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December 04, 2007
The Asus Eee PC ... and us
You may recall that we gave up blogging for Fairfax, what with not being able to make a living, and we haven't been posting much around here of late. However, ever the optimist, we've decided to try out a new business model with a new blog over at ITWire.
The name, ShinkAge ShrinkAge reflects our excitement about the new trend to sub-sub-notebook computers among other things. Right now we're looking at the Asus Eee PC, which is the subject of our first post.
We tried to buy one yesterday, but discovered that Myer - which is the sole outlet right now - has completely sold out, and doesn't know when there will be more stock.
In our opinion, the Asus Eee PC represents quite a breakthrough. For $500 you get a surprisingly solid little PC with a 7-inch screen, very usable keyboard and enough RAM to run Linux and a respectable number of applications. Throw some more money at it, however, and it will run Windows XP.
We don't know whether we're going to choose it as our constant companion, or will opt instead for the OQO UMPC. We're attracted to the ability of that system - admittedly for a lot more money - to run Vista's Tablet applications, and for quite some time now we've been espousing the attractions of the Tablet format. Shrunk to a 5-inch screen format, it might prove to be the ultimate PC.
We'll keep you up to date on the internal debate.
Posted by cw at December 4, 2007 02:30 PM
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Comments
I went along to Myer yesterday as well and had the same experience. Either they didn't have very many in stock or they're very popular or both.
Posted by: Charlie at December 4, 2007 04:27 PM
I had to preorder mine - Only one of the 3 myer stores in canberra got it.
I am on mine right now - I personally have put it up there with my ipod as the item I NEED on holidays etc.
I personally will leave mine using its LINUX system (although it can run xp) on whirlpool its already running at page 30ish in its part 2.
Happy for anyone to reply with questions - I'm no expert but I do own one.
WS
Posted by: Wade at December 4, 2007 06:01 PM
Hi Charles,
I thought I had the monopoly on typos and slips. You've lost the R in Shrink
Nice to know you're in circulation again.
Posted by: Ananda Sim at December 4, 2007 09:29 PM
In your paragraph detailing the horrendous misinformation provided by lesser journalists, you go on to state that the Australian version is fitted with an impressive 512Kb of ram. :) Maybe it was the editor? Good to see you writing here again, btw
Posted by: Tom Purnell at December 4, 2007 10:19 PM
Oh dear. Obviously the fingers took over the function of the brain there. Serves me right, of course.
My intention though wasn't so much to criticise journalistic errors as to point out the zealous nature of the new community, and to make the point that there's a good deal of confusion out there.
Posted by: cw at December 5, 2007 07:11 AM
Hi all,
Just picked one up from Myer at Erina Fair, regional location so still had a few in stock. I must say, it's impressive, just works! This has been my first experience with Linux again for sometime and I'm sold as to where it's at now with this kind of portable. It just works on the net, connects to wireless or wired no hassles. Also have plugged in USB peripherals with no problem, USB mouse, keyboard, external SVGA monitor, camera, USB 2GB memory stick, all genuinely was plug 'n play; just worked!
Wow this is impressive. No problems with only the 512MB memory, although I notice no swap was active so I guess must run out of memory eventually with too many apps in use. Only gripe so far, one small dead "hot" pixel right at the bottom of the screen (although only on the toolbar, no problem) and the image file management application doesn't really work missing plugins. Firefox is also an old rev 2.0.0.7 when we should be on 2.0.0.11 for the security/stability fixes and the upgrade button for it is greyed out.
Hey if Asus took this thing, removed the LCD screen, keyboard and battery, this could be a very cheap PC a la Mini Mac for less than $200, now that's food for thought!
All the best,
Rob.
Posted by: Rob at December 10, 2007 10:29 AM
I'm very interested in this machine for use while travelling around Europe to connect via free wireless hotspots for email.
I've seen a review in the SMH which mentioned that it only supports the WPA protocol for wireless security and the reviewer had to switch their home wireless router from WPA2 to WPA for it to connect. Has anybody else experienced wireless connections issues like this?
Posted by: Bill at January 18, 2008 10:32 AM
Bought mine about 2 weeks ago. Very impressed with the ease with which it connects to wireless with no problems with any protocol. Bluetooth works fine with a USB dongle. Have installed eeeXubuntu and am very pleased with the performance. The Opera browser has a fit-to-screen option which helps when viewing web sites on the 800 by 480 LCD.
Posted by: Terry at February 14, 2008 10:04 PM
Hi - at NEWS.com.au, we decided to test this tiny laptop to see if it's as convenient as it looks?
Here's what we found: http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23388390-5014108,00.html
Posted by: NEWS.com.au at March 19, 2008 02:45 PM