Two weeks with an Eee
Discussion
75_Steve said:
CommanderJameson said:
75_Steve said:
Yes, the total spend will be in the region of 300 quid
Does that include XP or have you opted for Windows XP Arr Matey Edition?Rough costings:
Eee - £220
2GB SD Card - £10
USB Tuner - £20
1GB RAM - £15
COA - £20
BT Dongle - £10
Around £295 and all legit.
As has been pointed out, I could have bought a 'full size' laptop for that kind of money - but I already have one, which is too big and heavy most of the time.
I cant see Microsoft being too helpful if there are problems, nor ASUS giving its not running their installed OS, so effectively you've just crushed your warranty too.
CommanderJameson said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
It certainly passes the MS 'genuine advantage' tests, which is legal enough for me, given that I have the COA stuck to the inside of the memory slot.
pgilc1 said:
75_Steve said:
CommanderJameson said:
75_Steve said:
Yes, the total spend will be in the region of 300 quid
Does that include XP or have you opted for Windows XP Arr Matey Edition?Rough costings:
Eee - £220
2GB SD Card - £10
USB Tuner - £20
1GB RAM - £15
COA - £20
BT Dongle - £10
Around £295 and all legit.
As has been pointed out, I could have bought a 'full size' laptop for that kind of money - but I already have one, which is too big and heavy most of the time.
I cant see Microsoft being too helpful if there are problems, nor ASUS giving its not running their installed OS, so effectively you've just crushed your warranty too.
I haven't invalidated the warranty - how could I?
Some of the things I've added aren't things that usually come with a laptop, certainly not a 300 quid laptop - I'm thinking the Freeview tuner and SD card here.
Once again, you're letting the whole point of the Eee go over your head because you personally can't see why you'd want one.
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
Tell me about which 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 or diesel they do thats better?
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
Tell me about which 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 or diesel they do thats better?
It's only the GM-derived 4-pots that have been a little weak, but that's only because they're a bit lacking in character.
75_Steve said:
Asus will shortly start selling one with Windows installed.
Is that fact or in Steves World? If so, it will be interesting to see the price - will push it way over £300 - a lot for a gadget75_Steve said:
I haven't invalidated the warranty - how could I?
'Asus Warranty helpline, how can i help?''Hello, my EEE running a hacked version of windows keeps crashing'
Click. Brr....
75_Steve said:
Once again, you're letting the whole point of the Eee go over your head because you personally can't see why you'd want one.
The whole point of the Asus is that its small and looks at first glance like a cheaper alternative to a laptop. I'm merely asking is 'small' something that most people need - given i've listed already what most people buy a computer for?
Also, i've proved its not cheaper than a laptop alternative.
You dont seem to be able to get your head around the fact that you've bought a mildly interesting gadget. Yes its handy for nights in hotel rooms, but i haven't heard you say you've got your ibook for sale on ebay, and are handing your company laptop back, so maybe it isnt the all singing all dancing solution you're promoting it as?
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
Tell me about which 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 or diesel they do thats better?
75_Steve said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
Tell me about which 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 or diesel they do thats better?
It's only the GM-derived 4-pots that have been a little weak, but that's only because they're a bit lacking in character.
The 2.0 twin spark was a good engine, but was eclipsed by the creamy v6's found in the 2.5v6 and the 3.2GTA. Find me an alfa owner who'd willingly not have a v6 in order to get the four pot. Alfas are meant for v6's.
The 1.9JTD is wayyy off being best in class. Look at what BMW do with their 320d and 318d.
The 2.4JTD is an interesting engine, but no world beater. Again look at what BMW / Mercedes / Audi have done with a similar displacement in terms of economy, power and refinement.
Alfa have so lost their way. Look at the 147 range - £17500 for the two litre 'hot hatch' and the ride height of a moon buggy - laughable. The 159 - alfa admit themselves its far too heavy - meaning the smaller engined versions are slug slow compared to rivals, and the large engined variants depreciate like snow falling off a ditch.
Alfas are the sort of car everyone likes to look at, but noone would recommend buying one to the friends...
Pity, but how it is.
