NbC: Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell (N270) Review
August 6, 2009 at 9:18 am
Bottom of unit
Turning the Eee PC 1005HA upside down reveals a single access panel for the memory module (RAM). Unfortunately, there’s no access to the hard-drive, which means you’ll need to take off the whole bottom panel to swap the HDD out. Similarly there is no access to any of the Mini PCI-E slots, like the one used for Wi-Fi.
The 6-cell battery fits in quite discretely with the rest of the unit and doesn’t bulge out too much from the bottom. It has a limited number of fan vents on the bottom, with most of the hot air generated escaping through the side vent instead. The two strips of seven vents at the bottom are where the speakers are located.
The 1005HA supports up to a maximum of 2GB RAM. By unscrewing the single screw you can swap out the single 1GB module for a 2GB one.
The battery sits very securely in its slot, in fact we found it to be a quite stiff when trying to remove from the netbook. The battery lock button is quite small but feels sturdy when locking it into place.
There are no chrome effects on the hinges (as seen on the 1000HE) instead they match they colour of the netbook. Four large rubber feet are placed on the bottom.
Asus has made no effort to hide the sim-card slot behind the battery slot. Future versions are likely to include 3G functionality. We are likely to see this in the upcoming Eee PC 1005HGO that will launch with selected mobile phone operators.
Dimensions
The Eee PC 1005HA measures 26.2cm in width, which is broadly the average for a 10-inch netbook. To give you an idea of comparison, the Samsung N120 was 27.2cm wide, the MSI Wind U115 was 26.0 cm and the Asus Eee PC 1000HE was 26.6cm in width.
The netbook has a depth of 17.8cm. This is smaller than all of the netbooks we have tested thus far [MSI Wind U115 (18.0cm); Asus Eee PC 1000HE (19.1cm) and Samsung N120 (18.9cm).]
The Eee PC 1005HA varies in thickness. At the back where the battery sits, the netbook is at its thickest point at 36.5mm. This compares to the thickness of the MSI Wind U115 (31.5mm), Samsung N120 (30mm) and Eee PC 1000HE (38.1mm). This places the 1005HA as one of the thickest netbooks that’s been recently released.
When looking at these pictures, it is worth noting that the ruler does not start from zero. There is a small gap before the gradations start.
At its thinnest point, the 1005HA measures 25.9mm. Once again, this is amongst the thickest compared to its peers. The MSI Wind U115 measures 19.0mm, the Samsung N120 is 20.33mm and the 1000HE is 28.5mm.
Asus netbooks use some of the smallest power bricks seen in the industry. The Eee PC 1005HA is no exception, its dimensions measure 34mm (W) x 85mm (H) x 25.5mm (D).
Comparing this against recently tested models, shows the difference. The MSI Wind U115’s power supply measured 40mm (W) x 94mm (H) and 28mm (D), whilst the Samsung N120 measured 40mm (W) x 92mm (H) x 27mm (D).
Weight
The Asus Eee PC 1005HA weighed 1.300kg on the dot according to our measurements. This is definitely the norm when looking at other 10-inch netbooks carrying 6-cell batteries. The MSI Wind U115 weighed 1.302kg and the Samsung N120 weighed (1.295kg). Asus has made improvements since the 1000HE launch, which was around 150g heavier.
The 6-cell 4400mAh (48.84Wh) battery weighed 318g. As before, this is similar to the MSI Wind U115 (325g) and Samsung N120 (330g), but significantly lighter than the 1000HE’s battery that weighed 400g.
It is the power adaptor that really shines through though. Together with the UK-spec plug, both items weighed just 258g. This compares to 390g for the Wind U115.
The difference that the lightweight power supply makes is crucial to the overall bundled weight (netbook + battery + power cables). Combining all of this, lead to a weight of 1.558kg. This is the lightest combo we’ve tested so far, the MSI Wind U115 weighed 1.692kg, the Samsung N120 weighed 1.717kg and the Eee PC 1000HE weighed 1.75kg.
That means when you take your netbook on the road (with power cables intact), you will travel around 130g lighter when compared to previous netbooks tested.
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.