Asus EEE-PC - a tough little full featured lappy 4 the road.

[troyboy162]

features that make the EEE-PC a decent choice:
*4 hour battery life
*flash based hard drive(no moving parts to break)
*cheap(maybe $200 for a used 701)
*powerful enough to do anything you may need aside from hard core autocad.

things that have to be overcome:
*small storage space
*the cheaper ones come with linux
*no CDROM drive or floppy drive for that matter

the new breed of "netbooks" are taking hold as people find that emailing and web surfing does not need much horse power. king of the netbook ring right now is the Asus EEE-PC. the EEE-PC comes in many flavors at different prices. if your interested in a cheap gps lappy(i actually use a 701 as my only pc) then you should zero in on the 700,701,900 and 901 models.

first thing you will need to do is install windows if it hasn't come with it. not a easy task... im a big linux geek, but there really isn't anything remotely usable for linux GPS navigation programs.
to install xp you have two routes:
1. with thumb drives(i prefer this one)
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=1888
2. with a external CDROM drive
http://www.i64x.com/eeexp.php

after that its up to you what to install for programs. you will need a SD card to install anything big. installing anything from cds will require putting their content onto a thumb drive, using a external CDROM drive, or installing through a network.

now with all that said, most of the used ones ive seen are coming with XP already installed. be sure to ask if its a legal copy of XP to save yourself some headache with installing windows updates.

PS this post brought to you by a 701 via bluetooth keyboard/mouse and using my 42" LCD tv as a external monitor. :D

[Cebby]

:pics:

[Seanz0rz]

what are you using for a "desk"? or do you have one?

my problem is the small screen size. it is just too small to have decent topo maps on. i already have a 7" widescreen in the dash, and its great for iguidance 4 and just about everything else, except reading those names on a topo map. not to mention topo software was never intended to be on a 7 inch touch screen, so the buttons are small and it is really set up to be used with a mouse, etc.

[paddlenbike]

Looks like I need to update my "Thinking about GPS?" (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=914.0) thread. One of these UMPCs would work really well for GPS. Large enough screen to see detail, however it takes up far less space in the cab than a 14-15" laptop. The lighter weight will make mounting it a little easier than having to strap down a 8-10 pound laptop.

In my area, the TomTom, Magellan and Garmin car units are simply worthless offroad. Most of the trails do not appear on the map. With a PDA or laptop, you can run iGuidance (my personal favorite) and use Google, Memory-Map, or a host of other programs that offer the topos and trail detail that the road setups simply do not show.

The cost of the ASUS is only slightly more expensive than my Dell Axim PDA that I use for GPS. The PDA has the advantage of being mounted up high on my dash where I can glance at it, but if you can find a way to conveniently mount the ASUS, the screen realestate would be really nice.

[DHC6twinotter]

My boss has one of the original ones with the 7" screen and loves it for what it does. Only downside he found was that his screen was too small to view full web pages without scrolling back and forth.

Asus has since come out with several newer models with larger screens. They can be purchased with solid state drives or conventional hard drives.

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/34-220-441-09.jpg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Asus+Eee+PC

I've been wanting to get one for a while, and prices seem to have dropped a bit now too. I think Dell (or was it HP?) have a similar sized notebook now as well.

Just my $.02. :D

[Whitey]

The only drawback to those types of laptops is the tiny hard drive.

[DHC6twinotter]

The only drawback to those types of laptops is the tiny hard drive.


True, I wouldn't use it for a business laptop or something along those lines, but for running a GPS in your vehicle, or for surfing the web at local hot spots, they would be wonderful, IMHO. And, they do have USB ports, so I don't see why a person couldn't run an external hard drive with them for things like movies and such. :thumbup:

[Good Times]

Indeed these netbooks have tiny hard drives but Daniel does bring up a great point. These units are small enough (in comparison to a 15" laptop) and the screen is big enough that it works great as an expedition/offroad gps screen. With the Solid State Drives it really makes it offroad friendly too! It may lack the cd drive but you can easily rip a dvd and store it on the hard drive to watch movies on long trips or even use an external usb cd drive to watch movies on the road!

The best part is that the price is comparable to that of the high end dedicated gps units or even something like what Ken has (combo of handheld + gps).

It's definitely something to consider but another toy/gadget that'll hit your wallet (doh!)

btw to throw another curve ball, a touch screen would be even better but I'm not sure how much that'll cost :)

[troyboy162]

....btw to throw another curve ball, a touch screen would be even better but I'm not sure how much that'll cost :)


i think i paid 60 for mine. you can see a simplified version of how to put one in here:
http://www.htlounge.net/articles/4873/1/How-To-Install-The-Asus-Eee-PC-Touchscreen

it works well but ive noticed the offroad dust can put scratches on the touch screen. now i keep my EEE-PC in the glove box until i need to figure out where i am

[Cebby]

Can you run an external monitor off of that unit via USB?

