OS choices abound
The Eee PC's operating system is plenty functional for most users and particularly well-equipped for students, but it's not Windows, which limits application compatibility and introduces a bit of a learning curve. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Because the Eee PC runs on standard PC hardware, you can slap on the Linux distribution of your choice. Asus also endorses running Windows XP and provides all the necessary drivers on a support DVD that comes in the box. Enterprising hax0rs have even managed to get Vista and OS X running on the Eee PC, as well.

For most folks, Windows XP will probably be the most logical operating system alternative for the Eee PC. Installation is a breeze if you have access to a USB optical drive, and even if you don't, Windows can be installed using a couple of USB thumb drives. The process takes a few hours, particularly if you plan on stripping XP's bloat with something like nLite, but it should be relatively easy thanks to numerous online tutorials that specifically target the Eee PC.

With Windows installed, the Eee PC provides an instant comfort zone for those unfamiliar with Linux or other alternative operating systems. I prefer it to the native OS, not because the pre-installed distro is inadequate in any way, but simply because I'm comfortable with Windows and have a few favorite applications that I'd rather not do without.

Not only has Asus made it easy to install the operating system of your choice on the Eee PC, but they've also provided a handy reset button if you change your mind. If you should somehow botch a Windows install or otherwise decide you'd rather run the native Linux OS, restoring the Eee PC to its original form can be done with utilities provided on the support DVD and a USB thumb drive.

Using the Eee PC
Given the Eee PC's modest hardware specs, performance was my first concern. Applications don't exactly spring into action with only 630MHz of Celeron power under the hood, and there's a noticeable pause when you double click on files or apps before they launch. Interestingly, this was the case with both the Eee PC's native Linux-based OS and with Windows XP.

Coming from the buttery smoothness of a multiprocessor system, you'll definitely notice the lack of snappiness. Even my mother, who normally works on an Athlon 64 3500+, commented that the Eee PC was a little sluggish. Once applications and files are loaded, however, the Eee PC feels, well, fast enough. As long as you don't load the system up with too much multitasking, performance is more than acceptable for web browsing, email, instant messaging, and mucking about with office applications.

My second concern with the Eee PC was the size of its keyboard; I have short, thick fingers that don't deal well with smaller keys. Even my mother, who has thin, lady fingers, found the keyboard too cramped for quick touch typing. She was particularly perturbed by the location of the up arrow key, which is where shift should be. Mom also commented that the keys weren't overly sensitive—a good thing, in my mind, since it cuts down on accidental keystrokes. But then I like a little clickety-clack in my keyboards.

There's really no getting around the keyboard size issue, but if you don't expect to bust out 100 words per minute, it's perfectly usable. I far prefer a cramped normal keyboard to non-standard designs found on UMPCs and Internet appliances like Nokia's web tablet, anyway. And the Eee PC keyboard's small size shouldn't faze children, either.

As I'm sure you've noticed, the Eee PC has a bit of a theme going. Most elements of the system are limited but usable, and that extends to the screen. Resolution is the real killer here, particularly because web sites are typically designed with more than 800x480 pixels in mind. So you spend a lot of time scrolling, but surprisingly, not much time squinting. The Eee PC's screen quality is at least on par with that of my older Dell laptop, making it easy to read in all but outdoor light.

We expected most of the Eee PC's limitations given its dimensions and specs. One area where we were a little surprised was battery life. With its native Linux OS, the Eee PC's battery life seemed to fall closer to three hours than Asus' claimed three and a half. Under Windows, where we were able to measure battery life more precisely, the system was able to idle with Firefox displaying TR's front page for just under three hours with the screen set at full brightness. When playing back a high quality DivX recording—which it did smoothly and without stuttering, I might add—at full screen brightness and 50% volume, the Eee PC managed two hours and 46 minutes of battery life. Even if that doesn't quite measure up to expectations, it's adequate, again.

Despite all its limitations, I found myself using the Eee PC quite a lot over the last few weeks, mostly from the couch in my living room, but also from bed, and inevitably, the john. The Eee PC practically lived on my coffee table, where quick Google access made it an instant argument solver. My laptop usually resides in the living room, but with the two side by side, I found myself reaching for the Eee PC far more often. I even mastered the keyboard over time, or at least became competent enough to bang out notes for articles, including this one, with little frustration. Even with the Eee PC's smaller screen, I preferred it for surfing from the couch, particularly because of its small footprint and the fact that it barely generates enough heat to gently warm your lap.

Still, the real kicker for me is the ability to run Windows XP. The native Linux OS is perfectly functional and loaded with apps, but it isn't a familiar environment, which feels like another compromise. In familiar Windows territory, the Eee PC is unencumbered by learning curves, leaving me far more productive with it.