Asus Eee PC 4G

Review by Julian Prokaza on Fri 02 November 2007

Page 3 of 4

 

Although a Windows XP model is due at some point (no doubt with a suitably higher price tag), for the moment, the Eee PC ships with Xandros Linux (at least that's what the files in the /etc folder suggest ) and a very Windows-like Gnome Desktop. There's a Taskbar, System Tray and trio of buttons in the top-right corners of windows, but no Start menu equivalent (although there's already a hack to enable one) and instead, programs are launched with a single click of the various icons that sit in six tabbed windows on the Desktop.

Asus Eee PC 4G tabbed UIAsus Eee PC 4G tabbed UIAsus Eee PC 4G tabbed UIAsus Eee PC 4G tabbed UIAsus Eee PC 4G tabbed UIAsus Eee PC 4G tabbed UI

The pre-installed applications are all open source - OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird and so on, plus convenient shortcuts for the leading webmail providers. The handful of programs under the Learn tab give passing nod the Eee PC's educational bent, but there's otherwise nothing to give the Eee PC away as a laptop aimed at school use.

There's nothing to stop you installing your own applications either, although there's only 1.2Gb of free space on the 4Gb SSD drive in the Eee PC 4G model -- the rest is occupied by system files. You can't uninstall the pre-installed programs to free up space either (or at least they don't appear in Add/Remove Programs - Linux boffins will no doubt be able to figure it out), but you can boost storage capacity by means of the SD Card slot.

Asus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applicationsAsus Eee PC 4G applications

Unscrew the panel on the underside and you can also upgrade the stock 512Mb memory, though you'll have to remove the single DDR2 SODIMM first. There's a vacant Mini PCI Express slot under here too, but with Wi-Fi built-in, the only really use for this is to house an HSDPA adapter - assuming that you can find the necessary Linux drivers.

Asus Eee PC 4G specification

Processor
Intel Mobile Celeron processor (600Mhz)
Memory
512Mb DDR2
Graphics
Intel UMA
Hard disk
embedded 4Gb SSD drive
Optical drive
NA
Floppy drive
NA
Screen
7in (800 x 480)
Connectivity
10/100 Ethernet, 802.11g, webcam, USB 2.0 x 3, VGA, 3.5mm mic  headphone sockets, SD Card slot
Other
Slip case
Operating system
Xandros Linux
Size
225 x 164 x 37mm
Weight
920g
Battery life
3h 31m (light use)

Comments


Comment 1
neutral
Sérgio Cecílio 13:01 on 6 Nov 2007

It looks perfect for me :)It is smaller than most portables, it costs the same as a cheap palmtop, and runs real and useful applications that will suit most users.I don't mind the screen being so small, because the all thing is suposed to be small.I just hope to see it on stores someday here in Portugal, with a price tag not excessivelly higher than 200Eur.

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Comment 2
neutral
Matt Williams 07:47 on 11 Nov 2007

The cheapest laptop at Tescos is £349. It has a 14.1 inch screen at a sensible resolution instead of 7 inch at 800 x 480 pixels. It has an 80Gb hard drive instead of 4Gb. And you can touch type on the keyboard. The thing I really couldn't live with though is having such a big bezel. That makes it look like the first Toshiba laptops in the 1990's.

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Comment 3
neutral
David Russell 20:53 on 12 Nov 2007

I thought the Eee ran an Asus-modified KDE? Certainly the Xandros distro on which the Eee's operating system is based uses KDE.

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Comment 4
neutral
Pops 15:30 on 17 Nov 2007

can anyone help me on how to install shortcuts onto desktop menus?

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Comment 5
neutral
Jan 11:28 on 20 Nov 2007

Why not use this together with an external HD that takes it's power from 2 USB ports?

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Comment 6
neutral
paul 05:22 on 24 Nov 2007

My problem is this: The source sells a laptop that is 500 dollars (CAD) where this \\"cheap\\" laptop is 400 dollars. the differencs is that the 500 dollar one has a harddrive, (but the same amount of RAM), comes with vista basic (eww), full size screen and keyboard. but I am a student looking for a small laptop. Aparrently I should choose this. should I? (btw I own a libretto 110ct, anyone now what those sell for nowadays?)

