The Far Side of Tech - Latest Comments in Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

0253ac — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:42:47 -0000

i luv your blog :), you are on my rss reader now

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

djohn — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:19:06 -0000

who the hell wants to bloat their laptop with vista anyways? thats like getting a sports car, and loading a couble lead bars into it just before riding it! and vista on a mac is even more ironic :-D

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

morq — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:02:12 -0000

Holy frig.
I really wish I could make those wanker apple fanboys just vanish.
This whole "apples to apples" piece of crock; it IS a valid comparison! The macbook air is considered a piece of shite compared to a macbook or macbook pro, right? It's designed to be a system you use for some small tasks while traveling. So the EeePC does the same types of travelling tasks, but is cheaper, stronger, and more open.
It also has 3 USB ports for those roll-up keyboards, external mice, and usb sticks for when you're off the plane and in your hotel room.

For business users, having something like a VGA port is pretty nice when you want to use a projector... And ethernet for the secured wired networks in boardrooms when you can't get the wireless passwords.

Also, the next generation of the eeepcs will have a 9 inch screen, 12G of hard drive space, and a faster processor. Not to mention a larger track pad with multi-touch gestures.

You can also change the operating system to whatever you like, and when you install the modified eeepc ubuntu, you get a more functional desktop with better eye candy.

I'm sorry. If I want to watch movies on the go, I'd . . . still not get a macbook air. I'd get a portable dvd player. But for the basic functions you need when traveling, the Air is a bad compromise.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Rob — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:31:54 -0000

I own 3 Eee's, the 2g Surf 700, 4g 701, and 8g 702 respectively.
I used the 4g 701 all last quarter for taking notes in my community college classes. It works beautifully, holds up well to the book bag thrashing, battery hangs in there like a champ, and it fits comfortably on those nasty little desks, swivel stands, and is great in the wifi hotspots. The tiny footprint, tiny price, and ability to mod, swap os's (Ubuntu 7.10 with Compiz runs smoothly) makes this an easy choice for those of us using them for academic work. /shrug or you can spend $1800 and not have room on your desk for anything else, but you will look great, even if you can't make rent :)

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Prez — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:55:50 -0000

The value in EEE is the 3 usb ports, the ethernet, the RJ45 in case of being in the middle of nowhere, the VGA, the kengsington, the SD card reader, and the mic plug.

The screen is 7", so what? If I want to watch a movie, I take my not-so-portable Asus A7T (a very good laptop), and I do so.

If I want to check my mails in less than 1 minute, I take my EEE.

At least, Steve Jobs gave me a great fun instant when I discovered all the mighty things we can do in a Air without WIFI... And I've kept it for jokes time with pals.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Ah — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:14:58 -0000

LOL, looks like little black penguin wants to eat an apple, sorry mac fanboys ^____^

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

krow — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:40:28 -0000

Ok, so I only got half way down this page, and I already got sick of all the cheap jabbing going on here.
The Eee and Air are compared because they are 2 ultraportable laptops that came out relatively at the same time, because they are both huge names currently in the computer world due to their unique designs, and because it is actually a choice to think about for a consumer.
My choice is the Eee pc, because I just need something I can bring around with me to class and things. I could go out and get a Blackberry, but it would be mighty hard to do my Java programming on one now wouldn't it?
It's true, the Air is a more powerful, sexier machine, however I don't see why I should have to pay so much extra for a better looking machine. If you're looking for something that is meant for the same thing as the Air, go look at other ultraportables.
I completely agree with the point that laptops should not be meant to replace desktops. Laptops have always been, and will continue to be for quite a while, inferior to desktops. And since when did your computer become a fashion statement? Isn't the point of a computer to "compute"? If you want to carry around something that looks pretty, go get yourself a designer handbag. It will probably cost less than the mac.
Don't get me wrong here, I love the look of the Air and of Mac OS, but I just can't justify paying almost $2k for a sleeker look, especially when the Eee is far more customizable (Linux, upgradeable RAM, replaceable battery).
All you Mac fanboys out there, just get a MacBook. Far cheaper, far more functional. Windows fanboys *looks under some rocks* go get one of the other fine ultraportables. The people who want a laptop for what it is meant to be for, get an Eee pc. Leave the Air for Paris Hilton. I'm sure she can shove her dog over 1.38" to make room in her handbag.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

lamib — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:37:21 -0000

Thanks for the chart and detailed comparisation: just what I needed, although the Eee is launching in Q4 of 2008 in Finland :(

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Pebby — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:32:30 -0000

@Tommy:
Install Vista on your eeePC? Why the hell would you want to do that to yourself?

