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Unboxing an Asus Eee PC Ultraportable Computer

58 Responses (Add) | Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 10:45pm

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The super lightweight solid-state drive Asus Eee PC showed up at my house the other day. It was sent to me courtesy of Asus, specifically thanks to an engineer of theirs who is a regular community member of ours. Without further ado, let’s do the unboxing!

As I open the box… something on the inside was glowing! I pulled out things like a copy of Microsoft Works, a battery notice, and some other papers. But.. that was it. There was nothing else in the box. I guess that makes this a non-event? I’m kidding of course. I already had the Eee PC running before I began recording.

It’s so small and light. It’s just insane. I have never found myself attracted to this size of a laptop. I have always craved power. There are times, however, that you just don’t need that much power. I’ve found that having a laptop near the television is a good thing. I may want to look something up or check my email during commercials, you know. Having a lightweight laptop for that purpose is great. There is a built-in webcam on this system, so I had to try it out! I’ve already uploaded a video to YouTube, called Asus Eee PC 4G Test Recording.

Here are some of the features of the Eee:

At 7″ and weighing only 0.92kg, you can take the Eee PC anywhere.
Bumps and shocks are no longer issues. With a dependable solid-state disk, you get unparalleled shock-protection and reliability.
Power-efficient design provides longer operating time when on the go.
With a rapid start-up time, the Eee PC is always ready to get into action.
No technical manual required with the specially designed, user-friendly and intuitive graphic interface.
You’re always connected with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g that automatically detects and connects to the Internet at any hotspot.
The Eee PC includes the documents and the e-mails software, and a suite of other productivity software to help keep you on track.
Upload photos and videos and share them instantly on Flickr or YouTube without waiting till you get home.
Enjoy music and videos with extensive support for a wide range of digital multimedia.
Log on to Skype or other network, and you can connect with friends anywhere, anytime.
Clear up wire clutter with the built-in card reader, speakers, and microphone.

This little machine is an excellent buy, and perfect for anyone who doesn’t need a powerhouse of a laptop.

Your Own Laptop Repair Business.

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58 Comments

Linux Fanatics

May 3rd, 2008
at 1:18am

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Techmeme

April 25th, 2008
at 1:58pm

+ Discussion: Guardian Unlimited, Boing Boing Gadgets, Gizmodo,Chris Pirillo, Engadget and Ubergizmo

Daynah

April 25th, 2008
at 12:55am

That’s a beautiful shiny new toy. :) I love weight of it. *wonders if it fits in her purse..*

kPod

April 25th, 2008
at 2:30am

These things are being modded the hell out of, and there’s some sweet stuff you can do with it, without even touching the soldering iron. Hell, I only got a C in Systems and Control, but I’m tempted to do some of these.

If you know your stuff, you can get touchscreen, bluetooth, keep your webcam, and add either more space (via a USB thumb drive) or an HSPDA or 3g modem. All just with a kit and some sticky tape. I recommend it, Chris.

sjc1963

April 25th, 2008
at 3:05am

That black Eee PC, when its closed, it reminds me of my ZX81 from 1982. :-)

My mother has a white Eee PC 4g Surf, with Linux, and she loves it.

Ronald Gerard

April 25th, 2008
at 5:10am

Mmm well Chris… i got tho try the eee PC (or the EZ PC, as the marketers are calling it) at a local computer store.. im a palm os type, but some tymes, the recognition software “mis red” what i wrote. Ill agree, for a fast Email check, whilst @ an air port… or doing a quick note pad doc, this is a great computer… id just like it ti ave a BIT more flash space, is all… or an option to add a SD card, if you’d have the need 2.

Magnus

April 25th, 2008
at 7:08am

Even though I’m a Mac-head, I’ve been thinking about getting one. It’s the size I wish the MacBook Air was.

joelg88

April 25th, 2008
at 12:19pm

The Asus Eee looks like a great simple tasking computer. Its good in size and can handle web browsing and email and simple tasks so it’s a good laptop for travel. Since the Eee has been a success some other companies have been making there own extra portable notebook computers. HP has recently released the new HP Tiny Mininote 2133 which will compete with the Asus Eee. I’ve also read that Acer will be making its own extra portable laptop that will compete with the Asus and the HP. Looks Asus has started up some new competition.

Eliot

April 25th, 2008
at 1:17pm

I find it’s kind of sad that when OLPC released it’s computer, there where other companies bound to beat it out, even though OLPC is a non-profit organization.

Seriously, can’t we just work together on something like that?

RhinoX949

April 25th, 2008
at 2:08pm

wow you scared me when it wasnt in there lol.
it looks live a very low priced internet usage laptop and i might be interested in getting one.
thanks for the idea!

emil

April 25th, 2008
at 4:02pm

dammit, NOT April 1st :@ :D

Davidmoreen

April 25th, 2008
at 4:05pm

You Really got me!! At first I thought that you really got scamed!! I think that it is really weird you opening a windows product. At when you said that it hade a SSD I was pretty shocked. I was like what they can fit a SSD in a pc for $400 but the macbook air cost $3028! Anyway I always enjoyed watching your unboxings and see U later!!

