The ASUS Eee 2GB PC Surf Mini Notebook Computer in Pink Reviewed
Do They Come in Pink?
The Asus Eee PC 2G Surf is a netbook from the second wave of mini notebook computers released in 2008. With modest hardware and display options, these devices remain popular options for anyone wishing to casually browse the web without the outlay of a full price laptop.
Different finishes are available for the Eee PC 2G Surf, with standard black and white versions vying for student-focussed attention with the more popular blush pink finish among others.
Despite the low specs of these devices, however, don’t think that all you can do is surf websites and do a bit of emailing and word processing…
System Specification
Designed primarily as a device to give low cost access to the web, the Asus Eee PC 2G Surf is a mini notebook computer – now commonly referred to as a “netbook” – with a limited hardware architecture. This basically means the device is a cheap build, and certainly there are elements of these computers that are imperfect, such as the keyboards.
These early Eee PCs come with Intel Celeron-M CPU (571 Mhz), low grade graphics in the shape of the Intel GMA 900 chip and a 7” display with a resolution of 800x480. The devices are powered by 256MB of RAM and have 2GB flash storage for you operating system and documents. There is also 3 USB 2.0 connectors and built in a wireless card, plus an SD card slot for additional storage.
These netbooks come with a choice of operating system – you can either have the Linux build known as Xandros with its big icons and simple user interface or you can get one with Windows XP installed. It’s also possible to install XP on a Linux system, although this will result in a smaller portion of available on board storage.
Usability and Value
If you have adjusted your expectations accurately for using one of these devices, then you won’t be disappointed. There is no chance of playing any 21st century (or even many late 20th century) video games on an the Asus Eee PC 2G Surf, pink, blue, black or white, but surfing is slick and easy and the user interface is ideal for web beginners or kids.
Although described as a netbook, these mini notebook computers are also suitable for standard office tasks, although the keyboard will be restrictive to larger hands. Similarly the 7” 800x480 display is an unusual shape which Xandros is designed to make the most of. Meanwhile the card reader is a welcome expansion option and the touch panel is surprisingly responsive. The most curious aspect of these computers is the position of the microphone, however – under the keyboard!
Despite being released in 2008, these devices and others from the family are still available from sites like Amazon and eBay, from anywhere between $50 and $200.
Conclusion
These devices aren’t going to win any awards for speed or processing power, but what they do is ride on the back of the need to get as many people online and the buzz created by OLPC to make computing affordable. This is the PC that launched the whole netbook market, which should give you an idea as to the impact it had initially and the possibilities it offers. This mini notebook computer is flexible and usable, portable and small and is ideal for anyone to whom computing is not so much a way of life but just something to do.
As for the price, it’s low and this reflects the specification. You’ll get more processing power out of a mobile phone that costs more than a pink Asus Eee PC 2G Surf, but you won’t get the keyboard or as large a display.
