Home > Consumer Reviews > ASUS Eee PC 2G Surf (7-Inch Display, Intel Mobile Processor, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB Hard Drive, Linux Preloaded) Pure White

First, if reading amazon reviews be careful. Amazon has combined the reviews of all of the eee pc models and they all don't have the same abilities. As an example there is no webcam on the surf models and the 2G models are missing software that is included on larger more expensive models. The 2G surf does not include a protective sleeve like the other models. Unlike many other Eee PCs, RAM is not upgradable in the 2G Surf.

This is a review for the 2G Surf model. I bought the green one.

This little PC is a very nice light travel tool. It is between a PDA and a laptop computer. It will do most of what you expect a business / web pc to do

The browser installed is Firefox. Most of the web tools are just links to web pages in firefox. Just about anything you can do in firefox you can do with the eee pc on the web. I have surfed to several web pages. Most of them sized themselves satisfactorily for the 800x480 screen. You can get more screen real estate by pressing F11 which hides most of the toolbars (this works in any browser, not just firefox on the eee). I increased the default text size a bit.

Open Office is a great office app package. I had no trouble opening and using word, excel, or power point documents. It saves in the microsoft office formats by default. If you want to try this package just google "open office". It is free and there are versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. I was pleased to find that the draw program is included. There is no desktop shortcut for draw, but it is available by using the new document button in any open office program.

On the 2G surf the number of games is reduced to make the package smaller. The only games are Solitaire, Penguin Racer, Potato head, and bubble bobble. The only useful one for an adult will probably be solitaire. It isn't much of a gaming machine. Same with the learning apps. Many 4G learning apps aren't included on the 2G model. Being an adult, I'll probably never use the ones that are there. Asus does not offer any apps beyond what is included already installed (as of 1/08).

The media player works well. I have played movies and music with it. I played a DVD quality AVI from a SDHC card with no trouble. MP3s were also problem free from the SD card. It also works well with my iPod. I have a 2nd generation iPod nano and an iPod video. When you plug in Ipod through USB, the eee can see your music and playlists and use the iPod as a media drive. I have read that the newest Ipods wont do this properly. My 5th gen ipod video and 2nd gen ipod nano worked perfectly. The speakers are very good quality, better than my 15" Dell inspiron notebook.

Wireless works fine. I had no trouble connecting to my home g network. Easier than it was in windows. I don't see any reason it would have trouble using hot spots.

The hardware is nice. The keyboard is small but I think I'll be able to manage a decent speed. It isn't a full size keyboard so don't expect to be able to type at full speed error free.

The screen is very bright, sharp, and has good colors. I adjusted my screen brightness nearly all the way down and it still looks good. Again, the resolution is 800 pixels wide by 480 pixels tall, 7" diagonal (same resolution as a DVD movie).

The unit is very small and light for a laptop. It is not small and light enough to fit in trouser cargo pockets. It should fit in a woman's med-large purse or a small messenger bag (man purse).

Don't expect to have a lot of space for media or files. The 2G only has 300mb free. You will need an SD card, SDHC card, or external drive for large files. The 300mb is only good for small files for use with open office. You can't delete any apps or games to free up space without some hacking. If you aren't good with the maddening Linux command line interface, just buy a cheap SD card for extra space. I am not a fan of the Linux CLI. It is similar to using DOS, you have to know commands to get the machine to do anything advanced. If hacking and using the CLI don't sound fun to you just use it like it comes in the box and you will have no problems. Using the default mode is super easy and stable.

I don't have the patience to try to install windows or upgrade to a more full featured version of Linux. The included Operating System works very well and is very easy. You won't even need the manual. I doubt that the 2G model would be very good at running either Windows or other versions of Linux. I am not a big computer hacker. I like to use computer software as a tool, and this thing includes many powerful easy tools. The included OS works well with the included apps. The included apps fill most of my needs, and are perfect for lightweight commuter computing.

My biggest disappointment was the lack of software for keeping your offline email, calendar, to do list, and address book. I could access my google calendar with it, but only when connected to the web. PDA and email software may be included in the 4G model (I have no idea, never used one) but there is no such software on the 2g. Everything you use a palm pilot or ms-outlook for must be done in the browser.

Edited to add more peeves:

Wil not connect to wifi automatically, you must tell it to connect and enter the pass key each time you want to get online.

512mb-ram model 2g surf lags a tiny bit once you have several firefox tabs open. Works like you would expect an XP machine to work, with the same amount of ram. I hoped it would use memory more efficiently. It isn't bad, but it's noticeable. Not a multi-tasking powerhouse.

Edited to add:

If you close the lid the computer goes to sleep, but does not hibernate. It is still using power in sleep mode. I used my PC last night while plugged in. When I was finished I just closed the lid. This morning I unplugged it and put it in my bag, bu did not shut it down completely. The battery was dead late this afternoon when I wanted to use it because it had been sleeping on battery power.

You must shut down completely or there will be drain on the battery. Thankfully, shutting down and booting up take less than 30 seconds.

Edited again to add:

You can get it to log-on to secure wireless connections automatically. It must be done with the network app and not the wireless network app. ??? Typical computer goofyness.

