The good: Multitouch mouse trackpad; 8.9-inch display; decent storage.

The bad: Tiny keyboard; no integrated optical drive.

The bottom line: The ASUS Eee PC 900 is a likeable update to the Eee PC 701. We're disappointed its keyboard is still so difficult to use, but the addition of a larger, high-resolution screen, multitouch mouse trackpad and better storage gives it the edge over just about all of its rivals.

Read full review of the Asus Eee PC 900 »

By Rory Reid, CNET.co.uk
Apr 18, 2008

The Asus Eee PC 701 has earned a permanent place in history. It almost single-handedly defined the sub-notebook--a genre of PC that made slow, inexpensive laptops the hottest properties in the computing world. Many have tried to emulate its success, and most have failed miserably, so it's left to Asus to push the envelope with a new version of its product.

Step forward to the Eee PC 900. This brings with it several improvements including a high-resolution 8.9-inch screen, more storage, more memory, a multitouch mouse trackpad and an improved webcam. In other words, it's a far more attractive proposition even than the original. But is it enough of an evolution to stave off competition from its rivals? Check out our photo comparisons in our gallery.

Editors' note : This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com.uk. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some of other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia. Please check directly with your local distributor for details.

Design

The Eee PC 900 isn't too different from its predecessor, at least aesthetically. In comparison to the Eee PC 701, it's still ivory white and still the size of a hardback book. It is, however, 6mm longer than its predecessor and approximately 100g heavier. The speakers that sat on either side of the screen have been removed to accommodate the larger panel--an arrangement that immediately makes the laptop more attractive.



The speakers now live at the bottom of the laptop below the wrist rest--an arrangement that adversely affects sound quality, particularly if you're using the Eee PC 900 on your lap. We'll forgive it this oversight, however, because the quality of the speakers on the original Eee PC 701 was rubbish in the first place.

We rather hoped the Eee PC 900 would have a larger keyboard than that of the 701, but that isn't the case. We still had the same trouble typing on it as we did before and had to adopt a four-finger--index and middle finger--approach to typing instead of our standard all-action, all-digit touch-typing. It slows you down, but you'll get used to it after extended use.



The mouse trackpad has been improved, and notably so. It now has a wide-aspect ratio to match that of the screen, meaning your finger inputs will more closely mirror what's possible with the onscreen cursor. The left and right selector buttons have also been improved. They now sport a silver finish and are easier to press.

Best of all, though, is the addition of multi-finger input, often referred to as multitouch. The trackpad now lets you scroll horizontally and vertically through documents by swiping two fingers up or down across the surface of the trackpad. You can also zoom in or zoom out of pictures by making pinching or stretching movement with your fingers--just like on MacBook Air.

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