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By Richard Mcleish

While a little light in the power department, the Asus EEE PC 1008HA “seashell” netbook puts the emphasis on design

A little over two years ago, Asus appeared on the scene with a model that was to start a n ew era of laptops — the netbook generation.  Since then, many manufacturers have followed suit, releasing a myriad of models of various specs and sizes.  Asus continues its epic EEE PC series with the recent release of the 1008HA model, but can they continue to shape the genre of laptop that they practically defined?

Let’s take a closer look at the 1008HA, with its design emphasis, to see if netbooks will indeed rule the portable computing world one day soon.

ASUS EEE PC 1008HA “SEASHELL”
The 1008HA comes after more than 20 defferent releases in the series, with a new emphasis on style by Asus.

Out of the box, the new model we received is distinguishable by its glossy black finish, which quickly drew the fingerprints of anybody within arm’s reach.  The stylish front lip makes the unit appear even thinner than its one inch.  Contributing to this impressive dimension spec is an angled ethernet port, a neatly hidden VGA output dongle (fine, since it won’t get much use by the average user,) and a specially moulded case for the fixed battery.  The marketing drive of the model pushes the “seashell” theme, featuring a curious picture of the laptop at the beach surrounded by crabs –not the most gadget-friendly environment, although I didn’t test it.  The model weighs in at a feathery 1.1kg, and is a little plasticky in the hand, but seductively stylish overall.

Inside, it features an Intel Atom N280 processor at 1.6GHz, which is appearing in many new machines of this class, and 1GB RAM — no real upgrade offered here from Asus.  Mac users will cite netbook specs as being grossly underpowered.  This set-up copes with basic functions — web browsing document editing and light multitasking — but nothing more.  A 160gb HDD is included but might never get filled, considering that the unit’s capabilities fall short of photo work or movie playing.

In terms of functionality, the 10.1 -inch 1,024 x 600 LED screen is bright and compact, as the use of LEDs affords thinness and less power consumption.  A strength of the model lies in the multi-touch pad, marked by raised dots in a grid, which is very easy to use with its scrolling feature and zoom functions, made famous in Apple devices.  It has become annoying to use older machines without multi-touch pads nowadays.  The mouse button under the pad is responsive and the 92% -sized keyboard is adequate.  Asus claims six hours of battery life, but it seemed closer to four, which is certainly passable for this class.

In terms of software, the proliferation of netbooks seems to be a great opportunity for manufacturers to turn towards a more effcient operating system.  Something linux-based would seem a better choice than the bloated Window XP that was shipped with the test unit.

Such a decision might be economically motivated, so time will tell if Micorsoft continue their stranglehold on the market in this area.

Overall, on paper the 1008HA brags similar specs to other netbooks around and it is not the cheapest in its class.

Its small dimensions only offer comfortable usage for short periods, and for web-based applications only.

However, it goes ahead on style points and its tracking pad usability, refreshing the netbook frontier and keeping the surging netbook market accelerating as nicely as Asus and others hope.  Or at least until users realise how underpowered netbooks are and start demanding more brawn for their buck.

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ASUS Eee 1008HA-PU17 best price The ultra portable Asus Eee PC 1008HA Seashell weighs only 2.4 lbs and measures a mere one inch thin. Within its slick shell it packs the latest ATOM CPU from Intel, the N280, which offers 667MHz FSB, the fastest in its class. With a 6-hour battery, built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, as well as a 0.3MP webcam and Digital Array Mic, the 1008HA allows you to stay connected wherever you go and do so comfortably. Its 92%-scaled ergonomic keyboard and Multi-Touch touchpad make it a breeze to type and navigate through content. But the feature that truly captures most attention is its innovative design. Inspired by one of nature’s most beautiful creations, the seashell, the 1008HA’s slick curves and smooth lines offer contemporary style and effortless sophistication.

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Customer Reviews

Great little machine, My Seashell arrived Friday. The first hour or two I was unsure as my primary PC (work) is a Lenovo T400. This was so small.

