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I really wanted to like this computer. I’ve owned the Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU 10.1-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer (Royal Blue) for two years and I love it. I’ve been looking for a replacement for awhile though, since the screen on the 1005HA goes completely blank at certain angles and the overall speed has slowed down. Other than that, it has been a reliable laptop and has been the only computer I ever use.

This ASUS 1015PX-PU17-BK is my second attempt to replace my 1005HA. My first attempt was the ASUS 1015PED-PU17-BU, purchased in December, which I ended up returning because it was extremely slow and clunky. (It’s no longer available on Amazon.) I decided to give ASUS another shot and bought this computer, which I received in the mail today.

There are a number of reasons I am returning this computer to Amazon. First and foremost, it feels shoddily made. While my 2 year-old 1005HA has all the buttons in place and has a solid feel, the 1015PX has a plastic and flimsy-feeling construction. The deal breaker for me though was the mouse bar. It is loose and makes the loudest clicking noise I’ve ever heard on a computer because of that. It feels like it may come off at any time, and I knew that sound would drive me nuts. (Not to mention, my law school professors or classmates when I’m trying to click through notes in class.)

Another reason why this computer is just not as good is the chiclet keyboard. I never had trouble with the netbook-sized keyboard on the 1005HA; however, I do not understand why ASUS moved to the chiclet for the later editions. The keys are extremely small and I could feel the edges of each key as I typed. I have to do extensive typing in class on my netbook, and the chiclet keyboard is not large enough for that to be comfortable. Also, the right shift key is very small (again, a change for the worse from my 1005HA.)

Additionally, web browsing on the 1015PX was much slower than on my 1005HA, which I don’t understand. I can’t comprehend why the “upgraded” version of my old computer would be so much worse than the original. I wanted to stay with ASUS because I love my 1005HA and its phenomenal battery life, but it’s looking like I’ll have to try out a new netbook brand.

Perhaps you will find this computer suitable for your needs, but it’s not what I was looking for in a netbook. I need something I can use to type class notes and papers on, and something I can surf the web with. This computer’s poorly constructed keyboard and slow processing and web browsing just doesn’t cut it. After the speed, keyboard comfort and durability of my 1005HA, I can’t settle for this lower quality replacement. Purchased: July 2011

My expectations for a netbook were sufficiently low. I have been following the developments since MIT’s Nicholas Negroponte first founded the One Laptop Per Child organization (OLPC), a few years ago. After donating a few netbooks through OLPC, I decided to get an adult netbook of my own.

I wanted something light weight with a good size keyboard and efficient power management that would allow me to securely track my finances during extended trips. I preferred a netbook with the LINUX operating system. My companion insisted the netbook should be able to stream Netflix videos and the Rhapsody music service. Netflix requires the Silverlight software which only runs on the Windows operating system. I was leaning toward ASUS hardware due to their reputation for high quality. After a reasonable search, I settled on this ASUS/Windows machine. The netbook has a role, but it is still not intended to replacement a full size laptop. I am amazed at how close it comes to replacing a laptop.

WHEN READING MY HIGHLY CRITICAL REVIEW, KEEP IN MIND, AFTER ALL THE SOFTWARE AND FIRMWARE UPDATES ARE IN PLACE YOU WILL BE REASONABLY PLEASED WITH THIS NETBOOK.

Enough of my gibberish, let us get on with the review.

I purchased the ASUS eee PC 1015-PX netbook, 2 GB of RAM, ASUS mouse, ASUS external DVD reader/writer, PC-to-TV video converter, and audio cables.

THE GOOD:

- The eee PC hardware: keyboard, screen, and basic build are excellent for a netbook.

- Windows 7 Starter Edition is more than competent operating system for a Netbook. Once everything is updated it is a smooth running system with the familiar look and feel of your desktop.

- Windows 7 Starter Edition can stream Netflix movies, Rhapsody music, Photo Shop pictures, and run most software in the Windows ecosystem. Videos and web content can be displayed from the netbook to a TV with a proper PC-to-TV converter.

- Windows 7 Starter Edition is not a streamline and low maintenance operating system, but it is a familiar interface with a plethora of software choices. It is more than adequate for most netbook uses.

THE BAD:

- Windows 7 Starter Edition is basically a crippled version of Windows 7. It does not support reading/writing DVD’s. Normally, I would not have a problem with this, except ASUS failed to supply a copy of the Windows installation software on external media, because Windows 7 Starter Edition can not read DVD’s. Putting the Windows recovery files on CD-Rom is unthinkable – it would take approximately 30 CD’s to store the 17GB of files.

