ASUS Eee PC 1000HA 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel ATOM N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 10 GB E-Storage, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Fine Ebony

I am writing this review on my 1000H. I had the opportunity to work with an MSI Wind and Acer Aspire before purchasing the Asus. My decision to purchase this model was based on a clear and non-refective screen, a best feel and size keyboard, easy access for upgrades, and a good software upgrade system with Asus.

The Asus has replaced my Toshiba for travel. The Asus is used as a control device for an SLR digital camera, it is used for editing web sites, it is used to control test equipment. It is as reliable and easy to use as a quality notebook. Finally, with the use of a preexisting USB DVD drive I can watch movies while inflight and I can burn copies of files.

The display is very clear, resolution is good and clear type fonts make the presentation better. The unit in standard form was a little slow with lots of background utilities running unnecessarily in the background. A little clean up in start up program selection corrected that problem.

I am not sure where the noise problem suggested by others is originating. I run mine in Super Performance mode and it is dead quiet and cool to the touch. The right shift key is no big deal at all, it took a half hour of use to no loonger notice the difference. The mouse buttons are stiff but no more so than any desk top mouse.

I had problems with WiFi connectivity. Sitting next to a Toshiba the Asus did not identify some networks the Toshiba easily found and the Asus seemed to have lots of problems maintaining a decent connection on a reasonable signal. This seemed to be cleared up with a current bios upgrade, 1501.

With the Asus built in BIOS upgrade function I was able to install the updated version with an automated download and install from the Asus site and an automated featured allows one click listing of all revised drivers for download and install.

I upgraded my system with more memory as XP and all of the resident utility programs require more than 1 MB and use disk cache with lower levels of performance. My system currently has 2 GB of $24 memory. I upgraded the 160 GB drive to a 320 GB drive of the same type and moved up from a 5400 RPM drive to a 7200 RPM drive with 16MB of cache. I also reorganized partitions to better suit my requirements.

I didn't buy the unit because it was inexpensive, I bought it because it was compact and for the reasons noted earlier. I think I probably added another $200 to its cost for the additional drive, expanded memory, a battery (see below) and a wrap around leather case.

I made a mistake and bought my unit from Best Buy. I needed the unit and it was local. I didn't realize that Best Buy sells a downgraded version of the product that had only a 4 cell battery. The ones sold on Amazon are 6 cells. This is a big issue as battery life with a 4 cell is less than 3 hours. I bought a 6 cell battery.

I am happy with the Asus 1000H. It is a solid unit, enjoyable to use and probably a really good value.
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