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- Dual-core Atom processor
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent battery life
- Good value
- Stutters when streaming video from the web
- Small keyboard
- Touchpad is finicky
Reviewers say the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17 is a solid, well-made netbook with many good qualities, though there are newer and faster models on the market. The 10.1-inch, 2.8-pound design is easily portable, and the Intel dual-core Atom N550 processor is competent. Other components on the 1015PEM-PU17 configuration -- the one experts test most often -- include 1 GB of memory, a 250 GB hard drive, Windows 7 Starter and a 6-cell battery. Although performance isn't much faster than a single-core netbook, testing shows that the dual-core CPU can run multiple programs without bogging down. Battery life is another high point, lasting around eight hours in many (though not all) tests. Even with the dual-core processor, the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM still has trouble when streaming video from the Web on sites like Netflix or Hulu. HD videos are completely unwatchable, and even 720-pixel videos stutter in some tests. We also saw a few complaints about the small keyboard and the touchpad, which doesn't respond well to multi-touch commands.
A number of technology sites review the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, with the best reviews coming from Laptop Magazine, PCMag.com, ComputerShopper.com and CNET. Each site thoroughly reviews the netbook and includes testing details. PCMag.com is especially helpful for comparing the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM to other netbooks of its era. Amazon.com and Newegg.com have a small selection of user reviews.
| Asus EEE PC 1015PEM-PU17-BK Battery 56Wh, 5200mAh | |
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The Asus Eee PC 1015PEM earns a 4-star rating (out of 5) from Laptop Magazine. "Despite a couple of drawbacks, this netbook is one of the best money can buy," writes K.T. Bradford. High points include lengthy battery life and an attractive design.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, K.T. Bradford, Sept. 24, 2010
The Asus Eee PC 1015PEM also gets a 4-star rating from PCMag.com. Cisco Cheng reports slight performance improvements over single-core netbooks, and long battery life is another plus. Like other reviewers, he finds the keyboard a little cramped.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, Cisco Cheng, Oct. 6, 2010
ComputerShopper.com gives the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM a high overall rating, scoring it at 8.4 out of 10. Catharine Smith says it is a good choice for those who already have a regular laptop, and she reports that multitasking performance is much better than on single-core netbooks. Smith does complain that multi-touch gestures on the touchpad are hit or miss.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, Catharine Smith, Nov. 2010
4. CNET
CNET gives the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM a good rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Scott Stein reports excellent battery life and peppier performance when multitasking. However, he says the keyboard is too small and some videos are unwatchable on sites like YouTube.com.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17 (black), Scott Stein, Oct. 7, 2010
5. Amazon.com
The Asus Eee PC 1015PEM earns very positive reviews from nearly 200 users at Amazon.com, with an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Users love the matte design, portability and excellent battery life. However, many reviewers recommend upgrading to 2 GB of RAM.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black), Contributors to Amazon.com
6. NewEgg.com
Users at Newegg.com give the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM good ratings (4 eggs out of 5), but following far less feedback (around 30 reports have been posted). Most say the netbook meets expectations, but many would like to see it come with more memory.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17 Black, Contributors to Newegg.com
The editors of TechReviewSource.com have a short review of the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, giving it a 4-star rating (out of 5). The review is based on features and hands-on testing, but no benchmarking appears to have been done.
Review: Asus Eee PC 1015PEM, Editors of TechReviewSource.com, Oct. 8, 2010
Ardjuna Seghers gives the Asus Eee PC 1015 PEM high marks for its design at this British site, and notes the dual-core processor and fast connectivity: N speed WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 3.0. Downsides are the keyboard, which is deemed uncomfortable for extended typing, and – surprisingly -- battery life, which is nearly half of the 11 hours the company claims in Trusted Reviews' test of continuous, half-brightness video.
Review: Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015 PEM review, Ardjuna Seghers, Nov. 29, 2010
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