ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell 10.1Inch Pearl Black
December 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under $300 - $400, Asus, Products, Small Laptops For Business, Small Laptops For Home
The ultra portable Asus Eee PC 1008HA Seashell weighs only 2.4 lbs and measures a mere one inch thin. Within its slick shell it packs the latest ATOM CPU from Intel, the N280, which a offers 667MHz FSB, the fastest in its class. With a 6-hour battery, built-in WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, as well as a 1.3MP webcam and Digital Array Mic, the 1008HA allows you to stay connected wherever you go and do so comfortably. Its 92%-scaled ergonomic keyboard and Multi-Touch touchpad make it a breeze to type and navigate through content. But the feature that truly captures most attention is its innovative design. Inspired by one of nature's most beautiful creations, the seashell, the 1008HA's slick curves and smooth lines offer contemporary style and effortless sophistication. To protect your investment, ASUS also includes a sleeve case with the 1008HA, perfect for carrying your 1008HA while out and about. ....read more Average Customer Rating
Brand: Asus Model: 1008HA-PU1X-BK Price: $429.99 |   | |
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4 out of 5
ASUS With Another Fantastic (But not Perfect) Product
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
As an “experienced” netbook user and owner for the past year, I’ve personally gone through 4 different netbooks and tried out a few others at stores. Before getting to my thoughts on the 1008HA, I’d like to comment that it wasn’t easy pulling the trigger on this netbook as I’ve already owned the 1000HA and still own the 1000HE. I considered this laptop a potential downgrade due to its reduced battery life, non-removable battery, and non-upgradeable ram (it is, but you lose the warranty and can fry your laptop if not done properly). However, the aesthetics of the laptop as well as the weight savings were also compellign me to get this laptop. So, after finding a good deal online, I am now the proud owner of the 1008 for the past 3 weeks.
I also want to add that Asus netbooks are “easier” to use and even feel of a higher quality than Acer’s netbooks. The Acer Aspire Ones arent bad persay, but I would choose Asus over Acer anyday. The Asus Superhybrid Engine really is nice in how it allows you to change the settings of the processor for your needs with the click of a button! To my knowledge, Acers lack such a program and require you to click on the battery icon to change the power settings (like all laptops).
Even though functionally, it feels alot like the other Asus netbooks, I felt the keyboard was vastly improved over older netbooks, and I even prefer the tightly-spaced, flat keys on the 1008 versus the flimsy-ish chiclet style of the 1000HE. The 1000HE had a weird tendency to randomly insert “return”s even though I wouldnt hit the return key. The lack of flex on the 1008 keyboard isn’t something that you think about until you’ve realized its benefits! Next, the 1008 is significantly thinner than the 1000HA & 1000HE. When i went back to my 1000HE for a bit, I thought it was super thick and even “heavy” (lol at 3.5 lbs). The track pad is also a very nice stylistic update from older models as rather than the standard black plastic trackpad, the 1008 features a color-matching, “studded” mousepad that blends in with the rest of the chasis, but is easily discernable by the bumps on the pad itself. While it’s still just a trackpad, this one definitely feels easier to use since you don’t ever need to look down to see where your finger is at! (Definitely a plus while using it in a dark room)
Also, the rated battery life of 6 hrs is not too exaggerated as I could get 5+ hrs with wifi turned on and using Firefox. Im sure it would hit 6 with no wifi, low screen brightness, and on “PowerSave” mode.
Btw, Asus includes a form fitting black laptop sleeve in the 1008, so don’t buy one! the White one includes a black case too…kinda wish they made it white
**Potential Issues**
One concern that I had was the glossy screen as I’ve owned glossy screens before and outdoors they are a pain in the a$$! However, the 1008′s screen isnt bad at all outdoors and it has been okay so far. I also realized that I really don’t use the laptop outdoors that much anyways as there usually isnt wifi in a park or a random park bench….so what would you be using the netbook for anyways? lol The screen quality is extremely crisp and clear, and the LED-lit LCD screen is very easy on the eyes. Most netbooks nowadays have LED-lit LCD screens and it makes a big difference during longer usage. If a glossy screen concerns you, the other reviews decrying how “reflective” this screen are exaggerated and its really not that bad, if at all.
