Asus EPC900HA NetBook Mini Review

[redwudz]

I picked up this netbook a few days ago from NewEgg, about $260US. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220441
So far, I really like it. It's very small, about 9" X 7" and 2.5lbs. It has a very large 160GB HDD and comes with XP SP3. It also includes a 3MP camera and three USB ports. No floppy or CD/DVD drive, but they wouldn't fit anyway. If you need more storage, it will run a 2.5" external drive, though your battery life will suffer. It also has a MMC/SD(SDHC) card reader, a VGA port and a 10/100 LAN port, along with the WiFi.



It does have great battery life in the stock configuration, about 5 hours. It's perfect for long airline flights or just to carry around to WiFi hotspots. I did upgrade the RAM to two GB. (~$25US) It comes with one GB. I may try Vista on it later. Some users have done this and it will run Aero, though the Atom 1.6Ghz CPU is somewhat minimal for that.

It's basically a shrunken laptop. I can even manage to touch type on it if I'm careful. It has a nice touchpad and since the KB is small, your fingers don't hit it too often when typing. I prefer a mouse, so I added a Verbatim radio mouse that has a tiny transceiver, about a 1/4" high when plugged into the PC, so you can leave it plugged in all the time. The screen is small, 1024 X 600 (Widescreen) but very legible and seems bright enough except in full sun. The audio is decent too, but most will opt for ear buds for watching video. Since the screen is small, even low quality video looks good.

It come with the typical 'crapware' installed, but easy to remove this and put in the programs of your choice. The only real problem I ran into was that the stock XP WiFi software wasn't up to WPA2 AES encryption with the Atheros WiFi chip and would lose the connection quickly, even though I had a strong signal. But on a Asus eee forum, (http://forum.eeeuser.com/) I found I could replace the XP client with the Atheros Client Utility 7.6.1.149, and now it does fine with my router's WPA2-PSK [AES] encryption.

I did find the black shiny top of the PC is a fingerprint magnet, so the white version may be a better choice for some, if you can find it.

Specifications from NewEgg:

General
Brand ASUS
Series Eee PC
Model EPC900HA-BLK006X
Color Shiny Black
Operating System
OS Provided Windows XP Home
Processor
CPU Type Intel Atom
CPU Speed N270(1.60GHz)
CPU FSB 533MHz
CPU L2 Cache 512KB
Display
Screen Size 8.9"
Widescreen Display Yes
Display Type WSVGA
Max Resolution 1024 x 600
Graphics
Graphics Processor Integrated Graphics
Video Memory Shared system memory
Memory
Memory 1GB
Hard Drive
HDD 160GB
Dimension & Weight
Dimension 8.86" x 6.69" x 0.79-1.33"
Weight 2.49 lbs.
Feature
Feature Easy to Learn, Work, and Play
Travel light, weighting only 2.49lbs
Wireless connectivity
Connect with friend with built-in Camera
10GB Internet Storage
XP Home, MS Works, and Windows Live preloaded
And Wide Touchpad for comfort and convenient
Glossy IMR Fine Ebony color for elegant look
ZBD Guaranteed for best quality LCD
Protect your investment with sleeve case
Netbook Camera
Camera Type Built-in
Camera Pixels 0.3 Megapixel
Communications
LAN 10/100Mbps
WLAN 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
Expansion / Connectivity
USB 3
Video Ports 1 x VGA
Audio Ports 1 x Microphone jack; 1 x Headphone jack
Audio
Audio Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Internal Microphone
Speaker Built-in stereo speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard
Card Reader
Card Reader MMC/SD(SDHC)
Power
AC Adapter 12V, 36W, 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz universal
Battery
Battery 4-cell lithium ion
Battery Life 5.3 hours
Software
Software MS Works, MS Live, Sun Star Office
Manufacturer Warranty
Labor 1 year limited
Parts 1 year limited

In conclusion, I think it's a good value for the price and should be handy when you don't want to drag around a full size laptop. And it would be a great kids computer. It's probably not much of a game computer, but it's a whole lot cheaper than one that is.

