Asus' Eee PC 701 gets reviewed, adored

"Pound for pound, the best value-priced notebook on the planet." Sure, you could stop right there if you'd like, but where's the fun in that? Laptop Mag was able to get their paws around an Asus Eee PC 701, and while you may not think a meager 900MHz Intel Celeron processor could stir up all sorts of jubilant emotions, apparently it still can. Reviewers made no bones about the machine's lack of raw horsepower, and it did make sure to knock Asus for releasing a machine with webcam drivers "on the way," but despite the rough edges, the wee 701 was deemed a great choice for the novice PC user or someone scouting a secondary machine. Notably, the Eee PC 701 isn't apt to make just anyone smile, but if you're interested in finding out if such a device would work for you, be sure and give the read link a bit of your time.

[Mile @ Oct 25th 2007 9:26PM]

I'm going to get one ASAP and my lawyer is already on retainer for when the price drops.

I'm very excited!

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:50PM]

My lawyer has a more exciting retainer than your lawyer...

Yeah, I'm confused. Care to clarify?

[Reader @ Oct 25th 2007 11:56PM]

iPhone joke, and a well played one at that.

[Jack @ Oct 26th 2007 6:21AM]

aye, made me chuckle too

[Andrew @ Oct 25th 2007 9:47PM]

I cant wait till end of November to get the 8G

http://eeepc.asus.com/en/product.htm

The chart now shows estimated release dates.

And I don't care, I want one. Knock Asus all you want, I will have MY two, one for home, one for my Car. I can't wait!!!

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 25th 2007 10:07PM]

10/16 for the 4G? How come I can't find it goddamned anywhere then?

[Andrew @ Oct 25th 2007 11:03PM]

Shhhh, your not supposed to know it's out. lol

I'd like to atleast hold one, even if not the 8G. Maybe its bulk order only?

I'm somewhat disappointed by them saying it's rushed to market. While I don't want it rushed to market, I freaking want one. As long as software is all thats rushed and the build quality is top notch (as top notch as $400 gets anyway), I'm fine with the perpetual upgrades via firmware. Thats what I got from the article anyway, is driver issues. Fixed via software updates.

[zfurie @ Oct 25th 2007 10:01PM]

Now if they can add wireless charging to it but not bad for the tethered digital life. I'll get one for the house for casual browsing instead of firing up the big rig.

You can leave it in the lounge (along with the wireless keyboard for the HTPC) to use for reading up imdb.com to see if the movie showing on cable is any good and read your favorite news sites like engadget in between the breaks.

Then you can bring it to the kitchen to look up over the recipe for making authentic Mexican Rice.

You can also put it on top of the dresser in front of the mirror while playing a youtube video of how to make a windsor knot tie.

While on bed before going to sleep you can use it to read Manga comics and check up on facebook to see who to call up for drinks the following night.

[LordFarkward @ Oct 25th 2007 10:39PM]

that makes u sound like you don't have a lot of interaction with other human beings :p

[zfurie @ Oct 25th 2007 10:56PM]

Uhm I am actually one of the robot overlords engadget readers always talk about.

But dont tell the other overlords I like the Eee PC.

[Beni @ Oct 25th 2007 10:02PM]

Ok, I got 300$.

Should I get a n800 with a case, 8GB SDHC card and good headphones?

Or should I get

A Asus Eee PC with a case and 4GB SDHC card?

[derek @ Oct 25th 2007 10:16PM]

Well you aren't getting the Eee PC... it cost $400

[arthur barnhouse @ Oct 25th 2007 10:16PM]

I would say the eeePc due to the keyboard, but it's really a personal taste issue. How do you invision yourself using it?

[eX @ Oct 25th 2007 10:33PM]

That probably depends how you're planning on using it. If you plan to watch stuff on a bus or that sort of stuff, play music and casual videos and don't care too much about app availability then I'd probably say n800 (though, due to it being so proprietary it's kind of a waste unless you're only looking for internet browsing and music since other options are kinda limited and who know if they will be expandable). If you're looking for a bigger screen, actual keyboard and broader functionality (don't forget that you can put XP on EeePC!) then shoot for EeePC. But like other guys said, either will end up costing more than $400. I really like the idea of EeePC and would have gotten one if not the the lcd, I just really dislike the huge trim around it. I'm thinking of waiting up and see whether a model with bigger screen would come out. Based on functionality, provided you'd be willing to spend a $1000, you may want to take a look at Fujitsu U810, which IMO is about the best UMPC one could get (only thing it lacks is a 3G cell adapter). Still, it beats hands down all other UMPC with awesome specs and simply rock bottom price. I'm still gonna wait and see, I don't have money for U810 and UMPC doesn't quite cut it for my taste yet.

