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The ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G is another variant in the continuation of the Eee PC line of “netbook” computers for ASUS, but one which finally meets the minimum “usability” requirements of most users.

The reviewed unit had a 10″ Display, 1.6 GHz Intel ATOM Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, and 6 Cell Battery. It was housed in the Fine Ebony color.

Specifications

• Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
• RAM: 1 GB DDR2
• LCD: 10.2 inches, 1024 x 600 pixels
• Internal memory: 80 GB hard disk drive (HDD)
• Memory expansion: Slot for MMC/SD(SDHC) cards
• Operating system: Windows XP Home
• Networking: Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• Peripheral connectivity: Three USB 2.0
• External video: One VGA
• External audio: One headphone and one microphone port
• Webcamera: Yes, 1.3 megapixels
• Battery: 6 cells, up to 7 hours
• Weight: 3.19 pounds (51 ounces)
• Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches

The ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G is said to provide the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body.  While we wouldn’t go as far as to say it is the same as a full-sized laptop, it does have a larger 10.2-inch screen, and is powered by the latest Intel mobile ATOM processor. Designed specifically for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design to conserve energy. The netbook is advertised to provide up to 7 hours of battery life.

In terms of our overall testing, we found the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G to be very easy to use.  It’s not perfect, and a lot of your experience will depend on your expectations.

1. Size: We found the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G to be a perfect size for traveling.  As many of you know, the earlier (smaller) versions of this PC had many complaints regarding screen size and keyboard.  It’s big enough to use comfortably, but small enough to take everywhere.
2. Weight: 3 lbs is nice and light. Zero is better, but not reasonable. If you lug around a 5-7 lb notebook today, you will definitely notice the difference.
3. Screen: ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G has a 10.2-inch wide TFT LCD with a 1024 x 600-pixel resolution (WXGA).  It is definitely usable for extended periods of time and alot more comfortable on the eyes than its predecessor.  While we might prefer a touch more resolution, we recognize that everything is a tradeoff (price vs performance) and we found the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G perfect for writing, web surfing, and email.
4. Keyboard: Not bad.  A bit smallish, but usable. We could type until the battery ran out and never felt any strain.  The earlier models had problems but we found the keyboard on the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G to be perfect for its intended function.
5. Battery life: The ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G uses the Intel Atom processor which is a brand new design structure that packs in 47 million transistors into a single chip using just 2.5 watts of power (that is less than 1/10 of a Intel Core 2 Duo processor). Coupled with a multitude of power saving options, the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G has great 6 cell battery life.  We exceeded 4 hours while watching videos and exceeded 6 hours doing general writing and web browsing (in power saving mode).
6. Speed: Start up time was about 35 seconds. Response time was very quick even with multiple windows open.  It isn’t a Quad Core Extreme, but it a quick little laptop.
7. Wireless connectivity: Very good. We had no trouble connect to, maintaining, and operating at high speed with any of the wireless hotspots that we use.  ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G also connects to “N” networks for very high speed surfing.
8. Storage: The ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G has a relatively slow 80GB drive.  It works fine, just realize the limitation.
9. Expandability: It is very easy to upgrade RAM and HDD ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G but just removing a few screws.

In summary, we love this machine.  For us,

it is a perfect blend of size, power, battery life, and weight.  We wish it could do all this with Windows Vista (some have reported upgrading successfully), but for now and for us, we are content to let this be our main portable machine for writing and surfing.  If we want to get fancy and process images or store huge amounts of music/video, we’ll use a desktop.

You can buy the ASUS Eee PC 1000H 80G here.

Senator Barack Obama’s choice for Democratic Vice President is…

most probably from the list below:

• Senator Joe Biden
• Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana and
• Virginia Govenor Tim Kaine

Along with the following contenders:

• General Wesley Clark
• New York Senator Hillary Clinton
• Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd
• Texas Representative Chet Edwards
• Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel
• Former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn
• Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed
• New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
• Kansas Govenor Kathleen Sebelius

Joe Biden, while well-known, is too boring for the VP selection.  Not for VP, but for the presidential campaign.   His selection would take Obama down too many notches in energy. Additionally, there is a reason why Biden never gets far in his presidential bids. Out.

Evan Bayh was too pro-Iraq war.  He would look silly in the debates and will have difficulty reconciling his pro-war stance with the press and the Republicans. The Saturday campaign stop in Indiana is a ruse to confuse. Out.

Tim Kaine, too young, too new, the lack of experience question will hurt in the campaign. The president and vice president have 6 years total national experience? We don’t think so. Out.

From the remaining list Sebelius is interesting as a woman, Reed as a conservative, and Nunn as a hawk.