So, you can install Leopard on your air. Is Leopard worth 1400 dollars to you? I dunno. Me? No thanks!

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Tommy — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:32:05 -0000

I'll install Leopard on my air.... Get back to me when you get Vista running on you Eeee... ;) Hell I'll even install Vista on my air to prove my point :p

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Spedsta — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:44:12 -0000

IMHO the Air isnt really that great a design, i like that its thinner but as far as design its really not that great to me, One thing i dont like it the way when its on a desk the bottom tapers up, i would think that when resting on the bottom of the keyboard with my wrists it would be uncomfortable.

How loooonnnnnggggg do you spend looking at the outside of a laptop anyhow.

In a few years its the same hardware that you will beg someone to take off your hands, if you were the unlucky few to have been tricked into forking out money for a mediocre (designed) device.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Paul — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:22:06 -0000

Lame, but inevitable, comparison.

The difference between the notebook business and the car business is that there aren't blogs that compare the Mini Cooper or Smart Fortwo with a Ford F350 pick'em up truck.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Francesco — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:45:29 -0000

>> they have completely different target markets..

Maybe, but if I had an Eee I'd probably not buy an Air, and if I had an Air I'd not buy the Eee. Quite a lot of people will be interested in both and will only choose one.

So: they are quite different? Yes. They are competitors? Yes. Sort of.

Of course they will appeal differently to different people. Depending on the kind of work and habits you have, you may find it impossible to work on a 800x480 screen. And you probably would not want to do number crunching or long text typing on the Eee keyboard. On the other hand if you mostly write emails or short articles, why carry a big screen and keyboard with you all the time (and risk to break them)?

One is the smallest machine available, given a restraint: keep a standard keyboard and screen. The other is the smallest without this "limit", but with a price restraint instead.

Nevertheless they are two champs in their own fields, and both will move the whole industry.

Some people will buy the Air with no doubts, some will buy the Eee without thinking, but most of us will be in the middle, and will have to try to evaluate *how much* we value a keyboard and a screen..

So if you are considering the two (and you probably are or you would not be reading here..) just ask yourself if you need a full screen (1440 x 900) and a full keyboard, and how much time you'll spend reading and writing. And if that will be worth the weight (and cost).

And to all those thinking the Air will be a flop, all I may say is that it might be, but...

It surely is not the computer for me (for instance I'd need more ports like a Firewire), but please consider *why* Apple released such a computer? Do you really think all they wanted to do was cope with style and fashion? Then why not just make it smaller?

Don't you think they might have made some field research before?

What kind of machine you'd build if you had asked around to "normal" users what they'd not absolutely compromise in a notebook to make it smaller, and most of the users had replied "screen and keyboard"?

I bet it'd be very similar to the Air..
All you had to choose would be the target price: less expensive=more bulky like conventional laptops, more expensive= thinner, lighter (and Air like)

I am not sure this the best tactic, nor that they will sell many. Users give many things for granted, they may reply "I just want to type, all I need is screen and keyboard" but when they wach the specs they rant "Ohh, only 80GB?!?!"

Don't know, but at least it does make sense.. so let's see how the market goes..

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Spedsta — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:43:52 -0000

Why compare the Asus EEE pc to the Macbook Air you all ask ???

Well, if a computer user wants a computer to go to places that thier normal pc would be to big to take with them, then they would want a pc thats light, small and efficient enuff to do this. Most probably this ultrportable pc would not be used for heavy duty pc work, but to do light tasks, perhaps surf the web, read or display light documents, etc.

Now by this definition does the Eee pc have what it takes to do the job, yes. Is it cheaper? Yes. So what does the Air offer thats going to be much better than the Eee. Only one thing, hdd space. Now how much space do you need to to lug around with you to these places where you would only want an ultraportable pc with you ? Geez i dunno but how much movies can you fit onto a 16gb SD card, and what else is there thats bigger than movies? unless you perhaps need your whole 40gb music library with you, it will be unlikely that you need much more space than 2 16gb SD cards.