Longer term, the non-removable battery could be a problem as I use all my laptops/netbooks with the battery removed when plugged into the AC adapter. This saves some of the battery life longer term since its not being continously recharged. Also, after a few more instructive videos on the RAM upgrade, I will attempt to upgrade the ram to 2GB as I feel its necessary for a netbook running an intel Atom. The 2 usb ports can be problematic as the “covers” for the USB areas can obstruct larger devices so make sure you don’t use bulky USB-powered devices (like the battery charger that I use
) These same covers also aren’t of the best build, so longer term, they could break off. This could be a good or bad thing for some.
**Conclusion**
Overall, if you already own the other Asus line of netbooks (10″ and up), getting the 1008 could be considered unnecessary unless you REALLY value the weight savings and the much sleeker look of the 1008. the 1000HA and 1000he both (and also 1005) all have signficantly better battery life (6 cell versions), are EASILY upgraded, and would therefore fare as well or better than the 1008 in almost all respects. However, if you’re looking to get a netbook and want something of good battery life, easy-to-type, and SUPER good looks, I would highly recommend the 1008 and this particular model sets itself apart from the other netbooks I’ve seen or owned.
Stay Away from Asus!
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
We’ve been waiting nearly two months to get the power cord replaced!
We bought an Asus EeePc for my 11 year old son in mid-October 2009. He was so excited to have his own computer.
After a week, the power cord failed. We called to get a replacement. It was supposed to come in a week, that turned into another week, and then a month. By then, amazon’s one month return had passed because I lost track of the delay.
It’s not mid-December, and we still don’t have a charger. That’s going on two months.
My son asks just about every day when his computer is going to work again. I call Asus every few days. They keep telling me that we’ll be getting a new power cord in a few days, but they can’t tell me when one will ship or confirm when new power cords will be in stock.
This is my first Asus. And my last. I’ve had computers at home and at work from Apple, Dell, IBM/Lenovo, Gateway, Sun, and a few other companies. Never have I had a runaround like this. Check out all the other complaints about the power cords for some models. And check out the complaints on the delays.
There are other companies that make inexpensive networks. I’m sure any of them have better support than Asus. I’m sure these work great for some people. But why take a chance that you might get one of the defective power cords and have to go through this hell.
I Love This Thing, But It IS Fragile
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I have had the 1008HA now for about two weeks. It worked well on a week-long trans-Pacific trip.
Here are the Pros:
- The light weight makes carrying it around very convenient.
- Ergonomics are very good. Smooth edges make holding it comfortable.
- Fast wireless capability means that you don’t have to wait for a slow connection. (802.11n)
- Display is very bright and clear. Even at minimum display brightness, you have easy reading in most situations.
- Track pad is well above average. My IBM T61 and my Toughbook CF-30 trackpads seem totally clunky by comparison.
- Speed is everything that I need. Of course I don’t use it for heavy duty processing intensive tasks like CAD or games, since the display is smaller than what those kinds of software require.
Two problems have shown up in the first weeks.
- First and most important, the case is not very sturdy. Since I could tell that this was the case, (bad pun) I packed the 1008HA in its sleeve, put it into my shoulder-bag with notepads on one side and two paperback books on the other side. Well, the books were on the side facing the back of the display and when the bag was stuffed into the trunk of one of the taxi cabs on my trip, something pushed in between the two books and they caused the case to flex enough to crack the display. Now there are black splotches and a crack line running diagonally across the screen. It is still usable, but it is a little annoying. I hope that it doesn’t fail completely on me.
- Second problem is lack of a hardware reset capability. Since the batteries are built-in, you can’t remove them to power-down when the soft power switch does not work. There was a system crash while it was starting to go to sleep. The power button would not respond. CTL-ALT-DEL wouldn’t. Many of the function keys would, but who needs display brightness when you need to reboot? The only solution that I came up with was to leave the display brightness at max and let the battery run down. This takes some time depending on the state of charge. Since this was found in the morning, the 1008HA could not go with me that day while I worked, since you have to keep the cover open to keep the display on.
