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

I too am in IT and apparently smarter than the self-proclaimed 'best technician in the bay area.'

This is a good performing PC out of the box and is designed for people wanting ultra portability at a great price. Sure the resolution is only 480x800, but it says that on the box... so, if you order a computer with that resolution and expect to receive one with a higher resolution you have issues.

This will run windows, but is designed with Linux in mind and will run best with that. Also, 2GB of drive space is inadequate for Windows, but perfectly suited for Linux.

The pros are this is a super light and fast computer. If you need something for a non-technical relative to check emails, have a student that wants a laptop for notes, or just want a second PC that you can carry around in your bag/purse - this may be the prefect computer for you.

For the size, it is powerful, but not something that you would play intense games or run a web server with. The screen is small, but it weighs 2 pounds where most laptops weigh around 7.

The size is definiately the major selling point here...it's wonderfully small, no case needed, and it fits nicely in my purse.

I was getting a little upset by the default desktop. It reminded me of my OLD palm pilot. This is a fine interface for kids or seniors, but I was actually considering returning it. I have an iBook G4, an iPhone, and a couple of desktops (PC and Mac). If this was just going to be an overgrown pda (albeit with a Word clone), it was redundant.

After a quick search, I found step by step instructions for downloading and enabling the "advanced" desktop. I've never used linux before (advanced Mac/PC user), and I was a bit intimidated, but was able to follow instructions, and the "advanced" desktop is just like XP, only quicker! I definitely recommend that any user intent on having XP put the advanced linux desktop on it for a few days first. Also, the 2G does not have java plug-in installed. That was another quick 5 minute install. I believe that the 4G Surf model has the advanced desktop and java plug-in installed, you just need to enable the desktop mode.

With the OpenOffice suite, and other software installed it is almost a replacement for the laptop, especially when traveling. I found an inexpensive 8G sd card, threw that in the built in slot, and can watch movies, listen to music, type, surf, etc. I can upload my digital photos to Flickr, and free up card space while traveling.

Yes, it has a small screen, yes it has a small keyboard, but I wasn't planning on writing the great American novel, nor was I going to invite a few friends to watch a movie on it. The screen and keyboard are effective and quite well sized for a portable unit.

With a half hour of setting up, I am overjoyed with my little pink lappie!

I am delighted with this little machine. It is a very light travel companion. I do webmaster work, and this is the lightest, smallest machine I know of that can still be equipped usefully to read email, surf the web, and even do some emergency web maintenance if called for. Note that I do have smallish hands, so the size of the keyboard is not the issue for me that it might be for some.

A few Google clicks got me to all the information I needed to get my Sprint U720 working, and get the GIMP and MySQL Query Browser installed and running, allowing me to see to all the essential tasks of taking care of a web site remotely. Open Office can handle Word and Excel documents. The text editor included with the machine has line numbering and even markup highlighting, and the file manager can be used to manage FTP. So, for pennies more than $300, I have the tiny portable keep-in-touch computer I've been wanting, and it's also fully capable for web site maintenance or even the occasional crisis!

Am I sorry I didn't get bigger memory version of the machine? No, because by getting the smallest configuration available, and having that work as I need it to, means the bang-for-the-buck ratio is terrific!

This little machine kicks arse!

One thing you should not do: Don't get the 2G model if you want to install anything. Setting the destination for binaries to anything other than the the main drive is nearly impossible (and I am an advanced linux user). With the OS and everything else installed that leaves you with only a few hundred M to play with.

I went in and wiped out all the internationalization configs to clear up some memory.

Pick up the 4 G Model if you want to save some cash, and then get an SD card for non-application files.

Another thing to note: the middle of the mouse button is not the button, it is a rocker. Press the left side for left click, right side for right click. Took a little while to figure that out, but now it works great.

I love this little computer!

I would not want it to be the only computer in my life, but that is only due to its size. But I love having it in my life.. due to its size. Does that make sense?

It is loaded with linux. which just means that it is not microsoft. It has no effect on the user. It comes with an anti virus on board..it is wi-fi ready which means that you turn it on, give it a minute or less to find a connection and go. I did not have to link it to the network in my house, it found it and uses it. I have not had any trouble finding a connection outside of the house either.

Remember .. it is the size of a book.. the screen that you use for a browser is 7 inches. you can change the text size if you like. You might have to use the side scroll to see all of the page, but this has not been an issue.

As I said, I am glad that I have a traditional sized laptop, and for that matter y desktop. But for sticking in your bag when you travel, or are out for the day, I do love it. It is sort of the link between a phone where you can surf and check email and the regular laptop.

Do I need it? Absolutely not.. Do I love it? I do. I think it would be great for certain business folk, and just for people who travel a lot. It is a perfect little computer for kids. It is lightweight and simple simple simple to use. There is little or no setup needed.. you pretty much sign in and answer a question or two and go!



Do I recommend it? Absolutely!

The 2 gig is plenty. If you need more storage pick up an SD card and plug it in.. but for regular users, I doubt this will be necessary.