[DHC6twinotter]

Mike, they have a VGA output if you want to run an external monitor. :thumbup:

[Whitey]

Indeed these netbooks have tiny hard drives but Daniel does bring up a great point. These units are small enough (in comparison to a 15" laptop) and the screen is big enough that it works great as an expedition/offroad gps screen. With the Solid State Drives it really makes it offroad friendly too! It may lack the cd drive but you can easily rip a dvd and store it on the hard drive to watch movies on long trips or even use an external usb cd drive to watch movies on the road!

The best part is that the price is comparable to that of the high end dedicated gps units or even something like what Ken has (combo of handheld + gps).

It's definitely something to consider but another toy/gadget that'll hit your wallet (doh!)

btw to throw another curve ball, a touch screen would be even better but I'm not sure how much that'll cost :)


You make some great points. When the dell unit game out over the summer it really caught my eye, but I was turned off by the HD capacity. Now that external HD's are dirt cheap, that is definitely the way to go.

Anyone have experience with the Linux OS? I wonder how much space it occupies compared to XP.

[DHC6twinotter]

Here's a link to Dell's version:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&~oid=us~en~4~laptop-inspiron-9_anav2~~

[Cebby]

Could something like this (or maybe a hair smaller) be used with it?

http://store.kanecal.net/14_LCD_Touch_Screen_Monitor_p/tv14lcd.htm

Requires VGA for the monitor and USB to control the touchscreen functionality. It would be nice to sink one of these into a custom dash.

[Whitey]

Here's a link to Dell's version:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&~oid=us~en~4~laptop-inspiron-9_anav2~~

Another thing I have an issue with is that for $30 you can get a 15.5" high-def widescreen laptop.

[Whitey]

Could something like this (or maybe a hair smaller) be used with it?

http://store.kanecal.net/14_LCD_Touch_Screen_Monitor_p/tv14lcd.htm

Requires VGA for the monitor and USB to control the touchscreen functionality. It would be nice to sink one of these into a custom dash.

Personally i think that buying a big $400 screen is counter intuitive to what these small laptops represent.

[Good Times]

no experience running linux but the thought of converting these netbooks to a macnetbook really tickles my fancy :D

[Cebby]

Could something like this (or maybe a hair smaller) be used with it?

http://store.kanecal.net/14_LCD_Touch_Screen_Monitor_p/tv14lcd.htm

Requires VGA for the monitor and USB to control the touchscreen functionality. It would be nice to sink one of these into a custom dash.

Personally i think that buying a big $400 screen is counter intuitive to what these small laptops represent.


I'm looking for something different out of it though - namely integration. I'm not a fan of stuff hanging all over the dash or mounted on pedestals all over the interior. Personal pet peeve, that's all.

I like the idea of the small laptop to be able to have it play double duty - ultra portability to be removed from the vehicle, but also robust enough to drive GPS software while squirreled away in the 4Runner. I'm probably more a candidate for a CarPC with what I want.

[tulsa_sr5]

Anyone have experience with the Linux OS? I wonder how much space it occupies compared to XP.


I have the original white one and have loved it for the last year. Played around with different linux distro's over the last year & just put the stock linux back on it this weekend. IIRC the stock linux takes about half of the 4gb mine has. It also has a built in sd slot that I have a 4gb card for.

There is a fantastic user forum, tons of info on just about anything anyone could think of to use one of these for. http://www.eeeuser.com/ including adding a touchscreen.

Cebby, if you are thinking straight up car pc, there is also the eee box
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220003
pretty much the same internals, but no screen, battery etc and you get a 80gb or 160 gb hard disk for about 300.

[DHC6twinotter]

Cebby, if you are thinking straight up car pc, there is also the eee box
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220003
pretty much the same internals, but no screen, battery etc and you get a 80gb or 160 gb hard disk for about 300.



Wow...that thing is pretty cool! :drool:

[Cebby]

Why would I get a Linux box instead of a WinXP box for either (aside from the obvious larger HDD available on the Linux Box):

A: Home Use (for use with wireless kbd/mouse displaying on flatscreen TV for surfing the web primarily)
B: In car for CarPC (Mainly large touchscreen GPS duties)

(I've used OpenOffice and FF on a Linux box and was impressed with the speed, so I'm not opposed to it - what about compatibility with the GPS and mapping programs?)

[troyboy162]

Why would I get a Linux box instead of a WinXP box for either (aside from the obvious larger HDD available on the Linux Box):

A: Home Use (for use with wireless kbd/mouse displaying on flatscreen TV for surfing the web primarily)
B: In car for CarPC (Mainly large touchscreen GPS duties)

(I've used OpenOffice and FF on a Linux box and was impressed with the speed, so I'm not opposed to it - what about compatibility with the GPS and mapping programs?)


i really tryed hard to keep linux on mine but i gave up because there wernt any good navigation programs in linux. you can run iguidance 3 in wine but with all the emulation its sure to be slow and choppy. im gonna post pictures tomorrow of my new mounting location in the 4runner.

