Asus EeePC 1015PX 10.1 inch netbook (Intel Atom N570 1.66GHz, 1Gb, 250Gb, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Win 7 Starter) - Black

I've done a long research before buying this netbook. Netbooks, when it comes to system configuration, are a bit similar across the board (all of them come with the same basic configuration these days: 200+GB Hard drive, WLAN, BT, webcam and Windows 7).

Things to mind when buying a netbook, in my humble opinion:

* Battery life - You WILL want to use it without being hooked up to the wall - the size itself compels you to;
* Sturdiness - You will be taking it around, so you want it to endure a bit of abuse;
* Processor - Not so much for light usage, but I've found out that, with a good processor, this little thing can cater for my usual computer needs more often than I've thought.
* Comfort - I didn't personally want something that would make me crave for a huge laptop every 5 minutes.

Bearing in mind the items I've listed above, I might as well say that I've found the perfect netbook for my needs.

The battery life on the 1015PX is quite good. I haven't spent lots of time in it yet, since I have it for about a week now, but I can safely say it is quite long. Long as in 6 hours or more, with the occasional video being crammed in those hours.

When it comes to sturdiness, this netbook is a rock. Seriously, it looks like the first born of my business class laptop. As you might as well know, business laptops are built to be abused and this netbook seems to have been built ready for it as well. The back of it has no flaps or openings (besides the well placed - and secured - RAM memory port). The heat vent is on its side (which is a bless, allowing you to use it comfortably in the lap). The keyboard keys are firm,as the touchpad buttons are as well. All in all, this netbook build quality is better by miles than many laptops I have used in the past (I'm looking at you, HP laptops).

It comes with a dual-core Atom N570 processor. The N570 is one of the latest Atom processors to be released by Intel (it was released back in April, if I'm not wrong). Don't get me wrong, the N455 processor will probably cater the web-browsing needs of most people, but I wanted to be able to watch videos in this thing. Its display is a 1024x600, meaning that it can't really show a 720p in all its glory, but that doesn't have to mean it shouldn't be able to display a 720p video at all. For that, you need a processor better than the N455 and for this price, the N570 fits the bill perfectly.

Now, comfort. This netbook is light (1.6kgs - which is about half the weight of a common 15.6in laptop), which makes it good for carrying it around or having it on your lap for hours. It is silent. I mean, DEAD silent. You can use it with someone sleeping right by your side (and I know what I'm talking, since I'm the one generally sleeping). It doesn't get warm at all, letting you have it on your lap for hours without that discomfort big laptops can give you. The keyboard is perfect. I can't get used with a common keyboard on laptops anymore, it has to be a chiclet keyboard for me now. Something to do with the key spacing, I think. The keyboard is quite comfortable, allowing you to type away a long time, as long as you are used to chiclet keyboards. If you're not, you will get used and want your next computer to have such keyboard as well. The screen is crisp and, although I'm used with working at 1280x1024, the smaller resolution feels natural for a 10.1in display.

A remark about Windows 7 Starter: You don't need to upgrade. The only difference is the eye candy. Windows 7 Starter doesn't let you customise your desktop as much as other Windows versions, but I've found out that, apart from the wallpaper, the rest is fine. Sincerely, the Windows Aero features (transparency on the taskbar and windows titles, Aero Peek, etc.) don't justify the extra investment to upgrade to Windows Home Premium. Download the System Setting application from ASUS (it is available under the model 1005HA) to change your wallpaper and be happy.

I've bought myself a RAM memory upgrade to 2GB. I can't evaluate how much better the system behaves with it because it didn't arrive yet. The system works quite well with 1GB, with jsut the occasional freeze.

All in all, this netbook is a thing of beauty. It comfortably replaces a common laptop for light users and doesn't let any heavy users feeling uncomfortable. Of course, this netbook is not for gaming or encoding videos but if you're buying a netbook for these ends you're doing it wrong, in my opinion. You can find better (and more expensive) machines for these purposes (check machines with the E-350 processor, which comes with a quite good GPU bundled).

Firstly, thanks a lot to CW for a great review, one that helped me decide on this netbook.

I downsized to the Asus 1015px from a larger, Samsung laptop with a Core 2 Duo processor and was expecting to notice a significant drop in performance. Although it's a bit slower at times, with the recommended 2gig ram upgrade, it's certainly never annoyingly slow. In fact for most things (ie nothing too graphically intensive like serious games) it breezes along quite happily and I'll be doing everything I did on my full size laptop with this, apart from play dvds, but I'll get an external drive if that turns out to be an issue. Getting used to a smaller screen hasn't been a problem either, after a short while it just seems normal.

I agree the sound isn't exactly room filling but as mentioned it can be tweaked with a bit of effort and I've got mine running loud enough for my (crap) ears.

Regarding the sensitivity of the touchpad, it can be 'intelligently' adjusted, via the Elan Smartpad window from the taskbar, so as not to react so readily to unintended input and I've had no problem with mine.

I know Windows 7 Starter has been well slagged off by a lot of people but I've chosen not to upgrade, mainly because I'm poor! Anyway, it's fine for what I need to do, and by Googling I've found all sorts of ways to personalise the desktop, including 'Oceanis' for easily changing the wallpaper. So I reckon if you're not sure about Windows 7 Starter just try it out first before you worry about upgrading.

The excellent non reflective screen is very bright and I have mine turned down to half way most of the time. This obviously helps the already excellent battery life, but don't expect 11 hours, I get about 6 or 7.

Everything you read seems to suggest tablets are the way forward but I know I couldn't possibly use a tablet as my only computer, even though my needs are modest. This netbook, on the other hand, is now all I use and it suits me fine. I chose the Asus 1015px after a lot of humming and harring, I'm very pleased I did because it works brilliantly.

I ordered this netbook after spending hours reviewing the different models and makes on offer.

I must say that this is a super little machine with a powerful processor. Fast to load and reload. I personally purchased a mouse as the pad is a little sensitive.

Having only had it a few days I would recommend it highly.