The Asus Eee PC 1005PE Netbook: An Overview

Fresh from ASUSTeK computer, for a new year of mobile computing comes the Eee PC 1005PE. This latest netbook in the "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play" PC series of netbooks, packs affordable features in an attractive and reliable subnotebook device.

In the long line of Asus netbooks that have appeared on the market since 2007, the latest addition to the family arrives with a 10.1" LED Backlight WSVGA Screen (1024x600) screen, and Windows 7 Starter installed as a host operating system. Historically, the Eee PC netbooks have sported various screen sizes, and have shipped with a variety operating systems including Linux, and Windows XP. Setting this netbook apart from any predecessors is the inclusion of the next generation Intel Atom N450 processor which replaces the popular Atom N27/N280 Diamondville CPUs found in previous Eee PC models. Part of the Atom family of CPUs from Intel, the Pineview-M N450 improves upon graphics and battery life by integrating the GMA 3150 graphics and the memory controller into the the CPU die. By doing so, power consumption has been significantly reduced, allowing the netbook an average of an hour or two of extra running time, depending on particular application use.

The 1005PE's form factor hasn't changed from prior models even with having a smaller CPU inside, yet it still maintains a typical and highly portable subnotebook size. The chassis itself is plastic, which isn't uncommon, and would likely be more appreciated if it were made of a light weight metal. The track mouse is certainly something that some users will have to adjust to. Rather than a typical recessed pad with two mouse buttons, the 1005PE features a flush braille like pad with a single mouse push to click bar. Like other Asus PCs, the 1005PE also comes equipped with the ExpressGate OS, which by the press of a button starts the computer in a preboot environment with a simplistic OS that allows access to common features such as browsing the web, or checking email.

The included Atom N450 CPU, which now uses a two chip architecture rather than three, does improve upon battery dramatically even with the typical 6 cell. According to Hot Hardware benchmark test results, performance wise, the Eee PC 1005PE is about average/above average at performing routine tasks. Compared to other netbooks of similar price, performance for high end tasks requiring video strength were subpar due to a weak graphics GPU.

In short, the Asus Eee PC 1005PE is a solid and dependable netbook. Users looking for a high quality netbook with a bit of a kick over previous models will find the 1005PE completely satisfactory for general computing use.

Features:

10.1" LED Backlight WSVGA Screen (1024x600)

Intel® Atom™ Pineview-M N450

DDR2 SO-DIMM 1GB (Maximum to 2G)

1 x VGA Connector

3 x USB 2.0

1 x LAN RJ-45

2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)

Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)

WLAN 802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz

Bluetooth2.1 + EDR

Storage: 160G / 250G / 320G HDD

Dimensions: 262x178x25.9~36.5mm

Sources/Resources:

Asus Eee PC1005PE product page

Hot Hardware, Asus Eee PC1005PE, Atom N450 Pinetrail Launch, Dave Altavilla and Marco Chiappetta