In 2007 the company ASUS introduced the world to a device that changed the laptop market forever - Eee PC netbook. This compact and inexpensive laptop is a response to the growing demand for mobile solutions for the Internet, office tasks and education. The word "Eee" stood for "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play" ("Easy to learn, easy to work, easy to play"), which perfectly reflected the philosophy of the new line.

First models Eee PC 701 with a 7-inch screen and weighing less than a kilogram, they made a splash - they offered basic functionality for $299 at a time when regular laptops cost 3-4 times more. The success was so resounding that within a year all the leading manufacturers released their netbooks, and the term “netbook” itself became a household word. But what is Eee PC today, 15+ years after debut? Should you buy used models in 2026? Let's figure it out.

Evolution of the ASUS Eee PC line: from 701 to 1201

Over 5 years of production (2007–2012) ASUS released more than 20 models Eee PC, each of which brought something new. The first wave (2007–2008) was built on the platform Intel Celeron M with a clock frequency of 630–900 MHz and used Linux (distribution Xandros) or Windows XP. The amount of RAM varied from 512 MB to 2 GB, and drives were presented SSD 4–16 GB or HDD 80–160 GB in later versions.

The second generation (2009–2010) switched to processors Intel Atom (series N270, N450), which gave an increase in performance with less power consumption. Models with 10-inch screens appeared (Eee PC 1000H, 1005HA), a keyboard 92% of the full size and batteries for 6–8 hours of operation. The peak of evolution was the series 1201 with a 12-inch display and optional touchscreen - in fact, these were the first ultrabooks for $500–700.

  • 🔹 Eee PC 701 (2007) - founder, 7" screen, 2–4 hours of battery life
  • 🔹 Eee PC 900 (2008) - 8.9" screen, 1 GB RAM, SSD 12–20 GB
  • 🔹 Eee PC 1000HE (2009) - record holder for operating time (up to 9.5 hours)
  • 🔹 Eee PC 1201N (2010) - dual-core Atom N330, discrete graphics NVIDIA ION
📊 What netbook screen size do you think is optimal?
  • 7–8 inches
  • 9–10 inches
  • 11–12 inches
  • I only need modern laptops

Technical characteristics: what could Eee PC in due time

By modern standards the parameters Eee PC may seem modest, but in the context of 2007–2012 they were revolutionary. For example, model Eee PC 1005HA (2009) equipped with:

  • 🖥️ Processor: Intel Atom N280 (1.66 GHz, 1 core, 512 KB cache)
  • 🖥️RAM: 1 GB DDR2 (maximum 2 GB)
  • 🖥️ Storage: 160 GB HDD (5400 rpm) or 32 GB SSD in top versions
  • 🖥️ Screen: 10.1" 1024×600 (TN matrix, glossy finish)
  • 🖥️ Graphics: Intel GMA 950 (built-in, up to 224 MB total memory)
  • 🖥️ Ports: 3×USB 2.0, VGA, Ethernet, card reader, Wi-Fi 802.11n
Model Processor RAM Storage Autonomy Weight
Eee PC 701 Celeron M 900 MHz 512 MB 4–8 GB SSD 2–3 hours 0.92 kg
Eee PC 900 Celeron M 900 MHz 1 GB 12–20 GB SSD 3–4 hours 1.1 kg
Eee PC 1000HE Atom N280 1.66 GHz 1–2 GB 160 GB HDD up to 9.5 hours 1.45 kg
Eee PC 1201N Atom N330 1.6 GHz (2 cores) 2–3 GB 250 GB HDD 5–6 hours 1.4 kg

A unique feature of early Eee PCs was their modular design: the user could easily replace the battery, RAM, and even the SSD without disassembling the case. This was unusual for ultra-compact devices of the time. For example, in Eee PC 701 The SSD was a removable board format mini-PCIe, and in Eee PC 900 there is a slot for SO-DIMM RAM.

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If you are buying used Eee PC, check the battery status using the utility BatteryInfoView — original batteries often swell after 10 years of use.

Comparison with modern analogues: which is better in 2026

Modern netbooks as a class have practically disappeared, giving way to Chromebooks, tablets with keyboard And ultrabooks. However, the niche of compact and inexpensive devices for basic tasks remains. Let's compare Eee PC 1005HA (2009) with current alternatives:

  • 💻 Performance: Atom N280 loses even to juniors Intel Celeron N4000 (2018) 5–7 times according to tests Geekbench. Modern chips Intel N100 or AMD 3015e superior to the old ones Eee PC 10+ times.
  • 🖥️ Screen: resolution 1024×600 today is considered unacceptable (even budget laptops offer 1366×768 or 1920×1080). TN matrices have given way to IPS with better viewing angles.
  • 🔋 Autonomy: 8–10 o'clock Eee PC 1000HE look good but modern Chromebook on MediaTek Kompanio work 12–15 hours.
  • 💾 Drives: eMMC in budget laptops in 2026 faster than older ones HDD from Eee PC 3–4 times, and SSD NVMe - 10+ times.

