MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Asus Eee PC 1000HA New and First Impressions

jgray · 03-15-2009, 09:48 PM

I received my 1000HE about a week ago. I held off on a netbook because of screen size, keyboard and battery life. IMO, of the current crop of netbooks, I think the Asus 1000HE is the best deal. It has the same 10 inch screen that they all do, but has the best battery life.

I considered the Acer netbook which costs about the same, but the extended battery on the Acer sticks out like a growth on the bottom rear. The Asus is more streamlined. A minor point, but I think the streamlined form factor makes for better handling.

I wouldn't buy the earlier Asus models because of the bad keyboard layout. Thankfully, that has been corrected on the 1000HE. I am used to the sculpted keys of a conventional keyboard, but I find that the flat, "chicklet" keys on the 1000HE are quite easy to type on. The reason Asus didn't use sculpted keys is so you would have more surface area to type on, while lessening that crowded feel. I've been a touch typist since high school (a long time ago), so I am very picky about keyboards. The 1000HE keyboard is a very good compromise for a netbook.

I have recently traded my beloved Nokia N800, so the 1000HE is now my primary ebook reader. Using FBReader and a somewhat larger font, it makes an excellent reader. The LED backlit screen is evenly lit and very easy to read. I find it easier on the eyes than my 21 inch Samsung LCD, which has a CCFL backlight. I dim the screen to about 25-30% on the 1000HE, as with full brightness you almost need sunglasses

I went for a netbook instead of a dedicated reader because I wanted multifunctionality and could only afford one device. It is not as small or lightweight as a dedicated reader, but it is small and light enough to carry around, compared to a laptop. With the extended battery life, it beats any laptop I have every seen.

At some point in the future, I will probably buy a dedicated reader. But for my current needs and available funds, this netbook suits me just fine.

03-15-2009, 09:48 PM	#13
jgray Fanatic Posts: 554 Karma: 2928497 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Clara 2E & Sage	I received my 1000HE about a week ago. I held off on a netbook because of screen size, keyboard and battery life. IMO, of the current crop of netbooks, I think the Asus 1000HE is the best deal. It has the same 10 inch screen that they all do, but has the best battery life. I considered the Acer netbook which costs about the same, but the extended battery on the Acer sticks out like a growth on the bottom rear. The Asus is more streamlined. A minor point, but I think the streamlined form factor makes for better handling. I wouldn't buy the earlier Asus models because of the bad keyboard layout. Thankfully, that has been corrected on the 1000HE. I am used to the sculpted keys of a conventional keyboard, but I find that the flat, "chicklet" keys on the 1000HE are quite easy to type on. The reason Asus didn't use sculpted keys is so you would have more surface area to type on, while lessening that crowded feel. I've been a touch typist since high school (a long time ago), so I am very picky about keyboards. The 1000HE keyboard is a very good compromise for a netbook. I have recently traded my beloved Nokia N800, so the 1000HE is now my primary ebook reader. Using FBReader and a somewhat larger font, it makes an excellent reader. The LED backlit screen is evenly lit and very easy to read. I find it easier on the eyes than my 21 inch Samsung LCD, which has a CCFL backlight. I dim the screen to about 25-30% on the 1000HE, as with full brightness you almost need sunglasses I went for a netbook instead of a dedicated reader because I wanted multifunctionality and could only afford one device. It is not as small or lightweight as a dedicated reader, but it is small and light enough to carry around, compared to a laptop. With the extended battery life, it beats any laptop I have every seen. At some point in the future, I will probably buy a dedicated reader. But for my current needs and available funds, this netbook suits me just fine.