Netbooks, for anyone who has been on Mars for the past two years, are all the
rage in mobile computing at the moment. These cut-down notebooks tend to
focus on a few key strengths – low price tag, low weight and limited spec
(wireless internet and office applications but small screens, meagre RAM and
storage and poor batteries). This meant that the early netbooks tended to be
austere in looks. Asus was the big innovators on the netbook scene with its
Eee range but the latest addition to that family is trying to break out of
the netbook niche.
Out goes the plain exterior of the early Eees and in comes a glittery mocha
brown shell that yells “look at me”. The glitz factor continues to the
keyboard, with a sprinkling of glitter on each key. The blingiest thing of
all, though, are the two Swarovski crystals at either end of the hinge.
While we’re on the subject of the keyboard, the keys are all nicely sized even
for big-fingered fellows like me, with the exception of the right-hand CTRL
key, the # key and – perhaps something of an oversight for a netbook – the
backslash key. The right hand shift key is in a very odd location on the
right of the cursor keys and I didn’t get used to this at all during
testing. In fact, I was surprised to discover that the keys are little
different from those on my full sized Sony Vaio keyboard.
Out too goes the plasticky wristrest and in comes a brushed metal plateau on
which to rest your hands, mimicking notebooks with much higher price tags,
notably the new aluminium Macbooks. Overall, the build quality is the best I
have seen in the netbook category.
While we’re dwelling on the wrist-rest, the touchpad is responsive and has a
single, narrow rocker button rather than two distinct buttons. It takes some
getting used to, if your thumb knows its favourite position on the left hand
button as mine does.
Such quality comes at a price of course and the £400+ tag is edging up towards
the bottom of the notebook class.
The S101 runs on either Linux or Windows XP, although the latter is less well
specced as a result of restrictions that Microsoft puts on netbook makers: a
maximum screen of 10.2 inches, maximum RAM of 1GB as well as a limit on chip
speed and hard disk size. The XP version of the S101 touches all these
limits other than the last. It uses solid state storage rather than a hard
disk with 16GB in the Microsoft version. It also offers 30GB of online
storage, initially free of charge.
The company make much about the new netbook’s improved battery life over
earlier Eees, with a claimed five hours. In my tests, it typically lasted
nearer four – still not bad really given that it has to have a light battery
to keep to a kilo in weight.
As for speed, I had it running StarOffice, while watching the 720p new
Watchmen trailer and playing Pinball all at the same time with few problems.
For most business travellers who only want to flip in and out of an office
application while sending emails, this is fine.
The spec
Dimensions: 264mm wide x 180.5 mm deep x 18 to 25 mm high, weight 1kg, Intel
Atom N270 processor, 10.2" wide LED-backlit TFT, 1024x600 resultion, 1GB
RAM, 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth 2.0, 16GB (Windows XP) or 32/64GB (Linux)
solid state drive, 4-in-1 SD/MMC/Memory Stick and MS Pro card reader, 1 VGA
port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 RJ-45 port, 2 audio jacks.
The hype
They say: “Fashion-On-The-Go With the Ultra-Slim S101”
The reality
We say: "With three different colour schemes – mocha, champagne and graphite –
the fashionistas are certainly a target here. The glittery and smooth
exterior will go down well with the in-crowd. It’s lim but not in the same
ultra-slim class as the Macbook Air, another laptop that’s proving popular
with the fashion set."
The bottom line
Windows XP version for £416.03 from Pcsuppliers.co.uk
The verdict
This pimped Eee is the blingiest netbook on the market. Even if you are not
part of the jetset, the Eee PC S101 is an impressive gadget to take on the
road, thanks to its impressive battery life and robust build. With this
price tag and spec, I predict this will be a hot seller.
The roadwarrior rating
9 out of 10
