Great review, though I think your point about the keyboard is a bit misstated. It's not impossible to get the feel for it, but being smaller than the standard keyboards we're used to, will take some time to get used to. I agree about the external mouse, then again I hate touch pads to begin with. I ALWAYS carry a mouse, even with my full sized laptop.I would agree with everything said here. Out of curiosity I bought the 2GB model just to give it a whirl I am pleasantly pleased. I added a 2GB SD card for $15 and I am fine. I only intend to use this one when I travel so this will suit me fine. As to the keyboard - yes a drawback - therefore I have resorted to two finger typing on this Eee PC which seems to work much better. all in all I am glad to have the 2GB low price version.If you still have a standard size laptop bag, you can also tote a standard size USB 104 button keyboard. It'll still take up less than half of the space and leave room for your IPOD, digital camera, and toothbrush and still use the other half as a gym bag. I've even seen those roll up anti-spill keyboard that would even take up less space.A very complete review!
I would have to disagree with you though, on the issue of the keyboard and touchpad. I'm a large male I'm getting pretty good at touch-typing on the EEE. Never had a problem with the touchpad. My only issue size-wise is getting the thing to sit on my lap, I have to practically freaking cross my legs and it gets uncomfortable quickly - so for living-room surfing it goes on the arm of the couch. :P"The keyboard is tiny and probably impossible for adults with normal-sized hands to touch-type on. This means that the eeePC is impractical as a portable writing machine."
I worked for Toshiba at the Atlanta COMDEX where the (much smaller) Libretto was introduced. What I observed was this pattern of reactions:
* about 50% of people took to it like a duck to water.
* about 40% of people played around with it, and could be heard musing, "You know, this is a bit small, and I'm not used to right now... But I bet in a few weeks I *could* be... and, man, having a computer this small would be nice..."
* about 10% rejected the machine out of hand. What was curious, though, was the lack of empathy they then showed. "This doesn't work for me. Therefore, it won't work for *anyone*, and Toshiba are a bunch of fools for even *trying* to bring this worthless piece of junk to market..." (Unfortunately, an awful lot of reviewers fell into this group. More's the pity.)
I read your comment above, and I hear that 10% all over again -- only, ironically, with a larger machine and a larger keyboard.
Honestly. As the other comments indicate, keyboards are one of the most wildly variable and idiosyncratic pieces of interface. One's own reactions are *very* unlikely to reflect the reactions of the broad marketplace, for good or for ill.
Having gotten an EEE for my wife, I can think I can safely say: In the same way that Sony's Picturebook series and Toshiba's Libretto command premium prices to this day -- especially for machines of their vintage -- the EEE is going to get a devoted following, one that will result in very little depreciation of the machine over time. People are going to put their money where their mouth is on this one.
Or, while I realize it's anecdotal... If the EEE is impractical as a writing machine, that will come as a surprise to at least one novelist known to be using it enthusiastically (Charles Stross).
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