[classfour]

I'd bought the 1000HA back in February, and am enjoying the long battery life, fast loading, and light weight of the thing. It's pretty much the same machine except for the 10 inch screen. The right shift key is my only complaint, as I haven't quite gotten used to it. I have upped the RAM to 2GB, and bought a Plextor 608 portable DVD burner for it. Tested it watching DVDs with the included intervideo player - it never skipped a beat.

[racer-x]

I bought one of these for my son as a birthday present. He'll be getting it in a few weeks, I'm sure he will love it. I like it myself, but the screen and keyboard are too small for my tastes.

I already removed all the pre-installed crap and made a restore image on an external HDD. I'm sure I'll be needing soner or later..........

[MJA]

why you didn't get the 10" Lenovo S10,or the Dell Mini 10v for $299

even the ASUS Eee PC EPC1000HA is selling for $299 at ZZF

[usta]

Nice review redwudz!
I'm waiting for Lenovo S12 that is expected to arrive in August. This netbook will combine Intel Atom N270 and Nvidia’s GeForce 9400 graphics. Nvidia promises full HD experience with combo. I'd like to see it connected to TV via HDMI and play 1080p movies.
I think Asus, Dell and others will follow shortly with their models.

[rallynavvie]

A coworker got one of Dell's for $200 without OS or HDD. He later got an SSD for his on sale. He is using the netbook build of Ubuntu and I really like how he has it set up. I am now considering getting one for my dad to replace his junky Latitude since all he does is internet, email, and some office applications.

I was considering one to replace my Vaio SZ. I don't travel as much anymore so compact size isn't as important to me so I think I may instead get one of the new 15" MacBook Pros now that they have the new battery and dual-video option.

[Jim44]

Nice review, and nice price! A few months ago I was looking to get a laptop or netbook, just to have a portable computer for basic email/web/etc. Ended up going with a refurbed T43 for about the same price as that netbook is now. Might have more seriously considered the netbook if it had been that low a few months ago.

[MJA]

anything over 10" isn't a netbook

[redwudz]

I primarily wanted small. I already have a couple of notebooks, but they're a pain to use on a airplane and the battery life is too short. This netbook is also handy for the library or in a internet café for a quick check of your email. When they added the 160GB HDD, I was sold.

There are also lots of mods and tips on the Asus eee forum if you want to do a bit of 'fine tuning'.

[budz]

As always redwudz excellent review. Now another toy I'm gonna wanna buy!

[usta]

anything over 10" isn't a netbook

In the beginning 7 inch netbooks were the standard.
1 year ago 9 inch was the standard.
Half a year ago the 10 inch netbook became the standard.
Now, the manufacturers are trying to push 11 or 12 inch to become the new standard.
Where is this going/

[stiltman]

anything over 10" isn't a netbook

In the beginning 7 inch netbooks were the standard.
1 year ago 9 inch was the standard.
Half a year ago the 10 inch netbook became the standard.
Now, the manufacturers are trying to push 11 or 12 inch to become the new standard.
Where is this going/

More options for the person purchasing netbook/laptops

[Super Warrior]

I picked up this netbook a few days ago from NewEgg, about $260US. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220441
So far, I really like it. It's very small, about 9" X 7" and 2.5lbs. It has a very large 160GB HDD and comes with XP SP3. It also includes a 3MP camera and three USB ports. No floppy or CD/DVD drive, but they wouldn't fit anyway. If you need more storage, it will run a 2.5" external drive, though your battery life will suffer. It also has a MMC/SD(SDHC) card reader, a VGA port and a 10/100 LAN port, along with the WiFi.

Good choice! The 900HA was my first netbook, when i got tired of lugging my large 15" dell Vostro 1000 laptop around. All i require is a solid, entry-level comp for my needs the 900HA was almost perfect.

The only flaw was the screen. Since this was going to function as my only comp, the 9" screen was just a tad TOO small for comfortable 24/7 use.

