[Novalug] My EeePC 1000 Review

Mon Jan 5 21:37:04 EST 2009

But HP printers work amazingly well under Linux without installing
anything extra, so buying HP makes perfect sense for people on this
list.

On Mon, 2009-01-05 at 19:43 -0500, Jay Hart wrote:
> Varol,
> 
> Don't worry too much about my comment, I wonder the same thing about people
> who buy HP printers.  Why I have to load 100MB (or more) of stuff under
> Windows just to use the thing is WWWWWAAAAAYYYY beyond me as well.
> 
> Jay
> 
> > Why people buy from Tigerdirect is beyond me!!!
> >
> > Varol, I hope your new laptop gives you years of reliable service.
> >
> > Jay
> >
> >> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >> Hash: SHA1
> >>
> >> I just bought the hp2133 for $400,- after rebate from Tigerdirect.
> >>
> >> The specs:
> >> 1.6GHz C7 CPU, 2GB Ram, 7200 rpm 120GB HD, 1280x768 8.9"screen, Vista
> >> Business ( and got the Recovery DVDs free after calling HP ), wifi +
> >> bluetooth.
> >>
> >> The thing I like best is the metal case and the keyboard. The CPU is the
> >> only weak point but I do not intend to use it as my main development box.
> >>
> >> I installed OpenSuSE 11.1 on it but might switch to Ubuntu 8.10 because
> >> it supports HW acceleration etc.
> >>
> >> I would also like to get the Voodoo Splashtop working
> >> http://www.hp2133guide.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=914&sid=5058d49b517d0a2ecc311409b7263051
> >>
> >> Anyhow, Tigerdirect run out off this version but you might find it at
> >> another location. Only the no-bluetooth 1.2GHz version at Tigerdirect
> >>
> >> Varol :)
> >>
> >>
> >> James wrote:
> >>> Digging up an old thread that I just reviewed. Are there any recent
> >>> thoughts on the Eee PC 1000 since August? Has the unit aged
> >>> gracefully?
> >>>
> >>> I'm looking to get a netbook for blogging, writing, note taking,
> >>> coding, studying, video watching, web surfing -- anything between my
> >>> home and office, and I'm leaning toward the 1000 (nearly $400 now on
> >>> newegg).
> >>>
> >>> On Wed, Aug 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM, David A. Cafaro <dac at cafaro.net> wrote:
> >>>> Small update on the review.
> >>>>
> >>>> I figured out that the webserver running on port 20032 is used for the
> >>>> virus scanner interface.  It appears to only allow access from
> >>>> localhost to the program though the webserver does respond from any IP.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> David A. Cafaro <dac at cafaro.net>
> >>>> Cafaro's Ramblings:  www.cafaro.net
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Aug 13, 2008, at 12:08 AM, David A. Cafaro wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Ok, I finally received my EeePC 1000 this week and have had some time
> >>>>> to play around with it. Have to say I love the hardware, very well
> >>>>> made. This thing is loaded. Though the default Xandros OS is nice and
> >>>>> well integrated with the hardware, it's not going to meet my needs in
> >>>>> the long run; I'll be upgrading to Fedora or Ubuntu in the near
> >>>>> future.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I know there was some discussion on if the EeePC 1000 was too
> >>>>> expensive or had lost the meaning of what being an EeePC is, but I
> >>>>> have to say it's just what I was looking for. To give some background,
> >>>>> I commute to work, and like to have a small light laptop with me in
> >>>>> case of emergency work while I'm between home, job, or out traveling.
> >>>>> Something simple that can provide net access, a browser, and a command
> >>>>> line. For the past 4 years that has been my Sharp MM20 laptop. It had
> >>>>> reasonable support for Linux and has worked very well for me. But it's
> >>>>> 4 years old, and that odd ball for a processor, the Transmeta
> >>>>> Efficeon, is being left behind by Linux. The non-upgradeable 512MB of
> >>>>> memory wasn't helping either. So I've been searching for a
> >>>>> replacement, and for almost 1/3 the cost of my original MM20, I've got
> >>>>> a more functional, just a little larger and little heavier, laptop.
> >>>>> That's what I was looking for.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hardware:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> So, with that said, here is what you get with the EeePC 1000:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>     * Intel 1.6Ghz Atom CPU - Seems to be quick enough, much better
> >>>>> than the old Transmetta Efficeon
> >>>>>     * 1GB DDR2 400Mhz Main Memory
> >>>>>     * 10.2" 1024x600 LCD - Excellent brightness, looks great
> >>>>>     * Intel GMA 950 based graphics controller - So far, seems snappy
> >>>>>     * RaLink RT2790 Wireless 802.11n - Excellent Linux support,
> >>>>> opensource driver, and connects at N speeds with WPA2 no problem
> >>>>>     * Atheros Corp, L1e Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Ok, it says
> >>>>> Gigabit in lspci but it's not, still it works
> >>>>>     * One 8GB SSD ( mounted as / ), one 32GB SSD (mounted as /home)
> >>>>>     * Bluetooth 2.0
> >>>>>     * MultiTouch Touchpad
> >>>>>     * 1.3MPixel Webcam, dual microphones, stereo speakers.
> >>>>>     * 3 x USB 2.0 ports, VGA port, Audio IN/OUT port, SDHC Card reader
> >>>>>     * 6 Cell Li-Ion Battery
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I can't complain about the hardware, that's really what I bought this
> >>>>> for. It meets every need that I had, hardware wise. Might have been
> >>>>> nice if it was a little thinner and lighter, but that would have
> >>>>> raised the cost. So far, the battery run time is incredible. I've left
> >>>>> the latop sitting on my desk all day with all wireless on, Ethernet
> >>>>> connected, using it every once in a while lightly, and it's still got
> >>>>> 50% charge left. That's insane! Perfect travel laptop.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Software:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I decided to try living with the default Xandros Linux that comes with
> >>>>> the EeePC for a few days. I also figured it would give me time to
