ASUS Eee PC 1201N: Dual-Core Atom + ION FTW?
by Jarred Walton on December 24, 2009 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Windows OS Performance
We didn't have time to get boot/shut down numbers from the 1005PE for our initial review, so we have them in this article. Really, these are just numbers for the most part. Faster systems boot slower in some cases, and some of the Atom systems boot rather quickly all things considered. We've tried our best to optimize all of the test systems by removing unwanted software, but some of them still "stall" between the login prompt and the Windows desktop for 10 to 15 seconds.
The 1201N isn't really anything special in most of these OS related tasks, typically placing in the middle of the pack. The 1005PE benefits from having only 1GB in the hibernate/resume tests. As for the EC5409u, it manages to load Windows faster than any of the other tested laptops at just 39 seconds. Both ASUS laptops suffer from the aforementioned delay between the login prompt and the desktop. Also noteworthy is that the 1005HA places higher than the 1005PE in most of these tests, indicating perhaps better BIOS and software optimizations - it remains by far the fastest laptop to POST, taking less than half as long as the second place 1005PE in that metric.
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chrnochime - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
Some of us don't want to lug around a 14" and its requisite 9 cell battery plus the charger and the bag.I'd still take the SU2300 version over this, that's cheaper and faster.
mindless1 - Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - link
But some of us DO want to lug around a netbook with at least a 9 cell battery.I chuckle every time someone thinks "I'll only use it X amount of time", as if it's really acceptable to them to have to make a beeline to a power socket to recharge it every chance they get. THAT is far far far far more of a burden than the extra few ounces and cubic centimeters 3 x more 18650(?) cells take up.
It's just plain madness. Even if you don't need that runtime when it's new, it'll retain the runtime you do need a couple years later rather than requiring another battery. IMO, a battery pack should last the viable lifespan of the system even if they have to move to LiPOFE4 and make it twice the size it already is! No more packs bursting into flames would be an added bonus.
/rant
yyrkoon - Friday, December 25, 2009 - link
"Lug around a 14" laptop" ? "requisite 9 cell battery" ? Netbooks do not have chargers, or bags ?All I can say is wow. Anything more, and I will become the troll. . . . Or maybe I already am ? Because some people can not handle criticism ?
san1s - Saturday, December 26, 2009 - link
I'm guessing he/she means that the netbook's battery life is long enough to not require a charger and/or additional batteries, and that it is so small that you do not need a separate bag.sublifer - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
I'd like to see the Gateway EC1435u compared or an equivalent. These cheap dual-core celeron proc's probably would smear the atoms across the floor. Same price, same size, better performance. :)yacoub - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
I am SUPER disappointed by the crappy LCD in this netbook. That was one of the things I was most hoping they would improve alongside the better CPU and GPU. :(Thanks for the review!!
SilthDraeth - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
Asus is an ODM and one of the largest lap top designers out there. I don't get why they add stupid features like a rocker mouse button to their own branded laptops, and netbooks. Also, why are they sticking to the glossy plastic. Gloss only looks good in a display window. Most people prefer the flat black that some Dells come with.I certainly hope they don't design it to be inferior to justify the low price of selling, and design their higher end laptops with the features people like/want.
withog - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
Curious how the amd congo powered (dual core mv40+radeon hd3200) will fare up to its dual core atom+ion sibling.Should be cheaper (no hdmi, 7 starter ed.), lesser battery life (processor tdp of 18w), more appealing looks (silver version should cut the gloss at least) and i guess the overall performance should be more balanced as processor seems to be more closer to culv levels than d330.
IdBuRnS - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
"I can comfortably type on such a laptop, though I still prefer full-size ergonomic ("natural") keyboards"So you've come across many portables with full-size ergonomic keyboards? Doubtful, so why even mention it in a portable review?
brybir - Thursday, December 24, 2009 - link
He is letting you know what he prefers so that when he says "I dont like X, it is because I prefer Y" you have some basis of comparison. Would his review be better if it just said "I don't like the keyboard because its small"? That is nothing but a subjective statement, and when he makes those subjective statements, he qualifies them as a good reviewer does, rather than pass something that is only opinion off as fact.This would be different if he were talking about build quality of the keyboard, key response or anything else that is objective, but I for one like when authors qualify subjective comments like the one you quoted above so I know why they think what they do.