The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer by Asus and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive and relatively low cost. Newer models have added the option of Windows XP operating system and traditional hard disk drives.
According to Asus, the name Eee derives from "the three Es," an abbreviation of its advertising slogan for the device: "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play".[1]
History
[edit] Eee 700 series
Asus announced two Eee PC models at COMPUTEX Taipei 2007; the Eee PC 701 and the Eee PC 1001.[2] The 701 base model Eee PC 4G was released on October 16, 2007 in Taiwan. Three additional models followed. The originally-announced second model (1001) was also expected, but later Asus renounced any plans to release it to the market. Asus sold over 300,000 units in 2007,[3] and planned to sell several million in 2008. Intel has described the Eee PC as in line with its “World Ahead” marketing drive—which aims to provide anyone around the world a chance to own a PC.[4]
Both the price and the size of the device are small in comparison with similar Ultra-Mobile PCs. The Eee series is one response to the XO-1 notebook from the One Laptop per Child initiative. At the Intel Developer Forum 2007, Asus demonstrated the Classmate PC and the Eee PC, and listed specifications for four models of the Eee PC. Asus at the time claimed that models may start at US$199, and range up in price and features to US$399.[5]
The final price and specifications for the Eee PC, officially announced in September 2007, was more expensive than Asus originally intended. The price rose to US$399, from US$199, while the size of the included solid-state drive remained 4 GB.[6] The 2G Surf has since gone on sale with 512 MB of RAM included.[7]
Since October 13, 2007 the Asus website shows revised specifications. In some countries, the products have the marketing names EeePC 8G, 4G, 4G Surf, and 2G Surf, though in other countries the machines are still designated by the model numbers 700 and 701.[8] The 4G Surf uses socketed RAM but some revisions do not have a door to access the slot.[9]
Asus announced a desktop version of the Eee PC, without an integrated display, to be released in 2008.[10] Asus announced that a version of the Eee PC with Microsoft Windows XP pre-installed would be released by the end of the year 2007. It was, however, not released until January 2008. In Japan the version is known as the 4G-X.[11]
A 4G Eee PC released on February 2, 2008 in the city of Mumbai, India and is being shipped with the customized Xandros OS and not the Windows XP Starter Edition.[12] From April 5, 2008[13] Asus plans to sell two versions of the Asus Eee PC with Windows XP. One of them will come with 8 GB solid state and a 4 GB SDHC card. The second version will be sold without the SDHC card. The Windows XP and Linux Xandros versions of the Eee PC will sell for the same price. The Windows version is planned to include Microsoft Works 9.0; the Linux version comes with OpenOffice.[14]
[edit] Eee 900 series
The Eee 900 series was officially launched in Hong Kong on April 16, 2008[15] and in the UK on May 1, 2008 for £329 (approximately 410 € or 650 US$ including VAT). The system was launched in the US on May 12, 2008.[16][17] The Eee 900 series with WindowsXP-OS was scheduled for launch in Germany and Austria on June 26, 2008. The Eee 900 series dimensions are a little larger than the 70x models–measuring 225 × 165 × 35 mm (WxDxH) (8.8" × 6.5" × 1.4") and weighing around 1 kg (2.2 lb).[18] The machine has a multi-touch trackpad that allow two-finger scrolling and zooming via a "pinch" gesture[19] and is available with Linux (in some markets) and/or Windows XP (in some markets) configurations.
The Linux version is called the EeePC 900 and comes with a 16 GB SSD. Some of these Eee PCs also have a 4 GB SSD installed similarly to that in the 701 for a total storage space of 20 GB.[20] Those that do not are referred to as the Asus EEE 900 16G. The Windows XP version is called the EeePC 900 Win and also comes in two versions: one with a total storage of 12 GB (one 4 GB SSD and one 8 GB SSD) and one with 16 GB (on a single SSD). The Linux 20G version is sold for the same price as the Windows 12G version. In the case for the 16G EEEs, the Windows version costs more than the Linux version.
