Eee PC 900 - robust enough to ...

[Guest tlsceomi]

hello everyone, first post from a newb here. I've been interested in picking up an Eee PC 900 for the last few days mostly because of its size, and wt. the problem I'm having is I'm not sure if it will handle the programs and such I need to work with. Below is a list of the few programs i use on a regular basis, if you have an input on this I'd really appreciate the help.

Flash 8 (my main concern)

Dream weaver v.?

MS office 03

textpad (should be no problem)

I will mainly use it for communication on the road, but I may need to do some flash development on the road, and I know I will need to do some php coding, and updates to a few wordpress sites. What do you guys think?

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

I've got an 701, with 2GB Ram in it, and it runs MS Office 2003 Pro fine, Textpad is ok, it even runs a hauppage digital tv tuner which actually specifies it is for a 1.2Ghz processor.

The screen on the 900 series is better, with more space and a better resolution. I certainly couldnt use my EEE for more than just tatting about on.

[Guest tlsceomi]

thanks for the reply, perhaps I am asking a little much of the 900 with flash and DW. Then again, it wouldnt hurt to pick one up and give it a try ... even if its a no go, I can report back on it.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Yeah, dreamweaver on that res might be a bit painful...

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[Guest tlsceomi]

Yeah, I had considered that, but i really wouldnt use it for development. I was seeing it being used more for quick adjustments/fixes on the go. I'm still up in the air on this, I still may purchase one, but on the other hand it would make a lot of sense to purchase a laptop that could deal with all webdevelopment stuff easily.

Paul, is that a mazdaspeed6 in your avy?

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Paul, is that a mazdaspeed6 in your avy?

It's the Mazda 6 MPS ... his baby!

[Guest tlsceomi]

I see, the Mazda 6 MPS is the same as the MazdaSpeed 6 in the states. I just picked one up last week ... I'm in love.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Yeah, I had considered that, but i really wouldnt use it for development. I was seeing it being used more for quick adjustments/fixes on the go. I'm still up in the air on this, I still may purchase one, but on the other hand it would make a lot of sense to purchase a laptop that could deal with all webdevelopment stuff easily.

Paul, is that a mazdaspeed6 in your avy?

As WTFH says, it's a Mazda 6 MPS, which is the UK version of the 'speed 6! :D

Have you considered a HP 2133 Mininote as an alternative? I'm sorely tempted by one of those. Not much more than a Eee 900 for the ideal model, better keyboard, better design, 2GB RAM, 120GB 7200RPM HDD, 1.6GHz (Via) processor... a much more feasible proposition for your needs perhaps?

If you're US based (I assume so from the 'speed 6 reference), then i'd definitely consider the HP.

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I see, the Mazda 6 MPS is the same as the MazdaSpeed 6 in the states. I just picked one up last week ... I'm in love.

Haha, yes, it's a great machine! What colour is yours?

Mine is an '07 MY MPS with Nav (the only option in the UK!) in black mica. Just come in from cleaning it actually :D

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

A few subtle styling mods on it too :D

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

HP linkage:

http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/ctoBases....=reg_R1002_USEN

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[Guest tlsceomi]

As WTFH says, it's a Mazda 6 MPS, which is the UK version of the 'speed 6! :(

Have you considered a HP 2133 Mininote as an alternative? I'm sorely tempted by one of those. Not much more than a Eee 900 for the ideal model, better keyboard, better design, 2GB RAM, 120GB 7200RPM HDD, 1.6GHz (Via) processor... a much more feasible proposition for your needs perhaps?

If you're US based (I assume so from the 'speed 6 reference), then i'd definitely consider the HP.

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I just checked into the HP mininote, I think your right, that will be better for what i need then the Asus. Thanks for the reccomendation sir. The only downfall I see is that its running vista, which I would rather not. I have it installed on my desktop, and I've had some problems with it. Plus with that speed processor I'd much rather have xp running, the less overhead the better. And i've over used my product codes for xp :D

On a side note, do you happen to post on any mazda forums? there are a few based here in the states, but they are very limited (mazda only imported 10k ms6's in two yrs here). I'd love to see what the europe is doing to thier mazdas!

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I just checked into the HP mininote, I think your right, that will be better for what i need then the Asus. Thanks for the reccomendation sir. The only downfall I see is that its running vista, which I would rather not. I have it installed on my desktop, and I've had some problems with it. Plus with that speed processor I'd much rather have xp running, the less overhead the better. And i've over used my product codes for xp :D

On a side note, do you happen to post on any mazda forums? there are a few based here in the states, but they are very limited (mazda only imported 10k ms6's in two yrs here). I'd love to see what the europe is doing to thier mazdas!

HP have now made XP drivers available on the site I believe, so as long as you can get hold of XP you're set.

I have posted a couple of times on mazda6club.com, but the MPS is even more rare over here than it is in the US! I believe they only imported 800 to the UK!

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

re: the HP, the $749 model looks a winner. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts if you do buy it, i'm tempted too!

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[Guest tlsceomi]

Mine is a dark grey, I'm not sure what mazda calls it, with black cloth interior. I have eibach pro kit lowering springs on it (came like that from the guy I got it from), and I'm planning on a boost gauge/turbo timer, and some factory audio mods ... audiolink makes a pretty sweet adapter to play digital music through the factory bose.

Wow only 800? you one of the lucky ones then. I'll check out those links when I'm not at work ...

I am liking the mininote from the specs, I'll most likely pick one up next week and report back.

Thanks again everyone.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Cool.

In the UK they only have one trim level which includes everything in the top spec US one (except keyless entry). Interestingly the UK models have BOSE (like the US ones), but the 07 model year (mine) have a 20GB Hard Disk built into the head unit to rip CDs to. Handy!

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Good overview from jkOnTheRun:

http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/04/jkontherun-revi.html

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[Guest J273]

Ive just got my mininote yesterday ...love it so far....i dont know what all the fuss is about the via cpu it runs fine.

Its the top spec 1.6ghz.

Much better than the eee imo.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Aw, now I REALLY want one :D

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I see you've XP'd it... did you try Vista first?

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[Guest J273]

I see you've XP'd it... did you try Vista first?

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Yup...had vista on there for about 2 mins....It just boots well too slow.

with xp it boots just as quick as my eee with its SSD.

Ive kept the recovery partition just incase i decide to go back....Doubt it though XP + sp3 ftw :D

Edit:

I would add though once its booted into vista it does run fine...but i think its a little overkill for the via CPU.

Maybe with a little tweaking it would run pretty well.

Edited May 22, 2008 by J273

[Guest tlsceomi]

Ok that settles it, ordering it monday haha. I may even pick up another copy of xp (shutters at the thought of spending more money on an os).

thats pretty slick that they put an HD right in the head unit, wish they would have done that here. Thanks again for everything, I'm reading through all these reviews now on the mini note, and its looks like everyone digs it.

[Guest J273]

Have you thought about the MSI wind?

Looks pretty decent to me with its 10'' screen.

I think ill be getting one of those too and compare them both.

Its supposed to have a LED backlit display.

The mininotes displays not too bad though :D

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

That extra screen res really makes a difference!

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[Guest Paul (MVP)]

MSI Wind = Intel Atom right?

I think the Via chip is underrated TBH in the low cost, low power field...

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