Asus EEE PC 1000

The basics

The Asus EEE PC 1000 is a new model of the Asus EEE PC series, launched in June of this year. Its 254 mm screen and 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU makes it a hot item for Asus fans and for subnotebook geeks. Its keyboard is larger than other models, making it more convenient for typing term papers and journals.

The good

Asus has more Netbooks than any one (even men who collect books on net making) and this is the daddy of the range. The 10.2-inch screen is great for movies and websites and on the whole it's a rock solid performer. It also has a good-sized keyboard that's 85 per cent full-sized, so doesn't feel too cramped. It’s got 20GB of Solid State Disc for storage. With no moving parts it's less likely to crash and it also helps eek out the battery life to a healthy five hours.

The bad

Netbooks are supposed to be small and cheap but this is the most expensive model out there. To complicate matters, Asus offers two models at the same price, one with Windows XP that comes with a smaller 12GB hard drive, and this version running Linux. It's not that Linux is bad, just different and you may find it takes some time to get accustomed to.

The bottom line

It's not cheap, the same price as a bargain laptop, but we love this Netbook. It's bulkier and heavier but the bigger screen and keyboard make it feel more like a normal laptop than a kid’s toy.