Chapter 1 Meet the Eee PC In This Chapter ▶ Not your average laptop ▶ Popular Eee PC misconceptions ▶ Reviewing Eee PC models ▶ Selecting an Eee PC ▶ Purchasing an Eee PC his chapter introduces you to the ASUS Eee PC. (Eee PC is pronounced Twith a single E, not multiple EEEs, as in “Eeek, a mouse!”) If you’re won- dering where all those Es came from, it’s from a marketing campaign that states the computer is “Easy to learn, easy to work, and easy to play.” In this chapter, I tell you what the Eee PC is — and just as important, what it isn’t. I then list available models, describe their specifications, and conclude by giving you tips on selecting and purchasing an Eee PC. Eee PC: Not Your Average Laptop The Eee PC (see Figure 1-1) has been called a mini-laptop, a subnotebook, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), and a netbook (a catchy marketing buzzword for small, Internet-centric laptops). Whatever you call it, the Eee PC is a shrunk- down, lightweightCOPYRIGHTED laptop that has these keyMATERIAL features: ✓ Small — At just a bit over two pounds and roughly the size of this book, the 7-inch and 8.9-inch screen models are designed to be go-anywhere, do-anything personal computers. To fit in such a small package, keys on the Eee PC are smaller than those found on a typical laptop keyboard — right around 83 percent of normal. After you get used to the small size it’s possible to touch type with some practice. ASUS also offers several Eee PC models with larger cases (weighing around three pounds) that feature more usable keyboards — around 95 percent of normal size. 10 Part I: Getting Started with the Eee PC To see how the Eee PC compares in size to other laptops, visit a great Web site called sizeasy (http://sizeasy.com) that compares physi- cal dimensions of various products. Do a search for Eee PC. ✓ Easy to use — The Eee PC comes with a version of Linux that features a simple Linux user interface — it’s great for kids or adults with limited computer experience. Don’t let the big icons and child-like appear- ance fool you, however, because the full Linux operating is available under the hood. Eee PCs with Microsoft Windows XP are also available. (Although it’s possible for a user to load her own copy of Vista on an Eee PC, the current models just don’t have enough processor horsepower to run Microsoft’s latest operating system.) ✓ Quick power up and shutdown — With the preinstalled version of Linux, the Eee PC boots up and is ready to use in less than 30 seconds — and shuts down in about half that amount of time. The laptop accomplishes this by doing two things: • Using a Solid State Drive (SSD) — Instead of relying on spinning platters found in standard hard drives, an SSD uses memory to store data. SSDs don’t have any mechanical parts — making them more robust and less prone to failure. They start up and power down very quickly, are quiet, and have fast read and write times. SSDs are the wave of the future for laptops, but at present they are more expen- sive than traditional hard drives. (ASUS has also recently added conventional hard drive models to its mini-laptop line.) • Loading a simplified user interface version of Linux — The simple Linux interface doesn’t require very many system resources and loads rapidly. In addition, some processes are still loading in the background when the interface comes up and is ready to use. ✓ Expandable — The Eee PC features three USB 2.0 slots, a Secure Digital (SD) card reader, and a VGA video out port. On most models, internal memory can be expanded. ✓ Internet-enabled — The Eee PC has an 802.11 b/g wireless card (some models feature 802.11 b/g/n wireless) and an Ethernet jack that makes accessing the Internet a snap. ✓ Entertainment-ready — Sound card, built-in speakers, and microphone (as well as jacks for external speakers and microphone), a Web cam (on most models), and a processor and graphics chip capable of playing videos turn the Eee PC into a portable entertainment device. ✓ Lots of useful, preinstalled software — The Linux version of the Eee PC comes installed with all the software you need including: • Open Office • Firefox (Web browser) Chapter 1: Meet the Eee PC 11 • Thunderbird (e-mail) • Acrobat Reader (PDF viewer) • Amarok (a music player) • Pidgin (an IM client) • Skype (Internet phone calls) • MPlayer (a media player) • A photo manager • Graphics programs • Educational programs • Several utilities The Windows XP version comes with everything that’s normally included with Windows in addition to Microsoft Works, Star Office, and