Asus Eee PC 900HA Review
Pros:
Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 4 Cell Battery, Windows XP Home
Cons:
Awkward Shift Key Placement
Bottom Line:
The Asus Eee PC 900HA offers a perfect balance between weight and battery life. The 4 cell battery helps to give it a better battery life than the 3 cell battery competitors while at the same time offering a battery life that’s close to 6 cell battery competitors. At only 2.18 pounds the netbook is the one of the best 9 inch netbooks on the market. The shift button is in a really odd spot; however, you can swap the keys easily. This netbook is the slimmed down version compared to the Asus Eee PC 904HA. If you want a better battery lift pick up the Asus Eee PC 904HA, if low weight and form factor is more important buy the Asus Eee PC 900HA.
Quick Product Specs:
Processor: Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 6 Cell Battery, Windows XP Home
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Purchase Options:
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Specs may vary by model
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Asus |
| Model name | Eee PC 900HA |
| CPU type | Intel Atom N270 |
| CPU speed | 1.60 GHz |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 |
| OS | Win XP |
| Display Size | 10" 1024 X 600 |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Hard Drive | 160 GB |
| Battery | 4 Cell |
| Weight | 2.18 lbs |
| Size (w/h/d inches) | 8.9/6.7/1.3 |
| Interfaces |
|---|
| Ethernet 10/100 |
| USB2.0 (x3) |
| SD card slot |
| Line-out / Headphone |
| MIC-in |
| VGA |
| Webcam 1.3 MP |
| Network Capabilities |
|---|
| 802.11b/g |
| No Bluetooth |
| No Wireless WAN (3G) |
 |
US $10.99
Tagged: Asus Eee PC 900HA, Asus Eee PC 900HA Review, Eee PC 900HA, Eee PC 900HA Review
The ASUS EEE PC 900HA is a pretty solid netbook in terms of size and function. I used to own the 701 4G model previously and was looking to upgrade, due to the screen size (over time, it bothered me). The 900HA was exactly what I was looking for in a netbook: the screen size, portability, and improved battery life. Except the hard drive and display hardware, it retained nearrly the same specs as my 701 4G.
At the time, the (then) new Acer Aspire One’s were released. I almost purchased one until I was able to test my brothers out. I found it to be noticeably heavier, and the build quality wasn’t the greatest. Plus, the price for a 6-cell unit at the time was $420ish, a little too much for me. The 900HA was roughly 75$ cheaper.
The one thing that bothered me about the 900HA was that it came with a traditional hard drive. I liked the fact that my 701 4G had a solid state drive (SSD) and was very speedy. Of course, in terms of size, if you are a user who will be filling the drive with audio, video, and other media, or games/programs, the 160GB drive included with the 900HA provides sufficient storage. However, for myself, I have always said since owning the 701 4G: Once you go with an SSD you can never go back.
In terms of storage, the 900HA uses a SATA interface, able to fit other standard 2.5′ drives. I love speed with SSD’s and storage space was never an issue for me, so I removed the stock 160GB drive and upgraded to a G.Skill 64GB MLC SSD Indilinx Controller with 64MB Buffer. This thing _flies_. After installing a fresh copy of the Windows 7 RC, my boot time was faster than my XP install on my 701 4G (did not time the boot but it took 1.5 bars to get out of boot screen – impressive).
The 900HA comes with wireless a/b/g connectivity, as well as standard 10/100 ethernet. I plan on also upgrading the stock wireless card to a more recent card that supports draft-n wireless (I have an N router but no devices to utilize it). But for out of box connectivity, you will have no issues in terms of speed with the stock card.
All in all, this is a good unit. The portability of this unit is very good, and not too heavy (comparing to the Acer Aspire One). It was a good upgrade option since I was coming from the 701 4G. And even after that, upgrading the hard drive, as well as the memory is fairly simple, so anyone can do it. Good purchase and I recommend it to anyone looking for a small netbook and doesn’t feel like going to 10′.
After searching for a netbook for some time, I finally decided to purchase the Asus EEE PC 900HA. Why? Well, a variety of reasons spring to mind, but the primary one is the ease with which components can be accessed/upgraded. The EEE PC user community is far and away the most active, and modifications are being made by owners in a large selection of ways. That’s always a good sign.
Why I bought the 900HA comes down to two things. Mechanical hard drive (cheaper to replace, larger capacities at affordable prices), and size. I was actively considering the Nokia N810. No, really, I was. I just need a browsing/email/entertainment device to keep with me for those times when I get stuck waiting on something, when I want to show someone something, etc. The N810 was ALMOST what I needed, and the price was right – $200-250, but despite the possibility of hacking the thing to run Android, I really wanted a PC OS-capable device.
I spend the vast majority of my time on PCs, and I don’t really see a need or desire to change that any time soon. The EEE PC 900 series with its 8.9″ screen is just about the right size. When carried in the case it comes with, it very much resembles a Day Planner, and several folks have mistaken it for exactly that. I love the size and versatility.
The build quality of the 900HA is first rate. It does not squeak or creak, there is no annoying screen latch to break or get caught on things, and the layout of the ports is great (for me, at least). I was also pleased that the parts of it that are easily upgraded without modifications, use components which have become relatively inexpensive and are easily obtained.
The SATA interface for the mechanical drive is the best one for me. If I decide to get a SATA SSD, I can, but in the mean time, I have a large array of mechanical drives to choose from at very reasonable prices. The hard drive does not put off too much heat, even after upgrading to a 7200RPM drive, and the fans don’t put off too much noise.
Upgrading the RAM was simple and inexpensive. The screen is GORGEOUS! The speakers are plenty loud — so loud, in fact, that I find myself using headphones in coffee shops to avoid the noise bothering others. The WiFi gets great reception, and regardless of OS, I have had no difficulties picking up on wireless networks. I have also used the 10/100 Ethernet interface successfully and had no troubles whatsoever with it.
Battery life is great at around 3-4 hours, depending on use, hard drive, and other factors. The charging cable is small enough that I tend to keep it with me, so running the battery down has not been an issue. I rarely find myself wanting to even BE any place without an outlet for more than 4 hours.
The keyboard takes some getting used to. It’s fine, and after some experience with it, it is easy enough to use, but the placement of the arrow keys and Fn key could be better. They are the only design issue I have seem. The webcam is ALMOST a design issue, but since I never tend to use it, having one that only does VGA is better than not having a camera in a pinch, so I am OK with it that way.
I do wish that a Bluetooth radio had been included. That is likely to be the first modification I am likely to try once the warranty expires. Having even the tiny dongle I have in the USB port all the time is a pain. But I knew of the lack of bluetooth when I bought the 900HA, so I can’t ding it for that either.
All in all, I am thoroughly pleased with my purchase. I rarely go anywhere without it.