Some people might toss a computer that had a display problem. Some would blame the manufacturer. Some would get it fixed. I prefer to live and learn. Don’t pack it in a bag with a possible pressure point on the display side. Or on either side for safety’s sake.
The 1008HA will ride along with me on my commute in the bus. (it has Wi-Fi) I will carry it with me in my jersey pocket on my bicycle. It will go just about anywhere.
Great value and performance!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
It was time for me to get a new computer (I have been using a very small and light Sony for the past four years.) I conducted a ton of research on netbooks and landed on the Asus 1008HA (seashell.) All of the specs and reviews made it the obvious choice over the equiv Lenovo and HP. I have been extremely happy with it so far! It weights 2.4lbs, has good battery life (4-6 hrs) and cost about $[...]! I can literally place this computer in my wife’s purse. I wouldn’t purchase a netbook if I needed to use heavy duty programs, but for surfing the web, working on .ppt or Excel docs this model has it all!
Beware of Warranty
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
The ac adapter failed and Wendy the supervisor at ASUS gave me the run-around and will not honor the 1 year warranty. The warranty card plainly states that the warranty covers everything but, the battery or free accessories such as mice or laptop bag. She says that excludes them from covering the AC adapter that is integral to using the laptop. I contend that the AC Adapter is not a free accessory. Wendy is at the Customer Support Line they keep putting in these review responses and their job is to tell you that your warranty does not mean what it reads. I believe they have made a business decision to not stand behind these because they have a high failure rate on the AC adapter. I believe it will cost them more in unhappy customers than they gain by cheating us out of our warranty. I have bought many ASUS products in the past and thought they were a reputable company. I can not recommend them in the future.
Okay Computer With Horrible Customer Support
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Bought this laptop in June. After 3 months of use the AC adapter failed. Called customer support over 10 times over a period of a month. Worst customer experience I have ever had. The people they have working there are incompetent and do not care.
First they said they will ship me a adapter but I will have to pay to ship the old one back. Filled out RMA forms and faxed to them. After a week they sent me the wrong item! Had to ship the wrong item back. Waited 2 weeks and nothing happened. After numerous calls they said they are out and won’t know when they will be back in stock. They still have not called me back and I doubt they ever will.
Now I have a dead laptop sitting there accumulating dust.
I would NOT recommend buying this item at all. Their warranty is a joke if it breaks you’re on your own.
Power connector problems
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
The issue with this was the flimsy power connector. On the first day of use the power connector had a loose feeling (it’s a very flimsy, weak jack). I had to push it in, and not move it too much or it would stop charging. After a week or so I had to apply light pressure in one direction to get the power connector to actually deliver power. This signals a poorly constructed machine – but the shipping company took it back, and is allegedly refunding my money.
nice netbook!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Great netbook. very good WIFI. Extremely good battery life and XP operating system. Only downside is you can’t easily upgrade the internal memory: don’t even try if you are not well trained and equipped.
great overall netbook
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
very nice looking netbook, thin, light and i like the glossy case. has the faster N280 1.66ghz cpu and performs good. Runs windows 7 great. downsides are that it only has 2 usb ports and to upgrade the memory you have to completely tear this one apart which voids the warranty. i would probably go with the 1005 version though due to the extended battery life and extra usb port.
Great Netbook
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This netbook is great but there are some drawbacks that you might consider before buying it:
- glossy display, hard to read in bright environments
- you need to holf Fn key to press page-up/page-down (together with up/down keys)
- single button tracking pad, kind of annoying if you are used to simultaneous left-and-right clicks (e.g. paste operation in Linux)
Everything else is perfect in my opinion, this is my choice of netbook.
Great keyboard, great track pad great connectivity, great looks…
BTW, it kicks ACER One D250 ass!
Hinges are flimsy – need to baby it
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
The electronics on this machine are impressive. Work well that way. But you need to beware of the very flimsy construction of this machine. You will need to baby it as the hinges on this computer are somewhat delicate. Also the screen casing came apart on me as well. This is not a good machine to have if you travel extensively and knock the computer about. It is a rather delicate piece of equipment that cannot take a lickin and keep on tickin. Moreover there is no easy way to upgrade the ram. You will have to send it in if you want to upgrade the ram.
