Performance Comparison

PCMark05 test results are reported as an overall PCMark05 score and a separate CPU Test Suite Score for this initial round of performance testing. Three processors are represented in these test results and the actual impact of those processors on the CPU Test Suite was of great interest.

Netbook Performance Results
Model CPU PCMark CPU Test Suite PCMark 05
Asus 1000HE Atom N280 1553 1517
MSI Wind (U123) Atom N280 1552 1544
Asus 1000HA Atom N270 1489 1475
Asus PC 901 Atom N270 1489 1300
Asus PC 4G Celeron M900 1012 858

As a raw CPU score the improvement from the Celeron M900 to the Atom N270 represents a 47% increase in performance. However, the impact of the improved CPU performance with the similarly improved capabilities of the 945 Express chipset combine for a 72% higher PCMark05 score, which factors in graphics, CPU, and total system performance to achieve the final score.

Manufacturers claim about a 10% improvement in performance in the move from the Atom N270 to the more recent Atom N280. PCMark results show an even smaller performance improvement, with just a 4.3% improvement in the CPU Test Suite score. The PCMark05 overall performance improvement also measured in the 4% to 5% range, which is definitely an improvement level you will not likely notice in day-to-day use of your netbook.

Netbook Performance

The bottom line is that you will definitely notice the performance improvement in a move from an early Celeron M900 to an Intel Atom processor notebook. However, while the Atom N280 is a better performer than the N270, the improvement would be hard to notice in everyday computing. The performance difference between the N270 and N280 is minor at best and should not strongly influence your Netbook buying decision.

Performance Testing ASUS 1000HE Hands-On
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  • fuberwil - Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - link

    I think this is just showing the evolution of the netbooks. A relatively recent device that now has everyone clamoring for one due to the size and portability of it. I think MSI is onto something especially with the option of the 9cell battery which can offer up to 10 hours of work time (from what i've read). Partner that with a low price tag with amazing specs then you have the new best friend of every student and businessman. Yea i think they all have their shortcomings such as the mouse track or the keyboard but like any good electronical device give it some time then it will meet consumers needs on almost every level.
  • Hrel - Thursday, August 6, 2009 - link

    A device like that would NEVER be worth more than 200 bucks to me, and I'd feel a little rotten about paying anything more than 100. Not to mention it's not really much more portable than a laptop. Laptops just need better battery life so we don't have to chug around with the ac adapter, If my laptop got 12 hours of battery life I'd take EVERYWHERE!!!
  • afkrotch - Thursday, July 30, 2009 - link

    I can't see how anyone can recommend these pieces of crap. I've owned an Asus EeePC Seashell and I would never recommend these to anyone I know. I don't care about battery life, size, or weight. The pieces of crap run so freaking slow. On a straight up HTML page, it flies, but once you get into something that's heavy in java, php, etc is lags. It lags when you scroll, move to a new page, etc.

    For simple websurfing, it fails. If all you plan on doing is typing up on notepad, ya. Go ahead. Have Office 2k7? Play with lag. It lags when I type.

    FYI, I cleaned off the XP Home they had on there and installed a clean copy of XP Pro. I thought it would help with the lagging, but needless to say. It didn't.
  • MamiyaOtaru - Monday, July 20, 2009 - link

    stop making glossy bodied netbooks. They look like trash as soon as someone touches them. Also never make glossy screened netbooks. I want to see what I'm working on, not my reflection. WOn't buy any eee past the original 900 because of this.
  • kawatwo - Sunday, July 19, 2009 - link

    Futisu and Sony both have 2 Ghz atoms overseas now in the P and the u820. It shouldn' be long before they make there way here. Also, it costs a little more but people always forget Asus own N10J mmodel with the gforce 9300m which makes it a pretty well rounded machine. A 2 Ghz N10 would be pretty remarkable I would think.

    I'm waiting for the 2 Ghz U820 though as I travel by motorcycle whenever possible.
  • AstroGuardian - Sunday, July 19, 2009 - link

    Hmmm.. 2Hhz? Like 5% more horsepower? Not feeling like waiting for it lol.

    I think the netbook future will be pushing the limits to portable CPUs and GPUs. Nowdays netbook CPUs are useless except for bare computer needs. Right?
  • Wesleyrpg - Saturday, July 18, 2009 - link

    hey guys, i know the MSI Wind 123 already has an impressive battery life, but how would it perform with an Intel SSD and would there be any better battery life?
  • richwenzel - Saturday, July 18, 2009 - link

    The lenovo s12 and the samsung nc20 both have the new via nano. I believe asus has a netbook and possibly dell as well with the nano.

    the nano supposedly can do blue ray. It would have been nice to see the differences between the two.

    the nc20 is a bit pricier, at $500-$550 or so, but the lenovo can be had for around $400.

    there is another company call top crown, www.tct.hk that looks they have some interesting developments with the nano
  • piasabird - Saturday, July 18, 2009 - link

    What is the appeal of a miniature laptop which is slow and underpowered? Better yet, just build a small nettop with a real processor. One thing I tend to wonder is why these Atom motherboards are so inexpensive, yet the via Mini-ITX motherboards are so expensive. Maybe it is just mass production fueled by the want of people for a smaller computer. Myself, I think you could just as easily hook it up to an external HD widescreen monitor. This would give such a device more appeal.

    You could just make a phone that could plug into a monitor. Why carry around a big nettop? I think it is just as possible.
  • SilthDraeth - Friday, July 17, 2009 - link

    My brother bought an EEE specifically to run some DJing software on it, so he didn't have to lug around his Macbook. Unfortunately it couldn't handle it. He then couldn't sell it on Ebay, only scammers tried to buy it.

    Not blaming the netbook, and he had the money to throw away, and still makes use of it. But something with a bit more horsepower than a slight processor clock speed increase would be very welcome.

    Looks like we may have to wait a bit longer though.

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