Acer Review, Asus Review – Netbook 10

The Asus Eee PC 1005PE-P Seashell netbook is one the new Intel Atom N450-powered netbooks. Looking at it, we could just be looking at the next best thing when it comes to these mini-notebooks.

Asus has been doing very well when it comes to their Eee PC line. The highly successful Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X (Black) has been a constant bestseller on the Amazon’s Lists, with an Intel Atom N280, Windows 7 Starter and 10.5 hours of battery life.

The Eee PC 1005PE is one of the first Pine Trail netbooks out, and can easily slip into the slot of it’s older brother in the Top Ten of the Best Netbooks List.

[Rating:7/7]

Features and Drawbacks

• Looks and acts pretty much like the 1005HA – And we know that the 1005HA is one of the best choices when it comes to last-generation netbooks. The 1005PE-P is a tiny bit thicker than the 1008HA, the first of the Asus Seashell family, but it isn’t heavy, with the whole package weighing only 3.4 lbs. including the adapter brick. It has a scratch-resistant surface which makes it look really sleek, but prone to smudges.

• Island-style Keyboard and Touchpad with Multi-touch Support – The keyboard is similar to the Eee PC 1201N and is very easy to type on. The touchpad is similar to the 1005HE. It’s covered with dots and also supports multitouch gestures. You can pinch to zoom. It also has a single mouse button and also works okay, but you might think about this because other netbooks, such as the Toshiba Mini NB250, has a dedicated left- and right-mouse button.

• Okay screen and good speakers – It has a 10.1″, 1024 x 600 pixel LED-backlit display which shows good quality images, and the speakers are quite a bit better than on the average netbook, meaning they’re loud and clear.

• Intel Atom N450 – Okay, so it’s something we have to discuss whether it’s a feature or a drawback. The Intel Atom N450 IS the newest processor from Intel, but so far, it’s acting only as well as the older generation N280. Sure, it can do everyday tasks, web, e-mail, videos, Skype, etc., but then I guess the expectation that it can do better (like make breakfast and find the cure for cancer) than the Intel Atoms of this year.

• Very good battery life. And we do mean, VERY good – What it does is go distance on a single charge. The 1005HA with it’s almost 9 hour battery life is already a good bet, but the 1005PE can go for as long as 10 plus hours. That’s where the Intel Atom N450 showed why it’s better than the previous processors. The battery can also be removed and/or replaced, like the 1005HA’s.

• Cool software – It has the Express Gate, Asus’ Instant-on OS, with options for Internet and web browsing, Skype, messenger and online games. It also has the Eee Docking Software which allows you to do a lot of things, from changing computer settings to getting to your web storage.

Rating – 7/7

Value for Money – 1
Speed and Performance – 1
Screen – 1
Keyboard – 1
Portability & Battery Life – 1
Looks and Design – 1
Extensibility & connectivity – 1

Technical Specifications

• 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450
• 1GB RAM included, upgradable to 2GB
• 250GB SATA Hard Drvie 5,400rpm
• 10.1″ 1024×600 screen
• Intel GMA 3150 Graphics Card
• 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• 3xUSB, Ethernet; Headphone; Kensington Lock; Microphone; VGA
• 10.2 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches; 2.8 pounds

Bottom Line
The Asus Eee PC 1005PE-P is a big step forward for the 1005HA (endurance-wise), which is already the best of the Eee PC line. The Asus Eee PC1005HA-PU1X is available from Amazon for $329.95. The Asus Eee PC 1005PE-P is now available for $379.99. For $50, you get a netbook with a larger capacity harddrive, a new processor, and more importantly, longer battery life. Sure, the Intel Atom N450 doesn’t really pack a punch when it comes to performance, making the Asus Eee PC 1005PE feel like an N280 netbook, but it doesn’t mean Asus took a step back. It’s still mostly the same great-performing netbook that lasts longer.

So, do we already declare a winner in the new netbook wars?

Related posts:

1. Asus 1005P & 1005PE – Pine View & 12.5 hours battery!
2. MSI Wind U135 Review: Low Cost, Average, Short Battery Life
3. Samsung N110 Review: Cramped Keyboard, Awesome Battery Life
4. Toshiba Mini NB205 Review: Large Keyboard, Long Battery Life
5. Samsung N120 Review – Full Size Keyboard, Stereo Speakers, Awesome Battery Life

Filed under: Netbooks