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ASUS EeePC Review

by Ben Hutchens, 13 August 2008
This article is recommended for: Academic, ACL, FE, Learning Resources, Managers, Technical, WBL

Is it a laptop?Not quite. Is it a PDA? No it's an ASUS EeePC. This sparkling invention combines style and practicality, to bring to the learner a meaty laptop without all the trimmings.

If you head to PC World or the like you are often dazzled by a beautiful array of laptops offering 4GB Ram, 22" LCD screen, Blue-Ray Disk, warp speed 10 etc for around £400-£700. At these prices home computing has certainly become more affordable in comparison with a decade ago. However, from an educational perspective they are not ideal for student issue.

Firstly, to provide each learner with a laptop at these prices would be far too costly. Secondly, they only have a shelf life of around 2-3 years or less. Lastly, learners are unlikely to explore all the components of an entire XP/Vista package such as system tools, utilities and complex applications.

This is where the ASUS EeePC has filled a nice little gap in the market. It can handle all the primary functions of a normal laptop without all the extra components of a full operating system that are hardly used. It is small, durable and shock-proof with over 40 built-in applications for 'learn, work and play'.  Here are some of the features:

• Processor: Mobile Intel Celeron M
  
• Asus developed Linux based operating system
  
• Display: 7" TFT screen (800 x 480 pixels)
  
• Memory: 512 MB
  
• Hard drive: 4GB solid-state
  
• Integrated LAN
  
• Card Reader: SD/MMC
  
• Integrated wireless 802.11g
  
• Integrated 0.3M webcam
  
• Integrated microphone and speakers
  
• Ports: external microphone, speakers or headphones, 3 x USB and VGA
  
• Weight: Less than 1 kg

• Internet : Web Mail, Information, Messenger, Skype, Network, eBook, Google Docs, World Clock, Wikipedia, Internet Radio, 3G
  
• Work: Accessories, Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, PDF Reader, Mail, File Manager, Project, Dictionary, Notes
  
• Learn: Science, Language, Maths, Paint, Web Learn
  
• Play: Games, Media Player, Music Manager, Photo Manager, Video Manager, Webcam, Sound Recorder
  Settings: Anti-Virus, Volume, Instant Shutdown, Printers, System Info, Date & Time, Language, Personalisation, Add/Remove Software, Touchpad, Disk Utility, Diagnostic Tools, External Display, Desktop Mode, Voice Recognition

Although it comes with Linux software you can also order it with XP but it does pretty much the same. All files created in Open Office are also compatible with Microsoft packages. It is also geared up for Web 2.0 with applications such as Google Docs, Skype already built in. It's lightweight and compact housing means that it is also an ideal mobile learning device.

Most importantly, they are incredibly intuitive. Within a day you can have a computer novice writing their own blogs, sending emails whilst talking to their friends on Skype. All the menus are clearly laid out with a user-friendly interface. For this reason the EeePC's strapline 'Easy to Learn. Easy to Work. Easy to Play' is more than justified.

The price?

You can get an ASUS EeePC for around £180 with Linux. Microsoft versions tend to be slightly more expensive. They come in six trendy colours with a range of accessories (sold separately)

Disadvantages

The keyboard and screen are very small which can seem like a strain after long periods of use. It only has 4GB of disk space which can make it difficult for loading extra applications or running large files.

Verdict:

They are great value for money and an ideal e-learning tool. Their compactness, versatility and practicality certainly gives them an edge in the market 

Associated Links
* Student review of the ASUS EeePC (Video)

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