The Windows version comes with Microsoft Works and Windows Live Suite preinstalled. It also includes StarSuite 8. The machines are otherwise identical to each other with 1 GB of RAM, an 8.9-inch (226 mm) 1024×600 LCD and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. This model has the same Celeron CPU as the Eee PC 700, running at its full 900 MHz clock speed (rather than the 630 MHz speed seen in the Eee PC 700).[21]
[edit] Other Eee 90x models
On June 3, 2008 Asus unveiled the Eee 901 at COMPUTEX Taipei, the 901 was a revision of the 900 series with a different chassis. The 901 features an Intel Atom Diamondville CPU clocked at 1.6GHz, an "expanded" battery (listed as 6-cell), and "Super Hybrid Engine" software for power management which will provide a battery life of 4.2 to 7.8 hours. Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi are also included. The 901 uses the Intel 945GME chipset.[22], meeting the requirements for Windows Vista Aero. The Eee PC 901 costs TWD 16,988 (approximately US$559). The 901 is otherwise similar to the 900, shipping in Linux or Windows XP configurations which have different sizes of SSD storage.[23][24] It was also discovered that the Eee 901 has capacity for a "3GCard" upgrade which may hint at a version of the 901 being released with inbuilt mobile connectivity.[25]
The Eee PC 901 "Linux" model featuring an advertised "20 GB SSD" storage actually contains two SSD drives; one 4GB and one 16GB. The 4GB drive has been reported to be faster than the 16GB drive. This should be noted for individuals who are attracted to this model's larger SSD storage offering but interested in installing a different operating system (Such as Windows or Linux).
The Eee PC 904HD [26] is one of the first Eee PC models which features an HDD (80GB) instead of an SSD. This model will feature an Intel Celeron M running at 900 MHz and gets its power from a 6-cell battery. Like other Eee PC 90x models this Eee PC also features 802.11 b/g WLAN and a 1.3M pixel webcam. Windows XP comes pre-installed.[27]
The Eee PC 900A features almost the same specs as the Eee PC 901 (except the primary SSD, Bluetooth, 1.3M pixel webcam and the 6-cell battery, that has been replaced by a 4-cell battery) but in a case nearly the same as used in the Eee PC 900 model.
[edit] Battery controversy
There has been some controversy regarding the battery supplied with the EeePC 900. Versions pre-released to many non UK journalists and reviewers were equipped with a 5800 mAh battery, but the first retail versions in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Singapore were shipped with a smaller, 4400 mAh (76% of that capacity) battery, which commentators note has led to a great variation in the machine's battery life in reviews,[28] in some cases as much as 90 minutes.[29] As a result of the objections to this, Asus provided a free battery replacement program in Hong Kong[30] and Singapore,[31] and ran a paid-for battery exchange program in the UK.[32] The UK battery exchange program ran from June 23, 2008 until July 31, 2008.[33]
Asus has stated that the smaller battery is the standard battery for the Eee 900 in Europe, and a longer warranty is provided in exchange,[34] Commentators have noted that the US version launched with the 5800 mAh battery, and a warranty of equal length.[35] Asus have revised their original statement, indicating that the smaller battery is "[p]resently the standard battery supplied in the UK" and "the default standard battery pack for Asus Eee PC 900 worldwide", however Asus will (from June 10, 2008) be providing a battery exchange to all UK Eee PC 900 customers for £10, and are offering a firmware update internationally which extends battery life by 30 minutes ("BIOS 0601: Updated all battery discharge tables to extend battery life").[36]
In Australia and Italy, the situation was reversed: journalists[37] and reviewers received EeePC 900 systems fitted with the 4400 mAh battery but the retail models are equipped with the 5800 mAh battery (in Italy at least at the beginning of sales).
Customers of Media Markt in Italy received the Eee at the beginning (May/June) with a 5800 mAh battery and later (June/July) with a 4400 mAh battery.
Best Buy's custom variants of the 1000HD and 900A also both include a 4400 mAh battery.
Part of the above problem extends from the fact that the entire range were substantially more successful than Asus had originally anticipated. Currently, Asus has several large complexes scattered throughout Taiwan and China, with the largest in the city of SooChow (China), being the size of eight football fields. Upon the unexpected success of the range, Asus factories worked around the clock to keep up supply and further development. Consequently, even within Asus testing labs in Taipei, many variations were found within test models. Generally, however, Asus does inform reviewers that the final retail model may contain different features to what is offered in the review model.
[edit] Eee 1000 series
The 1000 series launched at COMPUTEX Taipei on June 3, 2008.[38] It features a new 10-inch (254 mm) screen and a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU, although built in power management software can increase the speed to 1.7 GHz. The 1000 model ships with Linux, 8 GB SSD and a 32 GB SSD (total: 40 GB); the 1000H model ships with Windows XP Home or Linux and an 80 or 160 GB SATA HDD. Both the 1000 and the 1000H support up to 2 GB of DDR2 RAM. The 1000 has a rated battery life of 4.2-7.5 hours, while the 1000H is rated for 3.2–7 hours. It also offers a keyboard that is 92% the size of generic notebooks, aiming to make it more comfortable to type. Like the Eee PC 901, the new machines feature 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. WiMAX is not currently supported.[23][24][39]
The 1000HD released in September 2008 is a slightly cheaper version of the 1000 series. It features the same specifications as the 1000H except it uses a 900Mhz Celeron CPU chip.
