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(More customer reviews)July 13, 2010 - I uploaded multiple videos showing my hands-on review and tutorials on this netvertible.So far, I've done 4 videos: first impressions, OS and RAM upgrade tutorial, Inking & Touchscreen hands-on, and a video showing Plants VS Zombies played on the Touchscreen. Some elements I may not have stated in this review may be shown in the videos. You can find them by searching "t101mt" at mycoretechs*com. Change the * to a .
First Impressions
I am very impressed with this tablet netbook. Right out of the box, my first impressions of its chassis is that it is very sexy. Let me elaborate on that. The casing material is made out of an anti-fingerprint matte material. This includes the palm rest and the keyboard. The screen bezel is still made out of the same glossy material as the previous ASUS netbooks. I like the brushed white strip design on the back of the screen- it certainly adds to the design.
Upgraded
As with many users here, I agree that to enjoy this netbook, as well as to unlock its full potential, one must do a couple of upgrades. I added a Corsair Memory VS1GSDS800D2 1 GB PC2-6400 800Mhz 200-pin DDR2 Laptop Memory Kit. The RAM upgrade really helps with the system's responsiveness (including inking) and multitasking capability. Besides the RAM, I also installed a copy of Windows 7 ultimate. Home Premium and up will unlock the multi-touch capabilities of the touchscreen. As you read this, treat each and every one of my findings as based on this upgraded version.
I'd like to add this to those who are interested in hard drive upgrades. I will make a video of this next month, but for now, here's what I know based tinkering. The hard drive bay is right under the keyboard. The keyboard is removed by inserting a small pin or precision screwdriver into 4 mini holes and lifting the keyboard unit up. There is a small sticker that says it will void warranty if removed. After removing a number of screws, the hard drive is exposed. I will be adding an SSD (or maybe an SSD hybrid) next month and will update you on this. Besides the limitation of the Atom CPU, the stock hard drive is what really provides the slightly slow program loads.
Keyboard
The keys are tremendously pleasant to type on. ASUS used the same keyboard type as the Eee PC 1201N- island chiclet keys. If you are used to keyboards without any space in between, it will take a few hours to get used to this, but as any of my friends who tried it, you will eventually come to like its spacing, as it prevents typo on this limited space. What I personally like is that this time around, ASUS placed a second Function key (one next to the left CTRL key and another under the Enter key on the far right). This allows users to use one hand to set the volume level, as well as reach other keyboard functions that are placed on the right side of the keyboard. Note: I just wanted to throw this out there- out of many netbooks I've used, I still believe the very best, in terms of ergonomics and feel, is the HP Mini 311's.
Touchscreen
The special attraction that makes this netbook unique is its touchscreen feature. The resistive touchscreen has two touch points which gives users the best of both resistive and capacitve worlds. Let me explain this, resistive screen allows users to use a stylus pen or any sharp-pointed object (like a fingernail's tip) to write on and control the smallest details on the screen. So you can literally draw and write, with the system being able to detect your strokes.
Although, this does not compare against a capacitive screen's WACOM digitizer pen, which as the name suggests, uses digital inputting and will not only read each stroke but also the users' pen pressure. But the advantage of resistive over capacitive is that, capacitive requires a special stylus or a digitizer pen to be able to do any inking. iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch all uses capacitive screens. If you have one of these devices, you will notice that it requires your finger to control the screen and will not read any stylus or fingernail strokes.
Now, with the T101MT netbook, the two touch points allow users to switch from Pen mode to Finger mode. Think of the Finger mode as imitating a capacitive screen. It uses two touch points (where Penmode uses one) and allows users to do what capacitive screens can do: multi-touch, pinching, expanding, two finger scroll.
Screen Quality
Some reviewers are claiming that this has a grainy look. I would like to add that although it does have this look (which all touchscreens have), it is quite unnoticeable unless you really put your face on the screen. I'd hate to keep bringing the Apple devices up, but to compare the graininess, the T101MT looks way less grainy than the iTouches.
