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How would you change ASUS' Eee PC Seashell line?
In the past month and change, ASUS has found time to issue not one, but two new Seashell netbooks. Originally shown to the adoring public at CeBIT in Germany, this fresh take on the Eee PC was a welcome change to the drab netbooks we were accustomed to falling asleep on. We managed to have a look at both the ultraslim 1008HA as well as the more business-oriented 1005HA, but now we're eager to hear your opinions on the matter. What would you do differently with the Eee PC Seashell line? Would you beef up the battery? Add a few ports? Swap in a different display or processor? We know Microsoft's Windows XP limitations are holding PC makers back, but who says your imagination has to abide by those same guidelines? Detail your dreams in comments below.
Eee PC 1008HA gets cracked open, ASUS' obsession with Scotch tape revealed
We won't go so far as to say that the innards of ASUS' sexy Eee PC 1008HA are literally held together with tape, but man, there's an atypically high amount of sticky strips in there. If you're curious to see the ins and outs (but mostly the ins) of the first member of the newly created Seashell family, give that read link a look. Just be fully prepared to have your confidence shaken.
ASUS Eee PC 1005HA found in the wild, bests the Seashell in the little things
We just got through looking at ASUS's new Eee PC 1008HA Seashell, but it might be the 1005HA that really strikes a balance between form and function. The upcoming netbook has many of the Seashell's stylings, but forgoes the recessed ports, port doors and hokey mini VGA plug to bring a more functional experience while hardly sacrificing the aesthetics. This version in the wilds of Germany also has a 6 cell removable battery instead of the 1008HA's "next-gen" 3 cell integrated battery -- we'll have to wait for the benchmarks to see who is crowned the winner, but anybody who's ever had the joy of swapping batteries on a transoceanic flight has probably already made up their mind.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell review
We've been seeing plenty of ASUS' newest, and possibly most attractive netbook -- the Eee PC 1008HA Seashell -- around here as of late, and the slim model's gotten plenty of solid reviews in the UK, where it's already available. Nobody can talk about the 'shell (as we refer to it) without praising its handsome exterior, and with good reason, too: even if you're not a fan of a curvy, thinned-out approach, it is most definitely refreshing to see a netbook that doesn't just look like... every other netbook. We decided to take the newest ASUS for a spin, comparing it to the netbook we're friendliest with -- the HP Mini 1000 -- to see how they stack up against one another. Could we swim through the blackened, dark abyss of netbook confusion and emerge with a clearer sense of ourselves? Does clarity come at a cost? Can the 10.1-inch Seashell fulfill all of our netbook dreams? Join us after the break for our musings.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA 'Seashell' review roundup
For those near and dear to ASUS' Eee PC netbook line, the 1008HA 'Seashell' is definitely a breath of fresh air. It doesn't look like an Eee, it doesn't feel like an Eee and it doesn't boast a replaceable battery like an Eee; needless to say, only two of those three facts were lauded by reviewers across the web. Much like Apple's MacBook Air, the battery in this here machine is not user-serviceable, and while tests proved that it could last well over three hours with "normal" use, ASUS has yet to make clear what plans it has for offering replacements. In any case, most everything else about the machine was found to be on par or above, with performance being satisfactory for basic tasks and the keyboard / trackpad being exceptionally yummy. Still, it feels as if ASUS is charging a bit much for a familiar lineup of internals, but those willing to pay for style should definitely take a closer look.Read - Trusted Reviews ("a very refined and classy netbook")Read - T3 ("a good all-round package")Read - CNET UK ("great styling and a relatively light chassis")Read - Bit-Tech ("definitely worth considering, but looks come at a cost")Read - WhatLaptop ("a compelling proposition")Read - PCPro ("If you don't mind paying a premium for fine design, then the Seashell is a tantalizing prospect")
ASUS bringing 1008HA, UX50 and U80V laptops Stateside, we go hands-on
