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EEE 901 as a desktop replacement

I had to use my EEE as a desktop replacement, because my desktop’s harddisk crashed and the new one arrived today.
Then I came to the idea to write a little review, how far you can use an EEE 901 as a desktop replacement.

My EEE has the following specifications:

  • Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
  • Intel Onboard graphics
  • 1024MB RAM
  • Realtek HD Audio onboard
  • 8+4GB SSD
  • 16GB SD
  • 8.9" (1024*600)
  • Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Netbook Remix Interface

Please note that it was always plugged to the power supply. But it could handle the load, I once plugged it out for short.

I’ve plugged in the following devices to my EEE (without an additional USB-hub)

  • Logitech Illuminated Keyboard (on the highest illumination level)
  • Razer DeathAdder
  • External harddisk (with external power supply)
  • Logitech X-530 as a stereo system


I was surprised, I’m doing a one year work experience as an IT supporter and I often heard, that a laptop and many USB devices don’t get along well. I was insecure too because of the power load, because my former mobile phone has needed too much power, so the EEE automatically turned off. I was not able to start it again till I plugged the mobile phone out and the power supply in.
My LG KP500 didn’t make any problems, it wasn’t recognized at first, but that’s a software bug. My SD cards have been recognized after a restart.

I’ve used the following applications, which ran quite smoothly, only aMSN had a little long to build up the windows.

  • Firefox 3.0 (3.5 will be released with Ubuntu 9.10)
  • aMSN
  • XChat
  • Totem as an audio player

I’ve had no problems with these software, except aMSN changed my standard image, but I solved this quickly.

The little screen was a little bit disturbing. I’ve bought a 24" Full HD screen, so I’m used to bigger screens. I wasn’t able to plug it to another screen, (I’d have had a 19" Dell), because I knew that it isn’t powerfull enough. I plugged it to a 19" with 1280*1024 some months ago, which slowed all down very much, so I had to reset the X-server (the interface between the hardware and the kernel to say it simply).
It was enough for 2 days, but it’s not good enough as a desktop replacement for long term use.