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
zaktoo said:
CommanderJameson said:
"COA"? Wat eez theez?
Certificate of Authenticity, I'd guess... I'm going to rip out my Alfa's V6 and stick an Opel OHV in its place in protest to Steve's installing XP where once a Linux frolicked happily...
Tell me about which 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 or diesel they do thats better?
pgilc1 said:
The whole point of the Asus is that its small and looks at first glance like a cheaper alternative to a laptop.
I'm merely asking is 'small' something that most people need - given i've listed already what most people buy a computer for?
Also, i've proved its not cheaper than a laptop alternative.
You dont seem to be able to get your head around the fact that you've bought a mildly interesting gadget. Yes its handy for nights in hotel rooms, but i haven't heard you say you've got your ibook for sale on ebay, and are handing your company laptop back, so maybe it isnt the all singing all dancing solution you're promoting it as?
I'm not claiming it's an all-singing, all-dancing machine.I'm merely asking is 'small' something that most people need - given i've listed already what most people buy a computer for?
Also, i've proved its not cheaper than a laptop alternative.
You dont seem to be able to get your head around the fact that you've bought a mildly interesting gadget. Yes its handy for nights in hotel rooms, but i haven't heard you say you've got your ibook for sale on ebay, and are handing your company laptop back, so maybe it isnt the all singing all dancing solution you're promoting it as?
It's a very small, very portable and very usable machine to sling in a bag and take with you just about anywhere. Which is why it's in so much demand.
- You* don't have a use for one, but a lot of people do, myself included.
My Windows install isn't 'hacked' - I have a modded graphics driver to scale screen resolutions down, but that's the only 'hacking' that has been done - the rest is a bog-standard, but stripped down Windows install.
Most so-called 'laptops', especially at the lower end of the market, are far too big and heavy to haul around, they're really just small desktop replacements - you have to spend MacBook money to get a proper, fully functional and relatively small / lightweight machine.
pgilc1 said:
The 2.0 twin spark was a good engine, but was eclipsed by the creamy v6's found in the 2.5v6 and the 3.2GTA. Find me an alfa owner who'd willingly not have a v6 in order to get the four pot. Alfas are meant for v6's.
The 1.9JTD is wayyy off being best in class. Look at what BMW do with their 320d and 318d.
The 2.4JTD is an interesting engine, but no world beater. Again look at what BMW / Mercedes / Audi have done with a similar displacement in terms of economy, power and refinement.
Alfa have so lost their way. Look at the 147 range - £17500 for the two litre 'hot hatch' and the ride height of a moon buggy - laughable. The 159 - alfa admit themselves its far too heavy - meaning the smaller engined versions are slug slow compared to rivals, and the large engined variants depreciate like snow falling off a ditch.
Alfas are the sort of car everyone likes to look at, but noone would recommend buying one to the friends...
Pity, but how it is.
You really are clueless.The 1.9JTD is wayyy off being best in class. Look at what BMW do with their 320d and 318d.
The 2.4JTD is an interesting engine, but no world beater. Again look at what BMW / Mercedes / Audi have done with a similar displacement in terms of economy, power and refinement.
Alfa have so lost their way. Look at the 147 range - £17500 for the two litre 'hot hatch' and the ride height of a moon buggy - laughable. The 159 - alfa admit themselves its far too heavy - meaning the smaller engined versions are slug slow compared to rivals, and the large engined variants depreciate like snow falling off a ditch.
Alfas are the sort of car everyone likes to look at, but noone would recommend buying one to the friends...
Pity, but how it is.
The TSpark 156s are known to be a better overall package, especially in 2lt form, which is smooth, powerful and light - it's a much better balanced machine than the nose-heavy V6.
As for the diesels, I suggest you take another look - 1.9JTDs are punting out the same kind of power and not far off the economy of the BMW equivalent, which also happens to be *significantly* more expensive. Same with the 2.4JTD. It's up to 200bhp these days, and, in the 159 is several thousand pounds cheaper than a 320d.
The 147 range doesn't have a full-on 'hot hatch', but £17k for a very well specced, 150bhp hatch isn't in any way excessive.