After spending time getting used to the size and organizing the features to my preferences – I fell in love. It is exactly what I had hoped it would be. It’s perfect for surfing the net, reading news online, watching videos. It’s light and easy to use.
The storage will be large enough for my iTunes and to run the Office Suite. The 2 GB RAM is a nice upgrade compared to most other netbooks with just 1 GB. I think it’s going to be great for travel and just to have around the house for everyday internet needs.

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The Best has just gotten better! – Mobility has Evolved with the Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU17 Seashell.
The 10.1-inch Eee PC 1005HA-P Seashell, with Windows 7 Starter Edition and enhanced storage, shines as the ideal netbook for the traveler looking to have it all.

It is encased in a smooth pearlescent shell to captivate any onlookers or passers-by. But the  Asus Eee PC 1005HA isn’t just looks; inside it features a higher-capacity storage than its predecessors.

Plus, it offers great user comfort and convenience with its 92-percent scaled keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, and convenient instant keys – granting you quick access to Wi-Fi and control of the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE).

Take the Asus Eee PC 1005HA wherever you choose with all-day battery life and enjoy the brilliant clarity of its 10.1-inch LED-backlit display for comfortable computing for hours on end. And its generous 250GB HDD with 500GB of ASUS WebStorage** enables you to store, share, and access your important data anytime, anywhere.

Miles ahead of its competition, the Eee PC 1005HA-P provides multi-tasking performance and superior portability, liberating you from wall chargers and bringing you into the future of mobility.

Key Features

• 10.5 hours of unplugged all-day computing with ASUS’ exclusive Super Hybrid Engine
• Incredibly spacious 750GB Hybrid Storage for convenient storage on-the-go (250GB HDD + 500GB ASUS WebStorage**)
• 10.1-inch LED-backlit WSVGA screen (1024 x 600)
• 92-percent full-size keyboard for comfortable typing
• Multi-touch trackpad for effortless control
• Easy mobile wireless connectivity via built-in Wi-Fi 802.11n (draft 2.4GHz n) and Bluetooth V2.1
• SRS surround sound for premium audio
• Stunning looks and convenient mobility with seashell design weighing a mere 2.8 lbs
• 0.3MP webcam and microphone for simple and clear communication
• Windows 7 Starter for a more intuitive and reliable interface
• F9 easy recovery for convenient and easy system reinstallation
• 1 year global warranty
• 30-day Flawless Display Guarantee

Warranty

Customer Warranty –The Industry’s Most Complete Netbook Care Package

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Inspired by Nature, Innovatively Crafted

Flawlessly smooth, the Eee PC 1005HA Seashell draws its inspiration from the curvature of an ocean seashell. Its lustrous and glossy exterior is crafted by In-mold Roller (IR) technology, giving it a stylish yet scratch-resistant surface that’s perfect for everyday use.
It’s specially designed to be ultra-compact so you can take it anywhere with you, and its eye-catching style will easily catch the eye of passers-by.  The Eee PC 1005HA Seashell is a joy to use and an excellent companion for long trips.

Note: This Eee PC features a glossy finish chassis. Reflections in photos may vary. Color of the chassis is single-toned.

Battery and Performance Boosting Features You’ll Only Get with Eee PC

ASUS has produced an innovation in PC mobility with the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) to give you ultimate control of your Eee PC 1005HA.  With a hot key above the keyboard, you can instantly command the processor to run faster for more performance or reduce speed to increase battery life.  Backed with a high density Lithium Ion battery, the Eee PC 1005HA packs more power per charge for up to 10.5 hours of unplugged use when you are out and about.  The Eee PC 1005HA Seashell is powered by the Intel Atom N280 processor. Built with the world’s smallest transistors, the Intel Atom N280 processor uses only 2.5 watts of power, which is less than 1/10 of the power consumption of ordinary desktop processors.

Even More Storage

The Eee PC 1005HA-P hard drive has been expanded to give you 250GB of storage capacity and comes with an additional 500GB of ASUS WebStorage**, a free and secure database to store your treasured data.  ASUS WebStorage** allows you to easily share and safeguard your movies, music, and files, so you can access them anywhere that has an online connection.