Edited again to add:
I have used it for several weeks now. The biggest drawback to productivity for me is the keyboard size. I make more errors touchtyping than I thought I would. I usually find myself using my two index fingers, which limits me to about 15WPM. I'd gladly add a pound to it for a full sized keyboard at times.

I followed some online instructons and went into advanced mode and added Mozilla Thunderbird to my machine. It now has a full featured calendar/email program. Including research time, it took me over an hour to do this. Asus should have included this free app with the 2G or made it easer to download and install.

Looking back on my purchase: It's still a very useful tool and worth the $300 I paid, but not worth a lot more. Lots of compromises but still useful.


[....]

My 2G Surf worked perfectly for two months and connected with three different wireless routers during that period. I was delighted, because wireless connectivity and size were the features that attracted me to the Eee.
Then, suddenly, although it still recognized my router's signal, it could not connect to it. Several hours of research on the internet came up with no fix, but did convince me that this is by no means an unusual problem with the Eee. I was never again able to make a wireless connection. Then system hangups began to occur more and more frequently until the computer finally locked completely. At that point I tried to reinstall the system, but the machine hung during the reinstall and was thereafter totally inert.
An (extended) phone call to Asus support resulted in a return authorization . Four days later a NEW computer arrived. I was delighted with the support. After finishing the initial start-up sequence I tried to make a connection to my router. No connection to the router could be made - nothing but a "pending" status. I have not yet heard from the support group about the wireless issue of this machine.
There are claims on the internet that both Ubuntu and Breezy (Puppy Linux) have both successfully addressed the Eee wireless problem.
The Eee 2G is everything I expected EXCEPT for WiFi. Unfortunately, it was the most important feature of the computer for me. If WiFi is important to you, I suggest that you hold off on your purchase until Asus cleans up the problem.
JD

Let me just start by saying that as a software engineer, I have the occasional displeasure of working with 'technicians'. The ability to assemble the 20-piece puzzle that is the modern PC and install and configure Windows does not make you an expert on ANYTHING. I'm so sick of Frye's return merch staff and high school kids working at hole in the wall PC shops commenting on things like they know something.

First off, if you're considering the EEE, please understand that an Ultra Mobile PC is not the same thing as a laptop. Perfomance and size-wise, this little guy lives somewhere between a laptop and a PDA. The keyboard and screen are smaller than the smallest laptop you've seen, if you're looking for a laptop to run Vista on, Dell has a $400-$500 model that will likely suit your needs.

The pre-installed, Xandros-based Linux OS can be run to look more like a PDA interface, but it also has an 'advanced' mode that basically reverts to a classic-looking desktop environment. It will work with MSOffice docs right out of the box, has built in 802.11 wireless with web functionality and (while it lacks a CD/DVD drive) it has plenty of removable storage thanks to an integrated SD card reader and USB ports.

If you're really gung-ho about installing XP, you can do so (even on this lower-end model). There is already a large community springing up around this UMPC on the net, and tutorials ranging from installing windows on a separate SD card to running Halo on this little guy are already out there. I would emplore any user anywhere to try out Linux, though. Aside from 3D gaming, Linux will do everything Windows does, except faster and 100% free.

In that spirit, if you're looking for a computer that you can fit in the pocket of your baggy cargo pants this is pretty much the only machine that's going to do it for you. At any given moment I've got a home network/web server with 3 desktop PCs running, my media server laptop in the living room, my work desktop and laptop... but the EEE is the only computer I actually keep with me at all times.

The reviewer below me who rated this laptop 1 star is a computer technician and complained about how the resolution is only 800x480 - if only he had known how to read. The resolution is clearly stated in the product description on this very page.

The laptop is cheap ($299 for this model), so no, it is not going to replace a ThinkPad or MacBook. It's simply meant to handle small tasks such as browsing websites, taking notes in class, or sending instant messages. I'm all about Windows, but honestly, this laptop does not need it and only the higher end models can handle it smoothly.

If you like to have the most recent gadgets, try one of these out in a store if you can find it, or even just buy it. At $299, it makes a great gift. Fun to use, extremely small, cheap. I couldn't really ask for more for such a small price for a laptop that is seemingly only going to get better.

Who would have thunk 2 years ago, that you could get a full-fledged laptop with built-in wifi for a $300.00?

I brought this with me to Malaysia for a short trip and found it to be extremely useful. It's very small and light weight. Wifi is virtually ubiquitous and free in Malaysia, so I was able to give this thing a run. I considered installing XP, but for what I do, which is essentially exclusively surf the Internet, I now think this would be pointless. The OS which comes with the Eee is both stable and functional. Not only that, it boots-up within seconds. Try that with XP. I had a few people approach me and make inquiries on the small laptop I had in my possession. All were impressed.

While very happy with this little puppy, there are however some downfalls. The screen's resolution is one. I found myself having to scroll across in order to read the full content of some, but not all websites.

The keyboard is another issue. While it's fine for sending off a quick email, anything more than that is a hinderance.

The mouse pad is too small, leading to frustration incorrectly scrolling or choosing a particular tab within Firefox for example.

While not a grand slam, it is a home run. Asus has done a formidable job with this 2G and I fully recommend it. While some may not consider $300 disposable, I can say that if this were get lost or stolen, it would be easy to replace.

my2cents.