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October 28 (updated below)
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I received the ASUS EEE PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook two days ago. My initial impression is that this is a stout computer. Below are more specific comments.
1) OS: Windows Starter
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Runs really well without any problems. I contemplate another 1GB of RAM would develop it faster, but I can easily live without it for my main purpose of taking research notes, writing papers, and using the Internet.
I have not had a chance to try out all of my software yet, but Windows Office 2007, bLADE Wiki, Chrome, and other programs I frequently expend work objective pretty. Windows 7 Starter does urge more than three applications. I have four commence now.
Thankfully, I had no worry enabling language encourage (IME) for Japanese and Chinese. In general, I have also found some things a tiny more intuitive than XP or Vista. At this point, I sight absolutely no reason to steal an upgrade.
The inability to change your desktop image is a mean-spirited marketing decision that I hope Microsoft will reconsider. Not only that, but the wallpaper makes it see like you have a crack or dust on your cover. You can obtain around this and hasten up your computer a puny bit in the process. In your begin menu right-click on computer, capture properties, advanced system settings, performance, and "Adjust for best performance." Your background will be solid blue.
2) Screen
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Surprisingly crisp and definite. Yes, it is cramped, but so is the computer 
3) Keyboard
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I have no wretchedness at all typing on it. Some owners of past Asus models have complained about a warped spot bar. Indeed, the position bar is slightly elevated on the left side. However, I hold this was intentional. When you press the function key with the blue "running man" designate on the left it switches power settings (discover comments below for an update on the keyboard) .
4) Battery
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I am not clear yet how to acquire the advertised 10.5, but I am easily getting 9+ hours out of it on the power saver mode. It is astounding. The power adapter is quite cramped and seems to charge it up very rapidly.
5) Sturdiness / Quality
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The computer feels surprisingly solid and less flimsy than more expensive computers I have bought in the past. It is not the most magnificent computer out there, but it seems well-built. It has a astonishing lack of annoying lights. The only one remaining is the power light in the upper honest. The blue LED is annoying (as it is on most computers made nowadays), but noteworthy less of a spot than others out there. If computer manufacturers would assign the power light relieve on the bottom factual under my hand with the rest of the lights I would be grateful.
6) Partitions
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My memory was partitioned into a C and D drive. There are edifying reasons to have a partition, but personally I assume none. It is relatively easy to change the partition.
7) Bloatware
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One or two programs (as far as I can convey) that I was able to speedily lift. Nothing at all like my last computer that had over a dozen.
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November 5 (update)
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It is a unbelievable computer and I wouldn't hesitate to rob it again if I had the chance. At this size (10.1 breeze) and with these specs (battery life, memory, etc.) it seems to be the best computer on the market. I mild give it 5 stars.
However, I have had concerns with the keyboard. Be distinct to notice it thoroughly when it arrives. I ordered the same model for someone else and it arrived with what looked like melted keys next to the spacebar. We sent it aid to Amazon for a replacement and the current one that arrived is unprejudiced magnificent.
My "w" key was sticking the other day. I sprayed some compressed air under it and it started working again. I never eat or drink advance the computer, so I cannot imagine what it was. That is the first time I have had something like that happen on any computer. It has been about a week since that happened and has been working fair.
After looking at last year's models in the store, I can observe that my "warped" situation key was probably not intentional. It doesn't hit the cover and is barely noticeable, so I have not shipped it encourage for a replacement. I remain satisfied with the product overall, but I judge they really need to work on quality control for their keyboards.
It's been 2 days since the release of Windows 7 and this netbook. With one-day shipping, I've been playing with the machine for about 6 hours. So, I have some initial thoughts, but no big insights into battery life or utilize while traveling (I'll try to update after my business move next week) .
My overall impression is very clear. It's itsy-bitsy and easy to consume. The keyboard and trackpad work as well as my rotund sized laptop. I've installed a bunch of basic programs like Firefox and have had no problems. The only minor frustration I have is one of the humorous limitations of Windows 7 Starter Edition: you can't change the desktop's wallpaper. It's a amusing limitation, but not worth paying to upgrade to Home Premium to overcome.
