Asus Eee PC 1000HE review

Asus's latest model in its Eee PC netbook range makes numerous improvements on its predecessors.

The 1000HE uses the new 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, which doesn't sound much quicker than the 1.6GHz N270 found in most netbooks, but it has a faster 667MHz frontside bus, a 25 per cent increase over the N270. This gives quicker access to the memory, hard disk and other system devices. The performance boost is noticeable; it completed our benchmark tests 12 per cent quicker than N270-based netbooks.

The 1000HE's screen uses a matt finish to reduce reflections from overhead lights and sunlight. We compared it side by side with our current Best Buy netbook, the Samsung NC10, and found the picture quality to be slightly better. We particularly liked its accurate colours and strong contrast. It's not quite as bright, though, and the screen's matt finish causes a noticeable grainy effect.

Sadly, the keyboard and touchpad don't compare as well with the NC10's. The keys are flat, separated from each other by a small space and not firmly mounted, so they tend to wobble when struck. The result is that your fingertip can easily slip off the key and, coupled with the limited travel, this makes feedback minimal and touch-typing less comfortable than it could be on a keyboard of this size.

The touchpad, though larger than the NC10's, is less sensitive. It comes with drivers that support multi-touch gestures, such as two- and three-finger swipes and taps. These perform various useful functions, but are hard to perform in such a small space. Apple's latest MacBook also uses such gestures, but its touchpad is almost four times the size. The touchpad buttons are stiff, but are mounted right on the edge of the case where your thumb naturally rests.

The 1000HE has a 160GB hard disk, as opposed to the smaller solid state drives (SSDs) found in some other netbooks, such as the Dell Mini 9. Although this gives more room for your files, SSDs are generally sturdier, lighter, faster and more power-efficient. Despite this, we were impressed by the 1000HE's battery life of almost seven hours in our tests. It weighs only 1.5kg, so it's ideal for work on the move. It's not as light as the NC10, however, which lasted for eight hours in our test, and the 1000HE's large screen hinge makes it a little more bulky.

Like other netbooks, it doesn't have the features you'd find on even a budget 15in laptop. There's no optical drive, only three USB ports and no HDMI output. There is, however, a Draft-N wireless adaptor, which you won't find on many netbooks, including even the NC10. Of course, you'll need a Draft-N-compatible router to take advantage of the higher transfer speeds that this standard offers. Like the NC10, it has built-in Bluetooth, too.

The 1000HE is an improvement on previous Eee netbooks, with better application performance and an impressive battery life, but it still isn't up to the high standard set by Samsung. The NC10 is lighter, has a slightly longer battery life and superior input devices, and therefore retains its crown as our Best Buy netbook. However, if you have Draft-N wireless at home and want a speedier wireless connection, the 1000HE is a decent alternative, and its two-year warranty offers additional peace of mind.