a few other utility programs. ✓ Affordable — Even with all its features, the Eee PC is designed to be a low-cost, affordable computer. Depending on its features, models are available from around $250 to $600. Figure 1-1: The Eee PC. 12 Part I: Getting Started with the Eee PC Who’s ASUS? Eee PCs are manufactured by ASUS (pro- comes from Pegasus, the mythological winged nounced ah-sooss). ASUSTek (www.asus. horse. In addition to its own products, the com) is a Taiwan-based company that makes company also produces components for Sony computer components, peripherals, cell (PlayStation), Apple (iPods and MacBooks), HP, phones, PDAs, and notebook computers. The and Compaq. firm has been around since 1989, and its name When you see an Eee PC for the first time, don’t let the toy-like appearance of the mini-laptop fool you. This is a real computer, and for the most part it can do just about anything a normal PC can (with a few exceptions, which I discuss later). Because of its small size and portable nature, the mini-laptop can get a lot of use while on the road or around the house. I find the Eee PC especially useful for the following: ✓ Checking and sending e-mail ✓ Browsing the Web ✓ Watching videos ✓ Listening to music ✓ Instant messaging and Skyping ✓ Working on word processing and spreadsheet documents when away from a primary computer ✓ Viewing digital photos ✓ Traveling (especially on airplanes, trains, and buses) Popular Eee PC Misconceptions If you read the preceding section, you should have a pretty good idea of what the Eee PC is. But how about what it isn’t? To set the record straight, I’d like to spend a moment or two discussing popular misconceptions about the mini- laptop. In no particular order, here is what the Eee PC wasn’t meant to be: Chapter 1: Meet the Eee PC 13 Eee PC and the OLPC XO The origins of the Eee PC can be traced to the Unfortunately, the $100 price point has yet to One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative started by be realized, and various politics have mired Nicholas Negroponte. OLPC’s (www.laptop. down OLPC’s ambitions (the project may get a org) goal was to design an educational laptop jump start, however, with Microsoft’s recent that would cost $100 and make it available to announcement that Windows XP would be children throughout the world; especially those available on the XO-1). On a positive note, the in developing countries. The result was the OLPC project spurred interest in small, func- OLPC XO-1, a technologically advanced Linux tional, inexpensive laptops, which led to the Eee mini-laptop with a user interface called Sugar, PC and a growing number of similar computers. expressly developed for kids and education. ✓ Your primary computer — The Eee PC isn’t a replacement for your primary desktop PC or laptop. On most Eee PC models, the screen and keyboard size, slower processor, and limited internal storage space pale in com- parison to current PCs. Think of the Eee PC as a secondary or accessory laptop versus a primary computer — even new Eee PC models with larger keyboards, screens, and drives are limited by a relatively slow processor (performance of the Intel Celeron and Atom chips are comparable). ✓ An oversized PDA — An Eee PC is a real computer. Unlike Palms, Pocket PCs, and smart phones, it can run most Linux and Windows programs. ✓ Yet another cheap laptop — I’ve often heard, “Why buy an Eee PC when I could get a real laptop for the same price or a little more?” Yes, in the same general price range you can buy a cheap, full-size laptop that has a DVD drive, more memory, a real keyboard, a large screen, and more storage. But this is like comparing apples and oranges. The Eee PC is designed to be used in places where lugging around a six pound plus, full-size laptop is a hassle. ✓ A high-horsepower workstation or gaming machine — The processor and graphics card inside the Eee PC really don’t have enough oomph to play graphics-intensive games or perform tasks such as video editing or complex image rendering. Eee PC Models When the Eee PC was first introduced in the fall of 2007, only a handful of models were available. Now a year later, you can choose from over a dozen Eee PC models — and according to the rumor mill, even more are on the way. 14 Part I: Getting Started with the Eee PC ASUS has been incredibly aggressive in announcing and releasing new models, and it can be a little bewildering trying to keep track of them all. To help you sort through what’s available, here is a brief overview of all models currently on the market.