C|Net UK has just done a mini-review of the Linux-based EEE. It's priced significantly lower than the upcoming N810, and comes with a solid-state drive. No Bluetooth, though, and much lower screen DPI:
Looks quite interesting. If I had to choose, I'd probably take this over the N800 (sacrificing built-in Bluetooth in favour of a USB dongle), but buy the N810 on account of built-in GPS and Bluetooth.
8.6/10 for the EEE - better than the 7.0/10 they gave the N800 back in February. I hope they review N810 for comparison, and that it fairs better than 7.0/10 as the firmware should now be more stable and refined, also bonus points for the GPS, keyboard and improved hardware design (subjective - I think it looks better than the N800, but still not jaw dropping).
I had one of these on pre-order but cancelled it when the n800 price drop hit. I kind of figured that when I needed a laptop, I'd use my ACTUAL LAPTOP (even though my laptop weighs 8 lbs., I can handle it).
The portability and handholdability of the n800 had me won over (at a lower price point too).
Now, if I was someone who did not own a laptop, this EEE would be very intriguing and could possibly win my $$$.
I had one of these on pre-order but cancelled it when the n800 price drop hit. I kind of figured that when I needed a laptop, I'd use my ACTUAL LAPTOP (even though my laptop weighs 8 lbs., I can handle it).
The portability and handholdability of the n800 had me won over (at a lower price point too).
Now, if I was someone who did not own a laptop, this EEE would be very intriguing and could possibly win my $$$.
I'd like to have a play with an Eee to see how it feels. On paper it looks like they've done a great job. That thing has more USB ports than my MacBook! AND it includes a VGA out ... unlike my MacBook.
At the end of the day, however, I've got to say I like how my 770 and bluetooth keyboard fit in my jeans pocket, and are almost negligible weight. I can work while out and about without carrying a backpack. Not a mobile phone but an entire computer in my pocket. Kinda reminds me of the old days of computing when Texas Instruments produced pocketable BASIC computers.
This is such a small point that it's easy to underestimate it, but it's a big selling point for me.
Maybe this product is why Palm bailed on the Folio...
Either way, I'm increasingly impressed by Asus. I use their motherboards almost exclusively when building my PCs at home (3 at the moment with ASUS MBs). I'm sure they brought the same quality and attention to detail to these mini laptops.
The triple-E's three USB2 ports are also a big selling point for me - in addition to being able to easily add the lacking bluetooth and GPS hardware, you can plug in a pocket HDD with hundreds of GB! Not to mention, the EEE also has a builtin SD slot, so it can use every card that the 770 and N800 can, which the N810 cannot.
