Comments on: Nine-inch Asus Eee PC lands in the Lab--barely bigger than its 7-inch cousin

The Eee PC 900 will be available in the U.S. starting May 12.

[jezmondo]

Why do you guys always review the Windows version? I mean, boring or what? What the heck are you expecting - it'll boot fast, and run slow - I don't even need to see it to know that! Essentially the SSD will make anything disk bound look great, and processor will make everything else look, well less than great.

Seems like looking to Windows is kinda missing the point here. What I want to know (and everybody else too - if I'm right) is what is it like sans Windows. Does the eee PC really shine with Linux? What about replacing the Linux with - well another Linux (Ubuntu?). I guess it'd also be interesting to see, how easy is it to take a Linux eee PC and convert it to Windows (assuming somebody got one and found they really wanted/needed Windows after all - and really how likely is that for most consumers?

But just looking at this as "another Windows laptop" seems to be missing the most interesting question surrounding the eee PC.

[neutrality_is_bliss]

i thought the windows version came with the cheaper 20 GB HDD to offset the license cost...

[Jasus-206812428131671954871609]

This would be the second review of the windows version.......I agree with " jezmondo" let's see what the Linux Edition has to offer......

[Jasus-206812428131671954871609]

This would be the second review of the windows version.......I agree with " jezmondo" let's see what the Linux Edition has to offer......

[benjiernmd]

What's up with the Windows version? Why Windows only? Why not get both versions? Windows and Linux, I mean. Then, compare the two.

[Lemon5]

You know what they should do, they should make a really good one that puts the windows on the linux (20gb) one. Have it be a duel-boot system... Yea, lame idea, sorry about that one. I want to see the linux version more anyway.

[Michael too]

OK, so I don't understand this whole thing. This is not sarcasm, I'm just interested in feedback. What is the attraction here?

For $544 I can get a Dell Vostro that has a 14.1 inch display, 2gb memory, 160gb hard drive, XP, DVD Burner, Core 2 Duo at 60% higher clock speed over the ASUS pentium mobile chip

I can see the Asus is lighter (2.2 pounds versus 5.4), but for the screen, storage, and speed I'm not sure I'm worried about the extra 3.2 pounds. I know the SSD is in the Asus. Cool, but for the same price I get 8 times or more storage.

Anyway, if you like this why do you like it over the Dell. And don't tell me Linux. I'm asking a h/w question here. If you don't like XP you can put linux on the Dell when you get it.

[kevinv22]

The Asus EEE appeals to people to want to have access to there laptop everywhere they go. Lugging a 2.2lbs EEE versus a 5.4lbs Vostro is night and day if you're carrying it around with you all day. So in nutshell, you're paying for portability when you're buying an Asus EEE. If you're just using it at home and occasional travel, then this PC isn't for you and is probably better off with the more powerful Vostro for the same price. For ultra portability, the Asus EEE is cheap compared to other offering from OQO and Sony.

[kevinv22]

The Asus EEE appeals to people to want to have access to there laptop everywhere they go. Lugging a 2.2lbs EEE versus a 5.4lbs Vostro is night and day if you're carrying it around with you all day. So in nutshell, you're paying for portability when you're buying an Asus EEE. If you're just using it at home and occasional travel, then this PC isn't for you and is probably better off with the more powerful Vostro for the same price. For ultra portability, the Asus EEE is cheap compared to other offering from OQO and Sony.

[Dan_Ackerman]

Yes, that's correct. People who like the Eee PC compare it to $2000-plus ultraportables from Sony, Toshiba, etc. A sub-3lb. laptop used to be a major cost premium, but now, if you keep your expectations modest, the Eee is a great alternative.

If you want a basic home 15-inch, than Dell or someone else will sell you a decent 15-inch system for under $600 (just make sure to disable/uninstall all the bloatware).

As for Linux -- here's our review of the original Linux version (which actually rated slightly higher than the XP version): http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-eee-pc-4g/4505-3121_7-32466960.html