olivetalks

Almost a year ago LadyRostand wrote a great review of Eee PC 4G. A few months later I decided to get one myself, as well. But after playing a bit with the original 4G model I decided to go for the bit bigger 901 version. This review is long overdue but I’d like to share my experiences after a few months of using the Big Eee.

I wanted my netbook to come with an English keyboard layout. The netbook of course had to run Linux It turns out the models with the English keyboard layout are a bit difficult to find in Germany. One can order a “custom” version but that delays the order by a few weeks.

Not satisfied with these extra delays I decided to expand my search and to look for distributors in UK and Ireland which would ship to Germany. After a bit of googling I found Laptops Direct website which had exactly what I was looking for (Here’s the link for those who prefer prices in pounds.) They ship anywhere within the Europe without charging you ridiculous postage charges. I ordered Eee PC 901 on their website and after a few days got it delivered.

As usual with other Eee models my netbook was ready to run straight out of the box with lots of programs already installed. Eee PC 901 comes with a bit newer version of the operating system and a different set of applications. Not much different from the 4G model so you can find the usual set of:

• web browser – Firefox
• VoIP software – Skype
• instant messaging client – Pidgin
• PDF reader – Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
• email client – Thunderbird
• office suite – Star Office 8 (based on OpenOffice.org)
• multimedia programs
• games
• other utilities

If you want to add more programs the easiest way to do it is use the “Eee Download” link which takes you to Asus website where you can find additional applications which have been prepackaged so they can be very easily installed on your Eee 901. At the moment there is over 3000 programs to choose from!

The hardware features of Eee PC 901 are:

• Intel Atom 1.6 GHz CPU
  
• 1 GB RAM
• 20 GB Solid State Drive
• 8.9′ TFT with resolution 1024 x 600
• Bluetooth
• 1.3 Megapixel webcam
• 1.1 kg weight
  

As you can see the improvements from Eee PC 4G are mainly faster CPU, more RAM, more storage and bigger screen. In the normal operation you’re going to notice primarily the bigger screen – about 60% increase of the screen area than Eee PC 4G. The dimensions of the netbook are exactly the same as for Eee PC 4G, increased screen size is possible because 4G had quite a wide frame around the screen which has been significantly reduced in the 901 model.

The slightly bigger weight is a bit of disadvantage although at 1.1 kg Eee PC 901 is still very light and easy to carry.

After using Eee PC 901for a few months I must say that I get less use of it than originally expected. At home and in the office I already have other computers with full size keyboards I can use and when I travel I usually take a laptop with me anyway. That means I don’t really make use of the high portability which is the main advantage of netbooks. Big Eee gets used mostly when I want to check something quickly online (my other PCs can’t beat the 15 seconds boot time) or when I need to take a computer to sofa but that’s about it. I guess I need to travel more to get more use out of a netbook…