- Normally the major updates like Windows service packs are preinstalled on the PC’s. The burden of installing the Windows 7 Service Pack#1 and prior updates is passed on to the customer. You will invest a lot of quality time getting Windows 7 up to date.

- The only audio speaker is of poor quality compared to the rest of the hardware. Why ASUS decided to install one cheap speaker on otherwise very nice hardware is beyond me. The audio is very nice when using external stereo spearkers. Yes, this is the newer model and it still only has one speaker. Beware, the one audio port serves as both an audio-out and an audio-in port. A software switch determines whether it is in input or output mode.

- The documentation attempts to cover several different netbook models on the same pages. It was frequently difficult to determine which model was being described. The user guide on the PC is slightly more informative than the paper booklet. ASUS online user forum was not helpful. Reading some of the responses to the customers pleas for help caused me to flinch. The forum moderators were very arrogant and belittled those lacking technical skills.

THE UGLY (It may get a little technical):

- There are no Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system DVD’s included with this computer. If the recovery files on the hard drive are destroyed, you are out of luck. You must decide whether to purchase a +16GB thumb drive to backup the Starter Edition and recovery files or use that money to upgrade to the Home Edition and use your standard backup software – assuming you backup your current system. Keep in mind once the recovery software (ISO) is loaded on the thumb drive you can not use the self-booting drive to store any other files.

- The installed BIOS version 1101 is horrible and caused a number of issues. The Windows Recovery software would not recognize my external CD-ROM writer with the installed BIOS. The BIOS would not support multiple USB devices (CD-ROM and external USB Hard Drive) outside of the Windows environment (think no backup with a LINUX recovery CD) and it exhibited irratic behavior when attempting to access the BIOS setup panel. Following the instructions in the manual, the included software directs you to the ASUS BIOS repositories on the internet, but ASUS obviously does not maintain the sites. The firmware in the BIOS repositories is older than the installed BIOS. Eventually, I found the latest BIOS version 1301 on the ASUS support site. Apparently, the models 1015-PE and 1015-PX share the same BIOS. Be careful, blotching a BIOS flash can leave you with a non-working computer. Save the current BIOS first, and then do not interrupt while the BIOS is being updated.

- The hard drive can not be updated. There is no access panel for it. You would have to completely disassemble the case – voiding the warranty in the process.
You can only hope it never fails.

CONCLUSION:

The ASUS eee PC 1015-PX is an outstanding piece of hardware with excellent power management, once all the operating system and BIOS updates are in place. The journey is no fun, but your reward is a well built and smooth running machine. You have a choice to make with this netbook, whether to leave it with the crippled Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system or upgrade to the full Windows 7 Home Edition.

UPDATE 08/17/2011 : I can not recommend the purchase of this netbook, because it lacks an access panel to the hard drive. Apparently, ASUS wants us to throw the product away rather then replace/upgrade the hard drive. That is sad.

SUGGESTIONS:

- The latest BIOS and drivers are on the ASUS support site. I would go there first.

- Plan on spending a lot of quality time updating Windows 7. The Service Pack #1 update will not run automatically. You will have to start it manually.

- While upgrading the memory, I had a bit of a problem finding the cover screw for the memory compartment. It is covered by a plastic plug that is a perfect match to the case. It looks to be part of the case, but it is not. Just pry it off with a fine head screw driver. Search YouTube for a video “ASUS eee PC Memory Upgrade” for installation help. You are not authorized to perform any updates to the ASUS hardware – memory included. Do not look to ASUS customer support for any help.

- I was able to use the built-in backup/recovery software to store the Windows 7 Starter Edition recovery files to an old 40GB hard drive sitting in an external USB HD enclosure. Now keep in mind that entire hard drive can nolonger be used for anything other than holding the +16GB of recovery files. The computer geeks would be better served using 3rd party software to make an image copy of the entire hard drive. It would certainly be more space efficient. That is my next step. In case you were wondering, the included backup software will not write the recovery files to CD-Rom.

- I am not sure how well this netbook would work with LINUX. Some of the key features, the audio port toggle switch and the power saving mode, are both controlled by Windows specific software. These device specific software components (drivers) may not exist in the LINUX world. You may lose a lot of functionality.

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