ch8xy | # 51 | 2007-11-03, 20:01 | Report

Seems to me that Eee could be a nice 3rd computer, beside your main computer/labtop and your poketable device such as NIT. It won't replace the former due to its sufficient but limited capabilities, as well as its small display and keyboard. It won't replace the latter also due to size--you can't put in in your pocket and use it everywhere. I can see buying it as a travel companion, as a temporary (and compact) substitute for my main computer while away.

benmhall | # 52 | 2007-11-03, 20:26 | Report

That's pretty much what I'm going to use it for.

At $400, it's also a pretty good backup for me in case my main laptop, which I use to generate income, is in need of repair. (Not unlikely, either. It's a MacBook that has already had a new screen, new inverter, and new keyboard/trackpad assembly.)

So many interesting Linux-based devices these days. How wonderful!

benmhall | # 53 | 2007-11-03, 20:32 | Report

Milhouse, if you do pick one up, I hope you keep using your NIT and posting here. As someone who is still just starting out with these NITs, I've learned a great deal from reading your posts in the last few weeks. Your more recent posts sound as though you're thinking of taking a break here. That'd be a great loss for everyone here. (posters and lurkers alike!)

When I first bought the EeePC, I will admit that I wondered if I'd made a mistake with the N800 (which I'd also purchased in October.) Having used the EeePC now for a few days, I don't really see it changing how and when I use the N800. (Though it's certainly better for videos, and having Thunderbird is a big plus.)

Nokia has put a lot of effort into making the NITs usable at 800x480. This is apparent about a minute and a half after using the EeePC. (Though the 7" screen is a lot easier to read than a 4" screen.)

aflegg | # 54 | 2007-11-03, 20:48 | Report

I agree - the full blown chrome on a 7" 800x480 screen is barmy; a Hildon style interface is much more sensible; especially if it's transparent to the apps running in it.

If/when I get an Eee (see how much money's left after Christmas), it'll certainly be tempting to blast away Xandros and load up Ubuntu and Hildon :-)

Or, something more space efficient, like ROX or even the Mac OS X-style hacks. Or, finally, the impetus to get implemented my thoughts on a GtkMenuFactory in gtk+.

katysax | # 55 | 2007-11-03, 21:08 | Report

Well, I've ordered an EEE PC; I've been waiting for it and expect to get it tomorrow.

I owned the 770 for a week when it was first released and returned it - had too many problems. I got the N800 a few months ago. Fantastic machine - has worked great. I would not have bought it though had the EEE PC been an alternative. I will not buy the N810 (at least for now I won't).

I like the pocketability of the N800 and I'll probably keep using it for some things, but the EEE PC is what I've been waiting years for. I don't think the slideout keyboard of the N810 adds anything that I want. The use of Linux on the EEE for me is a big draw. The N800 beautifully demonstrated that Linux is mighty capable on a small computer. The EEE PC would be a nightmare with XP (or horrors - Vista).

I think between the iPhone (which I also own but doesn't do as much as the N800), and the EEE PC it is touch to find a place for the N810. Where the N800 has really been a star to me is (1) VNC, (2) Rhapsody (buggy but still better than nothing), and (3) Skype. For just web browsing and email iPhone is just as good or better. For everything else N800 is too small.

frank.wagner | # 56 | 2007-11-03, 21:50 | Report

I have online ordered ( the new Asus Eee PC 4G with 2 GB Ram for 460 € - Delivery in 2 weeks )

• 2006 was the Nokia N770 good - then Nokia slept well

• Then comes Apple with the iPhone - and Nokia had the N800

• Now comes Acer (and Google next week ???) with EeePC and a open Linux Base and a price fight

And many people are thinking and change your system - certainly

And that was the main reason for me

• http://internettablettalk.com/forums...ad.php?t=11226

---

Last edited by frank.wagner; 2007-11-03 at 22:00.

Milhouse | # 57 | 2007-11-03, 22:01 | Report

Thanks for the correction - I went by the details in this review which clearly can't be trusted!

As the screen is even less than I thought it was, it's less appealing still - I'm not suggesting 800x480 is a bad resolution, just that getting another 800x480 device doesn't make much sense even if it comes with a keyboard... hmm N810 anybody? x86 and it's associated performance would be nice, but for the size of the device I'd want at least a step up in terms of resolution in order to more easily justify the additional bulk.

Milhouse | # 58 | 2007-11-03, 22:11 | Report

Thanks for the kind words. It's true I've been somewhat negative of late, but that could be due to mid-life crisis as much as Nokia's "long view" approach to NIT development! I'll probably snap out of it once I see OS 2008, or maybe not - who knows? One thing is for sure, I'll be around for a while yet... Intel MIDs aren't slated until mid 2008, and who knows what "Step 4" of the Nokia 5-step plan will bring?

The eee PC looks nice, has a good price but I'm not sure it offers me anything more than the N800 or N810 - it's advantages (x86 architecture and performance) are offset by it's negatives (size and weight, same screen size as N800) so net-net I can't really justify it as I don't really need a "laptop" style device (and my old 400Mhz P3 IBM Thinkpad with 1024x768 res screen is just fine for when I need it, which isn't often!)

Milhouse | # 59 | 2007-11-03, 22:15 | Report

This is why I don't think the eee flies with a 800x480 screen - the form factor is certainly large enough to accomodate a higher res screen, but I guess price prevented it's inclusion.

The included software doesn't seem fully customised to run at what is quite a low desktop resolution, and XP would certainly struggle on such a display as I reckon 1024x768 would be considered the minimum screen size targeted by most desktop application developers (Linux or XP).

A next iteration of the eee PC will include a higher resolution screen I'm sure, maybe they should use the same screen technology used on the OLPC computer - low cost, high resolution.

bunanson | # 60 | 2007-11-03, 22:56 | Report

I wonder how much effect on battery life if it is 1024X768 vs 800X600? I would guess,
1024X768 = 786k vs 800x600 = 480k, this translates to 64% increase in energy, ie. the battery will be drained 64% more in regard to the video. Do you think that is what Asus is thinking, along the line higher resolution also increase the cost of production?


Just a thought,

bun