[Cebby]

Question about the ASUS EEE box networking capabilities (and a general info question)

When these computers state gigabit ethernet, will they run on a 10/100 setup or do you have to use a gigibit switch? Same goes for wireless if it says N, will it run on B/G? (It appears the latter is true on the ASUS EEE Box, but not sure on the former)

[Good Times]

gigabit ethernet = 10/100/1000 (downwards compatible) so you'll be fine w/ your existing 10/100 a/b network or even a b/g or an a/b/g configuration.

[Erich_870]

I'm trying to convince the wife that we should go with an Asus EEE-PC when we replace our aging hand-me-down laptop. Here's the one I'm looking at http://www.amazon.com/10-Inch-Netbook-Processor-E-Storage-Battery/dp/B001GIPSAC/ref=pd_bbs_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234686484&sr=8-8

I really like it's smaller size for in cab GPS use and the sub $400 price tag.

She's concerned about the "unknown" brand name and wants to go with a dell or HP.

Anyone have some good talking points for going with the Asus? :thumbup:

Erich

[DHC6twinotter]

Well, I know a lot of folks that build PCs like using Asus motherboards. I've got one in my PC, and all the guys at my old job that have home built PCs use Asus motherboards. I would assume the EEE-PC is built with the same quality that goes into the motherboards.

Dell and several other folks make PCs in the same category as the EEE-PC now too. :D

[CJM]

Dell is crap period, I would never buy anything of thiers. HP is up there with the good stuff.

However having built many a pc in my day and buying storebought as well as working for compusa and myself on the side I can say you should have no issues with asus. The only complaint they ever have is they have really bad customer service, which stinks but you cant get it all sometimes.

I have currently 5 different setups in my house all with asus branded motherboards and another 10-15 or so I built for others with no issues. Its the board of choice by many.

Storebought stuff is just that, big major label brands who generally use thier own boards or ones made for them by asus, msi, gigabyte, etc.

Im getting one of these asus mini laptops when I can afford it, would be great for being on the road.

[Good Times]

Asus' bread and butter was designing and mass producing motherboards for many of the manufacturers as well as those for the geeks like the above members ;) I'm also guilty as charged for using their motherboards and they're one of the top notch boards to use on home-built PC's!

Asus started expanding by manufacturing laptops and more recently the netbooks. I would say for the price point you can't go wrong. It's definitely great as a portable mobile lappie for long trips. Big enough to watch DVD's and easy on the wallet.

My best friend has the Dell mini and I would say it's great for it's price too. I haven't had a chance to play with the HP one but I would say if I had to buy one of the three, I'd buy the one with the best bang for its buck. Look into the screen size/resolution, cpu, memory and hd space. I am sort of looking but we'll see. My old powerbook is finally showing its age so I may just have to pony up for a mbp and put a perm hold on the netbooks. :(

Get me one too :hillbill:

[tulsa_sr5]

I know the EEE has had some issues since I got mine, many seem to be related to folks messing around with the original OS, but some seem to be manufacturing flaws. For example mine has an issue with the charging circuit, it can't charge the battery and run at the same time any more. A few others on the eee forum have had the same issue. Asus has been really good with warranty work on these those, usually just sending out a new unit once they have you send yours back in. There were some early issues with noisy fans to IIRC.

What I've seen on the reviews so far the eee seems to rank highest, but I haven't really been keeping up. I actually started a poll on the forum when i got mine that is still going, 5% say they are disapointed with theirs. Kinda long but might be worth scanning thru to see what people don't like & what issues they've had.

http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewpoll.php?id=1561

edit: just went and skimmed thru them on newegg, seems like they are all pretty much getting 4 or 5 eggs over there, hp, msi, acer & asus
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=772&page=1

[wyorunner]

For all those that are running an in cab laptop for GPS, what program and antenna do you use so that it is an active GPS and not just a map to look at?

[Seanz0rz]

i use the globalsat bu353. you can find them on ebay pretty cheap, thats where i got mine (just search for bu353) and i run iGuidance 4 for the streets, and delorme topo for offroad (though ive only tested this briefly)

ive run that gps receiver for years, very very good, and in my opinion much better than delorme's offerings. just fyi though, it HATES being plugged into a hub.

[Good Times]

Originally had a thread on expedition gps laptops here (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=105.0) but you can tell it's a bit outdated.

Topo Fusion (http://www.topofusion.com)
Ozi Explorer (http://www.oziexplorer.com)
Google Earth (http://earth.google.com)
Delorme Topo USA (http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10045&minisite=10020)

It also has a few on antennas etc but I'm just using my Garmin. It works well but wouldn't mind changing it to my dedicated usb version (just need to wire it up).

I really should update that original thread w/ the latest and greatest information since that stuff is super outdated :D