Laptopmag has got the detailed review of the Asus Eee PC. Looks like they are really satisfied and happy with the performance and with the overall design. Starting from the Interface to Size to Apps to Performance, things seem really good.
In many ways, too, the Eee PC is a new-and-improved version of the Internet appliance concept, as its easy-to-tote, easy-to-use design makes it simple for anyone to get online.
When it comes to road warriors, the Eee PC runs circles around UMPCs powered by Vista and XP in terms of performance, price, and ease of use, but not application support. Despite a few issues, such as a webcam not yet optimized for online video chats, the Eee PC is also a worthy alternative to devices like the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. The Nokia is more pocket-friendly, is Bluetooth-enabled for using a cell phone as a modem, and has a built-in GPS receiver, but the Asus sports a better keyboard, can be connected to a big-screen monitor, and is $80 cheaper…
Asus Eee PC 701 Review | Gallery [Laptopmag]
The Asus is perfect as an internet communicator and electronic presenter, with adequate office functions. It is small and portable, and has the perfect screen size, small but adequate, as well as hardware keyboard and touchpad for input. Upgrading to 1GB RAM does make some difference to the responsiveness of programs, but with the limited CPU and HD, you shouldn’t do intensive stuff like video editing anyway..
I bought a Samsung Q1B, which turned out not to be quite a disappointment for my needs. The tablet format, without hardware keyboard and pointing device, is a real drag. I ended up buying an external KB and touchpad, which are not only additional costs but also extra bulk to carry. Also, the Samsung boots much slower than the Asus, because it has a hard drive instead of an SSD flash drive. (The SSD version of the Samsung Q1 costs an arm and a leg!!). True the 60GB HD in the Samsung is generous, but after using the Asus for some time I realize I don’t really need too much storage space. In any case, an 8GB SDHC card suffices.
If I had known about the Asus EEE, I would not have bought the Samsung in the first place.
I also have a Nokia N800, which also works very well as an internet communicator (only with WiFi connection though). However, the really small screen and lack of built-in hardware input methods makes it less desirable (The new N810 overcomes the shortcoming of the KB). On the other hand, it is really portable and has better (larger) screen than smartphones. I won’t go into the pros and cons of smartphones vs. internet tablets (without cell phone function).