Another thing, the Air is not that beautiful, its just a laptop thats thinner than usual.
Beautiful is a woman, not a thin metal case laptop.

One thing that is great though, is Apples marketing, people suck up all the hype. Im sure Steve jobs has all these mentors telling how to say what he says, sorta like a politician and his campaign helpers. LOL

one more thing, i would love to see the startup differences between these two machines, as well as startup of apps??

dont be fooled by marketing, think logically!

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Robin — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:09:51 -0000

Compare it to the Zepto 6324W

14.1" WXGA+ skärm 1440x900
NVIDIA® 8600M GT 512MB
2.10GHz Intel® Core™2 DUO T8100
2048DDR2 667MHz/PC5300 Ram
120GB 7200rpm. SATA
Size: 27mm X 341mm x 247mm
Weight: 2.35 kg

About half the price of an Air and better on all accounts except for a little bit thicker.
Anyone who buy a Mac for the hardware is stupid, there will always be cheaper hardware from competitors. Mac OS is what you pay for when buying a Mac.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

aasdf — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:15:22 -0000

I forgot... vs velociraptor.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

aasdf — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:13:30 -0000

This is the stupidest comparison ever, why not compare it to a PS3 while you're at it...
Giving out the specs would have been enough, this is even more stupid than the n800/eee comparison.
Ok yeah let's make an apple air vs eee vs n810 vs panasonic let's note vs toshiba r400 right ?
I'd rather use google fight for that comparison.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Nils — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:58:05 -0000

wtf, you are comparing a 1700 Euro notebook to a 300 Euro notebook? You realize they have completely different target markets and thus specifications etc? It's like comparing a tank with a VW Beetle; sure they're both vehicles, but comparing them is moronic.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Lawrence D'Oliveiro — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:37:33 -0000

The MacBook Air is stylish the way the G4 Cube was stylish. The Eee will outsell it 10:1, possibly more. The Air will probably be discontinued within 12 months due to poor sales, whereupon, like the Cube, it could very well become a collector's item.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Jon — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:05:47 -0000

I just don't understand WHY people are comparing the Eee, which is essentially a budget portable laptop designed to be used for business-types to write letters/check email etc whilst commuting, to the Air, which is obviously a much more powerful machine for multimedia tasks.

The air is a very small laptop, agreed - but why not compare it to a NORMAL laptop. My laptop cost 1/3 of the price of the Air, has similar performance. It just isn't as thin.

If anyone is willing to spend THREE TIMES MORE, to make their laptop the thickness of a paperback book, they can be my guest. Personally I'll buy a normal laptop and use the rest for something other then style points.

"In the Air’s defense, it is priced competitively with the lowest priced Sony TZ ultraportable laptops while offering a bigger screen."
- I don't know about you guys in america, but unless you're totally getting ripped off compared to us in the UK, you can EASILY get an ultraportable for half the price, it's just not as thin. Who REALLY needs that extra half inch of space in their bag?

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Robert — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:10:59 -0000

My Cell Phone uses less ram, can take memory cards and can be used to surf the web and read email. Using your argument it must be better than the Eee? You'll love the 3 inch screen. The Eee is a toy, nothing it can do can't be done with a blackberry.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

John — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:11:14 -0000

How about spend $200 less and get the NOkia n800. It's only a bit slower than the Eee and far more portable. It runs Linux, has a keyboard, camera, etc. There is always something faster or smaller or cheaper.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Tigre Marino — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:04:45 -0000

If those two were the only computers in the market, that would be a fight, however with Gateway, DELL and other brands in the market with pretty interesting products, there it is no choice for me (and millions more) between these two products. I love my Gateway MX6947m btw :)

But the eeePC kicked the Air´s butt in value, but of course!...but the Air is a great design coming next year to an OEM near you ;)

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

Damtiri — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:01:06 -0000

I heard there was a major issue with the sony laptop where you pressed in the center of the screen (just enough to close it) and the screen would have to be replaced (happened twice at a compusa I worked at) If you have to carry the air in a hard case that would seem to defeat the point of it being so small.

Re: Apple Air versus Asus Eee: A Comparison

rich — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:54:00 -0000

When I am carrying my eeepc around in my bag I am not even slightly concerned bout damaging it. If I had an Air in my bag, I would be extremely concerned for its wellbeing.