ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black) on sale

Alvin English Say: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
It works with both Netflix and Rhapsody, 2011-08-09
This review is for: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
Purchased: July 2011My expectations for a netbook were sufficiently low. I have been following the developments since MIT's Nicholas Negroponte first founded the One Laptop Per Child organization (OLPC), a few years ago. After donating a few netbooks through OLPC, I decided to get an adult netbook of my own.I wanted something light weight with a good size keyboard and efficient power management that would allow me to securely track my finances during extended trips. I preferred a netbook with the LINUX operating system. My companion insisted the netbook should be able to stream Netflix videos and the Rhapsody music service. Netflix requires the Silverlight software which only runs on the Windows operating system. I was leaning toward ASUS hardware due to their reputation for high quality. After a reasonable search, I settled on this ASUS/Windows machine. The netbook has a role, but it is still not intended to replacement a full size laptop. I am amazed at how close it comes to replacing a laptop.WHEN READING MY HIGHLY CRITICAL REVIEW, KEEP IN MIND, AFTER ALL THE SOFTWARE AND FIRMWARE UPDATES ARE IN PLACE YOU WILL BE REASONABLY PLEASED WITH THIS NETBOOK.Enough of my gibberish, let us get on with the review.I purchased the ASUS eee PC 1015-PX netbook, 2 GB of RAM, ASUS mouse, ASUS external DVD reader/writer, PC-to-TV video converter, and audio cables.THE GOOD:- The eee PC hardware: keyboard, screen, and basic build are excellent for a netbook.- Windows 7 Starter Edition is more than competent operating system for a Netbook. Once everything is updated it is a smooth running system with the familiar look and feel of your desktop.- Windows 7 Starter Edition can stream Netflix movies, Rhapsody music, Photo Shop pictures, and run most software in the Windows ecosystem. Videos and web content can be displayed from the netbook to a TV with a proper PC-to-TV converter.- Windows 7 Starter Edition is not a streamline and low maintenance operating system, but it is a familiar interface with a plethora of software choices. It is more than adequate for most netbook uses.THE BAD:- Windows 7 Starter Edition is basically a crippled version of Windows 7. It does not support reading/writing DVD's. Normally, I would not have a problem with this, except ASUS failed to supply a copy of the Windows installation software on external media, because Windows 7 Starter Edition can not read DVD's. Putting the Windows recovery files on CD-Rom is unthinkable - it would take approximately 30 CD's to store the 17GB of files.- Normally the major updates like Windows service packs are preinstalled on the PC's. The burden of installing the Windows 7 Service Pack#1 and prior updates is passed on to the customer. You will invest a lot of quality time getting Windows 7 up to date.- The only audio speaker is of poor quality compared to the rest of the hardware. Why ASUS decided to install one cheap speaker on otherwise very nice hardware is beyond me. The audio is very nice when using external stereo spearkers. Yes, this is the newer model and it still only has one speaker. Beware, the one audio port serves as both an audio-out and an audio-in port. A software switch determines whether it is in input or output mode.- The documentation attempts to cover several different netbook models on the same pages. It is frequently difficult to determine which model was being described. The user guide on the PC is slightly more informative than the paper booklet. ASUS online user forum is not helpful. Reading some of the responses to the customers pleas for help caused me to flinch. The forum moderators are very arrogant and belittled those lacking technical skills.THE UGLY (It may get a little technical):- There are no Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system DVD's included with this computer. If the recovery files on the hard drive are destroyed, you are out of luck. You must decide whether to purchase a +16GB thumb drive to backup the Starter Edition and recovery files or use that money to upgrade to the Home Edition and use your standard backup software - assuming you backup your current system. Keep in mind once the recovery software (ISO) is loaded on the thumb drive you can not use the self-booting drive to store any other files.- The installed BIOS version 1101 is horrible and caused a number of issues. The netbook had problems recognizing my external ASUS CD/DVD reader with the installed BIOS. The BIOS exhibited irratic behavior when attempting to access the BIOS setup panel. Following the instructions in the manual, the included system software directs you to the ASUS BIOS repositories on the internet, but ASUS no longer updates the firmware on the sites. In fact, the firmware in the BIOS repositories is older than the installed BIOS. Eventually, I found the latest BIOS (version 1301) on the ASUS support site. Be careful, blotching a BIOS flash can leave you with a non-working computer. Save the current BIOS first, and then do not interrupt while the BIOS is being updated.