[bachviet @ Oct 25th 2007 10:41PM]

For $300, the best bet is the N800. I just bought mine for $231.xx ($30 off for signing up with buy.com CC) and got a 4GB & a 8GB SDHC cards for $70 after MIR. I have been using it extensively; surfing the internet, watching movies, listening to MP3s, and etc. I'm planning to install the new OS once it's available.

[Jagannath A @ Oct 25th 2007 11:00PM]

@arthur

you probably meant 'envision'.... :D

[Ipaq3115 @ Oct 25th 2007 11:01PM]

get a HP Ipaq hw6945, they are about $300 on eBay.
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/HP-iPAQ-hw6915.htm
wifi, bluetooth, phone, keyboard...
That just what I would prefer, If you want to do serious web surfing get the asus...

[Alan Partridge @ Oct 26th 2007 9:28AM]

Wait and get a Nokia N810!

[Benson @ Oct 26th 2007 9:54AM]

@eX:
You say the N800 is "being so proprietary"? It runs Maemo, which is a variant of Debian GNU/Linux for such devices. It's quite open, and while that won't help you directly unless you're a UNIX coder type, it does mean there's a lot of apps out there for it from the people who are.
And you said "who know[s] if it will be expandable." If you mean storage, it has 2 SDHC card slots (1 int in the battery compartment, 1 ext) so you can handily run 32 GB of storage when 16 GB cards are available enough.
And finally, since the N810 came out, you can get N800s for $240 -- Google Product search is your friend! Depends on how much storage you need, but you could be running for $300 easy. Even with a (cheap) BT keyboard.
I'd go N800, because you can't get the EEEEEeeeeeeeee for that, but as soon as you got $400 to burn, it becomes a tough question. I've already got a big, bulky, old laptop that is eee level of performance, so at the moment I'm not buying. (I bring it when I want more than N800.) When the price drops, I'll probably retire it completely, and walk around with N810 (which will also have dropped :D and been purchased) on one hip and the Eee on the other. All ready for the geek fashion show!

[bob e @ Oct 25th 2007 10:03PM]

I'll take mine with Vista Basic or XP Please. I'll pay an additional $100 for more memory and better processor.

[melloncollie @ Oct 25th 2007 10:20PM]

Vista?
You're kidding right?

[bob e @ Oct 25th 2007 10:31PM]

no I am not kidding, Vista is my OS of choice

[Sam @ Oct 25th 2007 10:33PM]

Vista won't run, I can barely get it to run on my 1.6 Ghz Compaq with a 1 gb of RAM. Go with XP.

[Sam @ Oct 25th 2007 10:34PM]

I think that his point is that this couldn't handle Vista....

[melloncollie @ Oct 25th 2007 10:35PM]

Well, then I'm sorry.

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:40PM]

Oh, gosh. This thing runs Linux, right? Keep it that way, man. That's a good thing. Vista? Bah.

Compiz Fusion FTW. Vista is a waste of resources and money.

There's no problem in having choice... but dude... I don't need any more hardware in that thing as far as memory or CPU goes. I am content.

[Ipaq3115 @ Oct 25th 2007 11:14PM]

Don't touch vista!
It has turned to the dark side...

linux will run way better on a little 900mhz than vista

[heh @ Oct 26th 2007 6:58AM]

I had a Samsung Q1U UMPC running Vista. Similar CPU. What a mistake. I was never so glad to get rid of a computer.

[bob @ Oct 25th 2007 10:33PM]

wow thats pretty cool probally has higher perfromance than a macbook

[Sam @ Oct 25th 2007 10:37PM]

If your making a joke... lame.


