The new Asus Eee PC X101 netbook featuring MeeGo Linux operating system is fairly equipped with capabilities you’d expect from any budget laptop in on the market, it comes with a 3 cell battery offering up to 4 hours run time. The introduction of PC X101 netbook slightly shifts the manufacturer’s recent undivided attention on ultrabooks; Asus has been on the fore front among major industry players to introduce UX21 and UX31 complying with Intel’s set guidelines defining ultrabooks category of laptops. There are significant resemblances of Asus Eee PC X101 netbook with its siblings UX21 and UX31 such as a solid state drive despite not being classified as an ultrabook. In addition, PC X101 is an entry level laptop featuring a 1.33GHz Intel Atom N435 processor which symbolizes a valuable clue on its expected retail price tag; ultrabooks are popular due to their low prices estimated below $1000 for first generation laptops and slightly above for high-end devices.
There have been many concerns to netbook’s future after the emergence of ultrabooks; unlike netbooks such as Asus Eee PC X101 running on Intel’s Atom processors, ultrabooks are equipped with faster Intel core i3-i7 processors and have a higher screen resolution compared to netbooks. Looking at Asus Eee PCX101 mini-netbook, there is some reliefs though as it provides easy access to internal components such as RAM and Solid State Drive making it easier to upgrade. In addition, the device runs on MeeGo Linux operating system of which I consider pretty fascinating considering its responsive rate, decent web browser and integrated OpenOffice.org software. Despite a cramped keyboard and a matte display panel among other hardware specifications that are inline with a low end netbook, Asus Eee PC X101’s specifications completely concur with its $200 retail price; in fact, you can purchase your own PC X101 and install the operating system of choice.
Despite an impressive MeeGo Linux operating system in terms of response and web browser, the OS has limited applications available through the Apps store; however, its anticipated third party applications will soon start trickling on the market as manufacturers continue to produce devices running on MeeGo software. If you are not a patient type, consider installing your own version of OS such as Ubuntu, Mandriva, OpenSuse, Debian or Fedora with available third party applications for better user experience. As I’ve indicated earlier, there are several resemblances between Asus X101 netbook and ultrabooks including a slim 17.6mm thick design and less than 920 grams weight.
Asus Eee PC X101 Features/Specifications;
· MeeGo Linux Operating system with Asus Apps store
· 1.33GHz Intel Atom N435 processor
· 10.1 inch (1024×600) LED backlit WSVGA display panel
· 1GB DDR3 RAM; 1xS0-DIMM, up to 2GB RAM
· 2.5 inch 8GB Solid State Drive
· 0.3-Megapixel Web cam, two 2.0 USB Ports, one MicroSD card reader
· 2GB Dropbox web storage, Bluetooth v3.0, WLAN at 802.11b/g/n
Asus Eee PC X101 Price in Kenya: $200 (expected price)