- The hard drive can not be replaced. There is no access panel for it. The case has to be completely disassembled voiding the warranty in the process.You can only hope it never fails.CONCLUSION:The ASUS eee PC 1015-PX is a decent piece of hardware except for the speaker and touchpad button. It has excellent battery life. Once all the operating system and BIOS updates are in place it is an acceptable computer for travel. Getting this computer setup properly is no fun, but your reward is a well built and smooth running machine.SUGGESTIONS:- The latest BIOS and drivers are on the ASUS support site. I would go there first.- Plan on spending a lot of quality time updating Windows 7. The Service Pack #1 update will not run automatically. You will have to start it manually.- While upgrading the memory, I had a bit of a problem finding the cover screw for the memory compartment. It is covered by a plastic plug that is a perfect match to the case. It looks to be part of the case, but it is not. Just pry it off with a fine head screw driver. Search YouTube for a video "ASUS eee PC Memory Upgrade" for installation help. You are not authorized to perform any updates to the ASUS hardware - memory included. Do not look to ASUS customer support for any help.- I was able to use the built-in backup/recovery software to store the Windows 7 Starter Edition recovery files to an old 40GB hard drive sitting in an external USB HD enclosure. Now keep in mind that entire hard drive can nolonger be used for anything other than holding the +16GB of recovery files. The computer geeks would be better served using 3rd party software to make an image copy of the entire hard drive. It would certainly be more space efficient. That is my next step. In case you were wondering, the included backup software will not write the recovery files to CD-Rom.- I am not sure how well this netbook would work with LINUX. Some of the key features, the audio port toggle switch and the power saving mode, are both controlled by Windows specific software. These device specific software components (drivers) may not exist in the LINUX world. You may lose a lot of functionality.* * * * * * * * * * * * * *UPDATE: November 5, 2011I tried the eee PC with UBUNTU Linux and touchpad issues disappeared.I am lowering my rating to two stars for all the torture this computer has put me through.* * * * * * * * * * * * * *UPDATE: November 25, 2011The battery died today. I have put less than 16 hours on this netbook after applying all the Windows updates. It is only used in between flights at the airport.

Sarah De Groot Say: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
Loved my ASUS, now I don't, 2011-10-01
This review is for: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
I loved my ASUS until about month 5 after purchase. Then, I had a fatal hard drive error. I did some of my own trouble shooting as I know a bit about IT and used the trouble shooting tips from the website. After working on the unit on my own for about 2 hours, I called customer service. I explained the problem, gave a run down of what I had trouble shot so far and told them what I had assessed the problem was. The tech made me re-do all of the troubleshooting I had explained that I had already done, which I can understand since he didn't watch me do the trouble shooting initially, but still very frustrating. Another 2 hours of my time gone. Then the tech comes to the same conclusion I did, the hard drive is done (no kidding, another 2 hours of my time gone). Then, he tells me I need to buy a new hard drive. I explain that I the unit isn't even 6 months old. He tells me buying a new hard drive is the best way to fix the problem. Now I have gone from frustrated to really angry. Only after I get really upset and at the tech about how my unit is pratically brand new, I'm the one who is doing all the trouble shooting and ASUS is sitting there fat dumb and happy with it's hand out for more money for a new hard drive does the tech finally relinquish and agree to help me further (which really frosts my cookies, because he was not going to help me until after I got pretty angry with him, no foul language though). He says that since the unit is less then 6 months old, it does come under warranty so I can mail it to the service center, but they need me to email them my reciept and then they will generate a trouble ticket and I can call back and get a service number and mailing instructions (now I have to give up more of my time hunting up the reciept, scanning and sending it off to ASUS, waiting for an email that tells me I qualify for service and then call back again to get another