We've got the skinny on ASUS's latest North American foray, with the Eee PC 1008HA Seashell, UX50 and U80V "thin and light" all vying for your slice of the stimulus this summer. The quite familiar (by now) 1008HA will be retailing for $429, featuring 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, a new thin form factor and six hours of battery (thanks to the Super Hybrid Engine) to set it slightly apart from the netbook competition. The UX50 and U80V, on the traditional laptop angle, are a slightly odd couple, with the UX50 pairing a ULV Core 2 Solo processor with discrete GeForce G105M graphics, aiming for long battery life but in a standard 15.6-inch form factor, while the U80V does the "thin and light" thing with a high speed Core 2 Duo processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 graphics and a 14-inch screen. Both laptops include 4GB of RAM and 802.11n WiFi, with the long-lasting UX50 going for $1,199, while the powerful but slim U80V retails for $899. To be honest, we weren't stunned by the U80V's thinness or weight in hand, but it's really pretty good considering what's under the hood. We didn't get to see the UX50 in person, but it better get some pretty epic runtimes to justify that price. Meanwhile the 1008HA is looking just peachy -- there's an odd adapter for the display output that conveniently stashes underneath the chassis, but overall this is just a straightforward and fairly excellent aesthetic refinement of the netbook. Our favorite part, however, has nothing to do with the shell: ASUS finally righted the wrong that was the Eee PC's funky shift key placement, and we couldn't be happier.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA up for pre-order in the UK
It shouldn't be long now, Yanks. With ASUS' strikingly thin Eee PC 1008HA -- which we toyed with for an unhealthy amount of time at CeBIT this year -- up for pre-order in the UK, we're just certain a US launch is imminent. As of now, Britons with £379.50 ($565) can get in line for the Midnight Blue edition, which should be dispatched in around a month or two according to Amazon UK. For those feeling something a bit less vivid, the all-white version can be ordered up at LaptopsDirect for £20 more. Too pricey for an Atom-powered netbook? Let your wallet be the judge.[Via PortableMonkey, thanks Peter]Read - Amazon UK listingRead - LaptopsDirect
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA reportedly priced at 359
We're not totally sure we believe this just yet, but Notebook Choice has it that ASUS' Eee PC 1008HA -- which we got up close and personal with at CeBIT -- will begin shipping out across the pond next month. Reportedly, the base price will hover around £359 ($518), but again, we're not completely getting our hearts set on that 'til we hear something from the mouth of ASUS (or a legitimate distributor). Honestly though, that price sounds about right; as beautiful as it is, we were pretty underwhelmed by its very netbook-like performance during our brief time with it.[Via Electricpig]
Video: Eee Dock app launcher demoed on Eee PC 1008HA
While we've already shown you exactly what ASUS' new Eee PC 1008HA looks like, we stopped by again today to take a peek at a less obvious new addition. The Eee Dock app launcher is making its debut on this here netbook, giving users an easy way to access a few common areas from a pull-out dock that can be positioned on the top, bottom or left / right sides. While we assume the 1008HA we toyed with had been on for days sans a reboot, the Eee Dock was a touch sluggish, though it did seem to get the job done if you weren't expecting lighting fast reactions. Our biggest knock was the inability to customize what apps and locations could pop out from the main menu, though we're cautiously hoping ASUS adds that ability in the future. Hit play above to have a look, or feel free to browse the stills below if that's more your style.
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA hands-on
While we initially assumed that ASUS' Lamborghini VX5 would be its sexiest laptop at CeBIT, now we're having second thoughts. After taking the wraps off of its downright stunning 10-inch Eee PC 1008HA yesterday, we spotted the bugger sittin' pretty today at the outfit's booth. Needless to say, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to snag a few snapshots and share 'em all with you. Much like the S101, the so-called "Shell" has very little "Eee" in its blood. In fact, you'd barely know it was part of the family without that descriptive placard sitting there beside it. ASUS engineered this one for fashionistas who'd like a little PC with their next style accessory, and everything from the glorious paint job to the ultra-clean lines screamed "gorgeous." Really, take a look below and see for yourself.%Gallery-46604%
ASUS debuts the Eee PC 1008HA "Shell" 10-inch ultraportable
ASUS has taken the wraps off its latest Eee PC, the 1008HA we heard was on the way to follow up on the S101. As far as anyone can tell -- ASUS is a little coy on specs so far -- the laptop harbors fairly traditional netbook specs and a netbook pricepoint, but the exterior is all new and rather attractive. The computer is 1-inch thick and weighs 2.4 pounds, with a curved, shiny plastic "shell" (ASUS calls it "pearlescent") to give a bit more luster than the average Eee PC. ASUS is including 802.11n, Bluetooth, 3G and WiMAX options, and packing in it Eee Sharing and Eee Arena software. We'll be looking to dig up more specs and some hands-on time with this unit this week at CeBIT.[Via UMPCPortal]%Gallery-46497%
