Asus Eee PC 701 4G Review

The Asus Eee PC 701 4G is the new affordable ultraportable notebook that’s bound to be on many consumers’ Christmas wish lists this year. Retailing for $399 or less, the Eee PC isn’t exactly a workhorse, but it will do just about every basic task you’d need from a laptop. Our initial hands-on actually proved it does more than we expected, but the more detailed review below helps explain exactly why we’re so excited about a $400 notebook.

First, the specs for the review unit we have on hand, which is the Eee PC 701 4G:

  • Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV 900MHz
  • Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 900 GPU
  • Storage: 4GB of Flash-based storage (SSD)
  • Memory: 512MB of DDR2 RAM (667MHz)
  • OS: Xandros Linux (Asus customized)
  • Screen: 7-inch screen with 800 x 480 resolution
  • Ports: 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA monitor out, headphone jack, microphone input, SD card reader (SDHC compatible), Kensington lock slot, Ethernet 10/100
  • Webcam (0.3 MP)
  • Battery: 4-cell 5200 mAh 7.4V Li-Ion (rated at 3.5 hours)
  • Wireless: 802.11b/g Atheros
  • Input: Keyboard and Touchpad
  • Weight: approximately 2 lbs with battery, 2.5 lbs travel weight with AC adapter.
  • Two-year warranty

Conclusion

In the end, the Eee PC is the single most impressive notebook we’ve seen priced below $400. The technical specs might look sub par, but the usability and overall performance of the Eee PC rivals notebooks costing several thousand dollars more. Granted, you can’t install Photoshop on this little notebook and you can forget about playing Bioshock on this thing, but the Eee PC can do just about everything you “need” to do with a notebook while on the go.

The only features missing from the Eee PC that really stand out are the lack of Bluetooth 2.0 and the lack of a Verizon or Sprint wireless card option. If Asus can find a way to add these features to the Eee PC we will go as far as to say, “No home should be without an Eee PC.” As it stands now, the Eee PC is a truly impressive ultraportable with a value much higher than the sale price suggests. The Eee PC can’t replace a full-featured desktop or notebook, but it makes the perfect choice if you are in the market for an ultraportable notebook for school, work, or vacation.

The Eee PC might have a weird name, but it’s one of the few products that lives up to the marketing hype. This notebook truly is “easy to learn, easy to work, and easy to play.”

Pros

  • Small and light
  • Easy to use
  • Reasonably well built and durable
  • Low price for an ultraportable
  • Works right out of the box!
  • That’s right. It works right out of the box!
  • Did I mention it works right out of the box?

Cons

  • A little expensive for a notebook with only 4GB of storage
  • No Microsoft Windows pre-installed is a negative for some buyers.
  • Plastics “look” cheap
  • The battery meter isn’t very accurate.

2 Responses to “Asus Eee PC 701 4G Review”

  1. Great review, this little laptop was something that got me excited as well. They are awesome for checking e-mail and taking with you when you travel!

  2. tkank you, for post it. welcome to thailand……

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