Asus is known to have introduced the netbook market. Now that there are competitions from everywhere, Asus had to, at least, make it a point to have their models be at the same level or even higher than their competitors. This is where the Asus Eee PC 1008HA comes in. The Eee PC 1008HA, also known as the Seashell, changes the look of the known Asus netbooks. It looks better with a slim design and definitely gets our vote for looking that good. Let’s find out whether it is as good as it looks inside as it does on the outside.
Specifications
Price as reviewed: $429
Processor: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280
Memory: 1GB, 533MHz DDR2
Hard drive: 160GB 5,400rpm
Chipset: Mobile Intel 945GM Express
Graphics: Mobile Intel GMA 950 (integrated)
Operating System: Windows XP
Design & Display
The design of the Eee PC 1008HA reminds us of the HP Mini 1000’s design. It is not an exact copy but feels like it with the exception that the Eee PC 1008HA is definitely lighter. We had no problem fitting the netbook into our backpack and carrying around. It is available in black, red, blue or white. The black one since it’s glossy is definitely slated to display fingerprints on it but It is scratch resistant though. This Asus netbook measures 10.3 x 7.1 x 1.0 (WDH) inches and weights in at 2.4 pounds. As soon as we opened the netbook’s cover, we find a 10.1-inch LED screen with a resolution of 1,024 x 600 welcoming us. There is an option to use it in a different resolution (800 x 600) but we find that using it in its default resolution is better. The ports and connections on this netbook are well covered by plastic doors which are good in a way that it looks neat. Above the display is where the 1.3-megapixel web cam is located. It works fine when used in a couple of instant messaging applications but don’t try any fast movement while video chatting with friends. We found the speakers at the bottom front of the netbook, tried it by playing a song and the result was as loud as a netbook can get.
Keyboard
The keyboard on this netbook is alike the one on Asus’s previous release, the Eee PC 1000HE. We find this interesting since Asus managed to fit it in this thin netbook. It is flat and wide and is one of the best keyboards we have used. Above the keyboard, we found quick-access buttons; one is for switching off the Wi-Fi while the other is for turning off the touch pad. The latter will work for people who are amateur netbook or laptop users and who still haven’t adapted to using a touch pad thus desperately needing the help of an external mouse. Speaking of the touch pad, it works well and if needed, it can be adjusted in its settings such as if you require to change the pointer speed and more.
Battery
The Eee PC 1008HA comes with a non-removable battery that was able to sustain the netbook for about 4 hours during heavy usage of the Eee PC 1008HA. Furthermore, there’s the Super Hybrid Engine featured in the system that is bound to extend the netbook’s battery life. Under normal use, the battery lasted for about 5 hours which is better considering the fact that it is a three-cell battery not a six-cell.
System
The Intel N280 Atom CPU on this netbook is slightly faster than Intel’s previous model, the N270 on other netbooks. Performing basic tasks on the netbook is just as fine as it is on the other netbooks. Bottom line is since this netbook has the same system as of the Eee PC 1000HE, the results in performance-wise are the same. We managed to view web pages without wasting too much time to scroll down. Videos played present a smooth look with bright colours.
Conclusion
How does one differentiate netbooks nowadays? We find ourselves, firsthand, checking the keyboard and noting the battery life. The Asus Eee PC 1008HA is light and attractive but the battery life doesn’t allow it to be carried around for longer than 4 hours. Aside from that, it features the aspiring Asus’s keyboard. The system works just the way most netbooks do. Inside, it is almost alike Asus’s Eee PC 1000HE with the same Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP, and 160GB hard drive but the Eee PC 1008HA comes at a slightly higher price than the Eee PC 1000HE and has a lesser lasting battery life. We think for a lighter and thinner netbook, the price is somehow worth it but if size is not the main attractions for you then there are cheaper netbooks of all sizes available in the market.
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