Asus EeePC 1005HA Seashell
Feature
Asus EeePC 1005HA, which is a little more affordable than its big sister and offers some conveniences that 1008HA did away with in order to slim down its size and lessen its weight.
The specs of EeePC 1005HA are: Intel Atom N280 processor running at 1.66GHz, 1024x600 10.1” display, 1024Mb system memory, 160GB HD and Intel Express 945 Chipset family. In addition, you get 3 USB ports, an MMC SD/HD card reader, 802.11n, Bluetooth v2.1, Lan port, VGA port and the usual headphone/microphone plugs. The EeePC also has a 1.3 megapixel web camera, speakers and a stereo microphone built-in so you don't need any extra gear for making Skype video calls.
The main differences between the 1005HA and the 1008HA are the number of USB ports (1008HA only had 2) and the full size VGA port (1008HA had a separate dongle for that).
Performance
On Geekbench we scored a total of 914, which is a tiny improvement upon the score of 910 that we got with the 1008HA. Cinebench R10 gave 562 CB-CPU rendering score for one CPU and 860 when both cores were being used. OpenGL score was 285. With Super Performance mode on, you will get a small increase to the above scores (930 for Geekbench and 578/895 for Cinebench, 290 for OpenGL) These are almost the same scores we got with the 1008HA, which is pretty obvious given the identical insides of the two netbooks.
We didn't try the system with games, as the scores above indicate that we can expect results similar to what we've received with practically every other netbook. Basically, older 3D games like Jedi Academy or Elder Scrolls: Morrowing will run relatively well on them at lower settings. These are no gaming machines, by any means, and gamers should only consider these their second or third computers. However, I've read some reports online that the new N280 processors are powerful enough to run Halo at low graphics settings and Super Performance mode turned on (unlike the older netbooks that practically choked on any such game). We didn't have the said game handy to give it a try, so don't take this as a promise.
Some problems
We also encountered a couple of small problems with the 1005HA which, at least in comparison to 1008HA, lessen the attraction of this little sibling. One of them is the quality of the speakers: the sound produced by them seems tinnier and less clear than the sound of the speakers in 1008HA. Another problem has to do with sound drivers: even if you have plugged in your headphones, the unit still insists on playing the WinXP start-up and shutdown chimes through the internal speakers - making it impossible for you to turn the machine on when in close proximity to your sleeping family members.
1005HA or 1008HA
The concrete differences between the 1005HA and 1008HA are very few. In addition to the bulkier size and moddability, as well as the slightly different positioning of the LED lights, the two netbooks are very similar. However, the different hinge system for the screen means that the screen on the 1005HA tilts back a little less than the one on 1008HA. The difference is not that great actually, but may be meaningful to people who like to use the laptop while lying down on a bed or couch.
In the end, it is the needs of the end user that decide which one of these two netbooks is better for them. Even those who dislike the glare-type screen will find a cheaper 1005HA model that caters to their needs – unfortunately, it will also house an older model Atom processor and a lesser quality camera, but those may well be areas where people are willing to compromise when they are guaranteed to get a matte screen and a great keyboard in the package.
Overall
EeePC1005HA Seashell is certainly an excellent choice for anyone looking to buy a netbook. The writers of this article valued the light weight and sleek design of the 1008HA a bit higher than they do the 1005HA, but that does not necessarily reflect the opinions or requirements of every netbooker out there.
The 1005HA offers an excellent keyboard, very nice touchpad and great battery life. It may well be your best choice for a netbook on the go, especially if you plan to write a lot. Just be aware that there are two 1005HA models out there and it was the slightly more expensive one (N280 processor, glare-type screen, larger battery, better camera) that we reviewed here. Some regions will carry both models, while others may only carry one or the other.
Our rating: 9.5/10