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Comment 7
neutral
Dave 10:51 on 24 Nov 2007

I'm a chiropractic student. The course is very medical and we need to learn lots of anatomy, physiology etc. One of these would allow me to carry powerpoint graphics instead of huge heavy books. However, why can't we have a touch screen with optional keyboard. The case could be even smaller. That would be ideal for accessing information. An onscreen keyboard would be enough for note taking. A removable (USB maybe) hardware keyboard could be left at home when not needed.

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Comment 8
neutral
marytee 19:31 on 1 Dec 2007

it does use kde via the full desktop option. To get there two files have to be downloaded: kicker and ksmserver. After their installed, you can select. As for the 80gb v 4gb space, it is somewhat an apples to oranges comparison in that the eee pc's hard drive is solid state--nothing moves in it except for the electrical current. I love mine.

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Comment 9
neutral
Mike 12:32 on 10 Dec 2007

QUOTE BY THE ARTICLE:"The single mouse button ...."You plonker Rodney - it's a two button , the single button is hinged centrally !!

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Comment 10
neutral
Toby 15:36 on 11 Dec 2007

Yes, for "only" £100 or £150 or £200 more you can get a much better specced machine, but this misses the point - some people cannot afford £3-400 for a laptop, but could afford £200. Also, for many pupils, even a very good 14.1" or 15.4" screen would be too heavy to lug around all day at school - weighing anything from 2.5kg up to 3.5kg. At under a kilo and small enough to fit in basically any bag, this device is perfect. Any one who compares this device to a full-size, full-spec laptop is missing the point.Also, Dave, I believe the Samsung Q1 and the Asus R2H would fulfil that particular product requirement for you. Although they cost three times as much, as touch screens are obviously more expensive.

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Comment 11
neutral
01:30 on 29 Dec 2007

I have seen it and used it. Its beautiful, baby!For a Celeron M, I find it surprisingly capable. I don't know what you can put into 1.4GB space though except work or writing output.No space for games, but you don't use a machine like this for that. Internet is reasonably well-paced.Great machine. Not a high performance type, but when you just need a typewriter in your bag or tote, this machine is the most beautiful thing you will have...

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Comment 12
neutral
Mike 00:17 on 31 Dec 2007

I mean select any other laptop under 1Kg of weight, make every day all the software updates (Microshaft, Antivirus, etc) and see what U can do an year later with your initialy ultra fast laptop compared to this Eee PC.Eee aleredy includes a real ISO compliant Office suiteHow about buying Microshaft Office 2007 Premium ? is it worth 2 times the Eee'c price ?Come one, get real, if you can buy windows without a PC, why souldn't you buy a PC without windows troubles?

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Comment 13
neutral
Huntera 11:29 on 7 Jan 2008

You can even "run" windows apps on it by running rdesktop with Windows XP Pro serverWith ThinServer XP, you can even run Windows apps while another user is using the XP Pro machine !http://www.aikotech.com/thinserver.htm

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Comment 14
neutral
me 03:11 on 13 Jan 2008

i want one

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Comment 15
neutral
Larry 05:14 on 15 Jan 2008

I have XP loaded on mine, and it works as smoothly as on a desktop. I'm only left with about a GIG of space on the hard chip, but I have a 4 gig SD chip in the slot, and an external USB HD for storage. It can easily run applications off the HD, and transfer rates are adequate. I bought mine for a specific trip I'm taking, and with a new padded bag I bought for it, it will stow safely and easily in my pack. The screen takes some getting use to, but at my age I need to wear reading glasses anyway. Keyboard also requires an adjustment curve, but what the hell, if you want to be fairly mobile and unencumbered, it's ideal. At $350(US), I'm not going to worry about it as I would my "good" laptop. Ironic that with slow processors and small storage...going back rather than forward in time. It's a "retro-mini."I sent this on it with fewer typos than yesterday. Progress? Maybe.

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Comment 16
neutral
John 09:49 on 30 Jan 2008

I have a laptop and any number of desk top PC's however, all these lack ultra compact size and light weight.This device has very few moving parts thus improving reliability, and reducing weight. The OS is also light weight and is ideal for the basic stuff I do of web work and reports. As a matter of course I save these to an SD card, leaving the solid state HD uncluttered other than for the stuff I need to leave there.In essence buy this for what it is good at, not because it has something missing, and at £200 its a bargain.