We think at the end of the day this is about winning the election and the best, most well known, experienced politician and campaigner, is Hillary Clinton.  She can carry more states and more votes, she will pull women and latinos.

The details of working together in office will get worked out.  Right now there is an election to win.

Today Silicon Valley blog TechCrunch cited sources who indicated that Microsoft and Yahoo were discussing a full buyout.

It still remains to be seen if in fact discussions are in the works.  Yahoo’s stock price bounced as investors heard the rumors that Microsoft is once-again courting the Internet pioneer.

Neither company would comment on what, if any, talks are under way, but both firms dismissed the notion Microsoft has a renewed interest in taking over Yahoo.

TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington observes that Microsoft’s “No Comment” is a change of position from yesterday.  He said,

Microsoft official comment is “no comment,” which actually contains more information than it appears to. For well over a month, Microsoft has officially been saying they’re no longer interested in Yahoo. They didn’t say that today.

We agree.  However, the Silicon Alley Insider added,

If the companies are talking about a full buyout, it is almost certainly at a price lower than the $33 Microsoft offered a month or so ago. There is no reason on earth for Microsoft to pay that much now that reeling Yahoo has dropped to $21 again. Yahoo shareholders, in fact, would probably be grateful for $25.

We think this is ridiculous for the reasons stated in the earlier post.  Financial prudence and good negotiation skills should prevail now.  We also see the “no comment” as progress.

Will Microsoft make a new bid for Yahoo?  It’s hard to tell. Certainly, not much has changed fundamentally on this deal.

We think that the compelling reasons for this merger are still valid and Microsoft is just playing hardball while watching Yahoo stumble.  It may be well deserved.  Jerry Yang has particularly poor negotiation skills (he is just too close to his creation), and Microsoft is probably tired of dealing with him.  Carl Icahn did not help the situation.  Carl’s sledgehammer diplomacy alienates this crowd, no matter how right he is. 

Microsoft is now walking a tightrope as they let the catch squirm in the net.  They may want to force Yang out and they may be trying to get Yahoo for a lower bid.  The former is probable, but the latter is not.  In the interim, there is an unprecedented brain drain going on at Yahoo, some is welcome, but not all. Microsoft and Steve Ballmer need to act expeditiously if they are to act at all.

Let’s look at some numbers.

Yahoo controls approximately 20% of the online advertising market which is slated to grow from $40 billion in 2007 to nearly $80 billion by 2010.  Microsoft controls about 9% today.

This implies that if Internet marketshares remain relatively constant, Yahoo’s revenue will grow from ~$8B today to $16B within 3 years.  More importantly, it implies that the cumulative gross profit for Yahoo will be somewhere just shy of $20B during the 3 year period from 2008-2010.  A combination of Yahoo and Microsoft would reduce operating expenses by approximately $1B per year making the 3 year cumulative gross profit approximately $23B.

Running these same numbers for five years yields an even more interesting story. Yahoo revenue would rise from $8B to $22B, cumulative gross profit would be $40B and reduced operating expenses would total $5B for a cumulative 5 year gross profit of $45B, or $31.28 per Yahoo share.  Just about the amount of Microsoft’s recent initial bid.

However, this is if the Microsoft-Yahoo combination did nothing more than maintain Yahoo’s market share.  We think the new combination could easily take an additional 10% marketshare away from industry leader Google during this timeframe, adding an additional $20B of cumulative gross profit.

This provides a value to this deal with a five year ROI at $45-$65B, or $31.28-$45.14 per Yahoo share.  A midpoint would be at $38.21 per share, or $55B.  Jerry Yang’s $37 per share, or $35 per share are reasonable, but we think $34.75 is the number.  $34.75 is $50B.  Good premium, fast payback, round number.

Simply stated, this acquisition pays for itself in less than 4 years.

If Microsoft offers and acquires Yahoo for $50B (roughly $34.75), they are getting a good discount for their risk while providing the Yahoo board (and Jerry Yang) a real face saving opportunity.  Quick action is needed to close a deal like this and it should be agreed to well in advance of the shareholder’s meeting on August 1st.  This deal should close before the 4th of July holiday.

• This is still a good deal for Microsoft and it’s shareholders
• It provides Microsoft with an instantaneous gain in internet advertising marketshare and synergy
• Yahoo would be wise to accept the offer immediately
• Jerry Yang needs another assignment as part of the deal
• An agreement prior to the 4th of July is good for employee retention and has a touch of patriotism
• Microsoft, Yahoo, key shareholders, and Icahn need to discuss, agree, and make it friendly
• $34.75 is not too much for Microsoft and is a reasonable value for Yahoo and it’s shareholders
• Shareholders on both sides will like it, the industry and the media can move on
• $50B is a nice round number