Weaknesses
Asus has decided that both the Windows and Linux editions of the Eee PC
900 should sell for the same price, which is a challenge, seeing as a
Windows XP licence costs around £60 and Linux is free. In order to
achieve this, Asus ships the Windows XP version with 12GB of storage
instead of the 20GB found in the Linux version. We understand fully why
it has done this, but we can't say we're happy about sacrificing
nearly 50 per cent of storage just to have Windows XP. It's good -- but
it's not that good.
One significant drawback with using Windows XP is that the graphical
user interface is far tricker to get to grips with than the Linux GUI.
The Linux edition has logically arranged tab group labeled 'Internet',
'work', 'learn', 'play', 'settings' and 'favourites', each of which
contain relevant application icons. Windows, in contrast, is more
confusing -- particularly for anyone who isn't very experienced with a
computer.
It's no surprise to learn that the XP version doesn't ship with as many
useful applications as the Linux edition. Applications such as
OpenOffice and Skype don't come as standard, and although you can
install these apps yourself, it would have been comforting to have them
sitting there ready for use straight out of the box.
The other drawbacks with the Windows version of the Eee PC 900 are identical to those of the Linux model. The keyboard is uncomfortable to use if you have large hands, the speakers are utterly rubbish, and there's no built-in 3G Internet access -- at least not until Asus decides to release a 'Surf' edition like it did with the Eee PC 701.
Conclusion
We can't really recommend the Windows version of
the Eee PC 900 over its Linux counterpart, primarily because you get
nearly twice as much storage space in the Linux version. Sure, Windows
XP offers a degree of familiarity its Linux brother can only dream of,
plus inherent compatibility with an almost endless supply of hardware
and software. If you really can't live without XP, then the best course
of action is to buy the superior Linux version and install XP yourself.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday
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User reviews4
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mgnfire 2 August 2011
Good: Size & lightness, build quality, speed versitility i.e. use it for almost any application that is MS compatible.
Bad: Battery life - as an SSD netbook, I'd have expected 6-8 hrs, not 1-2hrs!
Comment: Boought to replace a Psion 5MX that finally bit the dust. Trouble is, it is so good, that you find yourself using it for web, email, video and stills etc etc.
I have a 15Gb SSD and have had no problem loading MS Office XP Pro + Nikon editor, Uplayer for DVD's (excellent by the way) Still have 7.5Gb left.
Ordered 2Gb ram upgrade from Crucial. I'll let you know how it goes.
gibuns 11 November 2008
Good: Light and small but usable size keypad
Bad: Hard drive too small to even get the machine started!
Comment: Don't get why I should have to pay for something that requires so much work just to get it doing what it says on the box? It is a mini laptop, therefore I charge it up and get to work.
But with this machine, after finding it ran out of space as soon as it came out the box, first I am supposed to download an autoc2d, which required a cd which I didn't have and the machine doesn't have a cd drive! Then something to do with 'BIOS'.....IF THE MACHINE IS NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE DON'T SELL IT. It's not up to customers to put ASUS's mistakes right. And don't get me started on the battery that doesn't hold a charge....back to the shop with this baby.
sandynickerson 19 September 2008
Good: Screen and size
Bad: Memory
Comment: This machine is vitually useless as the C Drive keeps running out of memory with virtually no programmes loaded except Baic Norton and MS Money.
What can I do?????
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