Another quality I like is that this netvertible has a matte screen. It will still attract skin oil but it resists finger prints. The included stylus has a rounded tip which glides on the screen- it will not scratch your screen at all. I won't be the only one using this netvertible so I decided to protect it anyway. I placed a AG2 Anti-Glare Screen Protector for 10.1" Widescreen Netbooks on the screen. This screen protector will NOT alter the screen's quality, brightness, or touch sensitivity. It also comes with a microfiber cloth to clean the screen, really useful.
Speakers
The speakers are placed under the palm rests, on the front of the netbook. The sound is acceptable for such a small unit. It is not tinny at all. It's loud but not booming.
Battery
I get about 4-5 hours of use per battery charge, always on Windows 7 High Performance mode (not to be confused with ASUS Super Hybrid Engine). My tasks, though, are pretty inconsistent- sometimes I'm writing on my blog, or watching videos, or web browsing, or playing 2D games, but these numbers are the average amount of hours I get. Balanced mode will surely add an hour or two, depending on the tasks.
I'd also like to add that doing some CPU-taxing tasks, like streaming videos and playing games, will require me to use the Super Performance Mode of the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, which brings me to CPU usage.
CPU Capability
This is a netbook. Once you accept its capabilities, you will like it. If you require more computing and graphics power on a tablet notebook, look into the HP TM2T series which uses CULV/Core i UM CPUs and optional discrete graphics, but at double the costs. There are certainly more "higher-end" netbooks around, like the ones with the Nvidia ION GPU and even the Alienware M11X, but these have a different focus and lack touchscreen features. You are getting the T101MT for its touchscreen feature in a netbook size, that's the bottom line.
Having said all that, the T101MT's Atom N450 runs at 1.6Ghz and is snappy for a netbook, but watching videos, it helps to run it on 1.85Ghz by using the Super Performance Mode of the ASUS S.H.E. To match the screen's resolution of 1024x600 and to alleviate the CPU's capability, it is best to watch lower resolution videos and switching it to full screen. I streamed a Simpsons episode on Hulu using 288p and running it at full screen without any lag. It will lag on 360p. But on Youtube, fullscreen 360p will not lag, anything higher will. As for videos on your hard drive, it is best to convert them to widescreen 480p. That's 720 pixels horizontal and 480 pixels vertical. Since the physical size of the screen isn't that big to begin with, you will not notice much quality difference from a 480p video to an hd video. It's also worth adding that it cannot decode 720p videos, it will stutter and chug.
Gaming
Getting this netbook brought me back some nostalgic moments. By this, I mean I dug up old copies of 2D and less intensive 3D games in storage. I installed some point and click games to take advantage of the touchscreen. This includes a bunch of Dash games for my girlfriend. We both enjoy Plants VS Zombies. I also installed games for casual gaming, like classic strategy games such as Warcraft III, Age of Empire, and even my dilapidated copy of StarCraft. Adventure games like Space Quest series, Syberia, The Longest Journey, Tales/Secret of Monkey Island and the Broken Sword series are also installed and run flawlessly. Some 2D casual, mystery, clue-finder games made by PopCap Games are fun on-the-go. There are still some gaming gems in the late 90s and early 2Ks that will run on this system. Like I said, once you accept and understand its full capabilities, this goes for any netbook, you can proceed to install the right software and have some fun.
ExpressGate
This is a nice addition for emergency internet use, in my opinion. Although it is a fast Splashtop, I generally do not use it, because Windows 7's loadtime does not bother me.
If you found this review helpful, please mark as Helpful. Leave a comment if you have any questions or if you did not find this helpful. Please do not mark as unhelpful until I answer your concerns or corrections. Visit my blog to watch the video reviews and tutorials. You can find them by searching "t101mt" at mycoretechs*com. Change the * to a .
Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS Eee PC T101MT-EU17-BK 10.1-Inch Convertible Tablet Netbook (Black)
The Eee PC T101MT-EU17 tablet netbook has a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with touch-optimized software for quick and easy access to your favorite applications and websites. Transforming the rotating screen into tablet mode makes using the Eee PC T101MT fun and simple for showing off photos, giving presentations, or surfing the Web. Plus, the Intel Atom N450 processor with the battery-boosting ASUS Super Hybrid Engine delivers efficient performance and exceptional unplugged freedom that lasts up to 6.5 hours4. Included also is a retractable stylus that tucks neatly into the chassis and extends for ease of use. And with ASUS PenWrite Technology that intelligently distinguishes the writing stylus from your palm built into the display, you\'re assured a smooth and natural writing experience. The Eee PC T101MT also has high-speed wireless N connectivity, 500GB of ASUS WebStorage2, and many more features that simplify your everyday life.
Key Features
10.1-inch Eee PC T101MT tablet netbook is ultra slim and light for easy on-the-go portability (Learn more)
Convertible tablet design with retractable stylus writing tool makes note-taking and navigating easy and fun (Learn more)
Responsive touch display for precise navigation throughout your everyday activities (Learn more)
Intel Atom N450 processor that\'s even more power efficient for extended mobility
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine that innovatively saves battery life and boosts performance
Palm-detecting PenWrite Technology for easy and natural note taking (Learn more)
Eee Docking provides easy shortcuts to digital content, services, and applications (Learn more)
High-speed wireless N Wi-Fi networking for faster wireless connectivity (802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4GHz) (Learn more)
LivCam with 4x digital zoom for enhanced Web communications and video capturing (Learn more)
F9 easy recovery for convenient and easy operating system recovery (Learn more)
Express Gate boots up in only 8 seconds for quick access to music, the Internet, and more1
500GB of ASUS WebStorage for a secure, convenient way to backup, share, and access your data2 (Learn more)
Learn More
Portable Design & Touch Display
Touch-Optimized Apps
A Faster Online Experience and Easy Connectivity
Even More Storage
Quick Recovery with Just One Key
Eee PC with Windows 7 – Life Made Easier
A Brand That Sparked a Revolution – The First Netbook
Customer Warranty
1 year limited global warranty
6-months battery warranty
Free one-way standard shipping
24/7 tech support
What's in the Box The entire Eee PC T101MT-EU17package contains a warranty information card, Eee PC T101MT-EU17 Tablet Netbook, Retractable Stylus, and AC Adapter
Eee PC T101MT-EU17 Tablet Netbook
Retractable Stylus
Warranty Information Card
AC Adapter
Specifications
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Starter
Display: 10.1-inch WSVGA touchscreen display (1024 x 600)
Touchscreen: Responsive multi-touch screen3
CPU: Intel Atom N450 processor
Graphics: Intel UMA graphics
Wireless Data Network: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz)
LAN: 10/100 Mbps LAN
Memory: 1GB(up to 2GB)
Hybrid Storage: 160GB HDD + 500GB ASUS WebStorage2
Camera: 0.3M Pixels
Audio: Stereo Speakers, built-in digital array microphone
Storage Cards: 2-in-1 (SD/SDHC/MMC)
Input/ Output: 1 x VGA port (D-Sub 15 pin) 3 x USB 2.0 ports 2 x Audio jacks (Headphone & Mic-in),
Battery: 6.5 hours4
Size: 10.4 x 7.1 x 1.22 –inches (W x D x H)
Weight: 2.86 lbs (with battery)
Color: Black
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in images. 1 The actual boot time is subject to hardware configurations and product models. 2 ASUS WebStorage is a complimentary trial service for 1 year after registration. Actual storage capacity varies by model. 3 Multi-touch must be supported by operating system, Windows 7 Home Premium or higher. 4 Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations. For more information, please visit http://eeepc.asus.com/global/computing.html. The estimated maximum battery life in Windows 7 is measured with MobileMark 2007.
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