Asus Eee PC 1001P: Our Favorite Netbook
by Vivek Gowri on March 16, 2010 11:30 PM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Asus Eee PC 1001P: Awesome LCD
Starting with what is arguably the high point of the 1001P, we have our LCD testing results. The Eee 1001P is one of the few consumer systems on the market with a matte, anti-glare screen, and it is truly a revelation in comparison to the overglossed screens on many other systems (Toshiba NB205, I'm looking at you—but there are far more out there like that.).
Compared to most other laptop displays, the 1001P has a very high contrast ratio, which is a definite bonus in a budget system such as this one. The black points are much lower than almost all other systems tested, except for the 1005HA. While not as bright as some of the other LED-backlit screens, the 1001P is hardly lacking for brightness, especially with a contrast ratio as good as it has. Interestingly, all of the Asus Eee models have a max brightness of around 125 nits, suggesting that this is an artificial cap set by Asus in the brightness control software, likely for the purpose of conserving battery power. The EeeCTL utility allowed users to increase brightness on previous models like the 1005HA, but sadly development of that tool has halted. Color accuracy and gamut are nothing spectacular, but no one is going to be doing serious video editing or image work on a netbook, so those areas aren't as crucial as the contrast ratio.
In comparison to the 1005PE, the 1001P definitely has a better screen. Asus has assured us that there is only one panel supplier for the 1001P, and other users have reported equally good LCD quality. That is excellent, since the high contrast ratio and non-reflective finish make this one of our favorite netbook displays. Some might prefer a higher resolution, and while we understand that sentiment, 1024x600 on a 10.1" LCD is easier. The .216mm dot pitch is the same as a 14" 1280x1024 LCD, or put another way, if it were a 1366x768 panel, the dot pitch would be a very tiny .164mm—the same as 16" 1080p display. Of course, even if the dot pitch is about right, there's no getting around the fact that 600vertical pixel displays feel very cramped within Windows.
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autoboy - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
Agreed. Why can't I buy a laptop under $1000 without a glossy screen? Frankly, I find it ridiculous that 99% of computer enthusiasts don't want a glossy screen, and yet you can't find a matte screen in any notebook on the market. Keep up the fight Anand.lemonadesoda - Sunday, March 21, 2010 - link
Anand, fighting against glossy visuals? I think not, see the new ANANDTECH logo: http://it.anandtech.com/default.aspx">http://it.anandtech.com/default.aspxAnand is as "glossy" as every other consumer bandwagon.
JarredWalton - Sunday, March 21, 2010 - link
Not even close; that's the IT section of the current AnandTech, and honestly a "glossy" logo isn't the same as a glossy LCD. This is such a silly comparison I don't even know how you can make it. A glossy LCD is a criticism of inherent hardware design; a "glossy" logo is a criticism of artistic design that can easily be changed (or avoided).afkrotch - Thursday, March 18, 2010 - link
I personally prefer the glossy screen. Not cause it's glossy, just cause it seems to be a lot sturdier. The matte screens seem to just pick up scratches like it was nothing.I eat and I tend to eat near my netbook. Crap hits the screen, I wipe it down. After time, you'll notice the screen starts to scratch up from being wiped down often.
On a non-mobile solution, I'm all for the matte screens, as I don't eat near my desktop. Only on my laptop/netbook, as I'm more prone to be using it in a restaurant or cafe.
Nomgle - Thursday, March 18, 2010 - link
Um...Was that a serious post ? You genuinely can't eat food without spilling it ?
afkrotch - Thursday, March 18, 2010 - link
I don't spill the food, it splatters. Like eat a piece of fried chicken, without a small drop of oil like fly off of it. Eat a bowl of curry udon, without it flying around. It's not like I'm eating and I smear the food onto my screen.Like take your keyboard and tap it upside down. See how much food particles come flying out of it.
AnnonymousCoward - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
What, you think manufacturers would actually make what we want? Things seem to be mostly driven by sales and marketing and what they think the masses are attracted to, which results in unoptimzed & inferior products. It's why 16:9 monitors are taking over, as well as glossy laptop screens.erple2 - Thursday, March 18, 2010 - link
The 16x9 is taking over because they are cheaper to produce that 16x10 screens - you can fit more of the screens per giant wafer, which means the savings of 50 cents per screen means something to someone.numberoneoppa - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - link
Oh, and one more thing: I bet it looks sexy without all of those stupid stickers on it.tmgp - Thursday, April 1, 2010 - link
you guys should try the samsung n210. with a 5900mAh battery and also a nice anti glare screen, it's one of the best netbooks out there in my opinion. it would make a good comparison