ticket generated so I can ship my unit off, about another 1.5 hours of my time gone). So I ship my unit off, at my own expense, and it comes back about 3 weeks later. I figured I would have to reload everything from my back ups, because unless there was some miracle, that hard drive was toast. So, I reload everything, there goes antoher 5 hours. Well lo an behold, there is another problem that was not there before I sent my unit off. My unit sees the battery, but will not run off of it. You unplug it and the computer shuts off (and just a side note, the battery charge did not go about 81%). So less then 24 hours after recieing my unit, I'm calling customer service again. Again, as I'm on the phone with the tech, again repeating troubleshooting methods I have explained I already did, but this time the tech puts on hold when we finsihed (during which time I'm pretty sure he went to his supervisor to ask what the symptoms of units problems mean again, moderatley frustrated, but willing to work through it) and he comes back and says that I can send the unit back to their service department (at my own expense) and they will trouble shoot (now I'm angry again, wait, no, I'm very angry). I explain to the tech in a very heated tone that I get my unit and there is a new problem with it that wasn't there before and you are going to give me the pleasure of paying for shipping again, a problem that you should have tested for before sending my unit back to me. He explains that he is very sorry I am having problems. I tell him put the manager on the phone. I go on hold. He comes back, not the manager, and says that ASUS will now pay for shipping. I am still not appeased. I explain that why is it ASUS is not will help me until after I start yelling? This is not something that will make repeat customers. So here I am about to ship my computer off, in under 24 hours from getting it back from thier service department. I will not be buying ASUS again. I don't like spending my Saturdays reloading my computer, trouble shooting and ultimately getting pissed off becuase of a lack of customer support.

Caitlin Say: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
Disappointing product, 2011-08-09
This review is for: ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)
I really wanted to like this computer. I've owned the Asus Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU 10.1-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer (Royal Blue) for two years and I love it. I've been looking for a replacement for awhile though, since the screen on the 1005HA goes completely blank at certain angles and the overall speed has slowed down. Other than that, it has been a reliable laptop and has been the only computer I ever use.This ASUS 1015PX-PU17-BK is my second attempt to replace my 1005HA. My first attempt was the ASUS 1015PED-PU17-BU, purchased in December, which I ended up returning because it was extremely slow and clunky. (It's no longer available on Amazon.) I decided to give ASUS another shot and bought this computer, which I received in the mail today.There are a number of reasons I am returning this computer to Amazon. First and foremost, it feels shoddily made. While my 2 year-old 1005HA has all the buttons in place and has a solid feel, the 1015PX has a plastic and flimsy-feeling construction. The deal breaker for me though was the mouse bar. It is loose and makes the loudest clicking noise I've ever heard on a computer because of that. It feels like it may come off at any time, and I knew that sound would drive me nuts. (Not to mention, my law school professors or classmates when I'm trying to click through notes in class.)Another reason why this computer is just not as good is the chiclet keyboard. I never had trouble with the netbook-sized keyboard on the 1005HA; however, I do not understand why ASUS moved to the chiclet for the later editions. The keys are extremely small and I could feel the edges of each key as I typed. I have to do extensive typing in class on my netbook, and the chiclet keyboard is not large enough for that to be comfortable. Also, the right shift key is very small (again, a change for the worse from my 1005HA.)Additionally, web browsing on the 1015PX was much slower than on my 1005HA, which I don't understand. I can't comprehend why the "upgraded" version of my old computer would be so much worse than the original. I wanted to stay with ASUS because I love my 1005HA and its phenomenal battery life, but it's looking like I'll have to try out a new netbook brand.Perhaps you will find this computer suitable for your needs, but it's not what I was looking for in a netbook. I need something I can use to type class notes and papers on, and something I can surf the web with. This computer's poorly constructed keyboard and slow processing and web browsing just doesn't cut it. After the speed, keyboard comfort and durability of my 1005HA, I can't settle for this lower quality replacement.