I then moved up to a 1000HA(white) which is pretty much the exact same comp, only now with a 10" screen! The large comfortable keyboard was nice too, but the star here was the display. If you've never used a 10" version, you'd be surprised at what an amazing difference that extra inch makes!!

IMO 10" is the perfect netbook size, compact yet still roomy and comfortable on the eyes.

Also heads up to you guys on a Great deal, MSI Wind 10" for $300 w/free shipping at newegg.com. I'd definitely buy this if i didn't already have an ASUS 1000HA:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152092

[Super Warrior]

why you didn't get the 10" Lenovo S10,or the Dell Mini 10v for $299

even the ASUS Eee PC EPC1000HA is selling for $299 at ZZF

Stay away from the Dell netbooks! Last i heard those damn things, while nice, had one crucial flaw: Ram memory integrated with no available slot, this means you're stuck with 1GB forever!

This is crap since the majority of netbooks out there have the option to be upgraded from 1GB to 2GB. Guys make sure that whatever netbook you buy can be upgraded in the future!

In the beginning 7 inch netbooks were the standard.
1 year ago 9 inch was the standard.
Half a year ago the 10 inch netbook became the standard.
Now, the manufacturers are trying to push 11 or 12 inch to become the new standard.
Where is this going/

I can't imagine ever going with a 7" display for ANY amount of time. Oh yes people, there IS such a thing as being TOO compact!!

As it is the 9" was the bare minimum i'd be willing to go with, and even that was still a tad too small for me.

ASUS has since then phased out the 7" line. Which is good. The smallest netbook size should stay at 9".

anything over 10" isn't a netbook

Semi-Agreed.

However, keep in mind that on many 10" netbooks, the screen does NOT fill the lid completely. You could easily fit at least 1" more on my 1000HA and still have room on the sides to spare.

Thus it would be acceptable if 11" netbooks came out, so long as they were no larger in anyway than current 10" models.

[SingSing]

I am convinced that a Ipod touch is a better web-browser than these Netbooks.

[SatStorm]

Actually, you can do your job with 5" (4:3) prety well... I worked for a while a PDA that way, so I know.

Regarding "netbooks", actually I believe that they have to be lightweight and with small displays. 7,8 or 9", but not more.

IMO, from 10" and up, you have a laptop, not a netbook. Except if we lebel "netbook" all the Intel Atom based solutions. Then yes, we can even have 15" netbooks that way...

[redwudz]

I don't have any problem with the small screen/display. It's going to be used more for movie viewing and email and the screen is fine for that. The compact footprint is great for portability and that was important. I could have got one with a larger display, but it's what I wanted for my purposes and it does what I wanted.

I would agree that you should see these type of NetBooks in person and see if it's what you want. But I have no interest in a tiny display like a cell phone. 1024 X 600 seems perfect for most movies. If I wanted bigger, then I have a couple of regular laptops. But their batteries don't last 5 hours.

[SatStorm]

To tell you the truth, I use my Nokia N82 cellphone to watch movies on the go... It lasts 4 -5 hours.
I had an Archos before. Better display, more time, a true portable media player. But I kept forgeting to take it with me...
I never forget my phone, so I end up using it

I have a 12" laptop (Acer 6290) for portable computing. It lasts 3,5 hours.

But I know that a netbook has uses. Also a tablet PC. It all has to do with your current needs.

[redwudz]

Since I got a bit older and use tri-focals, the small displays don't work too well anymore.

[Super Warrior]

IMO, from 10" and up, you have a laptop, not a netbook. Except if we lebel "netbook" all the Intel Atom based solutions. Then yes, we can even have 15" netbooks that way...

Well all netbooks are, essentially just tiny formfactor laptops. My 1000HA, aside from understandable stuff like internal disc drive, is otherwise every bit as good as my last full sized basic laptop was.

So as long as it has a SMALL formfactor, it could be considered a netbook. Its all in the size.