Comments on: Asus Eee PC as an e-book machine: New model offers 8.9-inch screen, higher res, starting U.S. price of $499 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/03/10/asus-eee-pc-as-an-e-book-machine-new-model-offers-89-inch-screen-higher-res-starting-us-price-of-499/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:02:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: George http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/03/10/asus-eee-pc-as-an-e-book-machine-new-model-offers-89-inch-screen-higher-res-starting-us-price-of-499/#comment-733083 George Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:59:56 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/03/10/asus-eee-pc-as-an-e-book-machine-new-model-offers-89-inch-screen-higher-res-starting-us-price-of-499/#comment-733083 I'm currently using an EEE PC 701. In theory, the small size and eminently reasonable price should mean that it has a lot to recommend it as an e-book reader. There are a few bugbears though - the oversized speakers to the left and right of the screen mean that the usable display space feels quite cramped, and more serious is the rather constrained battery life - two and a half hours per charge is typical, so it's in no danger of competing with the Iliad or the PRS-505 in the endurance stakes. However, there's enough that's right with the concept to make me think that a future generation of the EEE could be a serious contender. I’m currently using an EEE PC 701. In theory, the small size and eminently reasonable price should mean that it has a lot to recommend it as an e-book reader.

There are a few bugbears though - the oversized speakers to the left and right of the screen mean that the usable display space feels quite cramped, and more serious is the rather constrained battery life - two and a half hours per charge is typical, so it’s in no danger of competing with the Iliad or the PRS-505 in the endurance stakes.

However, there’s enough that’s right with the concept to make me think that a future generation of the EEE could be a serious contender.

]]> By: Brian Carnell http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/03/10/asus-eee-pc-as-an-e-book-machine-new-model-offers-89-inch-screen-higher-res-starting-us-price-of-499/#comment-732921 Brian Carnell Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:32:57 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/03/10/asus-eee-pc-as-an-e-book-machine-new-model-offers-89-inch-screen-higher-res-starting-us-price-of-499/#comment-732921 If they can hit $499, I'd buy one. One of my co-workers got the current version and, frankly, the screen is way too small. Tablet mode would be awesome. If they could just make the screen flip with a few "back/forward" buttons, even that would be amazingly useful. If they can hit $499, I’d buy one. One of my co-workers got the current version and, frankly, the screen is way too small. Tablet mode would be awesome. If they could just make the screen flip with a few “back/forward” buttons, even that would be amazingly useful.

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