Laptop virtually perfect for the road - Page 15 - Horizons Unlimited

**Alexlebrit** · #**211** 6 Jun 2008

Is it just me, but I'm beginning to wish they'd just stop coming out with new models? The whole point of the EeePC was that it was ultra-cheap and ultra-small. Now already the 900 is into full laptop pricing (albeit cheap) and these new ones will no doubt be right there with the rest of them.

And that kind of defeats the object for me. Then again my mobile phone is 6 years old.

**Keith1954** · #**212** 6 Jun 2008

Is this starting to get a bit tasty .. ?! I've just stubbled across this information - and the section of the write-up that interests me most is:

"The new EEE PCs boast Intel's Atom processor as well as 12 or 20GB Solid State Drives (the EEE PC 1000 can be upgraded to a 40GB SSD, while the EEE PC 1000H can be upgraded to a 80GB HDD)."

I had my Acer 3010 nicked by a baggage handler somewhere between Pearson Toronto Int'l (YYZ) and London Gatwick (LGW) last week, so I'm in the market for a replacement laptop.

The 1000 and 1000H versions seem just the ticket, but I wonder when they'll be available in the UK - and at what price ..

**hobospy** · #**213** 6 Jun 2008

Can anyone say whether it is possible to do a tiny wee bit of editing on the Eee 900?

Me and my other half are heading off on a trip soon and would like to have some short videos for our friends and family to see on our blog. The Eee looks like a really good contender for updating our blog and searching the web for the illusive hostel, etc but how about cutting the end off of an mpg video or reducing the size and quality?

Thanks

Christopher

**Keith1954** · #**214** 6 Jun 2008

Chris, I am no expert, but I would guess that providing you had an editing software programme loaded-up, then surely you could create and edit movie video footage?

**mattcbf600** · #**215** 6 Jun 2008

Alex - I know what you mean - buying the 701 at 200 gbp was a no-brainer - spending 350-450 gbp (expected price of the 901 and 1000) is going into a whole other spending bracket - well for me anyway.

Video Editing - yes not a problem - you can use VLC to do some of the basic stuff (simple chopping and top and tailing) but it's obviously not as user friendly as iMovie or Windows Movie maker. It's a little slow (obviously) but I managed to re-encode a high end mp4 taken off my little hand held sony and re-encode to .asf with titles to upload to youtube in about 15 mins - video was 7 mins long.

Audio Editing - again not a problem - audacity works perfectly.

Next thing for me though is to buy the bigger battery for the 701 - gives 6 hours of life - at a mere 30 gbp

WHITE 10400mAh BATTERY FOR ASUS Eee PC 700/701/801/900* on eBay, also Other Brand Batteries, Batteries, Laptop Accessories, Computing (end time 06-Jun-08 09:14:56 BST)

**daveg** · #**216** 6 Jun 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

Next thing for me though is to buy the bigger battery for the 701 - gives 6 hours of life - at a mere 30 gbp

WHITE 10400mAh BATTERY FOR ASUS Eee PC 700/701/801/900* on eBay, also Other Brand Batteries, Batteries, Laptop Accessories, Computing (end time 06-Jun-08 09:14:56 BST)

Wow! That is awesome.

**mattcbf600** · #**217** 6 Jun 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveg

Wow! That is awesome.

I like the way it angles the laptop too - much better typing position.

m

**hobospy** · #**218** 6 Jun 2008

Can't believe it, well it seems like there will be an Eee following us on our trip down under

**dpdaniel** · #**219** 8 Jun 2008

I got one of these recently (4G). So far so good (at home). Even survived a tutorial at work in power point though animation didn't work in open office version and couldn't figure how to add it in short amount of time.

Will get a good test out on the road in Europe this (northern) summer
with the help of many of the tips from here so hopefully wil be able to post a useful review in Oct/Nov.

Cheers for the advice,
Damien

**Rebaseonu** · #**220** 8 Jun 2008

I just got EEE PC 900 (8,9" screen, 1 GB RAM and 20 GB HDD) and finished installing Windows XP Home on it. This thing is definitely nice size for travel. My only complaint so far is that trackpad buttons are quite cheap and need a lot of pressure to "click". Cost was about EUR 380, so that is still much less than usual bigger laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobospy

Can anyone say whether it is possible to do a tiny wee bit of editing on the Eee 900?

It definitely does not play back WMV HD video, I just tried one 1080 demo clip from Microsoft site. I heard full audio track but video was lacking most of frames and CPU load was 100%.

But you probably can do smaller clips for web site, like Matt confirmed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

Next thing for me though is to buy the bigger battery for the 701 - gives 6 hours of life - at a mere 30 gbp

Hell, this battery looks like a brick! I'll stick to stock battery, thanks!

As output from EEE 900 AC adapter is 12V, I'll now try how it works by direct connection to bike's aux socket.

**hobospy** · #**221** 8 Jun 2008

If you work out how to drive it directly from your bike's AUX supply give us all a shout, would certainly be something I would be interested in.

**Rebaseonu** · #**222** 9 Jun 2008

I now tested EEE PC 900 on AUX power. As it takes 12 volts from supplied AC-DC adapter it can be connected directly to battery/AUX socket without adapter of any kind (1st generation EEE PC 700 has different voltage). I plugged it to AUX socket (that is connected directly to battery) with home made cable.

My moto has very small 6 AH battery. Before I connected EEE PC voltmeter read 12,4 volts. I removed battery from EEE PC and was able to power EEE PC from AUX socket for 3+ hours (CPU load about 15%, played small video clips in repeat), until it shut down. Then voltmeter read about 10,7 volts at battery. So it will shut down when voltage drops below 11 volts.

I did not test what happens when engine is running and voltage at battery/AUX socket is about 14 volts.

**TDMalcolm** · #**223** 11 Jun 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebaseonu

I now tested EEE PC 900 on AUX power. As it takes 12 volts from supplied AC-DC adapter it can be connected directly to battery/AUX socket without adapter of any kind (1st generation EEE PC 700 has different voltage). I plugged it to AUX socket (that is connected directly to battery) with home made cable.

My moto has very small 6 AH battery. Before I connected EEE PC voltmeter read 12,4 volts. I removed battery from EEE PC and was able to power EEE PC from AUX socket for 3+ hours (CPU load about 15%, played small video clips in repeat), until it shut down. Then voltmeter read about 10,7 volts at battery. So it will shut down when voltage drops below 11 volts.

I did not test what happens when engine is running and voltage at battery/AUX socket is about 14 volts.

Hi Rebaseonu, Just a word of warning, i would not run the eee from the bike "without" it's own battery and engine running,

cus spikes and voltage surges from the generator and other bikes electrics may damage the motherboard

......
TDMalcolm

**Rebaseonu** · #**224** 12 Jun 2008

That was the exact reason I did not try that.

What I tested was EEE PC 900 on battery power, got 2+ hours with about 30% processor load (4400 MAh battery). Interestingly battery charge level reporting is not very smart as second hour battery meter reported 20% charge most time (first hour went from 90% to 30%). Also noticed that this thing has quite good (for size) built-in stereo speakers, much better than my old $$$ Thinkpad T42.

**DaveSmith** · #**225** 12 Jun 2008

I've been kind of half-assed paying attention to this thread because there's still a bit of computer geek in me. I have an ibook but it just took a massive dump. It didn't like rattling around in the car. I'd like to get an Asus to replace it. Has anyone figured out a cheap place of buying one in the US? I'm heading to India next month and don't know if it'd be cheaper finding one there or not.

I'm using ubuntu at home on a desktop and I'm happy with linux, but I understand the appeal of Windows.

--Dave

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