Walt Mossberg reviews the Asus Eee PC: “cramped”
It’s the Eee PC that’s cramped, not Walt. Just wanted to make that clear. 
And “cramped” is a valid statement both in the display resolution and the keyboard. I’ll admit it: if that keyboard was just a smidge smaller, even I (the mobile mighty mite) wouldn’t be able to touch-type on it worth a darn. As an Eee PC owner, I think the review is fair and accurate… from a particular point of view. However, as many of the commenters to the review have pointed out, the device isn’t meant to be a business class device and it’s quite good for its intended use.There’s both a written summary of the review as well as a brief overview video if you’re interested. I can’t dispute all of the shortcomings pointed out, but when I look at what I’m getting for $399, I think it’s a pretty good deal, a very capable device and offers some slight “wow” factor; I lost count how many times I was stopped and asked about it at CES. Thanks for the tip, Greg!
I don’t agree at all!
no hd is a fail?? ssd not good??
can’t run windows???
You agree about the resolution but you are using q1 with the same specs??
You adree that “tablets that were difficult to operate” have failed?? and are difficult??
grrr!!
I’ve stopped reading Mossberg a while ago. Too much of an Apple shill. If this thing had the fruity logo on it Mossy would be all over it with praise. Let’s see how he reviews the Air.
confusing error messages under Linux?
what is he talking about?
maybe he got used to a bomb throwing finder desktop of the early macs or bluescreens with 120 digit error codes.
Linux is just giving you the best feedback you can ever get from a system.
Mossberg is just wrong!
Yeah, I really think Walt swung wide on this one.
The EEE obviously isn’t meant as a replacement for a full power laptop, storage can be easily added (SDHC and USB weren’t even mentioned), Windows can be loaded…well…you guys know all that.
That and it doesn’t seem he actually looked up EEE sales figures. The thing has done well beyond all expectations.
It’s a great product for the price and that’s what a lot of people forget…
Question to the group: is anybody using the 32G SD cards, 32G is starting to get in serious country from a memory standpoint (my little sony only has a 30G 1.8″ drive and it’s still useful (I made the mistake of giving it to the wife and can’t take it back)..
I think he should have mentioned that even though the Eee comes pre-installed with Linux, it’s possible *and even easy) to install Windows XP…
The screen is definitely my biggest gripe with the Eee (both size and resolution) – I find the keyboard, on the other hand, perfectly fine!
He says the device won’t prize people away from their Sonys or Lenovos. But I wouldn’t have a Sony or a Lenovo as a constant companion in my shoulder bag wherever I go, whenever I go. The EEEPC is there though. Even a Samsung Q1 was too heavy and bulky for that (if you include the keyboard).
He’s right about the screen. I can live with it, but I’m reluctant to recommend the EEEPC to people who are not on the EEEPC wavelength because of it.
With the EEEPC in Advanced Desktop mode (as mine is), any Windows user will be pretty comfortable, and will be pleased by the lack of Microsoft-like incomprehensible error messages.
Allan
He says the device won’t prize people away from their Sonys or Lenovos. But I wouldn’t have a Sony or a Lenovo as a constant companion in my shoulder bag wherever I go, whenever I go. The EEEPC is there though. Even a Samsung Q1 was too heavy and bulky for that (if you include the keyboard).
He’s right about the screen. I can live with it, but I’m reluctant to recommend the EEEPC to people who are not on the EEEPC wavelength because of it.
With the EEEPC in Advanced Desktop mode (as mine is), any Windows user will be pretty comfortable, and will be pleased by the lack of Microsoft-like incomprehensible error messages.
Allan
jkk: I’m willing to make the compromise of an 800 x 480 display for portability because when I bought the Q1, that’s what was available at the time. I’ve said many times that 1024 x 600 would be preferable to me, but I didn’t see that sole feature worth my spending over $1,000 for it when I have a very capable UMPC. I also didn’t want to give up my 1 GHz Pentium for the higher resolution.
I don’t agree with the “tablets are difficult to operate so they’ve failed” comment made in the review, but in my opinion, that has nothing to do with the review of an Asus Eee PC, so I didn’t comment.
As the many commenters here (and at the WSJ) have shown me: this review is really geared towards the wide-ranging audience of the WSJ. That’s not a derogatory comment, but Walt approaches the review assuming low- or non-tech readers. On the other hand, as much as I’d like to think of myself and most of our readers as mainstream consumers, it’s more likely that we’re mobile enthusiasts in addition to our role of consumers. Interesting thought: much like we realize you have to review a device for its intended use, I’m wondering if we need to evaluate a review for its intended audience.
In any case, I think bobm said it best: “it’s a great product for the price.” From a value perspective, it’s hard to beat right right now, but I’m sure that will change over the next 6 months or so.
The other thing to remember is that Mossberg, writing for the Wall Street Journal, is writing for an audience that cares more about a familiar OS, and HDD size, and “horsepower” than it does about cost. WSJ readers can most likely afford anything they want. So for them, the EEE might not be the greatest. It’s what you get FOR THE MONEY that makes the EEE PC attractive. Thus, students, people who can’t afford a full-blown pc, people who want an affordable companion device, etc. Not so many WSJ readers in those categories, perhaps.
I would probably say the same thing if I were talking to my mom or older relatives.. well except for the parts where he got his facts wrong. I would definitely mention you can put Windows on it. One thing holding me back grabbing this for my mom is the resolution. Watching her use a mouse makes me cringe so constant scrolling would not be fun.
I’m sure I would have a blast with it.