New Gadget: Asus EEE PC

Fresh delivery from Amazon. 1 Asus EEE PC and 1GB of So-Dimm Ram.



If you aren't familiar with this device, here's the run down:

-900Mhz Intel Celeron Processor
-512MB RAM
-4GB Solid State Drive (~2GB available)
-Integrated 802.11 b/g WiFi
-Webcam
-7" Screen (800x480)
-3 USB 2.0 Ports
-VGA output
-Headphone & Mic Jacks
-10/100 Ethernet Jack
-SD card slot (Compatible with SD and SDHC)
-Customized Xandros Linux OS

Weighs in at around 2lbs. Granted, at this size, the keyboard is teeny-tiny. It will take some getting used to, what with my E.T. fingers and all.
We bought this as a replacement for our 5+ year old 12" Powerbook. It's dead. :( The replacement just needed to be small, simple, inexpensive, and "internet capable". And I'm happy to say, this thing fills all requirements wonderfully!

The default OS is VERY simplified. Large icons representing either installed applications or links to web apps that open in the default browser, Firefox. It's executed very well for it's purpose. For the more adventurous amongst us, you can initiate an "Advanced mode" that is similar in layout to Windows XP. In fact, Asus supplies instructions and a DVD that allows you to install WinXP if you so choose. Many people have had great success with this by making custom installs using nlite. Reports of <600mb href="http://www.eeeuser.com/">This place has pretty much all information you could possibly want on using, tweaking, and playing with the EEE.

Priced at $399 for the 4GB model ("Surf", 2GB, and 8GB models also available) it fits somewhere between a PDA and a full size, desktop replacement laptop. So far, I am VERY please and impressed.

To the pictures!

EEE and Nintendo DS

Same stuff, different view

Yeah, it's a HD-DVD, so what? Ya wanna fight about it?!

New Gadget: Sansa Clip

I've been on the look out for a small, inexpensive, and simple mp3 player for a while now. The iPod shuffle was on my list, especially after a recent price cut. That is until I found this:



Sandisk Sansa Clip. This one is a 2GB. It also comes in 1 and 4GB varieties with 5 color choices amongst them. As you can see it has a small OLED screen, something that the Shuffle lacks. It plays MP3, WMA, Secure WMA, and Audible formats. No AAC support here, but if you still like to use iTunes like I do, then it's very easy to convert those files into MP3's without too much hassle.

It also has a FM tuner, FM recorder, and Voice recorder. It is quickly gaining popularity in the Hi-Fi crowd as it seems to have some of the best audio output of ANY player on the market right now. It's not unusual for an audiophile to pair this cheapy player with a "less than cheap" set of headphones and/or an headphone amp. While I didn't go that far, I did swap out the crap packaged earbuds with some cheap Skullcandy Ink'd. These aren't the best, but they were $15 at Target (B&M) and work well for working out, running, etc. For at home listening I use my Bose Triports. Say what you want about Bose, but I got them at a great price and they are BY FAR the most comfortable headphones I've wrapped around my tremendous dome.

Back to the player: All of these features for the lowly price of $49.88!!! I had my local Best Buy price match Walmart.com. The local Wallies didn't have the 2GB in stock. BB did, but wanted $59.99 for it. Boo. The 4GB will set you back $79 from Best Buy or Sansa direct.

I hope the introduction of this product spurs Apple into producing something similar. Or at least dropping the price on the Shuffle even further. 2GB mp3 player with no screen for $79? OR a superior product with more features for $49? Gee, let me think....

Clip & Pedometer

1st Gen Nano, Clip, Pedometer