ASUS Eee PC 1015B Pro Reviews

The Eee PC has only lost marginally with its dual core APU C-50 compared to the Intel models in terms of processor performance. But it is the right direction. It will definitely not be the last netbook from the Eee PC range based on AMD's APUs. The customer gets the known Eee PC quality with somewhat weaker processor power, but many other strengths for about 300 euros.

The ASUS Eee PC 1015b's main attraction is its $289.99 price point; this is one of the most inexpensive netbooks on the market with Windows 7. Even at this price, however, the 1015b is tough to recommend. The number one concern is usability; it is simply not there. The small screen and its low resolution, the limited functionality of Windows 7 Starter Edition, and the exceptionally sluggish performance of the AMD C-30 processor and 1GB of RAM make computing a frustrating experience. The keyboard is easy to type on but rattles; the touchpad’s buttons are too loud; the build quality could be better; lastly, the small fan makes too much noise. Spending another $50-150 can buy much-needed improvements in all of the areas mentioned above. Unless price is a paramount concern, there are better choices out there.

The Asus Eee PC 1015B offers a basic netbook for under $300, a price low enough to overlook a few flaws, like slow performance and a cramped keyboard.

The ASUS Eee PC 1015B proves that AMD can play in the netbook space, and this machine certainly benchmarks better in the graphics department than most Intel Atom-powered machines. However, for just $20 more you can get the 1015PEM, which offers a faster dual-core processor and two more hours of battery life. This $279 netbook is worth a look, but it's not the best value.