I’ve always been in a quandary when it comes to gadgets. Be it portable pocket devices or massive desktop-bound computer systems, I’ve always had a hard time getting to a compromise between the following factors in modern gadgetry: price versus value, performance versus portability, and power versus practicality.

                                             Lack of scale makes this look like an ordinary notebook PC...

The introduction of the Asus Eee PC on November 13, 2007 at the Edsa Shangri-La, as with any new and revolutionary piece of hardware that’s come out onto the HWZ radar screen caused my geeky little heart to leap into parabolas of joy, while my wallet notionally took the death plunge into the hell of emptiness. Well perhaps not so much on the second part, since the Asus Eee PC absolutely destroys one of the so-called compromises mentioned beforehand.

                                             Either the Asus on the left sports a 30" screen, or the Eee PC is really tiny...

Specifically, “Price versus Value” is pretty much thrown out of the window, since for the asking price of a brand-new mid-range cellphone, we are already talking about a fully-featured mini-laptop that can do anything worth doing while the person is on the go – value for money right out of the box. So the “Price and Performance” factor is pretty much moot, in my case anyway.

                                             The event was a grand unveiling of Asus' much talked-about "mini laptop".

With Performance versus Portability, the Eee PC encounters its first real disadvantage, as for the sake of portability, most of the components in this mini laptop is smaller than usual and less powerful than most. This is most notable with the 7” (diagonal) screen, around three to five inches less than other common ultraportables. Storage tops out at 8GB for its highest model, and of course the keyboard is a lot smaller than average. Software installed enables only the most basic of tasks, which is understandable due to the merely adequate performance of the Intel-sourced 900MHz Celeron M Processor.

                                             With none of the heft of regular laptops, "portability" takes on new meaning.

The payoff is in the portability of the unit, at 0.92kg, it weighs less than JK Rowling’s latest hardbound. In addition to this light weight, the fact that it has been pared down in the specifications list does not drag down its performance as much as usual, since a derivative of the popular freeware OS Linux is used on the Eee PC, specifically designed for its limited resources. The storage capacities of 1 to 8 GBs, while small, is of the Solid State variety, meaning flash based non-volatile memory is used for storage, giving quick hard drive access and very good resistance to vibration / movement.

                                             Asus made a point of specifying the "novice" as part of this laptop's target audience.

Now going on to Power versus Practicality, it is obvious that this mini laptop is not set to take the flag in any kind of PC or game benchmark, primarily due to the nominal 512MB system memory (1GB maximum), the Intel Celeron M processor, the built-in video processor, and the lack of optical storage and the limitation of the otherwise excellent Linux platform. Yet for all intents and purposes, all of the tasks you conceivably must do while on the move can be done on the little unit, ranging from internet connectivity, basic office productivity, and communications through email and instant messenger. All the practical tasks in a package as powerful as it need to be.

                                             While small and light, the Eee PC still has a respectably-sized keyboard.

The unit itself is white and pretty, with miniaturized buttons that is visible and not too cramped. A thin screen housing reminiscent of Sony’s VAIO TZ series contains the 7” 800 x 600 LCD screen. Connectivity is across-the-board standard, meaning it gives up nothing to its bigger laptop brethren. LAN, modem, USB 2.0, WiFi 802.11 b/g gives every convenience to connecting to other devices and to essential online applications. Speaking of applications, the Eee PC comes pre-loaded with 40 different apps for learning, working, and playing.

                                             Asus is already in a celebratory mood - proof of their confidence in this remarkable product.

So where does this leave us? For the absolute power user that needs high-end gaming, utmost compatibility, and the fastest performance, the Eee PC is best passed over for something more standard (and more boring). For anyone who’s looking for a new computer, is learning to connect digitally and use digital apps, and those who values essential productivity in a portable package, the Eee PC is ready to go. In addition, this little laptop entices the usually jaded editors who’s seen countless over-the top gadgets with practical applications of cutting edge technology – such as the solid state drive, the clever Linux implementation, and the form factor that combines a PDA’s portability and a laptop’s usability. All in all, a wonderful achievement by Asus for computing novices and leaves no quandary for even the most jaded of editors. Bravo.

Watch out for a full review of the Eee PC in HWM soon. More pics follow.