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…

Pros:

  • Extremely inexpensive.
  • Very thin and light.
  • Matte LCD with matte white bezel around LCD.
  • Appears to be quite sturdily built.
Cons:
  • 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.

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.  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.  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.  Some running 24/7, some only used during business hours.  We’re talking about an electric bill of perhaps $10 per month instead of $40.  Pennies add up quickly.

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

$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:  This eeePC X101CH netbook failed one month after the 12-month warranty expired.  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.   Replaced with an absolutely amazing but lightly flawed Dell Latitude E7450 (extremely intermittent problems ‘detecting’ the smaller tablet battery).

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