The netbook rage was started a few years ago as computers were beginning to be designed for developing nations. We have seen the media attention, and especially have seen it within the technology community. Traction and motivation to create computers for these developing nations was put on turbocharge and companies were creating solutions that could prove worthwhile.
While the altruistic approach was great, allowing for people that have never had the ability to use a computer now have the ability, people of developed countries were seeing the benefit of these small and portable computers for low prices. Welcome to the idea of the netbook and Asus’ 2G Surf.
Our Asus EEE PC 2G Surf Specifications:
- 800 MHz Intel Celeron ULV Processor
- 512 MB DDR2 RAM (soldered to motherboard)
- 2 GB SSD (soldered to motherboard)
- 7” 800 x 480 LCD monitor
- Linux
- 802.11b/g wireless, 10/100 ethernet
- VGA Port, SD Card Slot
- 4400 mAh Battery (4 cell)
Asus’ EEE was created for a new computing philosophy, easy to use, work and play on. Asus doesn’t make it easy to choose which netbook to buy, as they alone have 40 different variations that we are currently aware of. Varying in sizes, shapes, colors and specifications that make your head spin when trying to keep up with everything.
If you happen to come across an Asus in the store, you don’t really believe that the netbook can actually fit inside the box that it comes in. It looks like your typical hardware piece for a desktop, about the size of a video card or motherboard box, it is really that small. The packaging is very user friendly, allowing it to easily be taken out of the box and set up in no time.
First impressions of the Asus 2G aren’t negative, but don’t be expecting the latest Mac laptop or Sony Vaio. Although it was built with quality, parts are indeed ‘cheaper, but keep in mind what this netbook was created for. A cheap solution to a portable computer! Everything has a clean feel, as well as the bottom since it has zero removable access panels for future upgrades (thats why I mentioned that RAM and SDD is soldered to the mother board). It allows for zero access for future upgrades! Not something that we like at all.
The Asus 2G surf is the best configuration of the 2G series, allowing for the best specs at the lowest cost available. The CPU inside the 2G surf is the downgraded Celeron-M 800MHz operating system operating at 571 MHz. Other than the small drop of CPU speed the biggest difference between the larger 4G and 8G models is the lack of the level 2 cache. Without jumping into tech talk that you may not be really interested in, the lack of level 2 cache inhibits the ‘brain’ of the computer from caching important instructions that the more robust previously mentioned siblings have to offer. Performance in many applications can suffer as a result of this. Our usability tests proved that the lack of level 2 cache makes the systems performance poor. This can be seen in launching new applications, switching between tabs in browsers and the jerky playback we see in movies and videos.
We will be honest, the 2G Surf is very disappointing. Obviously we weren’t expecting the fastest netbook on earth, but we were expecting something that could function. The testing of this system was simply brutal, testing our patience and willingness to continue our tests. If we can’t get past the simpe basics, then what is the point of continuing for more extensive tests, right?
Heat and temperature of the Asus 2G surf were what we expected from the unit. The fan noise was tolerable, although it was slightly high pitched at certain times of our test. The temperature seemed to be ‘balanced’ around the system well and no one area seemed to scream heat. This was what we expected though from this low netbook.
Memory in the EEE PC 2G, both the RAM and SSD, are not upgraded as we have previously mentioned. Going for cost efficiency they opted to solder these units onto the mother board. If you are looking to eventually upgrade your unit then look at the 4G and 8G alternatives (or the newer 1000 models). I understand that the reasons behind initially setting up the unit this way. But I think that this was an oversight that Asus should have thought of prior. If the 2G offered socketed RAM and SSD slots then we may have thought a little higher of this unit.
The touchpad was made well although it requires some serious messing with before it was set up the way that I like. Although we were missing one thing on the mouse buttons, another button! It only includes a single button. Clicks also were less than reliable at times. It seems that it only registered our clicks about 70% of the time. This makes for a frustrating testing session.
In conclusion, avoid this netbook. I could go into more and more details but really I’d be wasting both of our times. I’m not gonna suggest purchasing this netbook unless you really don’t care about what you are getting and what you can do with it. Save up and buy a netbook that you will be able to use. You can’t upgrade it, the processor is horrible, and I could go on and on. The only advantage is the nice battery life, and fast boot up and shut down. That’s really just about it.