Asus Eee PC X101CH minireview
I originally wrote this up for Newegg, figured I might as well put it here as well where I can post a few reference links…
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Pros:
- Extremely inexpensive.
- Very thin and light.
- Matte LCD with matte white bezel around LCD.
- Appears to be quite sturdily built.
- Upgrade issues: fixed 1GB memory (unacceptable), unreasonably difficult HDD access (borderline unacceptable), non-standard height 7mm drive (becoming more common with newer drives / SSDs)
- The keyboard usability is a bit lacking, especially when comparing the X101CH side by side with the 1001P. The feel of the key-presses does not inspire confidence while typing at a brisk pace, whereas the 1001P is relativity decent for a netbook/laptop.
If this had simple access panels on the bottom for the memory and HDD, this would be the single best computing value out there. After adding a modern SDD and a 2GB stick to my eeePC 1001P, it is an amazingly capable every day computer. Hooked to a full-sized mouse, keyboard, and monitor, and it is entirely possible to forget you’re using a netbook.
The eeePC X101CH, however, will never be more than a very limited machine. This is a true shame considering the amazingly compact form factor, build quality, and fanless design.
My eeePC X101CH was purchased (and is now operating) as a file/print server. I wanted something fanless that could run 24/7 without breaking the bank. It also has the positive of having a built in keyboard, monitor, and touchpad…quite unlike the Atom-based nettops that (ridiculously) usually run for a bit more. It fulfills this role admirably, but wouldn’t recommend it for much else.
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I’d give it 4/5 with the caveat that it has a very specific niche that it fills very well: fanless, 24/7 operation of a very lightweight task. Â Compared against my Eee PC 1001P however, it pales a bit: I’m very much able to use the 1001P as an every-day, general purpose desktop with the addition of a second gig of memory, the SSD, a keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Â I can barely tell it apart from a regular desktop…except for the fact that I know it’s only pulling about 15 watts of power, a tenth of the draw of a typical desktop and a serious consideration for me given that we have 6 computers. Â Some running 24/7, some only used during business hours. Â We’re talking about an electric bill of perhaps $10 per month instead of $40. Â Pennies add up quickly.
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The guts of each netbook:
http://liliputing.com/2010/02/asus-eee-pc-1001p-dissected.html
http://liliputing.com/2012/03/asus-eee-pc-x101ch-netbook-teardown.html
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$75 worth of upgrades that make the 1001P an entirely new beast:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227510
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148162
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Update 12/16: Â This eeePC X101CH netbook failed one month after the 12-month warranty expired. Â I replaced it with a fan-cooled Dell Ubuntu Netbook that survived about 7 months through 2016 until it was hit by lightning through the Ethernet port.
The 1001P lasted until 12/15, where it seems either the motherboard killed the power supply, or the power supply killed the motherboard, and then killed itself. Â Replaced with an absolutely amazing but lightly flawed Dell Latitude E7450 (extremely intermittent problems ‘detecting’ the smaller tablet battery).
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