Reasons to beee cheerful
I often wonder how far ahead or behind the rest of the world Thailand is in terms of the technology that we have access to here. With widespread access to the Internet and online stores such as Amazon, i don’t think there is much difference.
After hearing several reports about the new Asus Eee PC, I decided to buy one for the sole reason that I hate lugging my laptop around. I suspect this is a sign of the times if now we are becoming too lazy to even carry laptops, but this is one of those incidences when smaller is better.
My Eee PC cost a little more than 12,000 baht. It has a 4GB HDD, 512MB of RAM and an Intel processor of a speed I’m yet to determine.
I opted to go with Linux as the OS, rather than XP, because Linux takes up less space. If you use a computer and tend to be on the move a lot, I can’t recommend the Eee PC enough. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it has changed my life because I have only had my Eee PC for about one day, but it has already proved its worth to me.
The Linux OS comes with a web browser, Word processor, instant messaging and a range of other programs, which can be added to, I gather.
Understandably, the Eee has a tiny screen – seven inches in my case. The keys also require you to adopt a four-finger approach to typing. While you won’t be able to work as efficiently as with a normal-sized computer, you can still work fast enough to be productive. In the space of about an hour, I wrote 10 or so blogs posts without too much trouble.
One drawback is that I can’t use my USB modem, although I can connect to wireless network, broadband and dial-up.
All in all, it’s probably the most useful thing I have bought since I got my kettle a couple of months ago. What are other people’s experience with this little gadget?
My next purchase will probably be a new mobile phone.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:27 am
A truly awesome machine. I bought one for similar reasons as you I guess… my old laptop was a fair size and I need the ability to be connected wherever I go. I opted to keep the linux OS (the interface is designed for the screen size) and the included apps are all I need. I found an article online to get my Nokia N95 and AIS one-2-call working over GPRS. One-2-call offers 20 hours of GPRS internet for 100 baht/month which is more than I need. So I am now connected wherever I go in Thailand… it works perfectly. It really is an versatile little machine; I use the wifi in cafe’s, the lan cable at work and the GPRS everywhere else. No problems, no complaints. Well… actually one, the new EEE (out in a month or so) has a bigger, better screen, more disk space and all for 16,000b. I will be upgrading then.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:33 am
I bought one too last week. I paid €300… more expensive than in Thailand, but I wanted it now.
I like it, but the keyboard is too small for me. But it’s a present for my girlfriend so that’s ok. That’s also the reason why it is “flush pink” :-)
What Ri says about the 100TBH/month GPRS is very interesting…
May 20th, 2008 at 7:04 am
I almost bought a green one but settled for black at the risk of heckling in public spaces.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Do you not read my blog??
The Eee PC 900, one with 9 INCH SCREEN, is coming out soon in Thailand. I heard the news ONE DAY after I bought mine…
May 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Oh and for phone, let’s do tech shopping with Leigh this weekened.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Yes I heard about that. At 400 euros for a 12GB model, you may as well buy a new laptop altogether. I don’t mind the screen though. And I don’t really need anything more than what the current version has.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Thx!
I was seriously doutbing to bring my laptop to Asia this time. This post solves the problem perfectly, on touch down me will get one of these puppy’s.
You made me one happy little puppy, I was not liking the fact of either carrying a heavy laptop or being cut of from the normal world.
May 21st, 2008 at 4:07 am
Thanks for the info, as it looks a great little machine especially for the price.
How are you getting on with Linux OS and which version is installed?
I have slowly become a Linux convert after installing Opensuse 10.3 and finally finding an OS that actually works without the blue screen of death. Though still fond of ye olde faithful Apple and the Mac OS.
If your little machine had a bit more power and memory, would strongly recommend you install Wine Doors, as we had Dreamweaver, Flash and PC windows version of Opera running on Linux without a glitch.
In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows & Gates?