I can see you're just out for an argument here, so I think we should leave it here.
pgilc1 said:
Well, unfortunately i havent driven every alfa ever made, but go on then, whats that much better than, say the GTA 3.2 V6 engine, that warranted such an ignorant response?
Alfa have had some of the best engines around for decades. The 1290cc four from the Giulietta for instance, was a marvel. The 1570cc as fitted to the GTZ & TZ2 was awesome. Even the 1779cc that was produced into the mid eighties was excellent. The 1962cc from later Spiders was also highly regarded. Go back further, and there are even better - 8C 2900 for instance. Recent engines fitted to Alfas are mostly not really Alfa engines at all - either GM- or Fiat-derived. 75_Steve said:
You really are clueless.
The TSpark 156s are known to be a better overall package, especially in 2lt form, which is smooth, powerful and light - it's a much better balanced machine than the nose-heavy V6.
As for the diesels, I suggest you take another look - 1.9JTDs are punting out the same kind of power and not far off the economy of the BMW equivalent, which also happens to be *significantly* more expensive. Same with the 2.4JTD. It's up to 200bhp these days, and, in the 159 is several thousand pounds cheaper than a 320d.
The 147 range doesn't have a full-on 'hot hatch', but £17k for a very well specced, 150bhp hatch isn't in any way excessive.
I can see you're just out for an argument here, so I think we should leave it here.
Again, the point was to do with 'great' engines, not necessarily the car its in, or the relative cost of its rivals.The TSpark 156s are known to be a better overall package, especially in 2lt form, which is smooth, powerful and light - it's a much better balanced machine than the nose-heavy V6.
As for the diesels, I suggest you take another look - 1.9JTDs are punting out the same kind of power and not far off the economy of the BMW equivalent, which also happens to be *significantly* more expensive. Same with the 2.4JTD. It's up to 200bhp these days, and, in the 159 is several thousand pounds cheaper than a 320d.
The 147 range doesn't have a full-on 'hot hatch', but £17k for a very well specced, 150bhp hatch isn't in any way excessive.
I can see you're just out for an argument here, so I think we should leave it here.
Alfas 1.9JTD - 120BHP to 150BHP. BMW's 2.0TD - 140BHP to 203BHP. Dont even get me started on CO2 emissions and economy!!
If you do want to talk about price
320D SE, £25940, real cost over 3 years £16184
325D SE, £27885, real cost over 3 years £18868
330D SE, £30285, real cost over 3 years £20831
159 2.4JTD, £24650, real cost over 3 years £20,624
All those cars have alloys, electric windows, air con.
Figures taken from What Car?
Not here for an arguement, here for a debate. Is that not forums are for?
Clueless would imply i havent actually owned / driven Alfas and their rivals.
For the record i've owned several alfas and would / will buy again if / when alfa get their act together, which might be as soon as the facelifted 159 due this year.
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 24th February 14:28
75_Steve said:
pgilc1 said:
The whole point of the Asus is that its small and looks at first glance like a cheaper alternative to a laptop.
I'm merely asking is 'small' something that most people need - given i've listed already what most people buy a computer for?
Also, i've proved its not cheaper than a laptop alternative.
You dont seem to be able to get your head around the fact that you've bought a mildly interesting gadget. Yes its handy for nights in hotel rooms, but i haven't heard you say you've got your ibook for sale on ebay, and are handing your company laptop back, so maybe it isnt the all singing all dancing solution you're promoting it as?
I'm not claiming it's an all-singing, all-dancing machine.I'm merely asking is 'small' something that most people need - given i've listed already what most people buy a computer for?
Also, i've proved its not cheaper than a laptop alternative.
You dont seem to be able to get your head around the fact that you've bought a mildly interesting gadget. Yes its handy for nights in hotel rooms, but i haven't heard you say you've got your ibook for sale on ebay, and are handing your company laptop back, so maybe it isnt the all singing all dancing solution you're promoting it as?
It's a very small, very portable and very usable machine to sling in a bag and take with you just about anywhere. Which is why it's in so much demand.
- You* don't have a use for one, but a lot of people do, myself included.