The 1000HA released in October 2008 also costs less than the 1000H but has the same Intel Atom 1.6 GHz CPU, 160 GB HDD, and 1 GB of RAM. It also has wireless and some models present Bluetooth. The 1000XPH has the same Intel Atom 1.6 GHz CPU, only 80 GB HDD, and 1 GB of RAM. 10/100 LAN, 802.11 b/g Wireless LAN, Integrated Webcamera but no Bluetooth.
In February 2009, Asus unveiled the 1000HE, using the new Intel Atom 280 processor with a 10-inch LED-lit screen, 6-cell battery, 160 GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11n wireless networking, and a revised keyboard. Asus also claims the battery will last for 9.5 hours.[40][41]
At CeBIT 2009, Asus unveiled the 10-inch EEE 1008HA, introducing the new design concept "Seashell".[42]
The 1005HA comes in three models, from least to most expensive they are the 1005HA-B, the 1005HA-V and the 1005HA-P. The 1005HA-B has a removable 3 cell battery with rated 4 hour life, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and uses the N270 processor. At the higher end, the 1005HA-P has a removable 6 cell, 5600 mAh, 63 Wh battery with rated 10.5 hour battery life, a 1.3 megapixel camera and uses the N280 processor.[43][44]
[edit] Future models
Microsoft is reportedly in talks with Asus regarding a version of Windows 7 optimized for platforms such as the Eee.[45] Future models will ship with WiMax in the later part of the year.[46]
Asus announced on September 25, 2008, that they will be including built in 3.75G HSUPA on the 901 starting in October, 2008. They will be including 3.75G in the higher models such as the 1000 series after this time.[47]
At CES 2009 Asus presented the T91[48] and the T101H[49] models which will feature a multitouch trackpad and a convertible touchscreen. The T91 also features GPS and TV tuner. The models are said to be available within the first quarter of 2009,[50] however a representative unofficially stated that the T91 should be available within the 3rd-4th quarter of 2009 in the US, due to the fact that the units are still being tested as of late June 2009.
[edit] Technical overview
[edit] Processor
The earliest Eee PC models used a 900 MHz Intel Celeron M processor underclocked to 630 MHz. Later models shipped with this processor at normal speed. Newer models use a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. The Atom is a simple, scalar, in-order execution microprocessor that is significantly slower per-clock than the Celeron M due to its microarchitecture. Still, 1.6 GHz Atom-equipped Eee PCs tend to perform similarly to their Celeron-equipped counterparts, due to the higher clock speeds and Hyperthreading. The desirability of the Atom lies in its low power consumption compared to even mobile-rated processors such as the Intel Celeron-M.
Budget models, and versions of current models, also feature Celeron processors. For instance:
- 1000HD (distinct from 1000, 1000H and 1000HA)
- 904HD
[edit] Display
The Eee PC 700 has a 800×480 pixels 7 inch (178 mm) display, measured diagonally.[51] The screen does not cover the entire space within the lid; instead it is flanked on the sides by stereo speakers and, above, by the (optional) camera in the trim at the top. The Eee PC 900 and 901 come with a 1024x600 pixels 8.9-inch (226 mm) display, almost filling the lid, and became available in early 2008.[52]
The Eee PC 1000 comes with a 10" inch (254 mm) or 10.2" inch (259 mm) display with 1024 x 600 display.
With all models, an external display can be supported through a standard VGA connector. The manufacturer does not give any specifications on maximum resolution and display configuration (mirroring, extended desktop), but most models can handle an external display at native resolution of 1680 x 1050, and even 1920 x 1200 although performance starts to slow down. Models that ship with Linux (Xandros) do not have access to the full capacity of the external VGA output, allowing only 'mirroring'. Users must either switch operating systems (e.g. Win XP or Ubuntu) or reconfigure their xorg.conf file to allow the higher resolution output.
[edit] Keyboard
On a normal, "full size" computer keyboard, the 10 keys Q–P measure 190 mm (7.48 in). The 700 and 900 series are equipped with similar keyboards, 82 % size of a generic one, meaning that the Q–P keys measure 155 mm (6.10 in). The 1000 series, as it fits in a spacier case, has 92 % of a full size keyboard, where the Q–P keys measure 175 mm (6.89 in).
The 1000HE's revised keyboard is similar to keyboards used in Apple computers and Sony's VAIO series, where the keys are reminiscent of Scrabble tiles, being spaced apart and raised from the actual surface.
