Asus is now selling a new version of its hit mini-notebook with a bigger 8.9 inch screen and Microsoft Windows XP installed. Both were things I've wanted since I first reported the UK unveiling of the Linux-based 7-inch Eee PC in October. Sadly, I didn't get the third thing I wanted: a better keyboard. Still, people who don't depend on fast touch-typing, or who have small fingers, may find it's good enough.
Until you open it up, the PC900 - which retails at £329 - looks identical to the original PC700. However, once you get it going, the bigger screen - which measures 7.7 by 4.5 inches - makes a big difference. Running Windows XP, you get 1024 by 600 pixels in 32-bit colour. This is wide enough for sites such as Guardian.co.uk and Yahoo without sideways scrolling, though of course, there's not much depth. (The original Eee PC shipped with an 800 by 480 pixel screen.)
Windows XP Home SP2 loaded from power-on in about 35 seconds, and performance was generally snappy with the 900MHz Intel Celeron (no Atom, yet) and 1GB of memory (up from 512MB). My PC900 came preloaded with Microsoft Works, Sun's Star Suite 8 (based on Open Office), Skype, and a mini DVD player. There was still 1.6GB free on the C drive (ie, the 4GB of Flash memory on the motherboard) and 6.3GB free on D (an 8GB mini-card), making 8GB free in all.
Other features include a much improved Elantech multi-touch pad (for zooming and scrolling), 1.3 megapixel camera, better speakers, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet, an SD card slot, external monitor port and three usable USB ports, so it trounces an Apple Air.
The USB ports come in handy if, like me, you already have lots of Windows peripherals such as external DVD writers, card readers and hard drives. These also solve the problem of loading Windows-only software onto a "driveless" PC.
On the downside, I found the PC900 tended to tip over easily, presumably due to the weight of the screen. It can be annoying if you use it on your knees. Also, battery life seems somewhat poor. I was getting just over 2 hours, with Wi-Fi switched on. I'd need at least one extra battery, at around £45.
Still, you expect some compromises with ultraportable PCs, and while the PC900 is more expensive than the 2GB PC700, many users will find the extra features justify the extra cost. It's a great second PC for travellers and students, or a starter machine for kids.
Pros: Small and light; great screen; nippy; a good value portable
Cons: Small keyboard, tends to tip over; disappointing battery life
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