Get the Big Picture in a Small Frame

A brilliant 10.1-inch LED-backlit display makes reading documents and surfing the Web comfortable and easy.  The Eee PC 1005HA features the latest generation of LED-backlit technology for ultra-thin, ultra-bright, and energy-efficient portability and versatility.  With a 1024 x 600 resolution screen, you can coast through most of your favorite web pages without having to resize your browser or scroll left and right.  The 1005HA-P also features a brilliant Color-Shine glossy display normally found on high-end notebooks. With Color-Shine, your movies, games, and photos are displayed in true and vibrant colors.

Markedly Comfortable. Perfectly Concise.

The Eee PC 1005HA Seashell comes with a 92-percent full-size keyboard that’s ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue and offer a more comfortable experience during prolonged use.  The Eee PC 1005HA also features a user-friendly multi-touch trackpad that helps you navigate documents and web pages.  With a simple touch of your fingertips you can effortlessly scroll up and down, and zoom-in and out, so that every detail is brought front and center.

Easy Connectivity to Nationwide Hotspots

The Eee PC 1005HA Seashell connects you to your wireless world with built-in 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Windows 7 Starter to deliver ultimate wireless accessibility.  Plus, its integrated Bluetooth V2.1 gives you the flexibility and convenience to sync your most commonly used Bluetooth devices.  A spring-loaded Plug-and-Play flash card slot (MMC/SD/SDHC) expands your storage capability so you can view and share your digital photos, videos, and external data files instantly.  A built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam and a microphone combine to give you clear video conferencing so you can have clear on-the-go video chats with family and friends.

Note: This Eee PC features a glossy finish chassis. Reflections in photos may vary.

Quick Recovery with Just One Key

No more scrambling to find restore discs, the Eee PC 1005HA features a quick built-in recovery program that can restore your system to its original factory settings by simply pressing F9 three times during start-up.  Coupled with ASUS WebStorage, this means you can now easily back-up your data prior to system recovery so you can pick up wherever you leave off without issue.

Eee PC with Windows 7 –Life Made Easier

Explore the great new features of Windows 7 Starter with the Eee PC 1005HA-P. Featuring optimized energy-saving features and easy-to-use shortcuts, the Windows operating system is redesigned to give you an enhanced user experience making your everyday tasks simpler than ever before. Plus, Windows 7 has easy networking sharing that helps connect you instantly to Wi-Fi hotspots and networking hubs. Share more with friends and surf the Web better with Windows 7 and the Eee PC 1005HA-P.

Windows 7 Starter makes small notebook PCs easier to use because it puts less between you and what you want to do – less waiting, less clicking, less hassle connecting to networks. Starter combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows.

Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. A small notebook PC running Windows 7 Home Premium is even easier to use. The new taskbar and advanced navigation features make launching programs, opening files, managing windows, and getting around your PC faster and easier. Personalize your PC to be just the way you want it with helpful gadgets and desktop themes – even turn your desktop into a slideshow of your favorite photos. You get the best entertainment experience on a PC; with Windows Media Center, you can watch, pause, rewind, and record TV.

Don’t forget… Microsoft Office is not part of Microsoft Windows. In order to get the most out of your new PC, don’t forget to purchase a Microsoft Office suite.

Learn more about Microsoft Office 2007

* Internet access required. Free TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees.

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Check Out Other ASUS Products and Accessories

ASUS Eee PC Seashell Optical Mouse – Black Its slim and sleek design makes the Eee PC Seashell Optical Mouse the perfect accessory for your Eee PC Seashell.

ASUS Slim External Optical Drive/DVD Writer Create and read CDs or DVDs with speed, style, and simplicity with the ASUS Slim Extrenal Optical Drive and your Eee PC.

ASUS Thin and Light UL30A-X5 Laptop Looking for great battery life and processing power? Check out the Amazon exclusive thin and light UL30A-X5 Laptop.

Eee PC Touch T91 Tablet Netbook The Eee PC T91 delivers ultimate portability and simplicity with an easy-to-use touchscreen that enables user to effortlessly navigate applications and the Web at a press of a finger.

See more information and Buy ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU17  Cheap Buy deal