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• The 1000 line’s 92% of full-size keyboards eliminate the one-finger, almost smartphone-like typing experience of older Eee designs. I have really large fingers and it is an absolute delight to do full double-handed QWERTY touch typing on the 1000HE’s keyboard. For the record, HP offers a similar keyboard in its 10.1 inch display-based Mini laptops. ASUS made a few changes to the 1000HE keyboard compared with the 1000HA. The right shift key is now in a more logical place to the left of the arrow keys. Also, there are now two FN (function) keys. The new one replaces the now moved right shift key. This makes it much easier to select the functions on the arrow keys and on the keys on the right side of the keyboard. Additionally, the keys are flat on top instead of tapering from a small top surface to a larger base as on the 1000HA. This change and a greater separation between the keys makes touch typing even easier than it is on the 1000HA. Another change from the 1000HA can be found on the bottom of the case. The large raised door through which you access memory, disk drives and other components is gone, replaced by a flat, smaller door. This feat was implemented by rounding the bottom of the case somewhat on the edges to allow for a flat door without decreasing the space inside the case. By the way, the 1000HE’s touchpad is nicely placed and easy to use, though I must admit I still prefer using a wireless mouse for most of my work. The computer’s 1.3 megapixel video camera works just fine, especially with Skype 4.0, which is part of the software bundled with the 1000HE.

• In addition to changes in its keyboard and case, the Eee PC 1000HE has a new processor, Intel’s Atom N280. The N280 is clocked at 1.66GHz, as opposed to the 1.60GHz speed of the Atom N270 used in earlier models in the ASUS 1000 line. When linked with the 945GSE chipset, as in the 1000HE, the N280 offers a slight performance increase over the N270. When the N280 is coupled with the GN40 chipset, netbooks can provide HD playback and additional graphics performance. So, look for an N280/GN40 pairing from ASUS and others soon. And, of course, new Atoms and chipsets can’t be all that far away. So, life in the netbook lane is just about as exciting and complicated as life in any other personal computing lane. ASUS Eee 1000HE ConfigurationSpecificationsProcessorIntel Atom N280Memory1GB DDR2 667 SDRAMBIOSAMI (01/21/09)Disk DriveSeagate ST9160310AS 160GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-IIDisplay Size and Resolution10 inches, 1024x600Built-in CD DriveNOChipsetIntel 945GSE, GMA 950BatteryLithium Ion, 7.2 V (measured 6.5), 8700 mAh, (measured mAh 9139)USB 2.0 Ports3Wired Network Port10/100Wireless NetworkAtheros AR928xWired NetworkAtheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 PCI-E Ethernet ControllerBluetoothYesAudio Portsmicrophone In, headphones outExternal SpeakersYesWeight3.25 poundsDimensions (LxWxD)10.5x7.5x1.25-1.75 inchesOperating SystemMicrosoft Windows XP, Service Pack 3

• ASUS Eee PC 1000HE Netbook - A Home and Office Powerhouse?

  Vendors of small, light and allegedly underpowered netbooks promote them as network browsing tools, best suited for web browsing and email. Well, folks, they’re only partially right. Some of the netbooks available today are ready for business computing prime time. Their functionality, light weight and small size, combined with their low power consumption and cost make them prime candidates for small, medium and even large businesses. One of the best business-appropriate netbooks is the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, running Windows XP. I’ve been messing with ASUS Eees since the 701. I own and have been using a 1000HA that is functionally the equivalent of the 1000HE, except for a slightly faster processor, a better designed keyboard, and somewhat different case design. So, what I write below is not simply based on a my hands-on time with the 1000HE.