Asus Eee PC 1201N

A netbook doped dual core Atom and Ion

Specialist Netbooks , Asus set for the first time on a dual-core chip and Ion .

Specialist Netbooks lightweight and autonomous, Asus set for the first time on a dual processor chip and a heart Ion , for an unusual performance netbook less than 450 euros.

Far, very far from the first EeePC in 2008 with their 7-inch , single-core Atom chip them , their little 8GB flash memory and Chipset Graphic, Asus sells from the month of December 2009, the most ambitious Netbooks ever seen.

The Atom who wanted to be as big as the Celeron

Consider this configuration: a dual processor Atom N330 clocked at 1.60 Hz heart , 2 GB of shared RAM , 250GB storage , Nvidia graphics chip Ion, all with a screen of 12 inches for a definition of a 366 x 768. In short, it is on paper netbook most powerful machine already equipped for multimedia and HD. Remains to be seen whether he can compete with ultra mobiles , very fashionable at the moment, and equipped with a Celeron processor even more nervous than Atom . This positioning multimedia , Asus assumes even in its software , integrating multiple applications that take advantage of the chip Ion 1201N . Thus, Arcsoft SimHD can convert high – definition videos in standard definition initially , while the Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater serves as a HD media player .

Sounds interesting … on paper

Otherwise, the connection is no surprise: three USB ports, a VGA and HDMI, and an SD card reader. It also weighs 1.46 kg , a very reasonable weight , and runs on Windows 7 , as all PCs launched since November. The 1201N is currently commercially available at a price of 449 €. In summary, here is a very attractive netbook on paper. You can find the test on our website. This will include the judge its actual performance (Atom a dual core, it’s worth what), and its autonomy (Asus announces 5 hours with 6 cell battery ).

The expectations before test

Far, very far from the first EeePC in 2008 with their 7-inch , single-core Atom chip them , their little 8GB flash memory and Chipset Graphic, Asus sells in the month of December 1 models Netbooks most ambitious ever seen. It incorporates an Atom processor double heart and an Nvidia graphics chip Ion, which , on paper , go to box in the ultra mobile category. But machine in hand, the reality is more complicated.

The reality

There are several ways of judging a computer. Some swear by the performance , others by practical aspects . In truth, the two are intimately linked , and as exciting as the 1201N frustrating is the best illustration . This netbook offers a 12 inch screen and a configuration capable of displaying HD ( 720p ) .

A double power under the hood

This performance is owed to the Nvidia chip Ion , designed for Netbooks lately . The dual processor N330 does , he , not much unlike what one might think . For despite his double- heart, remains an Atom N330 , that is to say an extremely CPU limited. You can feel it when launching applications : the latency is long , arduous, and many small support software pre-installed by Asus do even that parasitize the processor. In feeling, it’s true , the 1201N can do well to take advantage of HD files smoothly and enjoyable. But the nervousness is still an netbook and therefore , very effective. Especially Asus had the bad idea of a wrapper software pre-installed quite heavy , so that the 1201N has appeared … even slower than Netbooks six months old ! Nothing is moving to a 20 m² for a 30 sqm , if it’s for the clutter of furniture twice …

Ultra portables have set the bar higher

If our impressions are so mixed , there is more competition . And especially that of ultra mobiles , also called portable ultra low consumption, or, CULV. This range, launched earlier this year , based on a Celeron much more nervous. Comparing a dual-core Atom with a Celeron ? Both launch two ” dodoches “in the conduct of a small car rally : lost in advance. In comparison , for office tasks and multimedia with PC Mark Vantage , the Acer Timeline 1810tz displays a score of 2807, cons 1571 Asus 1201N (scarcely more than a netbook traditional) . The performance index of the processor in Windows 7 is much more to his advantage: 4 against 3.2 for the same two models. More importantly , use the Celeron appears much keener and responsive , especially when it comes to run multiple applications simultaneously. Yet only 50 € between them in stores !

At least we can (just ) play

So of course, the netbook Asus has some advantages, foremost among its chip ion that allows it to be comfortable in a few video games , the less hungry anyway. His score in 3DMark 06, 1570 , is for once far more impressive than a simple CULV Chipset graph , as the Acer mentioned above . In short , for the video game, it can help , but no question of taking him on really demanding land as Far Cry or Crysis. It allows , however , to easily turn Half-Life, World of Warcraft indeed SEP in very low resolution. And it’s nothing compared to many netbooks is already a nice improvement.

The large black dot, autonomy

But the performance of 1201N , as limited as they are when put in competition with other ultra mobiles , have a direct cost : autonomy . Asus While we are used to record the subject, here we must be content with 3:00 to play HD video at max brightness , 4:00 cons for Acer, whose screen is similar (11.6 cons 12.1 inches ). It’s very, very little, even though you can expect to take three quarters of an hour to one hour more and disabling parasitic software, lowering the brightness and you simply office tasks lighter . But over time, the battery will only decline, and should pass after a few months under three hours …

Finishing nice , but …

In truth, the 1201N is more a test configuration that a true netbook recommended. Too slow, too greedy , too little self to use everyday , it offers more, a capital gain rather limited . A good movie compressed in standard resolution is already very pleasant to watch on a screen of 12 inches , so the difference with the 720p does not jump in the eyes ! As long as you do, we would have preferred that Asus is focusing on real practical problems , as the viewing angle too small , the heat difficult under the palm rest , or the dirty black box , which gives the impression of sinking when you press the keyboard . Pity, because the design is, overall, very successful , as often with Asus .

The test and review conclusions

If disappointment is because we expected much. The 1201N has real strengths to be used as HD video (but for what it really? ) or 3D game (on some recent games at low resolution ) . But his contribution is too small compared to Netbooks traditional , especially compared to ultra mobile processor-based Celeron. A machine proper, therefore, but for 50 € more , there are ways to be more responsive , more versatile and more autonomous .

Positive points

* Price
* The components chosen
* Integrated software
* Weight

Negative points

* The shared memory
* Only 5 hours of autonomy Announced

Technical specifications

type
Mini laptop ( Netbook )
Screen Size (inches)
12,1