NbC: Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell (N270) Review
August 6, 2009 at 9:18 am
Build & Design
The Asus Eee PC 1005HA netbook is part of the ‘Seashell’ family that includes the slim 1008HA and 11.6-inch 1101HA. Whilst it may not look like a seashell in reality, we can see where the marketing team are coming from. A glossy lid curves elegantly down and meets flush in the middle when closed.
Asus has done a good job in making the 1005HA look almost as attractive as the 1008HA, especially considering the extra bulk the 1005HA is carrying (due to its removable battery). It’s not a thin netbook by any means, but the attractive design goes some way to making this less noticeable. One of the main aesthetic differences between the two, is that the 1005HA has no flaps over the ports, this does spoil the smooth lines somewhat. On a practical basis though, we prefer to have the ports easily accessible.
Asus has a good reputation of producing netbooks with good build quality, the Eee PC 1005HA is no exception. We noticed no creaks in the chassis when applying force and the hinge provided just the right amount of resistance.
The Eee PC 1005HA is reasonably thick, even for a 6-cell battery model, measuring 36.5mm at its thickest point. This provides a tilt when using the keyboard, making it comfortable to use in our view.
As with most netbooks, the 10-inch display is surrounded by a thick bezel that houses the webcam and digital array mic. On the inside, the palm rests were firm with no flex. This extended to the keyboard that uses flat keys rather than the chiclet (isolated) keys seen on the 1000HE. The advantage being that the 1005HA keyboard doesn’t rattle like the 1000HE did due to its chiclet keys.
The Eee PC 1005HA has a glossy lid that does a good job of attracting fingerprints. They are less noticeable on the white model than the black version though. An embossed Eee chrome logo sits in the middle.
The seashell design ensures that the netbook sits flush together when closed that gives its ‘seashell’ like appearance (supposedly). It is well designed and gives it an air of something much pricier.
As the netbook has been designed to sit flush together, getting it open can be a bit tricky. This is why Asus has provided a lip on the lid so that you can easily lift the top.
A discreet lip sits on the bottom as well, to make sure that opening the netbook is as easy as possible. When closed the top and bottom lips are barely noticeable.
Following on from the excessive number of status LEDs seen in some models (MSI Wind U115 has eight; Samsung N120 has seven), the 1005HA has a modest five. Moving from left to right, you can see the power and battery charge indicator. These lights are also included on the chassis edge, so that its status can be read when the netbook is closed. We then have the hard-drive, wireless and caps lock indicators.
When the netbook is closed, the power and battery charge indicators can still be read as seen in the picture below.
The Seashell range of netbooks have started to include a dedicated button which turns the touchpad on and off. This faux-chrome button is situated on the top left of the keyboard.
Another chrome button on the opposite side deals with powering the netbook on/off. It illuminates cool blue when in use.
The display of the 1005HA does not go back compared to other netbooks we’ve tested. There may be some situations, like when travelling, where this could be a problem. Personally, we had no issues in using the device, although we didn’t get to use the 1005HA on the road before we had to send it back.
Part of the reason why Asus did not allow the screen to be pushed back any further is due to the weight distribution. Using the seashell design means that the front part is much thinner than the back, whilst this is the case in most netbooks, it is more apparent in the 1005HA. One of the disadvantages though is that if you try to move the display too far it would simply tip backwards due to the weight of the display. We found that at its maximum stretching point, it only required small force to tip the netbook backwards.
The Eee PC 1005HA uses a glossy black bezel surrounding the display. This gloss extends to the palm rest and above the keyboard. Thankfully, a matte finish is used for the keyboard.
Using a white keyboard and black bezel does give the 1005HA Seashell a distinctive look, although personally we would have preferred an all white look.
Overall, we do like the design. It certainly makes it stand out amongst the sea of netbooks out there. There are compromises like the amount the display can be pushed back, however this is unlikely to bother the majority of people interested in this netbook.
August 12th, 2009 11:18 AM
I was told that better model doesnt maybe come sale at Finland at all. Anyway faster prosessor, bluetooth and lot better camera are big things. I dont understand why Asus had to release two models with one name and why only worse model comes for sale. I wonder if I order better model from Germany, it it possible get worse models scandinavian keyboard somewere can change it to better 1005 model. I would like 1008 and 1101 too, but 1008 you cant change battery and it doesnt have so good operating time and 1101 sounds very good, but everywere is said that its slow. Better 1005 would have been good option. Wonder if new Samsung N5xx comes sale at Finland/Scandinavia.
September 13th, 2009 1:27 AM
keep em comin Pryor, TD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 15th, 2009 10:40 AM
There is 1005HA-WHI012X sale now at Finland. It says N280. Does this one have bluetooth and 1.3 webcamera?
October 4th, 2009 6:45 PM
asus eee pc 1005ha is one of the best netbook in market
October 31st, 2009 10:52 PM
The power supply is very fragile…I had mine for one month and it works when it wants to. The other night the blue light on the charger would not go on. In the morning it worked…Same thing happened again tonight. Looks like I need to buy another power supply. Beware the tip is very small as well. Overall it is a good netbook. My second dislike is the left “mouse pad” click. You really need to apply about 3 times as much force as you should to get it to click. I would recommend trying it for yourself before buying. I use an external mouse because it is so hard to use. I have two laptops and do not have that problem with them. Good shopping.
October 25th, 2010 11:19 PM
Mine power supply died also. Otherwise I’m a happy user for almost a year.