The launch of the Asus Eee PC 701 marked a breakthrough moment in the tech world, ushering in the netbook era. These small devices promised internet everywhere at an affordable price. In Italy, where coffee culture and mobility are deeply rooted, the idea of a handbag computer was welcomed with enthusiasm. However, the first generation had evident limitations that the second generation sought to bridge.
Many users faced a dilemma: stay loyal to the pioneer 701 or switch to later models like the 900, 901, or 1000? The answer isn’t obvious and depends on the actual use of the device. We will analyze the technical, ergonomic, and practical differences to understand if the evolution justifies the investment, both for those who used it back then and for today’s collectors.
Innovation is not always synonymous with immediate improvement, but in the case of netbooks, every inch of screen gained radically changed the user experience.
The Display: The Battle of Inches and Resolution
The biggest flaw of the first generation (Gen 1) was the screen. The 7-inch panel with 800×480 pixel resolution forced continuous horizontal scrolling. Many websites and system dialog windows were not displayed entirely. This made navigation frustrating and unproductive for anyone who wasn’t an extremely patient user.
The second generation (Gen 2), represented mainly by the 900 and 901 models, introduced 8.9-inch panels with 1024×600 resolution. This change seems numerically small, but in practice, it is huge. The width of 1024 pixels is the minimum standard to correctly view most web pages without horizontal scrolling. Colors often appear more vivid, and text readability improves significantly, straining the eyes less during prolonged sessions.
Hardware Performance: Celeron M vs. Intel Atom
Under the hood, the difference between the two generations is marked by the processor architecture. The Gen 1 mounted a 900 MHz Celeron M ULV, often underclocked to 630 MHz to save battery. It was a reliable but dated chip that ran hot and offered performance barely sufficient for basic tasks. If your goal is to speed up a slow PC of this category, options on the Celeron are limited.
With the arrival of Gen 2, particularly from the 901 model onwards, Asus introduced the Intel Atom N270. This processor was designed specifically for netbooks. It offers superior thermal management and supports Hyper-Threading, making the operating system see two logical cores. This ensures greater fluidity in light multitasking, making the system much more responsive compared to its predecessor.
Storage and the Case of Slow SSDs
A controversial aspect of the transition concerns storage. The 701 (Gen 1) used fast and reliable SLC (Single-Level Cell) flash memory, albeit only 4GB. This ensured a quick OS boot. In Gen 2, to increase capacity at affordable costs, Asus often used slower MLC (Multi-Level Cell) memory, especially in the 900 model.
This caused temporary “freezes” during data writing in some second-generation models. Only with subsequent models (like the 901 and 1000) did the situation stabilize. For those managing many files, proper hard disk and data management becomes crucial on these devices with limited space and variable write speeds.
Ergonomics: Keyboard and Trackpad
The 701’s keyboard became legendary for its tiny dimensions. Typing a long email required pianist fingers or a lot of practice. The keys were too close together, causing frequent typos. For professional or school use, it represented a significant physical limit that discouraged productivity.
Gen 2 improved the situation slightly, but the real turning point came with the 1000 series models. However, even the 901 offered a slightly more spacious layout. Another great innovation of Gen 2 was the introduction of the multitouch trackpad. Being able to scroll pages with two fingers or zoom was an advanced feature for the time, which was totally missing in the 701’s small touchpad.
Battery Life: The Real Turning Point
Battery life is perhaps the decisive factor for the upgrade. The first generation’s Celeron M was not optimized for extreme energy saving. Autonomy hovered around 2-3 real hours, forcing the user to always carry the charger. Often, on these dated models, problems occur where the battery is not charging correctly anymore due to cell wear.
The introduction of the Atom N270 processor allowed for doubling, and in some cases tripling, operational autonomy, freeing the user from the slavery of the power outlet.
With Gen 2, particularly the 901 model with its 6-cell battery and Atom power management, one could easily reach 5-7 hours of usage. This transformed the netbook from a fun gadget into a real work tool for commuters and students, capable of covering an entire day away from home.
Software and Longevity: Linux vs. Windows
Originally, the 701 was sold with a custom version of Xandros Linux. It was simple, fast, and beginner-proof. Gen 2 saw a wider spread of Windows XP. Today, both systems are obsolete and insecure for web browsing. The second generation, thanks to the Atom processor and 1GB of RAM (often expandable to 2GB), handles modern and lightweight Linux distributions much better.
If you own one of these devices, learning to use the terminal is almost mandatory to keep them efficient. Knowing the best Linux terminal shortcuts will allow you to update the system and install software without weighing down the graphical interface. Gen 1 struggles enormously with any modern browser, while Gen 2 still manages to handle basic networking and word processing tasks.
In Brief (TL;DR)
We analyze in detail whether it is worth switching to the second generation of Asus Eee PC by comparing battery life, ergonomics, and display against the previous model.
We examine battery life, ergonomics, and display in detail to understand if the price/performance ratio justifies the switch to the new generation.
We examine the price/performance ratio to determine if the technical improvements justify purchasing the new model.
Conclusions
In light of the analysis, the transition from the first to the second generation of Asus Eee PC represents a clear qualitative leap, not just an incremental update. Although the 701 remains a design icon and a fundamental collector’s item for the history of computing, its functional limits make it almost unusable for real tasks today.
Gen 2, especially in the 901 and 1000 models, offers a much more mature balance between portability and usability. The higher resolution screen, doubled battery life, and more efficient processor fully justify the upgrade for those who wish to use the device and not just display it on a shelf. If you are looking for a pleasant retro-computing experience or a small portable Linux terminal, the second generation is undoubtedly the winning choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, upgrading is highly recommended if you intend to use the device for actual tasks rather than just collecting. While the original 701 is a design icon, the second generation models offer critical improvements such as a higher resolution screen that eliminates horizontal scrolling and an Intel Atom processor that significantly extends battery life. These changes transform the netbook from a novelty gadget into a functional tool for basic productivity and retro computing.
The jump from the 800×480 resolution of the first generation to the 1024×600 standard of the second generation makes a massive practical difference. The original 7-inch screen forces constant horizontal scrolling and often cuts off system dialog windows, making navigation frustrating. The Gen 2 displays allow most websites to render correctly and improve text readability, which drastically reduces eye strain during prolonged use.
The Intel Atom N270 found in Gen 2 models offers superior thermal management and Hyper-Threading support compared to the older Celeron M used in the 701. This results in a system that runs cooler and handles light multitasking much more smoothly. Furthermore, the Atom architecture is a key factor in extending battery life from a mere 2 to 3 hours to a practical 5 to 7 hours of usage, offering true mobility.
The first generation is largely obsolete for modern web browsing due to hardware limitations, but Gen 2 models can still function as portable Linux terminals or writing tools. With the Intel Atom processor and expandable RAM, the second generation can run lightweight Linux distributions for basic word processing and networking. However, users should be comfortable using terminal commands to optimize performance and avoid weighing down the system.
Not consistently across all models, as the transition to Gen 2 introduced a trade-off between capacity and speed. While the original 701 used fast SLC memory, some Gen 2 models like the 900 utilized slower MLC flash storage to increase space, which occasionally caused system freezes during data writing. However, later models like the 901 and 1000 stabilized this issue, offering a better balance of storage space and reliability for file management.
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