I was looking for a PDA or new smartphone to replace my Nokia N95 but couldn't really decide on anything I liked. They all seemed to offer most of the things I wanted but not all in one bundle. After a bit of searching I happened to come across a website advertising the EEPC for sale. At first I thought it was a kiddies toy but with a bit more searching I came across the EEPC Forum which was full of users praising it. I decided to order myself the 4gb white model and see what all the fuss was about. I chose the 4gb model based on tips I'd found on varying websites mentioning the fact that it has unsoldered RAM and a RAM door in the bottom of the case so you could easily upgrade it. Something which the 2gb model is missing.

When it arrived I was surprised at just how small it is - it's barely bigger than a DVD case and felt solid and well made. The EEPC comes pre-loaded with a linux distro that boots incredibly fast and is pre-loaded with over 40 applications including Pidgin - an IM client that connects to just about anything you can think of including IRC. Openoffice, Skype, Firefox, Tux Paint, virus scanner and other educational entertainment software, E-mail, and Internet radio applications,plus links to Google Docs and Wikipedia.

Driver support seems equally good with the device being able to pick up all the USB devices I've thrown at it such as external webcam (the Asus EEPC has one built in too) Ipod, mobile phones and external USB harddrives.

If you're not happy with having to use Linux they also throw in a CD full of drivers for XP so setting up Windows on your machine is easy. You will need to have access to a USB CDROM drive or USB memory stick to do this though as the EEPC is too small to house it's own CDROM drive.

While lacking a CDROM drive the EEPC sure makes up for it in other areas such as connectivity. With 3 USB ports, Ethernet, Webcam, Microphone, VGA output, Wifi, SSD Card reader and headphone sockets, you'll be sure to have enough options on the move. Sure you might be wishing it also had bluetooth or the missing CDROM drive but for the price you really can't argue.

If you're looking for a small lightweight mobile device or even a new PDA, I highly recommend you take a look at the Asus EEPC too before you make your choice.

Useful links :

Mini-Reviews

EEPC Forum

Live interactive demo of the included Linux distro

Mini-Reviews - Mini reviews, coding tips & newsbites.

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Unless you happen to know a bit about HDTV, 1080p probably does not mean a whole heck of a lot to you. However, to those of us who consider ourselves HDTV geeks, it's a pretty big deal. 1080p is currently the highest-resolution HD format available today, which means it delivers top-of-the-line picture quality when compared to all other formats.

Most consumers are probably not interested in the technical details of why 1080p is better than 1080i, and that the "p" stands for progressive and the "i" stands for interlaced. Just know that progressive is the format that is going to give you the best HDTV picture currently available.

If you have not yet joined the ranks of HDTV owners, there may be no better time than now to do so. This is due to the fact that DISH Network is now the only national subscription broadcaster to offer 1080p programming. DISH Network's main competitor, DirecTV, says it is planning to offer 1080p programming later this year, but has not been more specific than that about a timetable.

There are usually a host of various DISH Network deals to take advantage of that offer free programming for a few months or free gifts when you subscribe.

To assist some readers who may be befuddled by all the technical jargon associated with issues like HDTV vs. SDTV, or standard definition television - the kind of TV that's been around for decades -- let me attempt an explanation that might make sense to you.

The difference between HDTV and SDTV (which we all knew and loved for many years!) might best be described by an exercise like this: A talented artist sets about to create two versions of the same beautiful portrait. To create the first version of the portrait, the artist is provided only with a box of crayons and a canvas. For the creation of the second version, the artist will use his or her usual collection of paints and brushes to apply skillfully to the canvas.

Which portrait do you think will look better? That's how I compare HDTV to standard definition TV, and although that analogy may be a bit extreme, for me, the difference was stunning when I viewed a program on my new HDTV for the first time about 18 months ago. And since my TV supports a maximum resolution of 1080i, I was not even seeing the best that HDTV has to offer, which is of course, 1080p.

Unfortunately for HDTV owners like myself, DISH network's new 1080p programming will not benefit me until I have a television capable of accepting a 1080p signal. I guess I'll have to start dropping coins into my piggy bank again very soon!

As a DISH Network customer who has a VIP622 DVR (Digital Video Recorder), my unit will probably be upgraded to 1080p capability any day now by way of a software download direct to the DVR, without any intervention on my part. The capabilities of the devices that provide our entertainment these days is simply amazing.

After drooling over HDTV sets in catalogs for years, and finally upgrading not all that long ago, I guess I will now have to start dreaming of a set that can handle 1080p, so I can use the full capabilities of my DISH Network service.

Perhaps we can put the old TV downstairs in the family room when I finally get to unpack that shiny, new 1080p-capable set some day.

Braden Kellen writes about consumer issues for HomesForNH.com, including a section dedicated to the best dish network deals for satellite TV programming.

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Over the past fifteen years or so, the cost of producing solar energy has halved. This is largely due to rapidly advancing technology, resulting in smaller and cheaper cells. While these photovoltaic cells have become smaller and cheaper, they have at the same time become immensely more efficient. With the help of modern technology, these cells are now able to focus the sunlight they trap onto an extremely concentrated area.

Solar power is without a doubt, one of the most environmentally friendly energy resources in the world today. Of course with all the current concern regarding global warming, producing zero emissions rates high on the agenda. By taking advantage of the technology we have available, we are able to utilize natural sunlight, provided free of charge with compliments from the sun. Thanks to the efficiency of today's photovoltaic cells, it's become ever more practical and financially viable to place these solar power systems on home rooftops. Once installed, you can be sure of a virtually trouble free system, capable of providing you with electricity, central heating and even hot water.

The photovoltaic cells used today have advanced to such an extent, that they are now able to gather adequate radiation from the sun even during periods when the skies are overcast. In particular, a company known as Uni-Solar has created a system specifically for these adverse weather conditions. This technologically advanced system allows for a higher rate of energy storage during days on which strong sunlight is present.

In addition to the common solar power systems we see, there is another system available in certain areas, known as a PV System. Not only does this system provide your own home with electricity but any excess energy is transferred to your local grid. This is achieved by linking your system directly to the grid and of course, it helps reduce the drain on your supplier's production facility. In the event that your home is connected to a PV system you get to benefit from reduced costs rather than free electricity as you would with a conventional system. Another advantage of the PV system is that, the more people who share excess energy, the less pollution. Due to the potential of these systems, we are now starting to see some areas designing dedicated centralized systems to serve small towns or villages.

Google recently announced their intention of installing an impressive 1.6 megawatt system on the roof of their corporate headquarters. This was followed shortly after by a similar announcement from Wal-Mart, a sure sign that large businesses are weighing up the financial benefits as well.

Many first world countries have long since been providing incentives for using solar power. These incentives have been in the form of subsidies or various tax breaks. Of course, as technology continues to advance, solar power will become more and more financially viable and in so doing, the number of people using this free green energy will without a doubt increase.

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