available to them.

Linux is for people that want a fully customizable computer experience, a network of helpful people who are working together to make a great product, geeks who just aren't satisfied with the EXTREMELY lack-luster windows offerings, and who don't want to invest the large amount of money in Mac proprietary hardware, but most importantly Linux is for those who have a necessity for a much more versatile and are just absolutely fed up with the locked down, highly restricted, prison-like offerings of Microsoft and Apple. I fit in that category. I want freedom, and only Linux will give me the features and capabilities, at a price I'm willing to pay, with enough versitility to be feasible. I'm sick of how Microsoft and Apple are dealing with things and I will be waiting for a few years before i give Microsoft a single dang penny of my earnings.

[loose_screw]

My mom has one of these, and I have to say--that thing runs HOT! The battery life isn't that great either, so you'll have to plug it in most of the time, and man does it burn my skin. My 14" ThinkPad with Centrino Duo processor and ATi graphics card runs like a refrigerator in comparison, and I can barely tolerate it on my lap while plugged in. I guess it's good for the winter, but I wouldn't spend any of my hard earned money on this netbook until they resolve that heat generation issue.

[MakaiOokami]

These types of computers are generally becoming popular for School users. The MacBook Airs are an exception to this. These weren't designed to be gaming machines, heavily used machines, or anything of the sort. They are designed to be taken into a class, used to type up notes, papers, etc... put into a backpack, and to help you print up the documents.

Don't think of this as a work computer, think of it as something that college students are happy to be able to afford on their hurting budget and need something to handle their basic class needs. These aren't for everyone, they're for the people hurting for a computer and hurting for cash.

[SaintDoormatius]

I own an Asus eeePC 701 (the first generation) and use it in combination with my (much) more powerful desktop computer. It's a perfect companion - I carry it with me everywhere and use it to pop online, check my email, pull info off the web, and do some light work. I even use it as my display machine to run PowerPoints off of (using OpenOffice.org) when I teach class. Granted, it isn't powerful enough to be a sole machine, but used in conjunction with a desktop, it's perfect.

[cwclifford]

Hmm, I am now seeing $419.00 ($354.00 After Mail-In Rebate).

[rickbroida]

Sale prices frequently expire before the day is out. That appears to be the case here, alas.

[merrybrown]

I tossed the question around for a while, and ended up with a full sized laptop. $599+ 4 GB Ram
I don't need it on the road much, because I have a Blackberry. Mostly I just schlep it around the house, but it's less than 5 pounds so it could go on the road for special projects. It has a nice full sized keyboard and screen, which I use to watch a lot of podcasts & TV - even at home where I have 3 other TVs.
I am still considering the netbook size for those projects that need more intense computing time, but I am trying to hold off for now.

[merrybrown]

I tossed the question around for a while, and ended up with a full sized laptop. $599+ 4 GB Ram
I don't need it on the road much, because I have a Blackberry. Mostly I just schlep it around the house, but it's less than 5 pounds so it could go on the road for special projects. It has a nice full sized keyboard and screen, which I use to watch a lot of podcasts & TV - even at home where I have 3 other TVs.
I am still considering the netbook size for those projects that need more intense computing time, but I am trying to hold off for now.

[Forked_Tongue]

I'll wait til they come out with the dual core Atoms before buying back into this category, for a few dollars more and shopping at the various vendors such as Best Buy, MicroCenter, or even online at the various companies for about $499 you can buy a decent 14"-15" laptop that can do so much more (you can even remove it's hard drive and use a usb pendrive or sd card with linux to help conserve battery life, lighten the load, and shock protection). I think the netbooks are starting to head the wrong direction, their price is starting to put it into the entry level dual core laptop range which makes them a poor investment imho.

[vitb9doc]

I have liked my eee PC 900. I wanted a small travel weight computer that I could open in tourist class. Wanted it to put bridge--the game--playing and teaching programs on. Does well. Wanted to have a smaller computer to play bridge on line. Does that well. Can have video conference with grandsons a half a continue away. Not great to type on and I wish I had battery that would last longer, but for the $450 I paid in August it does what I wanted plus I have Office 2003 and can do word docs and powerpoints. SD slots has all the info in form of PDFs for my work related stuff. I will probably get something with a touch typable keyboard and give 900 to grand son, but not yet. ASUS does need to fix the shift key. I saw a review showing that they had space to make it bigger and didn't do it. That is too bad. I had wanted a small full windows machine a la IBM 61X but it is $2500 by the time you get software, etc. The 900 is a bargin so long as you have reasonable expectations and you learn how to manage Windows XP. Search google for "and the winner is" and "eee pc" for just great write up of how to manage the upgrades to xp.

[Sebastian_Santo]

-OFF TOPIC-

To Rick: Hey Rick...I know you already posted something like this in the past, but this deal is awesome, and plus they offer free shipping, check it out: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11866

Best,

-Sebastian

[punn214]

We have a Eee PC 2G Surf only & I personally love. Granted it is very small & keys are very crammed for my large stubby fingers lol. I knew of the pros & cons before purchasing it, but still got it. For the most part my daughter & her friends use it. I use it when they hog my Dell desktop lol, i'm using it now to make this comment. I use it on my days off when I want to stay in bed & surf the net without getting out of bed. Yeah the screen is very small & keys too small, but I still think it's a good alternative for someone whom is only looking for access to the internet. I even pay a few bills on it & keep up with my netflix account lol. It helps to research it on cnet or youtube before purchasing it.I give it a thumbs up. It beats getting online with my PSP lol.