If not, then your wrong. MacBooks are really fast and mine runs Vista easily (rates a 3, everything is around a 5 except graphics, which is caused to be a 3 because of the Intel 945G chipset)

[bob @ Oct 25th 2007 10:44PM]

@ sam


im not making a joke and thats fairly sad my 1200 dollar custom built machine scores 6s on everything while your 1500 dolalr macbook struggles to perform and if you manage to get that your lucky 2. my pccan beat macs costing 2,3,4 5 times it

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:48PM]

Naturally.

...and shouldn't TPM's be illegal? I think so. Class action anyone?

[fobunited @ Oct 26th 2007 12:20AM]

Funny since Asus manufactures most of Apple's laptops.

[James @ Oct 26th 2007 4:39AM]

@fobunited

Please don't remind the iFanboys that Apple is just a marketing company and everything is manufactured for them. It gets them in such a tis, puts them on the offensive (pun also intended) and we never hear the end of how wonderful Apple is in the thread.

[thethirdmoose @ Nov 1st 2007 4:41PM]

bob:
A) How do you know his macbook cost $1500? Macbooks start at $1100.
B) Your custom built PC is a DESKTOP. The Macbook is a LAPTOP. The LAPTOP is, by nature, not as powerful as the DESKTOP. Dumbass.

[bob @ Nov 1st 2007 8:14PM]

@ the third mouse


true it is a desktop but even that comparison the mcbook is so much more but ill do it gain for you for the same price you can get a alienware with a 17 inch screen 2hz dual core proccesor a 7600go video card 2 gig ram and vista home premium happy i see you to have been brainwashed by apple all hail apple rite..........


apple a compaany that sells crappie computers in cool boxes
a guy named bob

[meeko @ Oct 25th 2007 10:35PM]

Vista sucks away resources like a sorority president, seriously it routinely chugged on my X60, what do you think it will do on a 900Mhz Celeron???

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:43PM]

Yarr, the edge of Vista's world. Thar be penguins here.

Vista is Ballmer's way of throwing chairs at people he can't reach.

[bachviet @ Oct 25th 2007 10:37PM]

I wonder how Ubuntu runs on this thing.

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:46PM]

If it has all the drivers?

Beautifully, as always. But what about Open Solaris, BSD, and Hackint0SX? Meh, nevermind. Hey, anyone know of a gnome panel that behaves like the MacOS taskbar? How about KDE?
[e-mail]

[Eponymous coward @ Oct 26th 2007 8:43AM]

@ethana

Google "awk", it's like MacOS' dock, for compiz.

[Ayle @ Oct 26th 2007 12:00AM]

kde can be configured to behave like macos but gnome requires some hax....

[Jason @ Oct 25th 2007 10:40PM]

Its like an mobel I-Opener from the planet Krypton, only better!!!

[AlexP @ Oct 25th 2007 10:38PM]

Cool. Now, how about the release the long forgotten XG Station (look it up)?

[Mikey @ Oct 25th 2007 10:43PM]

I have been thinking about this for a me. Although, my great uncle is living in a senior complex. Hes over 100, but very mobile and as sharp as a tack. We have been toying with the idea of getting him a computer and internet to play with. I think I found the right system...

Besides, then I can play too. If I really like it I can get my own.

[tintin @ Oct 25th 2007 10:53PM]

Sheesh - did everyone lose 1/2 their braincells and forget about the millions of used and refurbished PIII and PIV laptops floating around for 1/2 the price of this thing with all the power, bigger screen, bigger drives, DVD/CD-RW etc. etc.?

What am I missing?

[bachviet @ Oct 25th 2007 10:51PM]

Portability is the key.

[Thanol @ Oct 25th 2007 10:52PM]

The smaller screen and overall size of the Eee is a plus, buddy.

[ethana2 @ Oct 25th 2007 10:52PM]

marketing?

[Branko Collin @ Oct 26th 2007 2:35PM]

What your missing, Tintin, is that this an ultra-portable. And although all other ultra-portables are much more powerful than this one, the EEE has two things going for it: 1) it is much lighter than the rest, making it a true "lap"top, and 2) much cheaper. All other ultraportables start at thousands of dollars, this one at hundreds. So if you don't need the extra power, the EEE is the first ultra-portable you can buy this cheap.

In November another cheap ultra-portable will become available to the citizens of the USA and Canada, OLPC's XO.