However, Eee PC there are undeniable advantages:

  • ✅ Maintainability: Replacing the keyboard, screen or battery takes 10-15 minutes.
  • ✅ Fanless design: The absence of moving parts makes the device silent and reliable.
  • ✅ Legal Windows 7/10: Many models came with a license that can be transferred to modern hardware.
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The only scenario where Eee PC justified in 2026 - retro computing, teaching children the basics of IT or using it as a terminal for the Raspberry Pi.

Problems and typical malfunctions: what to look for

If you are considering buying used Eee PC, be prepared for typical “diseases” of age:

⚠️ Attention: Batteries in Eee PC over 10 years old, they often swell, which can damage the case or motherboard. Before purchasing, inspect the bottom cover for any deformation.
  • 🔋 Battery: original batteries (6-cell or 8-cell) hold a charge for no more than 10–15 minutes. Replacement will cost 1,500–3,000 rubles.
  • 💾 Drives: SSD in early models (701, 900) have a limited recording resource (about 10,000 cycles). HDD often fail due to vibrations.
  • 🔌 Ports: connectors USB And DC-in become loose due to brittle soldering. Repair requires re-soldering.
  • 🖥️ Screen: display cables oxidize, which leads to artifacts or complete failure of the matrix. Replacing the cable costs 800–1,500 rubles.

The most common problem is bios errors. For example, in Eee PC 1000H When the CMOS battery is low, the settings are reset and the device stops booting. Solution:

  1. Turn off the power and remove the battery.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
  3. Connect the charger and turn on the netbook by immediately pressing F2 to enter the BIOS.
  4. Reset settings to default (Load Defaults) and save the changes.
How to restore the BIOS if the netbook does not turn on?

If Eee PC does not respond to the power button, try the “blind flashing” method:

1. Download the BIOS firmware for your model from the website ASUS.

2. Rename the file to E701.ROM (for Eee PC 701) or according to the instructions.

3. Place it on your formatted FAT32 flash drive.

4. Insert the USB flash drive into the port, hold down Fn+B and connect power. The indicators should blink - this is a sign of successful firmware.

Modding and Upgrading: How to Extend Life Eee PC

Even after 15 years Eee PC can be upgraded for modern tasks. Here are the most effective upgrades:

  • 🖥️ RAM: maximum supported volume - 2 GB DDR2 (for Atom N270/N280) or 3 GB (for N330). The cost of the module is 500–1,000 rubles.
  • 💾 Storage:
    • For Eee PC 701/900: replacement SSD on mSATA via adapter (up to 256 GB).
    • For Eee PC 1000/1200: installation SSD 2.5" instead of HDD (For example, Kingston A400 240GB for 2,000 rubles).
  • 🐧 OS:
    • Windows 10 LTSC (light version without telemetry).
    • Linux distributions: AntiX, Puppy Linux or Lubuntu (consume less than 200 MB of RAM).
    • ChromeOS Flex (from Google, optimized for low-end hardware).
  • 🔋 Food: replacing the battery with a universal one (11.1V 4400mAh) or use power bank with 19V output via adapter.

Extreme upgrade: some enthusiasts replace the motherboard with a modern one (Intel NUC or Raspberry Pi CM4), keeping the body Eee PC. For example, project "Eee Pi" allows you to install RPi 4 with 8 GB RAM and NVMe SSD via an adapter, turning a netbook into a full-fledged computer for an office or media center.

Make a backup of data from the original drive|Check the compatibility of the new RAM with the motherboard|Update the BIOS to the latest version|Disconnect the battery before replacing components|Install a light OS (Windows 10 LTSC or Linux)|>

Where to buy and how much it costs Eee PC in 2026

Used Eee PC can be found on the following sites:

Venue Average price (RUB) Pros Cons
Avito 2 000–5 000 Can be inspected before purchasing, negotiable There are many non-working devices, sellers often do not know the real condition
Yula 1 500–4 000 Low prices, frequent discounts No guarantee, high probability of fraud
eBay (international shipping) 20–80 USD Large selection, rare models can be found Expensive delivery, risk of customs problems
Local IT flea markets (VK, Telegram) 1 000–3 000 Salespeople are often technically savvy Small assortment, you need to wait for a suitable lot

The cost depends on the model and configuration:

  • 💰 Eee PC 701/900 (7–9") - 1,000–3,000 rubles (often without battery).
  • 💰 Eee PC 1000/1005 (10") - 2,500–5,000 rubles (with a working battery +30–50% of the price).
  • 💰 Eee PC 1201N (12", NVIDIA ION) - 5,000–8,000 rubles (rare, sought after by collectors).
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing, check whether delivery is included in the price - many sellers on Avito indicate the price “for pickup”, and courier delivery can add another 500–1,000 rubles.