> >>>>> collect all the information I would need to do a fully working install
> >>>>> of Fedora or Ubuntu. Ignoring the security issues, which I will talk
> >>>>> about later, I have to say the basic setup is pretty nice. Everything
> >>>>> works, things are pretty clearly labeled, and it's easy to navigate
> >>>>> around. I really do like how well they integrated in the hardware
> >>>>> functionality, I've never had a Linux laptop work this well.  It's
> >>>>> clearly designed for someone with much less Linux experience, but
> >>>>> that's there target audience.  A list of software pre-installed can be
> >>>>> easily found on the web. My minor gripes about the default Linux
> >>>>> install are the following:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>     * The default install of xorg was set to 16 bit and not 24 bit. I
> >>>>> like my millions of colors (vs ~65K)
> >>>>>     * FileManager disappeared on me, though I found a way to replace
> >>>>> it online and there are alternate means of accessing it
> >>>>>     * Could use more software to install through the Add/Remove
> >>>>> Software system
> >>>>>     * Needs more mouse control, less speed more acceleration. Hard to
> >>>>> hit small targets.
> >>>>>     * Since it's multi-touch, why can't double finger tap act as a
> >>>>> right click like on Mac OS X?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Security:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Security being an interest of mine, I was curious to see what was
> >>>>> setup by default on the Xandros OS for EeePC. This is where I
> >>>>> confirmed that I'll be loading my own Linux on this. I found a couple
> >>>>> of issues and some good points. First the good points:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>     * Most services are turned off by default
> >>>>>     * It comes with a virus scanner to scan your documents and such.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Now the bad points:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>     * Default user name of "user" with sudo (root) no-password
> >>>>> required access
> >>>>>     * Default to instant login, though this can be changed via the
> >>>>> Personalization icon under settings
> >>>>>     * No ipchains/iptables compiled into the kernel, NO FIREWALL!
> >>>>>     * Yes, it does have a virus scanner, but we're on Linux, I would
> >>>>> rather have a firewall!
> >>>>>     * Broken updates, see below
> >>>>>     * Several open ports by default, bad
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Here are the results of the nmap test:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Starting Nmap 4.20 ( http://insecure.org ) at 2008-08-12 13:51 EDT
> >>>>> Interesting ports on xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:
> >>>>> Not shown: 65531 closed ports
> >>>>> PORT STATE SERVICE
> >>>>> 111/tcp open rpcbind
> >>>>> 139/tcp open netbios-ssn
> >>>>> 445/tcp open microsoft-ds
> >>>>> 20032/tcp open unknown
> >>>>>
> >>>>> So we have rpcbind, netbios-ssn, and microsft-ds open. Netbios-ssn and
> >>>>> microsoft-ds are a big no no, even though it's samba that's providing
> >>>>> the service (yes nmbd and smbd Samba daemons are started by default)
> >>>>> so less likely to fall to the standard script kiddies, it's a big sign
> >>>>> that says "Hello!!! Try to HACK ME!!!" when connected to the internet
> >>>>> directly. I know they do this for convenience to improve the ability
> >>>>> to file share with the EeePC, but why can't these be off unless a user
> >>>>> actively chooses to share? Oh, and by default the laptop is part of
> >>>>> "Workgroup" just like any other out of the box Windows system. As for
> >>>>> rpcbind, it's up and running but no services are listed at the open
> >>>>> ports.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Now port 20032 is interesting, according to netstat this is the
> >>>>> nginx.conf program. This is some form of web-server namely "nginx/
> >>>>> 0.5.33". Why on earth is there a web-server running on the EeePC? I
> >>>>> haven't dug through the file system to find out what it is serving,
> >>>>> but this is another one that makes me nervous. Since there is no
> >>>>> firewall, I'm going to have to see what I can do with host.allow/deny
> >>>>> or just stopping the process from starting.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> As for the broken updates, most seem to work fine, but one "Asus
> >>>>> Update System Update" download fails. Based on what I've found,
> >>>>> apparently there are files missing on ASUS servers. Funny thing is
> >>>>> they don't seem to believe people who try to tell them they are
> >>>>> missing. Hopefully that will get resolved soon.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Personally, I'm not impressed with the security of the default Xandros
> >>>>> Linux. There are open ports that just shouldn't be open and the lack
> >>>>> of a firewall is very frustrating.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Conclusion:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I think this laptop is going to be a great companion for the near
> >>>>> future. Once I get my own Linux distro installed and gain back a
> >>>>> little more control, things should be good. Though the pre-installed
> >>>>> version of Linux is functionally very nice, I just found too many
> >>>>> drawbacks to use it, not the least of which were the security issues.
> >>>>> The hardware more than makes up for it, so all is good!
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Some comparison pictures can be found on the my blog post of this
> >>>>> review:
> >>>>> http://www.cafaro.net/linux-related-information/eeepc-1000-linux-review/
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Cheers,
> >>>>> David
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> David A. Cafaro <dac at cafaro.net>
> >>>>> Cafaro's Ramblings:  www.cafaro.net
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
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-- 
Mackenzie Morgan
http://ubuntulinuxtipstricks.blogspot.com
apt-get moo
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