My Windows install isn't 'hacked' - I have a modded graphics driver to scale screen resolutions down, but that's the only 'hacking' that has been done - the rest is a bog-standard, but stripped down Windows install.
Most so-called 'laptops', especially at the lower end of the market, are far too big and heavy to haul around, they're really just small desktop replacements - you have to spend MacBook money to get a proper, fully functional and relatively small / lightweight machine.
zaktoo said:
pgilc1 said:
Well, unfortunately i havent driven every alfa ever made, but go on then, whats that much better than, say the GTA 3.2 V6 engine, that warranted such an ignorant response?
Alfa have had some of the best engines around for decades. The 1290cc four from the Giulietta for instance, was a marvel. The 1570cc as fitted to the GTZ & TZ2 was awesome. Even the 1779cc that was produced into the mid eighties was excellent. The 1962cc from later Spiders was also highly regarded. Go back further, and there are even better - 8C 2900 for instance. Recent engines fitted to Alfas are mostly not really Alfa engines at all - either GM- or Fiat-derived. You're right about recent engines though - mostly vauxhall derivatives. Even moving from the 32. GTA's to the 3.2s now in the 159 and Brera are soulless vauxhall efforts that Alfa have been allowed only to breathe on lightly.
Its a great pity. You're right, alfa has a great heritage, but its relying far too heavily on that now to sell themselves as a 'sporting' brand, which clearly they're not.
Fiat have their eye on Alfa now, and after their spectacular turnaround, maybe we'll see that with alfa too.
Then i might go back to driving them again.
pgilc1 said:
75_Steve said:
pgilc1 said:
So, can we agree that someone specifically needs a computer thats very small and light the EEE might well be the answer, however if that isnt someones priority, then an equivalently priced laptop is a better buy?
I never claimed it was anything else....75_Steve said:
As a device to browse the web / check email / watch downloaded TV shows / ripped DVDs, use instant messaging or even VOIP / Video calling, the Eee is ideal
but hey, as long as we're in agreement now thats the main thing. I just dont want people reading stuff like you've put and other people put about the EEE, without flagging how small and fiddly it is and what can be bought for the same money in a proper laptop.No doubt its a good machine. It just needs to be kept in perspective
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 24th February 15:46
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 24th February 15:47
LukeBird said:
Get a little bit off topic there chaps? 
Now play nice....
Great write up Steve, was a good read.
I very nearly bought one, but wanted something with a little more processing oomph, so ended up with a 12" PowerBook.
Nice machine though!
Powerbooks are great machines, but so is my MacBook.Now play nice....
Great write up Steve, was a good read.
I very nearly bought one, but wanted something with a little more processing oomph, so ended up with a 12" PowerBook.
Nice machine though!
No matter how small and light it is for a full-sized machine, it's just too big to carry around as a 2nd machine.
I'd tried all kinds of other alternatives - PDAs, Windows phones and the Nokia tablet, but the Eee is significantly better than all those options.
I see it as a big PDA rather than a small computer in many ways.
pgilc1 said:
pgilc1 said:
75_Steve said:
pgilc1 said:
So, can we agree that someone specifically needs a computer thats very small and light the EEE might well be the answer, however if that isnt someones priority, then an equivalently priced laptop is a better buy?
I never claimed it was anything else....75_Steve said:
As a device to browse the web / check email / watch downloaded TV shows / ripped DVDs, use instant messaging or even VOIP / Video calling, the Eee is ideal
but hey, as long as we're in agreement now thats the main thing. I just dont want people reading stuff like you've put and other people put about the EEE, without flagging how small and fiddly it is and what can be bought for the same money in a proper laptop.No doubt its a good machine. It just needs to be kept in perspective
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 24th February 15:46
Edited by pgilc1 on Sunday 24th February 15:47
If you need a small laptop which can do the basics well then it is ideal. If there wasn't a market for it then there wouldn't be a lot of expensive alternatives on or coming to the market.
At the end of the day, you don't see the point and seem to be on a mission to put people off buying one for some reason. Steve however has used one, finds it extremely useful and has told people about his experience and for that I am grateful.
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