X

Battle of the Mini Laptops: Asus Eee PC vs. Intel Classmate

We finally got our hands on the Intel Classmate and Asus Eee, two low-cost laptops that are remarkably similar hardware-wise, even though they look very different. Check out our photo tour of these two systems, both of which offer a (mostly) full-fledged computer experience for less than the cost of a PS3.

Dan Ackerman
Dan Ackerman leads CNET's coverage of computers and gaming hardware. A New York native and former radio DJ, he's also a regular TV talking head and the author of "The Tetris Effect" (Hachette/PublicAffairs), a non-fiction gaming and business history book that has earned rave reviews from the New York Times, Fortune, LA Review of Books, and many other publications. "Upends the standard Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerberg technology-creation myth... the story shines." -- The New York Times
Dan Ackerman
IMG_3622_440.jpg
1 of 7 CNET Networks
There's been lots of buzz lately about small, low-cost laptops. The first one we heard about was the OLPC (or One Laptop Per Child), which, along with the Intel Classmate, was aimed at children in developing countries. The always creative minds at Asus were inspired by these to make the Eee PC, a $399 consumer laptop.
IMG_3619_440.jpg
2 of 7 CNET Networks
Both systems use flash hard drives and have 7-inch screens. The Asus runs a custom version of Linux, while the Classmate has a stripped-down version of Windows XP.
IMG_3627_440.jpg
3 of 7 CNET Networks
The Classmate is much thicker, adding generous plastic bumpers to keep internal components safe from the rigors of nontraditional learning environments.
IMG_3631_440.jpg
4 of 7 CNET Networks
The Asus Eee's keyboard is even smaller than an ultraportable laptop--not for the thick-fingered.
IMG_3633_440.jpg
5 of 7 CNET Networks
We liked the cool round touchpad on the Intel Classmate, but it doesn't have a scroll zone.
IMG_3625_440.jpg
6 of 7 CNET Networks
The Classmate includes a snap-on leather cover that doubles as a carrying handle.
IMG_3624_440.jpg
7 of 7 CNET Networks
We could fit both of these on the keyboard tray of the massive HP HDX laptop, with room to spare.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos