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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 sizable computer. Below are more specific comments.
1) OS: Windows Starter
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Runs really well without any problems. I deem another 1GB of RAM would get 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 employ work unbiased radiant. Windows 7 Starter does urge more than three applications. I have four start now.
Thankfully, I had no pain enabling language help (IME) for Japanese and Chinese. In general, I have also found some things a cramped more intuitive than XP or Vista. At this point, I look absolutely no reason to assume 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 glance like you have a crack or dust on your camouflage. You can pick up around this and hurry up your computer a cramped bit in the process. In your launch 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 certain. Yes, it is little, but so is the computer 
3) Keyboard
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I have no effort at all typing on it. Some owners of past Asus models have complained about a warped region bar. Indeed, the place bar is slightly elevated on the left side. However, I possess this was intentional. When you press the function key with the blue "running man" note on the left it switches power settings (search for comments below for an update on the keyboard) .
4) Battery
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I am not obvious yet how to secure the advertised 10.5, but I am easily getting 9+ hours out of it on the power saver mode. It is wonderful. The power adapter is quite microscopic and seems to charge it up very like a flash.
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 aesthetic computer out there, but it seems well-built. It has a astounding lack of annoying lights. The only one remaining is the power light in the upper accurate. The blue LED is annoying (as it is on most computers made nowadays), but grand less of a plight than others out there. If computer manufacturers would assign the power light encourage on the bottom just 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 kindly reasons to have a partition, but personally I retract none. It is relatively easy to change the partition.
7) Bloatware
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One or two programs (as far as I can reveal) that I was able to hastily hold. 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 wonderful computer and I wouldn't hesitate to retract it again if I had the chance. At this size (10.1 mosey) and with these specs (battery life, memory, etc.) it seems to be the best computer on the market. I collected give it 5 stars.
However, I have had concerns with the keyboard. Be definite to scrutinize 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 assist to Amazon for a replacement and the recent one that arrived is fair elegant.
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 graceful.
After looking at last year's models in the store, I can gaze that my "warped" plot key was probably not intentional. It doesn't hit the conceal and is barely noticeable, so I have not shipped it relieve for a replacement. I remain contented with the product overall, but I assume 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 gargantuan insights into battery life or exercise while traveling (I'll try to update after my business hasten next week) .
My overall impression is very clear. It's miniature and easy to employ. The keyboard and trackpad work as well as my plump 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 laughable limitations of Windows 7 Starter Edition: you can't change the desktop's wallpaper. It's a humorous 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 (Shadowy) . If you watch at the pictures above you can watch unprejudiced how easy it is to install the memory. It did retract a small more force than I liked to win the memory hide 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 obliging 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 occupy anything with a Windows OS again, but bought this because the tag, 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 unbelievable 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 Wrathful Men that I downloaded and it only weak up about 10% of the battery. Heavenly awesome.
- Size is great: about the size of a hardcover unusual.
- Weight is great better: half the weight of my MacBook Pro, the same weight as my girlfriend's MacBook Air.
- Brand point is right: I got mine for $387 and feel like anything $400 or less is a sparkling impress for what you find.
- Veil is microscopic, crisp, and clear: Larger would be easier to witness, but diminutive is the point of a netbook, legal?
- Windows 7 Starter is adequate: Not inactive, even with 4 windows initiate at a time. I'm mild 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 construct any photo your wallpaper (sight under "Downloads" for Windows 7...I assume it's first on the list) .
- Asus tech assist was pleasant 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 factual on set-up.
- Keyboard is smaller but acceptably easy to use: Again, miniature is the point, so you have to question some incompatibility. I have to see when I type or I earn mistakes (normally, I type by touch) . I hit "z" instead of "shift" if I don't inspect.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Asus almost hides their phone # for customer assist on the website and the book that comes with the netbook unprejudiced lists the website. Not beneficial if you don't have other access to web when having effort.
- I had to call Asus assist during set-up. Yes, it was resolved rapid, but this is the kind of thing you don't have to do with Mac OS and why I regain 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: Gaze first comment below for a tip about free virus protection.
- Not a tremendous "lap top" computer. It's very miniature size, makes it hard to expend on your lap. Noteworthy easier to exhaust sitting at a table.
- Attractive hokey, kid-like Eee PC toolbar seems like more of a link to stuff you can consume (games, etc.) than a heavy-duty "tool" that is provided to construct Eee PC experience Eeesier. UPDATE: I figured out how to pick up 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 contemplate I'm going to retain it and choose it on an 18 hour flight and two week straggle 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 place 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 stout. 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 originate office (free open-source word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow and more) and notion to spend that instead of paying for MS Office.
