NbC: Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell (N270) Review
August 6, 2009 at 9:18 am
Display
The Eee PC 1005HA uses a 10.1-inch LED backlit display using a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Glossy displays are becoming too prevalent in netbooks these days, which is why we were happy to find a matte anti-glare display in the N270 version of the 1005HA (the N280 version uses a glossy display).
Whilst it may not offer the vibrant colours of a glossy display (indoors), matte displays are much more practical for day-to-day use. For a device that may be used on the road, a matte display means you do not have to contort yourself and your netbook into funny shapes just to read what’s on the screen.
The display could reach a good level of brightness that was adequate to read text even under strong lights.
Facing a window proved no problem in reading the display, with text rendered sharply.
Even under direct sunlight, the screen was still legible, a major advantage of using a matte display.
The display offered good colours and contrast. Horizontal viewing angles were very good, maintaining the picture even at sharp angles. Vertical viewing angles weren’t as good, with slight colour distortion when viewing from below.
Speakers
The Eee PC 1005HA comes with two speakers that are located on the underside of the netbook, towards the front. Whilst this doesn’t give you as good stereo imaging compared to the Samsung N120 (that had two lid mounted speakers) the sound quality was still generally clean. Volume also wasn’t an issue and we were surprised how well the music stayed together at the highest volumes.
The speakers aren’t placed symmetrically. As you can see from the picture below, the left speaker is more towards the middle than the speaker on the far right. This is not ideal for sound separation.
Heat & Noise
Heat was something of an issue, even when using the netbook under moderate use. As we have previously discussed, the 1005HA has minimal fan vents on the underside and only one thin side vent. The result is that heat build-up only has one significant exhaust (the side vent) and that air can get quite hot. Also, the placement of the vent correlates to where your hands lie on the palm rest. This means that there were more than a few occasions that my fingers were directly in front of the vent, causing me to snap away from the heat.
As you would expect, because of this, fan noise was also an issue. Whilst it’s not that loud, it can certainly be heard in a quiet environment.
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.