Asus Eee PC 1201N

Asus were the company behind the first ultra-popular netbooks, and their latest offerings show no shortage of innovation and value. The Eee PC 1201N still carries the well-known Eee PC name, but with a 12.1” display does it really qualify as a netbook?

According to many fans, yes it does. Asus’s latest Eee PC model, the 1201N, might not look like a netbook, but given its slick internal design and low price point, many ultra-portable fans and mobile computing gurus are calling it the most impressive computer in the modern netbook market.

At first glance the Eee PC 1201N appears to fall into the same category as Apple’s Macbook Air – too big to be considered an ultra-portable netbook, but slightly too small and travel-focused to be considered a laptop on its own. While the Eee PC 1201N features a dual-core processor and 250GB hard drive, it still feels like a netbook.

And for many, that’s not a good thing. The Eee PC 1201N’s plastic shell isn’t particularly solid, giving it a slightly weak feel. While the smaller Eee PC’s were renowned for strength and design simplicity, the 1201N features a glossy plastic design that more closely resembles a low-cost laptop that it does a travel-friendly netbook.

The relatively wide keyboard covers the entire bottom width, giving users a more comfortable surface for typing than the cramped standard netbook arrangement. The Eee PC 1201N uses the same key separation style as the recent Macbooks – keys are separated by the unit’s body itself, and are packed tightly together to stop liquid, dust, and other irritants from falling into the computer body.

Power users will notice the huge amount of power on tap in the Eee PC 1201N, at least by ultra-portable standards. The standard processor is a dual-core Intel Atom, delivering roughly twice as much power as similar netbooks and leading to a significant performance increase. While the 1201N can’t compete with full-size laptops on performance, it can complete tasks quickly.

Asus have clearly paid attention to the mobile gaming community, as the Eee PC 1201N makes use of an Nvidia ION graphics card. One of the few ultra-portable laptops to make use of dedicated graphics and video hardware, the Eee PC 1201N can handle some basic gaming tasks. Of course, as a dedicated gaming PC it’s very lacking in terms of 3D performance.

While ideal for telecommuters and remote workers, the Asus Eee PC 1201N isn’t quite the king of the netbook market just yet. Its relatively large size – 12.1 inches vs. the standard 10.1 – makes it a difficult backpack PC. In addition, it’s flimsy construction and tacky plastic appearance don’t appear to offer the strength required for serious on-the-go use and travel computing.

However, for professionals looking for a useful portable laptop for home, airplane, and occasional commuting use, the Eee PC 1201N is a worthwhile option. Great battery life and a decent display make the Eee PC 1201N worthwhile for mobile computing, while its size and cheap construction make it hard to recommend as a full-time travel PC.

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