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Comment 17
neutral
Graeme 13:35 on 12 Feb 2008

The Asus eee DOES have a right click, its just side to side, easy to useRAM upgrades have been allowed in the ASUS warranty, great for an XP install =] 2GB chipset support, and xp support, the Linux only supports 512 without a kernel hack

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Comment 18
neutral
Lisa 11:24 on 18 Feb 2008

Hi, I'm a 14 year old looking for a new laptop. Unfortunately I had a Fujitsu Siemens previously and the power supply conked out in it. Instead of replacing the whole motherboard (£120!), I might be buying one of these lovely Asus EEEs. I am finding it hard to find fault with these laptops in reviews, but I need glasses (which I often don't wear) and the small screens may ruin what's left of my sight. Also, my home network runs off a BT Wirless Connection, does anyone know if these Asus models take a wireless connection through Linux?

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Comment 19
neutral
paul 20:31 on 20 Feb 2008

I think it has an external VGA connector so you could connect to a external monitor, which for working for long periods could be a solution if you have a larger monitor of course. With wireless it should do, as with most cases the wireless router gives out an ip address via dhcp, so if the asus can find the router, get an ip address it should find the internet via the gateway address,comments welcome on this, not a dhcp or networking expert.

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Comment 20
neutral
Barry 11:03 on 24 Feb 2008

Just bought one on Friday. So far can't fault it, it worked immediately, found the wireless connection (BT Hub) and after entering WPA password it connected. Only slight issue is the battery runs down quickly while on wireless but you can switch it on an off with Fn F2 key.

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Comment 21
neutral
Lucy 16:09 on 25 Feb 2008

I'd like to have a proper look at one of these before I buy. Does anyone know where I can pick one up? (I live in london)

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Comment 22
neutral
Julian Prokaza | registered | 58 posts 10:16 on 26 Feb 2008

[quote=Lucy]I'd like to have a proper look at one of these before I buy. Does anyone know where I can pick one up? (I live in london)[/quote]Try Tottenham Court Road -- one of the Asus dealers is bound to have one in stock.

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Comment 23
neutral
Father Figure: 8 19:01 on 27 Feb 2008

When can i buy this in the USA? ASUS website doesn't have a store.

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Comment 24
neutral
brian 22:16 on 2 Mar 2008

Hi larryJust curious how you got your SD card to work as I have tried everything to get mine to work. It comes up as "You do not have permissions to use this". When I looked closer it stated that the permissions are held by the "root" not the User. Did you have this problem?RegardsBrian[quote=Larry]I have XP loaded on mine, and it works as smoothly as on a desktop. I'm only left with about a GIG of space on the hard chip, but I have a 4 gig SD chip in the slot, and an external USB HD for storage. It can easily run applications off the HD, and transfer rates are adequate. I bought mine for a specific trip I'm taking, and with a new padded bag I bought for it, it will stow safely and easily in my pack. The screen takes some getting use to, but at my age I need to wear reading glasses anyway. Keyboard also requires an adjustment curve, but what the hell, if you want to be fairly mobile and unencumbered, it's ideal. At $350(US), I'm not going to worry about it as I would my "good" laptop. Ironic that with slow processors and small storage...going back rather than forward in time. It's a "retro-mini."I sent this on it with fewer typos than yesterday. Progress? Maybe.[/quote]

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Comment 25
neutral
Nielsje 06:47 on 3 Mar 2008

to get the SD card working, try formatting it in windwows xp, and then plugging it into your Eee. Otherwise just hack into a terminal, and [quote]sudo chmod r+w Photocard[/quote]Make sure that photocard is the name of your sd card. first you have to CD into /mediaGood luck!

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Comment 26
neutral
Degz 18:08 on 3 Mar 2008

Mine arrived today (from play.com)... it's like my wife - perfectly formed and oozing sex appeal! Bought it to replace (mainly to replace my knackered PDA). More ompf & less dosh! Am estatic. Plus I now have an excuse to learn linux...

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Comment 27
neutral
phil 13:31 on 12 Mar 2008

[quote=Mike]QUOTE BY THE ARTICLE:"The single mouse button ...."You plonker Rodney - it's a two button , the single button is hinged centrally !![/quote]Ha! plonker - it's still a single button then, two switches though? LOL

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Comment 28
neutral
sc83 16:56 on 16 Mar 2008

Mine arrived today (from play.com)... it's like my wife - perfectly formed and oozing sex appeal! Bought it to replace (mainly to replace my knackered PDA). More ompf & less dosh! Am estatic. Plus I now have an excuse to learn linux...[/quote]I had a look on play.com and found they were highly over priced. How are you finding linux? I am finding it very difficult to get used to and just want to hack it to bits, once I figure out how.

