Isn't there a big flaw in the eeePC not having a hard drive?

[ownaginatious]

I want to get one of these computers so bad :p, aside from that though.

My server computer recently had its main hard drive finally fail :(. So I decided "Why not replace it with a compact flash card!", but after researching, I found that those tend to die very quickly due to their limited write possibility.

So doesn't that mean that the eeePC's built in memory will die fast to? I suppose the version of linux that comes with it could be designed to work mostly in RAM, but they're also advertising that Windows XP Pro runs on it.

Did they design some new super writable non-volatile memory for it or something? lol

[NightrainSrt4]

SSD's have been out for a long long time. We are just now upping the capacity and increasing the life span of the drives.

As far as Ive researched, the new SSD's are supposed to last as long as, if not longer than conventional platter drives. It seems they fixed/increased the read/write capacity to the new SSD's. I don't know if they've done it with cheapo flash drives, but they have supposedly increased the lifetime on the SSD's used as hard drives as in the eee pc.

[Zephik]

Its not a "Flash Card" that they use. They use what is called an "SSD", which is a flash based hard drive.

They perform better in every aspect as well, aside from their price tags compared to normal HDD's, or even flash cards for that matter.

So, you kind of have a point imo. The hard drives that they use are fine in the life span department, as well as every other department, but they are TINY. Not in physical size, but in storage space. Its the only flaw with the eepc's in my opinion. Although, you could just buy an external for storage and use the SSD for the OS. Meh, I don't want to carry around an external everywhere I go though.

Comparison between an HDD and SSD.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5184/hddssdsh3.jpg

[Luke122]

I am in fact writing this reply on an EEE PC. So far, this thing is KILLER. I'm a bit frustrated with the keyboard, but google EEE PC mods, and you'll see one with a touchscreen, bluetooth, and 20+gb of storage in it.

Cheap, solid, light, quiet, etc. GET ONE.

[Zephik]

When/if they drop another hundred bucks, I'll get one then. I just can't justify spending so much for so little at the moment. I'd rather drop in another hundred or so and pick up one of those low-end laptops from newegg, or even dell.

Newegg Comparison (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260032&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16834220264%2CN82E16834147518)

I love the size of the Eee though, most laptops that are that size are ridiculously expensive. But then again, they are pretty superior to the Eee too.

Also, I'd definitely want to drop in XP, so thats another hundred right there. Linux is great, but not when you want to do things that you can only do on windows. You could probably get things to work, but its just not worth the hassle.

Then I would also need to get an external, 'cause 8GB with XP installed sure isn't going to be anywhere near enough.

Eee's seem to be only good for doing document type stuff and browsing the internet. But they also have great size too, so its almost worth it. Almost.

If someone can convince me that they are worth the price tag, I'd be more than willing the listen! They really are desirable, if only for the size (for me at least, thats the best feature).

[Luke122]

1. 100% compatible to XP.. includes drivers.
2. I read an article a bout a guy who installed a 16gb flash drive internally, giving him 20gb of storage. There is easily enough room to install 2 if you want...
3. They can take up to 2gb ram... so I bought 2gb ram. :)
4. 2lbs, built in webcam, mic, speakers
5. 3 usb ports, vga output, SD card reader
6. less than an inch thick when closed
7. battery life is killer!
8. 4G model is available with a slightly smaller battery for $349
9. Ebay is your friend.
10. I dont really have another reason, except that its cool as hell, and they come in different colors. Blue, green, pink, white, and black.

I love this thing.. sadly its not mine.. it belongs to the firechief.. he wanted it to test run for their firetrucks. SSD means less chance of drive failure, and vga output means it can run an external touchscreen.. so no worries about the firemen having trouble using the system with glove on. :)

[ownaginatious]

Isn't an SSD just a giant flash car 0.o? It says on wikipedia that they still suffer from the same limited write cycle problem as flash cards... but I guess if that's a problem with the eeePC design, we won't hear about it for a while.

[Luke122]

Nope, completely different stuff.

[Drum Thumper]

Isn't an SSD just a giant flash car 0.o? It says on wikipedia that they still suffer from the same limited write cycle problem as flash cards... but I guess if that's a problem with the eeePC design, we won't hear about it for a while.

Wikipedia should never be trusted.