Reader Questions: The $399 Asus Eee PC

Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:24PM EST

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The fantastically popular and fantastically cheap Asus Eee PC has generated a lot of love... and a lot of mail for me. Reader William Barnebee hits one of the most common questions with his letter:

I saw your article on the Asus Linux-based system. I'm seriously considering one (especially since my Compaq is on its last legs). I'm just curious if I can use my Microsoft Office software with the Linux system? I'm a college student, and use MS Word to take notes (I type WAY faster than I can write with pen and paper).

Veteran computer users will laugh, but new computer users and folks raised on Windows may not understand what Linux really is. Linux is a completely different operating system than Windows. Just like you can't run Windows software on a Mac, you can't run it on a Linux PC, either. (Yes, I know there are emulators like Parallels and WINE, but we're talking basics here.) So no, you can't put MS Office on the Eee.

But Linux and the Eee have some advantages that may mean you won't have to worry about your Office software at all: The Eee is preloaded with OpenOffice.org, a free alternative to Office that works very well and offers about 95 percent of the same features that you're used to. It even opens standard Office files. If you aren't sure, give it a try before you leap to Linux: OpenOffice runs on Windows as well. (All that said, a Windows version of the Eee is coming soon, though it will undoubtedly also run OpenOffice.)

But the Eee has a problem that may put a little spin on William's question: The Eee has such a small keyboard that touch-typing is impossible. You'll be two-fingering your way to about 20 words per minute, tops. The Eee is great as an occasional portable device, but I wouldn't recommend it in a note-taking situation where speed is critical. The good news: A larger Eee is allegedly in the works. Stay tuned!

Comments on Reader Questions: The $399 Asus Eee PC

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  • 1 Posted by nikolasp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    the keyboard isn't really all that small. I have been using HP's now defunct Jornada 728 based on Windows CE OS which has a considerably smaller keyboard than the Asus eee PC. With the Jornada I can use most of my fingers and get more than 20 wpm. It just takes a little practice.

  • 2 Posted by shutrbug@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    A colleague at work brought his in today. I was able to touch type on it, but my error rate was pretty high. I think it would take some time to get used to the keyboard, but it's probably doable. But then I don't have large fingers and hands.

  • 3 Posted by ljmilano on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have one and I love it. The keyboard is fine both for me and my wife. We can type just fine. The screen is a bit small though (both in size and resolution). Nothing terrible, but it gets a bit on the way ... I really hope asus keeps this product in the same form factor, with larger screen/resolution. There is room for that (and they are supposedly working on that).

  • 4 Posted by mandspaugh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Where can I actually touch and feel one of these devices? They seem to be available online almost everywhere, but I would like to really see one before plopping down my $400.

  • 5 Posted by anamceltic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    One can also still find the $299 version with only 2 Gig. I just got one and I couldn't be more pleased. The keyboard isn't an issue for the slow typist. The whole thing is 6 x 9 inches. I don't consider it a substitute for a full sized laptop for serious work, but for something easily carried about and traveled with it is superior to a PDA. I am trying not to gush - but I love it.

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