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Comment 29
neutral
xing 01:16 on 21 Mar 2008

I want to buy the battery for my asus eee pc 8G,if it's fit.[url=http://www.notebook-battery.us/buy-asus-eee-pc-batteries.htm][color=red]Buy asus eee pc batteries[/color][/url]

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Comment 30
neutral
Alex 21:38 on 25 Mar 2008

What format are the files outputted by the Linux word processor? Could I save documents as .rtf or .txt and then open them up in Word on my desktop pc?

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Comment 31
neutral
Lawrence Williams 11:25 on 30 Mar 2008

Just bought the 4GB version of the Asus eee pc with webcam. So far its amazing, even with the linux interface. The Open Office software is great and enables reading and writing of Word and Excel files. Only prob with mine is that the spacebar isn't sensitive enough! It seems to work with everything I've thrown at it. Plays my Ipod music - no probs. Charges the Ipod too and my Motorola mobile phone without hving to load additional software. Works with my 3G USB access dongle with easy setup. Screen is perhaps too small and it would benefit from a larger one, but those who are worried about the linux interface shouldn't be depending on what you use it for.Don't think it can sensibly replace a full size laptop or desktop, but as an add-on for travelling its brilliant and functional and oh so light. May limited for adding on programs but for reading emails, getting on the web and for WP and Spreadsheet, which is what I need on the move, it looks great. My right shoulder is definitely going to thank me for buying it

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Comment 32
neutral
Mike Tranter 15:50 on 5 Apr 2008

Yes, the EEEPC is a beautiful piece of kit, but the Wifi does not work reliably. Look at the number of forums there are about this. Asus suggested a complete reload of the system software which I did through a wired connection to my modem/router and are aware of this problem. I changed it for another one today. The battery was charged when I got it, which is as well as the charger does not work; the Wifi does not work either.A total waste of money. Here in the UK I may be able to persuade the trading standards authorities to take an interest.

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Comment 33
neutral
Wilson John Haire 13:50 on 10 Apr 2008

10th April, 2008Anyone know why when plugging in a memory stick or an external hard disk the message comes up: NOT ENOUGH PERMISSIONS. (odd English!) So I can't can't get into my stored data. I can get in at first Then it all goes wrong. I have had to tap the F9 key while starting and then tap on FACTORY SETTINGS (losing my user data) to get the Eeee to again recognise my stored data.

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Comment 34
neutral
Ben 19:29 on 12 Apr 2008

a ?: can you flip the screen all the way backwards? so that you can use it as a document reader, like for bus riding. I can't seem to find anything related to this in the specs. My assumption is that if it doesn't mention it then it doesn't have it, but i'd like to get the owners' opinions/suggestionstx

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Comment 35
neutral
Julian Prokaza | registered | 58 posts 00:15 on 13 Apr 2008

The screen only goes as far back as shown in the very first photo -- not quite to 180 degrees, in other words. I read a lot of ebooks too, and the Eee PC would make a poor reading device (I still use an old Son Clie PEG-TH55 for ebook duties...).

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Comment 36
neutral
John Thompson 14:11 on 21 Apr 2008

[quote=Alex]What format are the files outputted by the Linux word processor? Could I save documents as .rtf or .txt and then open them up in Word on my desktop pc?[/quote]It's Open Office - so save them as ".doc" (if you want)! Don't be scared of Linux, it's more capable than Windows.I think the EEE is a great idea but would like 9 inch screen and 16G flash memory. This is the future of computers though!

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Comment 37
neutral
Eee bah gum 20:17 on 22 Apr 2008

[quote=John Thompson]It's Open Office - so save them as ".doc" (if you want)! Don't be scared of Linux, it's more capable than Windows.I think the EEE is a great idea but would like 9 inch screen and 16G flash memory. This is the future of computers though![/quote]Then you shall have one, the new Eee 900 [url]http://www.eee-900.co.uk/[/url] has a 9" screen and 12GB or 20GB flash, amongst other improvements.

