Asus Eee PC S101

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 24th October 2008
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User Ability

Of course, re-worked connectivity and a super-flat battery (which can be yours too if you just follow these five easy steps) will only get you half-way. To get the other half you need to have a great interface and a keyboard that isn't going to leave you with...teenager's cramp.

Here's the interesting thing though; in my opinion, the Linux version of the Eee PC range had always been better than the Windows version and that's not because I'm a Linux snob. I know my Sudos from my Sumo wrestlers of course, but beyond that I tend to get out of my depth.

Instead, I prefer the Linux version because it's just so much easier to use with a trackpad. The icons are bigger, the interface is simpler and there's no need to go ferreting around with right-clicks, start bars, properties and so on.

Everything you want is on one of the tabs and if it isn't then you still have Terminal to fiddle with; the Linux Xandros distro used by Asus is a perfect blend of power and accessibility.

Asus Eee PC S101 Asus Eee PC S101 - Interface

So, it's pretty surprising for us to hear that it's the Linux version of the Eee PCs that get the most returns and the most complaints from users, many of whom claim they can't understand it. It's the simplest GUI in the world – what's there to understand? Argh, we'd better go through it one more time.

The interface of the S101 is simple and is pretty much the same as it has always been. The super-quick fifteen second start-up process quickly terminates at the favourites tab where you can put shortcuts to all your favourite applications, or you can skip to another tab.

All the essentials are easily within reach and Asus have clearly paid close attention to what their customers will be using the Eee PC for. There are shortcuts to the Google Maps (if only the Eee could go into tablet mode!), to Internet storage, email and software update options. This is all easily available and can be reached in under a minute of pressing the power-on button – quicker if you use the favourites tab.

For more complex tasks or advanced users, the Terminal is still easily summoned with Ctrl-Alt-T and holding F9 during boot-up will still launch the recovery partition on the 32GB SSD (which probably makes up a big proportion of the cost, but which is expanded with 20GB of online storage) and allow you to automatically recover and restore the system to its factory state. It's a great way to undo any blunders bought about by fiddling too much with the system set-up and while you might not think that you'll use it at all we can promise you; you will.

The rest of the software that rounds out the Eee PC is mostly filler, admittedly. Maths learning programs? Learning suites and guided jigsaw programs for children? All of it makes a very nice excuse to buy an Eee, but it really will be of dubious value to most users.

Asus Eee PC S101 Asus Eee PC S101 - Interface

The good news though is that the games section is still being expanded; TuxRacer and TuxPuck are accompanied by a Command and Conquer clone called BOS and a few other bits and bobs. And, oh look – guided jigsaw puzzles, yay!

The actual physical inputs are all top notch too, having a few subtle tweaks over the previous Eee PC 1000H model. The keyboard is definitely a step up from the original models like the Eee 701 and can easily be typed on with just the smallest amount of time spent climbing the learning curve. The trackpad also is spot-on, though the mouse buttons are a little bit clacky and the sheen of the pad surface also means it will be prone to showing sweaty fingermarks.

The profile system from some of the later Eee models is still in use here as well and is still cycled through using the profile button up in the top left of the chassis. Personally, I've never found much use for the way it up and downscales performance to match user needs as my needs are always fairly simple and my battery is always charged, but it's there if you need it.

The only real major grudge we hold against the Eee in fact is with the way the WiFi is toggled on and off using the FN shortcuts. The problem is that WiFi and Bluetooth toggles are still on the same key, so if you want to turn WiFi off then it isn't as easy as one button press. Instead, you have to cycle through a bit – WiFi on and Bluetooth on, WiFi on and Bluetooth off, WiFi off and Blue...you get the idea. It's just a minor pain and a small dent in an otherwise streamlined interface.

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