Asus eee Laptop...opinions anyone? 3

[AP81]

Hi,

I'm looking at getting a cheap laptop as a spare Web development machine. By this I mean a LAMP (Linux Apache Mysql PHP) setup.

I've been looking at the Asus eee, but am doubting whether I will cut it for my needs as it only has:
- 512 MB RAM (although this can be upgraded)
- 800 x 400 resolution (I usually use 1280 x 1024)
- 900MHz Celeron CPU

However, the Laptop itself has a quirky attractiveness that I just seem to like, and weighing only 920g is another bonus.

I know I should spend a couple more hundred dollars and get something decent, but what do you think? Have you used one first hand?

 

[bummper]

I never tested one, but I would want to look at important stuff like quality of construction, good beefy, solid hinges, a good cover latch, clarity of the screen and importantly, the layout and feel of the keyboard. How much video power does it have?

I already saw two red flags that should have already made your decision for you:

1) c e l e r o n

2) By your own admission, it doesn't even meet your minimum specs!

"You get what you pay for" is so true. This one sounds like a cheaper laptop that you might regret once the novelty wears off. Maybe its good for the occasional web surfer and "you've got mail!" crowd, but it sounds like you are going to use it to make a living. I'd go with something that has horsepower.

Of course I'm making speculative judgements here, but they are based on my personal experiences so I trust them.

 

[Sympology]

Admit it, you only want it hoping the promo girl comes free (any Reg readers will know what I'm on about....(That picture!)

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[Sympology]

Serious note. I'd say no.

One simple reason, how will you tell what your page actually looks like. As a rule it's best (these days) to design for 1024x768. The Eee is more of a widescreen view. Also how will it look in i.e?
If you take the Linux version, you can't test for i.e, take the XP version and once you load all your apps, will you have enough to to test on Opera and Firefox?

It may interst you a new version is due soon.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[dseaver]

They are releasing a 9" (really 8.9") very soon, maybe hold off til that comes out. I can't remember the screen res on it, its better, but not by a lot. A guy in one of my courses has the 7", and its pretty cool.

 

[kmcferrin]

I'd say no. The eee is designed to be a lightweight, light function laptop. It's a neat little Linux based web/email machine that can run general productivity software if you need it to. Any use beyond that is going to be far in excess of it's capability.

It might be fun to play with one, but do yourself a favor and buy something more full-featured for development work. I'm not sure about the price discrepancy where you live, but in the US the top of the line eee runs around $500, and for $600-$700 you can get substantially more laptop (multi-core CPUs, 2-3 GB of RAM, 160GB of hard disk, and a screen that won't kill your eyes).

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003

 

[AP81]

Thanks for talking me out of a stupid decision.

I realise that it is really a toy, and I think that low resolution would wear thin quite quickly. For $200 more I can get something decent.

 

[kmcferrin]

It's not that it's a toy, it's definitely a capable tool. It's just that you're looking for a pneumatic nail gun and the eeePC is a hammer and nails.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003

 

[gbaughma]

Personally (and this is JUST my opinion, and the opinion of my cat) I avoid anything starting with an "A".

Aptiva.
Acer.
Apple.
AST.

lol



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[kmcferrin]

I generally do, but I don't want to miss out on Asus and Abit. Though Asus mainboards tend to be somewhat finicky with memory, they both make pretty good products.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003

 

[gbaughma]

I should have said any *SYSTEM* that starts with an A.



Asus makes a great mobo, IMHO (IMCO - In My Cat's Opinion... hehe... a new acronym!)



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[JimInKS]

I bought a "refurbished" ibm T40. Pentium M, Win XP, for $400 and have been very pleased with it.

I decided to go with a premium used notebook as opposed to a new piece of junk. I also didn't want Vista so that part of "new" was a negative anyway. The only minor negative is you don't get a new battery and so my battery life is not optimum, but I didn't really care about that.

And, of course, you don't get a manufacturers warranty, but I did get the "you can send it back in 7 days if you don't like it" warranty.