David

stryper2000

April 25th, 2008
at 8:07pm

I own one and its’ awesome, Better then the Cloudbook(larger hard drive, but SLowwww, from what i hear)

jacobj

April 25th, 2008
at 10:20pm

hi chris, when i watched the video at first, i thought that they had put like a glow stick in or soming to make it glow… i have the eee pc and trust me it glow !

Encrypted

April 25th, 2008
at 11:33pm

Hey Chris,

That looks like a good piece of hardware there. I’ve been looking for a small, light weight, and inexpensive notebook. What I really like about this is that its a solid state drive and again not expensive. Thanks for the review.

Griff

April 25th, 2008
at 11:37pm

some people seem to not like how small it is. but think about what youve got in your pocket! ipods are 3 inches. ive seen some video players that are only an inch long!

Its not that bad, especially for the price.

Al Petru

April 26th, 2008
at 4:19am

You didn’t give us the entire 411 on this new eeePC. Like does it have USB ports? Serial connection or headset ports, etc.? Don’t worry I found another review online with closeup photos of the side views.

Meef

April 26th, 2008
at 9:46am

I just wish it ran OS X… I don’t like windows or linux, even if all I’ll be doing is checking my email or browsing the web…
Still is an amazing piece of engineering with an incredible price though.

Lynn D

April 28th, 2008
at 8:23am

Just saw your posting on the Asus eee computer and wanted to leave a comment.

I got one earlier this month – the 4GB Linux model. I heard about it on Leo Laporte’s radio show and wanted to check it out. Decided to sell my 4-yr old Compaq notebook and get this one. Why? Mainly because of the size. I keep it downstairs, so it’s handy to have on while watching tv. It’s so lightweight and easy to move around. I use a huge Toshiba laptop for my work and was tired of unplugging it and lugging it downstairs.

My second reason for buying an eee is that I wanted to try out a Linux OS. I’ve found it very easy to use so far. I also appreciate they didn’t load it with bloat-ware. I have openoffice.org on mine which is great as I have been wanting to try that out.

Only gripe – the keys are EXTREMELY small! I have very small hands and I still have trouble not making keyboarding errors with this machine. But, since I mainly use it for research, reading and checking email, it’s great and I’m extremely happy with my purchase!

Lynn

casey

April 28th, 2008
at 12:03pm

Hello chris, i really enjoy your blog! There so descriptive!

jim kimmel

April 29th, 2008
at 9:55am

firefox has a ‘text size’ addon which really makes reading of text on the Asus’s small screen much easier. Actually it’s a good addon even on a regular size screen if a person wears bifocals or reading glasses

jeff norris

April 29th, 2008
at 11:23pm

Solid state everything, mac book air or EEE ? well neither I like a little meat in my notebook/laptop including build in storage. the EEE looks like a giant version of the apple neuton

PvAiPsAiZoInAsN

April 30th, 2008
at 10:07am

waste

RapDumpTk

April 30th, 2008
at 12:10pm

um i see this message on every vid on this channel.GROW UP

elreservista

April 30th, 2008
at 1:46pm

Pirillo sucks!

SebastianK94

April 30th, 2008
at 3:26pm

Yep

jer4703

April 30th, 2008
at 4:12pm

guys should like it more.Makes our lap seem bigger. :P

crammage

April 30th, 2008
at 4:24pm

you eat poo

ecachucho

April 30th, 2008
at 9:39pm

in South Africa Asus is pronounced: eisuss

elreservista

April 30th, 2008
at 11:15pm

Its like a little stupid guy, eh?

DUBPaul1

May 1st, 2008
at 2:22am

wots wrong wiv every1? for that price you cud get an 100gb hdd and 1 or 2gb or ram for £499.

mbonzo

April 30th, 2008
at 10:54pm

Once the Eeepc becomes available with a reasonable amount of hard drive space I will purchase one up right away. Asus is a very reliable company and they are probably the best company to have gone the route considering how well they are producing both hardware and software recently.

mayhempk1

May 1st, 2008
at 7:52am

eh-sus

Ordbrukaren

May 2nd, 2008
at 2:57am

hey zeus!

doucheST5

May 2nd, 2008
at 8:23am

the small white pc
what is that called?

dadwara

May 2nd, 2008
at 5:25pm

lol

Tracker

May 2nd, 2008
at 11:33pm

Ya glowing reviews!!!

But to better your experience I suggest you google how to get a higher resolution on the eeepc. I run at 800×600 instead of 800×480

Joriz

May 2nd, 2008
at 11:47pm

As the go to guy on computer for my friends and family, I was asked of what I think on this Asus EEEE. Since that was the first time I was hearing about the computer, when she started blabbing about the specs that it was 7″, very lightweight, 4gig hd and etc, I just told her it’s a waste of money. What will gonna do with that? I’d rather have a smartphone with 8gig storage. N95 baby.. It just does not make sense to spend that money on surfing. It’s nice of course and cute but that’s about it. YOu cannot even install office on it so if you are mobile and needs to do PPT presentation, it’s just won’t suffice. I’m pretty Asus has a market basis on coming up with this product. I hope I’m wrong, I’m Asus fan. I bought motherboards from them all the time. So hopefull they pull this one off.

Thanks.

minibam199

May 29th, 2008
at 10:51am

to answer ilovesamsungverymuch question. the eee pc dose support SDHC. so your 8gb cad will work.

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