Compare Prices on Asus 1005HA-PU17-BK
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October 28 (updated below)
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I received the ASUS EEE PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook two days ago. My initial impression is that this is a great computer. Below are more specific comments.
1) OS: Windows Starter
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Runs really well without any problems. I think another 1GB of RAM would make it faster, but I can easily live without it for my main purpose of taking research notes, writing papers, and using the Internet.
I have not had a chance to try out all of my software yet, but Windows Office 2007, bLADE Wiki, Chrome, and other programs I frequently use work just fine. Windows 7 Starter does run more than three applications. I have four open now.
Thankfully, I had no difficulty enabling language support (IME) for Japanese and Chinese. In general, I have also found some things a little more intuitive than XP or Vista. At this point, I see absolutely no reason to buy an upgrade.
The inability to change your desktop image is a mean-spirited marketing decision that I hope Microsoft will reconsider. Not only that, but the wallpaper makes it look like you have a crack or dust on your screen. You can get around this and speed up your computer a little bit in the process. In your start menu right-click on computer, select properties, advanced system settings, performance, and “Adjust for best performance.” Your background will be solid blue.
2) Screen
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Surprisingly crisp and clear. Yes, it is small, but so is the computer 
3) Keyboard
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I have no trouble at all typing on it. Some owners of past Asus models have complained about a warped space bar. Indeed, the space bar is slightly elevated on the left side. However, I believe this was intentional. When you press the function key with the blue “running man” mark on the left it switches power settings (see comments below for an update on the keyboard).
4) Battery
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I am not sure yet how to get the advertised 10.5, but I am easily getting 9+ hours out of it on the power saver mode. It is incredible. The power adapter is quite small and seems to charge it up very quickly.
5) Sturdiness / Quality
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The computer feels surprisingly solid and less flimsy than more expensive computers I have bought in the past. It is not the most elegant computer out there, but it seems well-built. It has a wonderful lack of annoying lights. The only one remaining is the power light in the upper right. The blue LED is annoying (as it is on most computers made nowadays), but much less of a problem than others out there. If computer manufacturers would put the power light back on the bottom right under my hand with the rest of the lights I would be grateful.
6) Partitions
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My memory was partitioned into a C and D drive. There are good reasons to have a partition, but personally I prefer none. It is relatively easy to change the partition.
7) Bloatware
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One or two programs (as far as I can tell) that I was able to quickly remove. Nothing at all like my last computer that had over a dozen.
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November 5 (update)
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It is a fabulous computer and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again if I had the chance. At this size (10.1 inch) and with these specs (battery life, memory, etc.) it seems to be the best computer on the market. I still give it 5 stars.
However, I have had concerns with the keyboard. Be sure to inspect it thoroughly when it arrives. I ordered the same model for someone else and it arrived with what looked like melted keys next to the spacebar. We sent it back to Amazon for a replacement and the new one that arrived is just fine.
My “w” key was sticking the other day. I sprayed some compressed air under it and it started working again. I never eat or drink near the computer, so I cannot imagine what it was. That is the first time I have had something like that happen on any computer. It has been about a week since that happened and has been working fine.
After looking at last year’s models in the store, I can see that my “warped” space key was probably not intentional. It doesn’t hit the screen and is barely noticeable, so I have not shipped it back for a replacement. I remain pleased with the product overall, but I think they really need to work on quality control for their keyboards.
It’s been 2 days since the release of Windows 7 and this netbook. With one-day shipping, I’ve been playing with the machine for about 6 hours. So, I have some initial thoughts, but no great insights into battery life or use while traveling (I’ll try to update after my business trip next week).
My overall impression is very positive. It’s small and easy to use. The keyboard and trackpad work as well as my full sized laptop. I’ve installed a bunch of basic programs like Firefox and have had no problems. The only minor frustration I have is one of the silly limitations of Windows 7 Starter Edition: you can’t change the desktop’s wallpaper. It’s a silly limitation, but not worth paying to upgrade to Home Premium to overcome.
Along with the netbook, I purchased a 2 gig upgrade: Crucial Technology CT25664AC800 2GB 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 PC2-6400 Memory Module and an external DVD burner: ASUS USB 2.0 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive SDRW-08D1S-U (Black). If you look at the pictures above you can see just how easy it is to install the memory. It did take a little more force than I liked to remove the memory cover after unscrewing the one screw, but everything else went smoothly.
Oct 28 Update: Read the comments on this review for my initial battery impressions as well as some good comments from other folks.
Relevant context for this review: This is my first netbook and I have been a strong Mac OS convert for the past 2 and 1/2 years. I swore I would never purchase anything with a Windows OS again, but bought this because the price, size, and battery life were what I needed.
BOTTOM LINE: I have been playing with my netbook for three days now and can say that it is everything I expected.
POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Battery life is incredible and recharges in an hour (max): I did some light web-surfing for a couple hours one night and had 82% of battery left when I was done. UPDATE: I watched a 45 min. episode of Mad Men that I downloaded and it only used up about 10% of the battery. Pretty awesome.
- Size is great: about the size of a hardcover novel.
- Weight is much better: half the weight of my MacBook Pro, the same weight as my girlfriend’s MacBook Air.
- Price point is right: I got mine for $387 and feel like anything $400 or less is a fair price for what you get.
- Screen is small, crisp, and clear: Larger would be easier to see, but small is the point of a netbook, right?
- Windows 7 Starter is adequate: Not sluggish, even with 4 windows open at a time. I’m still getting re-familiarized with the Windows 7 file structure and how you install applications, etc, but that’s not a fault of Windows 7. There is a wallpaper application on the Asus website that allows you to make any photo your wallpaper (look under “Downloads” for Windows 7…I think it’s first on the list).
- Asus tech support was helpful and efficient: Yes, I had to call when I was initializing Windows 7 because I got an endless “Initializing icon” during set-up. They said something must not have installed right on set-up.
- Keyboard is smaller but acceptably easy to use: Again, small is the point, so you have to expect some difference. I have to look when I type or I make mistakes (normally, I type by touch). I hit “z” instead of “shift” if I don’t look.
NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
- Asus almost hides their phone # for customer support on the website and the book that comes with the netbook just lists the website. Not helpful if you don’t have other access to web when having trouble.
- I had to call Asus support during set-up. Yes, it was resolved quickly, but this is the kind of thing you don’t have to do with Mac OS and why I get frustrated with Windows.
- Have to protect from viruses again: Netbook comes with free, 61-day protection, but I hate having to pay and update protection all the time. UPDATE: See first comment below for a tip about free virus protection.
- Not a great “lap top” computer. It’s very small size, makes it hard to use on your lap. Much easier to use sitting at a table.
- Pretty hokey, kid-like Eee PC toolbar seems like more of a link to stuff you can purchase (games, etc.) than a heavy-duty “tool” that is provided to make Eee PC experience Eeesier. UPDATE: I figured out how to get rid of this under settings, so this is a non-issue now.
Okay, that’s my impression so far. Will update if it changes. I think I’m going to keep it and take it on an 18 hour flight and two week trip to South Africa next week. Hoping to be able to use it to play (on plane), skype, and research travel/touring info while away.
UPDATE 11/2: I’m liking the machine more every day. I have now put itunes and doubletwist on my machine so that I can sync my Palm Pre (phone) and access all of my itunes music and other media purchased through itunes. Both are working great. I have also installed a bunch of things I need to patch the WebOS code on my Palm Pre and that is working like a dream. Lastly, I downloaded open office (free open-source word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow and more) and plan to use that instead of paying for MS Office.