Before the transaction, ask the seller:

  1. Take a BIOS photo (click F2 when loading).
  2. Launch MemTest86 to check RAM.
  3. Show battery life (if available).
  4. Connect to Wi-Fi and demonstrate your Internet speed.

Alternatives Eee PC: what to choose instead of a netbook

If you need a compact and inexpensive computer for basic tasks, consider modern alternatives:

  • 💻 Chromebook:
    • 🔹 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (11", Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, 8–10 hours of work) - 25,000 rubles.
    • 🔹 ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 (11.6", durable case, touch screen) - 30,000 rubles.
  • 💻 Budget laptops:
    • 🔹 HP Stream 14 (Intel N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC) - 18,000 rubles.
    • 🔹 Acer Aspire 3 (AMD 3015e, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) - 22,000 rubles.
  • 💻 Tablets with keyboards:
    • 🔹 Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite + Book Cover — 35,000 rubles.
    • 🔹 Apple iPad (9th generation) + Magic Keyboard — 50,000 rubles.
  • 💻 Mini-PC:
    • 🔹 Beelink EQ12 (Intel N100, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) - 20,000 rubles.
    • 🔹 GMK NucBox 3 (Ryzen 7 5800H, 32 GB of RAM) - 45,000 rubles.

Advantages of modern devices over Eee PC:

  • 🔹Support Wi-Fi 6 And Bluetooth 5.0.
  • 🔹 Screens with resolution Full HD and aspect ratio 16:10.
  • 🔹 Possibility of connecting external monitors via HDMI or USB-C.
  • 🔹 Modern OS with long-term support (Windows 11, ChromeOS).
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If you need a netbook solely for nostalgia or specific tasks (for example, controlling a machine via LPT port), then Eee PC - an excellent choice. In all other cases, it is better to consider modern alternatives.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to install Windows 11 on Eee PC?

Technically yes, but with caveats:

  • 🔹 Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 And 64-bit processor. No device Eee PC does not support TPM in hardware.
  • 🔹 Bypass through the registry (BypassTPMCheck) is possible, but the system will work extremely slowly (even with SSD).
  • 🔹 The best option is Windows 10 LTSC or Tiny11 (easy assembly Windows 11).

For everyday tasks it is better to use Linux (For example, AntiX with core 5.10 LTS).

How to connect Eee PC to a modern monitor without VGA?

There are several ways:

  1. Use adapter VGA → HDMI (active, with external power supply). Cost: 1,500–2,500 rubles.
  2. Connect via USB using an adapter DisplayLink (For example, Wavlink USB 3.0 to HDMI). Requires driver installation.
  3. For models with Eee PC 1201N (with HDMI) — 直接 connection to a modern monitor.

Note: The maximum supported resolution is VGA — 1600×1200, but you can really achieve stable operation only with 1280×1024.

What games can be played on Eee PC?

List of games that run on Eee PC with Windows XP/7:

  • 🎮 Minecraft (version 1.7–1.12, with option Fast Render).
  • 🎮 Terraria (with permission 800×600 and disabled effects).
  • 🎮 Half-Life, Counter-Strike 1.6 (via OpenGL render).
  • 🎮 Starcraft: Brood War, Warcraft III: Reforged (at minimum settings).
  • 🎮 Dwarf Fortress (text version).
  • 🎮 Emulators NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance (via RetroArch).

For models with NVIDIA ION (Eee PC 1201N) available:

  • 🎮 Team Fortress 2 (at minimum settings, 20–30 FPS).
  • 🎮 Left 4 Dead (with permission 800×600).
  • 🎮 Portal (with shadows disabled).
How to reset BIOS password on Eee PC?

If you have forgotten your BIOS password, there are several ways to reset it:

  1. Hard reset:
    • Turn off the power and remove the battery.
    • Remove the bottom cover (unscrew the 4 screws).
    • Locate the jumper on the motherboard CLR_CMOS (usually next to the BIOS battery).
    • Bridging the contacts with a screwdriver for 10 seconds.
    • Reassemble the netbook and turn it on - the password will be reset.
  2. Soft reset (for some models):
    • Enter any password three times - the system may display an error code.
    • Use this code on the site bios-pw.orgto get the master password.
  3. Replacing the BIOS battery:
    • Battery CR2032 located under the keyboard.
    • Remove it for 5 minutes, then put it back.
⚠️ Attention: On some models (Eee PC 1000H) resetting the BIOS may result in the loss of the serial number in EEPROM, which will make activation impossible Windows under OEM license.
Where to download drivers for Eee PC?

Official drivers for Eee PC no longer supported ASUS, but they can be found: