 The Ultimate Travel Laptop? |
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| A new breed of cheap and tiny laptops are appearing on the market - do these hit the mark for backpackers and travellers? A review of the Asus Eee PC 900 and some alternatives. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3876 Msg: #1 425 days ago, October 4th 2008 | ![](http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/1/323332/t/2919015-Asus--Eee-PC--the-ultimate-travel-laptop-0.jpg right]I helped a friend in Kuala Lumpur search for and purchase a new laptop. At 1200RM we ended up purchasing a <a href="http://eeepc.asus.com/global/900.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Asus Eee PC 900</a><br><br>So - details; starting with the areas where it) Most importantly - size and weight: It's dimensions are 22.5cm(W) x 17.0cm(D) x 2cm~3.38cm(H) - it fits in a handbag! - the screen is 8.9inch diagonal, and has a resolution of 1024x768 - filling most of the lid area unlike it's predecessors. Weight - 1kg (or 0.99kg according to Asus! 2.2lbs) - that's very light and as an added bonus the power supply is tiny and light weight as well. Price - around $400 are the prices shown on Google - ours was a little more because of added Ram and increased storage. Operating system - Windows XP - I personally like and use Linux - but I know that most people are familiar with Windows - it runs fairly smoothly on the 900mhz processor startup times are a little slow (I'll time it - but 30s is an estimate) - we paid for a 2GB Ram upgrade to aid performance. Storage - our model came with 30GB mini HD - I'd would have preferred a SSD (solid state device) but they had none in stock - SSD means that it would run that bit faster and in theory be more robust - drops and bumps shouldn't affect it. Features: web-cam, wi-fi, SD-Card read (SDHC importantly!), 3 x USB2 ports (nice), VGA out for an external monitor, and standard RJ45 network socket. Doesn't Feature: Dialup socket (no big problem here), DVD player/writer (this is it's biggest limitation - but there just isn't room!) The battery life is advertised at 2.5hrs - but generally we've seen about 1.5 hrs - web browsing - application work - so 2.5 is problem best case scenario, playing music or something non-intensive - maybe WinXP is shortening it's life compared to Linux also... Image features, Asus Eee PC 900, power-supply, 320GB 2.5inch western digital Portable Hard-drive, a pen, and a very nice chequered table cloth  Problems - for me the keyboard is virtually impossible to use, trying to touch type on it leads too many double key-presses and missed letters. The mouse pad is also difficult to use. Conclusion: I may well get one of these as a travel machine despite the problems - but will have to also include a USB - mouse, and keyboard, I have average male sized fingers - and those keys are just to small and temperamental. For storage - a 320GB USB2 PHD - is a perfect accessory - it apparently works well with USB DVD writers - so if I were travelling longer term with it - I would also invest in one of those. But with all those accessories - wouldn't I be better off with a slightly larger machine with these peripherals? The beauty of it is - I only take the things I need for the day - hitting the coffee shop to browse email and the web - just the book sized laptop and the power-supply, the peripherals stay in the backpack in the hotel. Watching DVD's on a rainy day in the hotel room - just plug in the USB DVD drive. Backing up photos - plug in the 320GB PHD - and DVD-RAM and copy away. Alternatives: Acer have a similar sized model - tried in the stores but rejected due to a terrible mouse-pad and a slightly higher price tag, Sony have the TZ-Series - but at 3-4 times the price - and I'm sure a whole host of alternatives will appear on the market as these ultra-portable ultra-affordable machines demonstrate their effectiveness. [Edited: 09:32 - Ali ' class='pix' style='border:0'>  Stuart Stuart Morgan Hurlbut Post Count: 116 Msg: #2 424 days ago, October 4th 2008 | Asus also do the Eee 1000 - which has a slightly larger screen at 10 inches, which makes the keyboard easier to use. So, you may want to look at the slightly larger machines with 10 inch screens. The Eee 1000 has a 40 GB SSD drive, although if you opt for the windows version rather than the Linux you only get 12 GB. | I'm using the MSI Wind, which has a 10 inch screen and an 80 GB hard disk drive. The reason I like my machine is that the keyboard is usable - I can actually touch type on this keyboard. The battery life seems to vary between 1.5 to 2 hours. My ultra- portable machine weighs I.2 kilos. Until recently Asus were the only people making these types of machines, but it is now worth doing some research as a lot of new alternatives are appearing on the market. I wouldn't now dream of travelling with a conventional laptop. These little machines are the way to go for any backpacker.  Jabe John McCabe Post Count: 109 Msg: #3 424 days ago, October 4th 2008 | I'm currently travelling with a Sony Vaio T270 which I bought just over 3 years ago - I think the T range was the forerunner of the current TZ range. It has a 10.6" screen, DVD player/writer (which I rarely use), 2 USB ports, wifi, 1GB of RAM, and a 50GB hard drive, and weighs in at 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg). The keyboard is slightly smaller than standard but took no time to get used to. It also has a highly useless MemoryStick slot (I think the latest models have SD slots). Battery life is over 3 hours on a charge and that's with wifi on constantly (which is a drain). I'm sure the latest models will have an appropriate increase in specs given that 3 years have passed since I got this. | The Sonys are worth a look if you can get a decent price (a big if). They're not as wee as the Asus machines but, even with the DVD player/writer included, are certainly small/light enough that popping one in your day bag is not a difficult decision. As far as reliability and robustness go, I've had no problems with mine yet. If I was in the market for a travel laptop now, I'd definitely consider one of the Asus machines. 99% of the usage of my laptop while I'm travelling is Internet access via wifi, so I could easily survive without a DVD player/writer (I have a couple of series of "Arrested Development" ripped to my hard drive that will entertain me for another decade or so). However my original reason for buying the Sony was to use as a "home" machine rather than for travelling - it's worked out to be a pretty good compromise for both.  beinak bill e in alaska Post Count: 5 Msg: #4 392 days ago, November 6th 2008 | Thanks everyone! After reading these posts I did a bit of looking around and now have an eee 1000h. Very nice. Small but fast enough. Runs the Gimp and Google Earth OK. Connects to WiFi straight away. Keyboard is a bit tight but very useable for my touch typing, only the right shift key is a bit hard to hit. I've never owned a computer before that actually put a sticker next to the keyboard with a tech support phone number! I've not used it but just seeing it there notches it up a bit... Battery seems to last at least 4-5 hours. Built in SD that is HC. And the screen is stunning, small though. VGA out runs a 1900x1200 monitor with a bit of lag on full screen slide shows, but hey, it runs it. Nice compromise. Now I got the travel laptop, all I need is a ticket somewhere.... It's getting dark in Alaska... |  PASTYandCREAM Mike & Lesley Ann Post Count: 3 Msg: #5 385 days ago, November 12th 2008 | What was your impression with screen resolution Ali and did you try running Photoshop on it BTW? | My worry with these machines is they might not perform well with RAW images, loading up and doing a spot of editing. I went through a lot of heartaches trying to decide to take a laptop with me to India for 10 weeks and decided in the end to take a stash of SDHC cartds and burn as I go at hotels etc. For my next longer trip hopefully netbooks will be even better by then.. Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3876 Msg: #6 385 days ago, November 13th 2008 | Screen resolution is good, clarity is good, size is well - 8.9inch - tiny. We ran Picasa on it - and were able to make basic edits - but it is in no way a replacement for a larger machine - you wouldn't do any serious editing on this type of machine. | I would also worry about the time consuming nature of converting/processing raw images on it. But - most DSLR's allow a Raw and Jpeg option - I take in both and quick and dirty edits with Picasa, then upload to the blog - are completely acceptable on a netbook. I think it would run photoshop - but I wouldn't expect great performance. New developments in the netbook field - Lenovo (IBM's PC division sold to China! a few years back) has brought out a 10inch model - the S10 - Lenovo S10 - and it received a very nice review from Wired.com - the fullest review is on Laptopmag.com I still think it's worth watching this space - but - if I had to buy today - the S10 would be where I spent my ~$400 PASTYandCREAM Mike & Lesley Ann Post Count: 3 Msg: #7 382 days ago, November 15th 2008 | Thanks for that Ali, I have taken note of your Lenova recommendation, I will check it out next year when I contemplate getting one, will keep a check on this thread also, cheers, Lesley |  aspiringnomad Jason Post Count: 66 Msg: #8 348 days ago, December 20th 2008 | Just bought the wife (jennijen) the MSI Wind for her birthday. It cost $299US on Cyber Monday. Has a 10 inch LED screen and almost full sized keyboard (90% I think?). It has the standard 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor but I've overclocked it so it can run at just over 2GHz at the touch of a button. And also put an xtra 1gb of RAM in it (they only cost $20 bucks nowadays) so it now has 2gigs. It has 120gb hard drive and weighs in at just over a kilo, which is great cos my viao is over 3kilos and the babies up to 25lbs now and growing fast - and we're off to Chile in January. I was tempted by the new Samsung nc10, but at $200 less, the MSI WIND is the best value Netbook in my opinion. I see no reason why it couldn't run Photoshop at those specs. P.S> that is some funky 70's decor going on at the home of the ASUS Ali! | [Edited: 06:21 - aspiringnomad ]  Shoshana in Asia Shoshana 2009 Post Count: 8 Msg: #9 339 days ago, December 28th 2008 | I have one of the early, small ASUS eees, which is great except that mine runs Linux doesn't have XP and the Open Office suite I use doesn't open on some other computers unless the other user downloads it. The advantage of Linus is that there are fewer viruses. I just got an HP Mini 1033CL, which has a bigger keyboard and screen. It runs XP and I've loaded MS Office, but it does not have a VGA port, so it's not great if you'll beed to present. | If you turn down the screen brightness and turn off WiFi, you can get some extra time on the battery.  akops41 Annie Kops Post Count: 9 Msg: #10 296 days ago, February 9th 2009 | what r your thoughts on taking one of these netbooks on a RTW trip? do you ever worry about its safety in all of the traveling? (i mean breaking and getting stolen.) | Stuart Stuart Morgan Hurlbut Post Count: 116 Msg: #11 296 days ago, February 9th 2009 | I think the netbooks were made for RTW trips because they are small, light and cheap. In fact I paid more for my camera than my netbook computer. So, even if the thing breaks, I'm not too worried, especially as all the files are backed up onto an external disc drive. I would recommend that you also back up the files onto an external disc drive, so that if the worst happens you can just buy another netbook and restore all your data from the external drive. |  Charlie76 Charles Post Count: 74 Msg: #12 294 days ago, February 12th 2009 | Acer has some good notebooks with excellent battery life, with the recently launched Acer Arpire One. Though I don't own one just yet, I've had the chance to test it out. Due to its compact size without compromising on the 95% full QUERY keyboard, I personally think it's a great travel notebook. Priced reasonably here in Malaysia at RM1,500.00 (approx. USD430.00), the highlight of this ideal ultimate notebook is detailed below. |
 Despite its rather small display, this can be solved by hooking up to an external monitor. I may just swap my DELL notebook for this small packed power house in favour of mobility and traveling light. [Edited: 08:57 - Charlie76 ]  MichaelnFaye Michael & Faye Johnson Post Count: 49 Msg: #13 292 days ago, February 13th 2009 | I've 'invested' in a Samsung NC10, at the beginning of this year. £300, not the cheapest but looks amazing. | Arguably the best netbook an the market at the moment (I tend to do a lot of research, and most reviewers placed it top). Personally I love it... 10" screen Atom processor (pretty standard for a netbook), 160gb Hard drive, 2GB RAM (I upgraded for £15), windows XP (Would of preffered a Linux based OS, damn windows TAX) And the killer spec...... 6 cell battery offering up to 6 hours battery life, HELL YEAH!!! The whole reason I bought the machine was for travelling so I'll let you all know how it goes when I go to Japan next month! :)  Fawkes Alexandra Watson Post Count: 25 Msg: #14 280 days ago, February 25th 2009 | hey thanks for the info everyone. I'm going away again soon (even thou I haven't finished my last trip's travelblogs, ooops!;) and really want to get a small notebook but does anyone have any idea if there is one with a DVD drive? I tend to back up all my photos onto DVD and send them home so I have copies away from me and I have the smallest backpack ever so extra equipment has to be worth it! ;) but is it worth while to have it intergrated or should I just get an external DVD drive? any options available would be great! thanks, Allie. | Number of Users: 11 | Number of Posts: 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