On a positive note, the keyboard and screen are excellent. It is light and very svelte. It is a great looking machine. It responds well. I added Ubuntu to it and it really ran well. The XP version that comes with it is pretty snappy. So no complaints with the basic operation of the unit. I just need a machine that can take a bit of knocking around and this one doesn’t fit the bill. My next netbook will probably be an Acer Aspire 1 which is much hardier in terms of hardware.
Love it till you warranty support
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
My husband bought one for me for my anniversary. I love it. I carried it everywhere and used it everywhere. Then the power supply failed, less than two months after I got it. Called warranty, waited days, called back, waited, faxed documents, got pissed, called again. The part is on backorder till the end of september which is what they told me on August 20. Called at the end of September, part is now backordered another two weeks. I’ve now called six times. Can’t even get their customer support managers to call me back. Meanwhile, it’s a beautiful paperweight.
Wonderful netbook, runs windows 7 awesome and I love it as much as my iphone but the company completely lets it down.
Excellent Netbook
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This netbook has by far the best industrial design shape and look of any netbook I have seen and touched in person. It just feels super slim in your hands due to svelte tapers and rounded edges from its thickest point. I have found that battery life is very good at a usable screen brightness, and compared to a typical laptop this seems to keep going and going. The up time, of course, does not match the ‘ideal conditions’ quoted battery rating, but that is a universal issue across the board with most battery operated devices. The power cord and brick are also the smallest I have owned for any laptop. The brick is maybe 1″x3″x3/4,” I wish more laptops came with a truly portable power supply such as this.
I loaded the release candidate of windows 7 and immediately upgraded the memory with a 2GB stick and haven’t looked back. The memory upgrade is definitely not for the faint of heart and should not be attempted by anyone that has not had experience with hardware modification. It requires splitting the machines case and removing almost all of the internal components after disconnecting several VERY delicate ribbon cables. However it was worth the trouble to me as Windows 7 works great on this netbook.
Points to think about before purchasing:
1. All of the ports have connected covers to add to the smooth design appearance of the laptop. If you intend to hook an array of devices up to it on a regular basis these covers could get annoying. Personally we don’t use the netbook this way and I like the design look.
2. Difficulty in upgrading the RAM. See above.
3. The track pad and mouse ‘button’ on this model are different. To add to the clean design aesthetic the track pad is simply a rectangular zone of bumps on the case below the keyboard. This actually works well once the lack of an edge has been adjusted too. The tactile feedback of the bumps is something I find to be preferable to a regular track pad. The button design though would be my single biggest complaint. While it is a right click/left click setup, the buttons are on a single rocking bar/button. To perform an actual left click (the most common one) your finger generally has to rest on the left most portion of the rocker to leverage a click. Two regular buttons would be much preferred.
4. The keyboard is high quality, but a noticeable size difference from a regular keyboard. The feedback of the buttons is great, but I would not plan on writing any research papers on it.
I bought this for surfing the web and emailing anywhere, along with being a convenient vacation traveling laptop (watching movie files, offloading and viewing photos from cameras, loading music on ipods, etc.). In such an application the device is absolutely perfect.
Great Little Computer
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This computer operates just like advertised. Great WIFI. It has extremely good battery life and XP operating system. Only downside is the owner’s manual states that individuals should not try to install additional memory.
great netbook
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
every thing is great except the audio of the speakers when i use the messenger
ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell 10.1-Inch Pearl White Netbook – 6 Hour Battery Life
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Great for Travel. No cd rom and kinda slow for editing pictures and video.
Rápido como um PC
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Apesar da sua leveza, abre fácil o XP, navega rápido com uma tela muito viva, tem rede wi-fi N, e o bluetooth permite ligações pelo Skype com o uso de fones de ouvidos sem fio usados nos celulares. A bateria realmente chega a seis horas. Dá para carregar o dia inteiro e levar a qualquer lugar. Superou as expectativas.
lovely
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
i am very happy with my new netbook, i am still did work with i very much, i was busy but i will enjoy it specially in my holidays abroad, becuse is so small and light that you forget if you have it with you, very fast and nice sound, that was the only worried i have before i used at home but is perfect.