[edit] Storage
The early model Eee PCs use a solid-state drive for storage (instead of a hard drive), which consumes less power when in use, allows the device to boot faster, generates no noise, and is less susceptible to mechanical shock damage than hard drives. A down side of SSD storage (flash memory) is that an individual sector can only be written about 100,000 times. This problem can be partially mitigated by intelligent wear leveling, resulting in a MTBF comparable to conventional platter-based hard drives.
In the 2 GB and 4 GB models of the 700 series of the Eee PC, the SSD is permanently soldered to the board, to reduce manufacturing costs[citation needed]. In the 8 GB model, the SSD is a card connected via the internal PCI Express Mini Card connector, leaving the original SSD area on the motherboard empty.[53]
The Eee PC 900 comes with a removable PCI Express Mini SSD module, with or without four additional 1 GB memory chips soldered on the main board. Different models come with different-sized SSDs. One Linux version has 4 GB, an XP version has 8 GB, and all remaining ones (XP or Linux) have 16 GB.
The Eee PC 1000 uses an 8 GB internal SSD, with a 32 GB PCI Express Mini SSD module for a total of 40 GB. [54]
Some models, such as the 1000H and 904HD do not have a SSD, and instead have a SATA internal hard drive of either 80 or 160 GB, which can be upgraded by the user.
All Eee PC models also include a memory card reader, supporting SD, SDHC and MMC cards for additional storage while the Eee pc S101 also has support for Memorystick and MS-PRO.
Eee PC 1004DN is the first model with a Super-Multi optical disc drive (ODD) that reads and writes data to DVD or Compact Disc[56]
[edit] RAM
Most EEE PCs use 533/667 MHz DDR2 RAM via a standard SO-DIMM module, which can be swapped out. The 700 and 701SDX have RAM soldered to the motherboard.
The black model EEEPC 4G SURF (4GS-PK008), and newer white models (4GS-W010) have a removable panel on their underside that allows the user to change the RAM without fully disassembling the system, whereas the older white models (4GS-W010) lacks this access panel, meaning the user would have to disassemble the system to upgrade the RAM.[57]
The hardware supports up to 4 GB (2 GB for the 1000 series, and some of the 900 series),[citation needed] but the preinstalled Xandros kernel of the 700 series only supports up to 1 GB.
[edit] Cooling
In an EE380 talk[58] (video archive), an Asus engineer mentioned that the Eee PC does not use a conventional heat sink to absorb the heat generated by the processor, but instead uses the keyboard shielding to spread the heat. The Eee PC has a fan, and some vents to also cool off the system.
[edit] Software
The Eee PC is available in stores with 2 Different operating systems, Windows XP Home and Xandros a Linux version. The models with differing operating systems generally contain different hardware specifications, with Linux models tending to have lesser hardware specs, but cheaper price tags. The Xandros system boots in 20–22 seconds,[59] substantially faster than the boot time for an installation of Windows XP on the same hardware.[60]
[edit] Linux on the Eee PC
The Linux version of the Eee PC runs a custom tab-based interface and uses IceWM as the default window manager, and comes with forty bundled software applications including OpenOffice.org, Mozilla Firefox, Skype,[61] Tux Paint and other educational entertainment software, e-mail and Internet radio applications, and look-up tools for Google Docs and Wikipedia.[62]
The operating system drivers for the ACPI and Wireless devices supplied with the pre-installed Xandros operating system are versions of software licensed under the GNU General Public License. The company released the source code as a ZIP file along with the product; however, it has been reported that a small percentage of the source may be missing, and some device driver software appears obfuscated.[63] In the absence of necessary source code, other Linux kernel versions and distributions on the device are less easy to use with some of the hardware. Asus has requested people help by identifying specific source code which is still missing[64] and has since released the source code for the ACPI module.[65] They have also released the patched Linux kernel sources and their Busybox sources.[66]
The Synaptic Package Manager and apt-get can be used to install additional software through the repositories.
[edit] Forks and other distributions
Current Asus Linux development policy generates forks of code as they change. This means that their changes do not go directly into upstream versions and remain available only through Asus source code releases. If one wants to change to another distribution or update the software, it is necessary to determine what has been changed (using, for example, the diff utility) and port into a newer version or other distribution.
For example, the EEE PC 900 model has a sound card that required some modifications to the Linux kernel driver in order to work. Asus' modifications were against version 2.6.21.4 from June 2007. At current version 2.6.26 as of July 2008, such modifications were not yet merged to the official Linux kernel. Thus other distributions will not have such modifications and will not work properly on EEE PC 900 devices (specifically, the microphone won't work). Latest ALSA drivers 1.0.17 (as of July 2008) incorporated the changes necessary to work with EEE PC 900.
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