MSI Wind U123 and ASUS 1000HE Show Netbook Evolution
by Wesley Fink on July 17, 2009 12:02 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
ASUS 1000HE Hands-On
Notebook keyboards and pointing devices are at best an acquired taste. When talking about netbook ergonomics it helps to constantly remind yourself that the comparison is to other netbooks, notebooks, PDAs, and smart phones and not to the best separate devices available on a desktop system. Given that perspective the ASUS 1000HE is very successful from an ergonomic point of view.
Comparing all the Eee netbooks that came before the 1000HE it is clear the 1000HE is the best keyboard yet from ASUS. Keys are clearly labeled and there has been some logical reorganization of special purpose key locations from the earlier Eee models. Typing feel and tactile feedback are very good.
The larger 9.75" width that comes with a 10" display is much easier to use than the smaller keyboards on the 9" PC 901 and the earlier 7" PC 4G. The touchpad is large with a clear positive click feel on the selection buttons. Touchpads remain in our thinking a low-cost pointing device relegated to notebooks and netbooks, but the ASUS 1000HE touchpad is the best of the 5 netbooks tested in this comparison.
Ports are pretty standard for a notebook with an MSRP of $399. There are a welcomed three USB ports instead of the more common two, which is very useful. Other ports include external video, an SDHC card reader, microphone/headphone jacks, an Ethernet jack, and the power adapter port. Stereo speakers, a 1.3MP webcam, Windows XP Home, and a 160GB hard drive complete the package. The battery pack is removable for easy upgrade or customization, with 3-cell and 6-cell battery options. Wireless options include both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
ASUS points out that the bottom of the 1000HE is relatively smooth and flat compared to the bulges on earlier Eee models. A large port door provides easy access to the hard drive and memory, and it is held in place with two non-captive screws that are unfortunately easy to lose. Yes, the bottom is smooth, but the ASUS is still one of the heftier netbooks and thicker than many of its competitors.
It is easy to recognize the 1000HE as the best netbook yet tested from ASUS, which is high praise since ASUS essentially invented the netbook market. MSRP is $399 but we have seen the 1000HE selling in the $350 range at several e-tailers.
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Ruark - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
I have an MSI notebook with buttons that seem to be much like those of the Wind.Many buttons (keyboard and touchpad) have to be pressed beyond the "click" in order for the press to register.
strikeback03 - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
When I saw this article I was hoping for a comparison to some of the low-end larger-screened notebooks available. I have been seeing Newegg deals on 14 and 15 inch notebooks for $350-400, I'd expect these to provide 3-4 times the performance of the tested netbooks but it would be a nice point of reference for those who are looking for a cheap system that doesn't need to be as portable. If you are buying for your 6th grader to do their homework, size and weight are less important than if you are flying cross-country.Also, i wouldn't say BluRay playback and gaming are the only areas unsuited for netbooks. After all, a netbook with Ion would be able play BluRay files (off a hard drive at least), but nothing short of a much after processor is going to make tasks like photo editing or video transcoding tolerable on a netbook.
KeypoX - Sunday, July 19, 2009 - link
I dont see the difference between 3 pounds and 6 pounds... Netbooks are cute but have no more functionality than a cell phone.I have seen people in school with them, they generally disappear and have a 15" laptop very soon.
jeff486 - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
Just some general comments as I agree with the above post. This article did not really answer the question about whether or not a Netbook can replace a low end Notebook you can pickup on clearance at places like newegg or tigerdirect. I am just looking for an inexpensive second system to toss in the bag when I travel and maybe something the kids can use while I am at home. The size of these would be perfect as the company I work for has our notebooks so locked down that even windows media player is no longer active. I will be lugging two systems around so weight and size is very important.I want to know how well it handles office applications, can it play movies/tv shows I transcoded for travel and how well does the wireless connection work. If I want to watch a TV show on Hulu does it offer decent enough playback quality via the wired or wireless connection. I watch most of my TV shows this way when traveling. How is battery playback when watching movies as those four hour flights showing the same movie over and over get boring.
Someone already mentioned this but do the webcams work and is skype video supported as I like to see my kids after getting back to the hotel room. How is the audio quality with a pair of headphones attached? I do not game so that is not important but it would be nice to know if Peggle or Disney Toon Town or other kids games play on it. At home I could probably trust a couple of seven year olds with the machine.
Most of the articles around here answer my questions and it is why I like visiting the website but this article left me with more questions than it answered.
AstroGuardian - Sunday, July 19, 2009 - link
So, the webcams work as intended with descent perfs. I tested a MSI U100 6 month back and webcam was great. The audio is also with standard quality and there is nothing to cry about. Most of 2D games will work on it. Even Counter Strike 1.6 works flawless with 800x600.bgold2005 - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
The image seems to show the 1000HE with an illuminated keyboard, yet no text in the article refers to this. I like this feature; shouldn't it have been at least briefly touched upon/ added to the comparisons?After all, netbooks are ultra-portable and mat be in some very shady, or porrly-lit, locales.
(although it did lead me to a merry search involving stick-on keys, glow-paint, etc). Apparently this will be a feature in upcoming Asus models (unclear whether just notebooks or also netbooks)
JackPack - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
The keys on the 1000HE do not illuminate or glow.Bolas - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
I assume this is a typo?"The N280 is essentially the same CPU as the N280"
You could have a much more thorough article if you didn't stop with just the N280 comparison... Why not compare all the CPU's to themselves?
The Core-i7 is essentially the same CPU as the Core-i7.
The Pentium 4 is essentially the same CPU as the Pentium 4.
The Phenom II is essentially the same CPU as the Phenom II.
*grin*
Bolas - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
I assume this is a typo?"The N280 is essentially the same CPU as the N280"
You could have a much more thorough article if you didn't stop with just the N280 comparison... Why not compare all the CPU's to themselves?
The Core-i7 is essentially the same CPU as the Core-i7.
The Pentium 4 is essentially the same CPU as the Pentium 4.
The Phenom II is essentially the same CPU as the Phenom II.
*grin*
Wesley Fink - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link
Typo corrected. Thanks for letting us know.