My Interest Products Review & Recommend

The Best Netbook: Why? ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU

: keanwoo; October 19th, 13:53

The Best Netbook: Why? ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU
The Asus Eee PC 1005 HA-P is the best available netbook right now. Why? Read on. I have had many mini-computers, from the original Poquet PC to the Zeos Contenda, and most recently the Dell 700m. When I recently started looking into purchasing a netbook, I was impressed with the battery life of the Asus Eee PC 1000HE. However, since I do a lot of word processing, the keyboard and the touchpad buttons were a real concern. When I found out about the Dell Mini 10v coming out, I ordered one with upgrades to a six cell battery and larger hard drive. To make a long story short, the track pad buttons (inside the track pad, no less) are a nightmare and the battery protruding on the bottom is an ugly compromise. Add the high running temperature to the poorer than expected battery life, and the Dell went back.

Then Amazon posted a note on the 1000HE description that a replacement computer was coming with a link to a page for the 1005HA-P. The 1008HA was not a consideration because of the non-removable battery and significantly shorter battery life. I received the 1005HA-P on July 2. The form factor of the 1005HA as a clam shell works quite well for me. While the shiny black case is beautiful it does pick up fingerprints; however, a quick wipe with a soft cloth takes care of it. I like the solid feel and the soft protective sleeve that comes with it. The ways the screen opens (down and behind the netbook) enables a smaller footprint when the case is closed, although it limits how far back the screen will tilt. The keyboard has a responsive feel and the larger keys (than the 1000HE or my Dell 700m) along with the oversize right shift key are a real plus. Word processing is smooth and fast. I especially like the button in the upper left that disables the track pad - quite helpful to avoid unintended cursor movement. The smaller arrow keys on the bottom right are a reasonable compromise, and I like the track pad with the raised dots (unlike some other reviewers).

The Wi-Fi range was better on the Dell but acceptable on the Asus. I definitely have not experienced the problems another reviewer mentioned about the Wi-Fi. I have used it on many different routers with no problem. It runs MS Office 2007 without a hitch. Surfing the net is a breeze, but I did have one “blue screen of death” when dealing with one demanding internet site. I have experienced no other serious problems in the month since I have had it.

Battery life? I would say it is not all that far from the advertised 10+ hours, depending on your settings. The Atom 280 processor seems faster than my Dell 700m or Mini 10v (although this is purely subjective), and I do plan to upgrade the memory to 2 gigs, thankfully quite easy with the small removable door on the bottom. The bottom of the computer does get a little warm after long use, but nothing like the heat of the Dell Mini. I have not experienced the problems with the battery charger mentioned by other reviewers either. It charges quickly and shuts off when finished. I have hooked it up to a portable DVD drive and it loaded programs with no problem.

Over all, this computer is all that I was looking for in a netbook. The light weight, the battery life, the keyboard, the non-protruding removable battery, the bright screen, the track pad disable button and general ease of use makes it hard to beat. I find it extremely satisfying to use. Yes, I did have an airplane trip in the last couple of days, and was thankful for the small size when the person in front of me reclined their seat back all the way for the whole flight. I could not have continued using a larger laptop. Taking the machine through airport security is so much easier than doing the same with a full size notebook or even the 700m.

For those who are looking for a netbook for general use and internet surfing I don’t believe you can find a better one out there.

By D. Goodheart “Heartfelt”

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Exactly what you think it is, but surprisingly good workout,

: keanwoo; October 17th, 22:50

Exactly what you think it is, but surprisingly good workout

June 11, 2009

By	Michael Ayres (Seattle)

I will mirror the sentiments of many reviews I read here..

Stamina 55-1610 InMotion E1000 Elliptical Trainer

- It's really cool to have a tiny portable elliptical trainer.

- The workout is surprisingly good; I'm fairly fit, and 20-30 minutes hammering away away at this does me in. If I want to watch half a movie, it is quite a work-out.

- Not a replacement for a nice run or bike in the sun, but for a guy that hates to run by himself (me), it's a real nice pinch hitter.

- It's very quiet. You hear it, but just sort of a light whoosh, maybe some little clicks sometimes. NOT distracting.

- The short range of motion doesn't bother me. It's a cardio machine, and it does it's job.

Great customer service alert: The meter stopped working on mine after my first session. I wrote them an email, and they asked for my address to send me a whole replacement machine. VERY GENEROUS there.