Along with the netbook, I purchased a 2 gig upgrade: Crucial Technology CT25664AC800 2GB 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 PC2-6400 Memory Module and an external DVD burner: ASUS USB 2.0 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive SDRW-08D1S-U (Sunless) . If you gape at the pictures above you can sight objective how easy it is to install the memory. It did capture a puny more force than I liked to consume the memory mask after unscrewing the one screw, but everything else went smoothly.
Oct 28 Update: Read the comments on this review for my initial battery impressions as well as some genuine comments from other folks.
Relevant context for this review: This is my first netbook and I have been a strong Mac OS convert for the past 2 and 1/2 years. I swore I would never select anything with a Windows OS again, but bought this because the trace, size, and battery life were what I needed.
BOTTOM LINE: I have been playing with my netbook for three days now and can say that it is everything I expected.
POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Battery life is astounding and recharges in an hour (max) : I did some light web-surfing for a couple hours one night and had 82% of battery left when I was done. UPDATE: I watched a 45 min. episode of Angry Men that I downloaded and it only worn up about 10% of the battery. Delicate awesome.
- Size is great: about the size of a hardcover new.
- Weight is powerful better: half the weight of my MacBook Pro, the same weight as my girlfriend's MacBook Air.
- Tag point is right: I got mine for $387 and feel like anything $400 or less is a graceful effect for what you glean.
- Hide is shrimp, crisp, and clear: Larger would be easier to eye, but slight is the point of a netbook, just?
- Windows 7 Starter is adequate: Not slothful, even with 4 windows start at a time. I'm quiet getting re-familiarized with the Windows 7 file structure and how you install applications, etc, but that's not a fault of Windows 7. There is a wallpaper application on the Asus website that allows you to develop any photo your wallpaper (inspect under "Downloads" for Windows 7...I believe it's first on the list) .
- Asus tech serve was ample and efficient: Yes, I had to call when I was initializing Windows 7 because I got an endless "Initializing icon" during set-up. They said something must not have installed just on set-up.
- Keyboard is smaller but acceptably easy to use: Again, microscopic is the point, so you have to seek information from some disagreement. I have to gawk when I type or I get mistakes (normally, I type by touch) . I hit "z" instead of "shift" if I don't observe.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Asus almost hides their phone # for customer befriend on the website and the book that comes with the netbook honest lists the website. Not apt if you don't have other access to web when having danger.
- I had to call Asus wait on during set-up. Yes, it was resolved rapidly, but this is the kind of thing you don't have to do with Mac OS and why I accumulate frustrated with Windows.
- Have to protect from viruses again: Netbook comes with free, 61-day protection, but I loathe having to pay and update protection all the time. UPDATE: Behold first comment below for a tip about free virus protection.
- Not a colossal "lap top" computer. It's very puny size, makes it hard to consume on your lap. Powerful easier to exercise sitting at a table.
- Shapely hokey, kid-like Eee PC toolbar seems like more of a link to stuff you can bewitch (games, etc.) than a heavy-duty "tool" that is provided to fabricate Eee PC experience Eeesier. UPDATE: I figured out how to earn rid of this under settings, so this is a non-issue now.
Okay, that's my impression so far. Will update if it changes. I deem I'm going to hold it and lift it on an 18 hour flight and two week slither to South Africa next week. Hoping to be able to consume it to play (on plane), skype, and research travel/touring info while away.
UPDATE 11/2: I'm liking the machine more every day. I have now establish itunes and doubletwist on my machine so that I can sync my Palm Pre (phone) and access all of my itunes music and other media purchased through itunes. Both are working tall. I have also installed a bunch of things I need to patch the WebOS code on my Palm Pre and that is working like a dream. Lastly, I downloaded start office (free open-source word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow and more) and thought to exercise that instead of paying for MS Office.
