When everyone else goes big, ASUS goes small
Seen as the creator of the netbook boom with the original Eee PC, ASUS has bombarded the market ever since. More recently, in a bid to offer enhanced battery life, models have been getting bigger in size. The Eee PC Seashell 1008HA sees ASUS go back to its wee roots, and is one of the most portable netbooks you can currently buy.
Stepping away from the somewhat dull design of the original Eee PCs, this latest incarnation has a rounded, clamshell like style, hence it’s moniker. Measuring just 27mm at its deepest point, and getting considerably thinner towards the front of the chassis, you’ll hardly notice it in your manbag, further helped by a weight of just over 1kg.
Prise the netbook open and the 10-inch screen is a joy to use. It features an average resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, but images appear perfectly crisp, and the colour reproduction is flawless. That said, the glossy Super-TFT coating can make it difficult to see in the brightest conditions, with reflections proving problematic.
Despite its bantam size, it features a well-spaced keyboard that stretches right to the edge of the chassis, unlike the Dell Mini 9. The keys are 92% full-sized, similar to the HP dv2, and are flat with slightly tapered edges. It’s not the best netbook keyboard we’ve seen, but it works well, and remained tough even after our continuous key bashing.
Unlike the earlier, somewhat tacky Eees, the Seashell oozes high quality throughout. Sticky fingered users beware though as the high-gloss plastics do attract fingerprints, and you’ll have to use the provided protective case if you want to keep it looking as new as the day you whipped it out of the box. A pair of handy wipes may prove a useful accessory.
When it comes to ports, the Seashell falls slightly behind rivals. The two USB ports limit the amount of peripherals you can connect simultaneously, although the inclusion of Bluetooth means you will be able to connect devices wirelessly. It’s the lack of TV-out that really hurts it, preventing you from hooking up an external display or projector.
The ASUS redeems itself when it comes to storage space, with a capacious 160GB hard drive included as standard. You’ll also find an additional 10GB of online storage provided – offering better protection for your most important files.
Under the hood, processing power comes from an Intel 1.66GHz Atom processor, backed by 1024MB of memory. ASUS sticks with the ”if it’s not broke don’t fix it”, netbook setup of loading it with Windows XP. Performance is reasonable, as long as you don’t intend to carry out intensive multi-tasking. Battery life is also a plus point, with the compact 3-cell battery life offering an outstanding 382 minutes between charges.
Overall, the Eee PC Seashell 1008HA is a compelling proposition. Its only real fault is a lack of ports, but the quality, comfort and excellent mobility make it a great choice for those seeking a mid-range netbook.
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