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Comment 38
neutral
Dan 08:42 on 1 May 2008

Granted the Asus is nice a solidly constructed but no one seems to have grasped the fact that for £399 you can get a bargin laptop from currys, dixons, pc world etc which will come with a 1.4ghz CPU and a 80gig disk, not some paltry 8gig or 4gig.. I would fill 4 gig in ten minutes! :P

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Comment 39
neutral
fraser 23:12 on 1 May 2008

This will make a lovely replacement for my 12inch powerbook, seems like it will be great for school work, anyone know the time it takes to return from standby/hibernation??

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Comment 40
neutral
15:36 on 14 May 2008

how can i install windows xp

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Comment 41
neutral
Pete 14:14 on 11 Jun 2008

[quote=Dan]Granted the Asus is nice a solidly constructed but no one seems to have grasped the fact that for £399 you can get a bargin laptop from currys, dixons, pc world etc which will come with a 1.4ghz CPU and a 80gig disk, not some paltry 8gig or 4gig.. I would fill 4 gig in ten minutes! :P[/quote]You my friend, are an idiot. Try buying something can an external harddrive - That way you can use your 4gb on any (good) computer including the Eee.

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Comment 42
neutral
BrettW 15:01 on 12 Jun 2008

Does anyone know how to edit the desktop shortcuts to remove/add different programs?

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Comment 43
neutral
17:20 on 27 Jun 2008

[quote=Degz]Mine arrived today (from play.com)... it's like my wife - perfectly formed and oozing sex appeal! Bought it to replace (mainly to replace my knackered PDA). More ompf & less dosh! Am estatic. Plus I now have an excuse to learn linux...[/quote]I got mine for free, well having to buy a new contract phone but well worth it as didnt pay nything for the phone either just line rental...which basically pays for the equipment

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Comment 44
neutral
17:22 on 27 Jun 2008

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Degz]Mine arrived today (from play.com)... it's like my wife - perfectly formed and oozing sex appeal! Bought it to replace (mainly to replace my knackered PDA). More ompf & less dosh! Am estatic. Plus I now have an excuse to learn linux...[/quote]I got mine for free, well having to buy a new contract phone but well worth it as didnt pay nything for the phone either just line rental...which basically pays for the equipment[/quote]..but am basically still getting used to the linux as, ..so used to windows and not even sure where to start with Linux

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Comment 45
neutral
duncan macdonald 07:19 on 7 Jul 2008

I bought a asus 4gb in spain, can you change the programms to english.

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Comment 46
neutral
Slick Denis 23:32 on 10 Jul 2008

[b]Oh man! [/b] [b][i][u]EXPERT BBCODE PROGRAMMER.[/u][/i][/b] Have you read scip today? Hah hah hah hah.I'm a man who likes to (try to) write music. Sometimes during a year, there are times when I'm riding in the car with my family, and have a musical idea but can't write it down. So I've bought an ASUS EEE to write music with during long car journeys.The Asus Eee is designed for a special purpose. If you don't care how big or heavy your laptop is, then the EEE isn't for you. But if you need something small and light, the EEE is more your kind of thing. Ah man yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh DENIS. DENNIS.

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Comment 47
neutral
ARNLOCK 07:32 on 21 Jul 2008

does anyone tried to use their dialup modem on their EEE.. i tried to do so but it aint work.gush can anyone help me to do this i dont have other means to connect to the internet exept dialup.. pleaseeeeeeeeeeessssss... thanks

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Comment 48
neutral
adam elphick 16:58 on 21 Jul 2008

There is no modem in the 4G! You have a socket as Asus was going to put one in, however it was dropped from production..... hence the modem port is bunged up with a rubber plug!

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Comment 49
neutral
ARNLOCK 05:40 on 22 Jul 2008

thanks buddy.. i really apreciate you big help...good day.

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Comment 50
neutral
Adam Elphick 10:10 on 22 Jul 2008

No Problem. There is apparently a way you can solder one in.... if you go to eeeuser.com and join the forums there is lots of great information and a good community for the eeepc there!

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Comment 51
neutral
Simon P 22:22 on 24 Jul 2008

you can find everything you need to know about the EEE herehttp://forum.eeeuser.com/

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Comment 52
neutral
Mr 23:33 on 30 Nov 2008

my wife owned a Eee pc 4g.i just want to know if it's possible to internal hard disk to a larger gig.right now we saw a toshiba model same size of Eee pc 4g.it has a 120ggb of hard disk.thank you

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