The EEE family grows even more with the addition of another series – the EEE 1000. It is understandable, as they want to maintain the status quo with their identifiable line on top. But what is the EEE 1000, and how does it compare to the other EEE’s, as well as the other netbooks out there?
My best bet is that the EEE 1000 model is made to rival the MSI Wind, one of their top contenders today. It features a nearly identical 10″ screen with 1024×600 resolution, an LED backlit screen, and most importantly, a larger and more comfortable keyboard that has been the bane of the EEE models to date. It manages to differentiate itself from the MSI wind by being wider and deeper than the Wind, but not by a big margin.
Does the extra size matter to you? You make the choice, but to me, it does. The smaller EEE 900 and its 700 predecessor caused me to squint at the monitor too close too often. Besides, the extra size and weight of the 1000 is a small and bearable increase in load.
Other than the size, you’ll notice that the EEE 1000 is basically identical to the 900 series. The glossy finish is the same, the placement of the EEE logo does not change, and it has the same basic arrangement of ports. It’s an impressive-looking unit, but the Wind, who is in the same category, looks better by far. The EEE 1000 only gets the edge against the MSI counterpart through the better comfortability afforded by its touchpad.
Look inside the unit and you’ll notice more or less the same monotonous design inherent with most ultra-portable laptops; an Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, Wireless-N, a 10/100 Fast Ethernet port plus Bluetooth, and all that. What it does have that s different is the storage. Those run by Linux have 40GB worth of hard drive and that is what I have with me right now. Basically, there’s nothing special here; it’s a bigger, more spacious EEE that will excite the brand’s fans.
