Asus N10J-A1

This new model doesn't share the Eee PC brand common to other Asus Netbooks, but it still features the usual suspects with respect to the CPU, RAM, and OS. What makes the $699 N10J different is the addition of an Nvidia GeForce 9300 graphics card, which marks the first time we've seen discrete graphics offered on a Netbook.

Better yet, you can switch between the GeForce graphics and the integrate Intel graphics similar to the new MacBook Pro should you want to extend battery life. Why would you possibly need a Netbook with a graphics card? Honestly, most people probably don't need it. Given their tight dimensions and relatively meager specs, Netbooks are usually reserved for nothing more than basic tasks such as Web surfing and emailing.

But the ability to do some casual gaming makes the Asus N10J an almost irresistible travel companion if you're a PC game addict and can live with the limitations of a very low screen resolution and the low power CPU. We managed to get marginally playable frame rates from a few current games by dialing down the in game resolution and detail levels.

Specification

• Price as reviewed or Starting price $699
• Processor 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
• Memory 1GB, 533MHZ DDR2
• Hard drive 160GB 5,400RPM
• Chipset Intel 945GSE
• Graphics 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS (switchable with Intel GMA 950 (integrated))
• Operating System Windows XP Home
• Dimensions (WD) 10.8 x 7.6 inches
• Height 1.3 inches
• Screen size (diagonal) 10.2 inches
• System weight / Weight with AC adapter 3.6 - 4.2 pounds
• Category Netbook
  

Unlike Asus' other high end Netbook, the Eee PC S101, whose price premium is put toward design and a slim case that's less than 1 inch thick, the N10J has a more traditional, slightly chunky Netbook chassis. The main body is plastic, with a few metal accents, but feels sturdy enough to stand up to regular travel.

For a Netbook, the N10J has one of the better keyboards we've seen, with large flat keys that maximize the typing surface area. It's no match for the HP Mini 1000's excellent keyboard, but it's an improvement on the tiny keys found on most Netbooks. It also helps that the slightly bigger 10 inch design gives you more room to work with than 9 inch Netbooks.

This keyboard also corrects a major problem we had with the Asus S101's keyboard the right shift key, which had been awkwardly moved to the right of the up arrow key, is now back in its proper place, saving us from endless typos. The system also includes a Linux quick launch environment from Splashtop, which gives you access to a Web browser and media player without booting into Windows.

It took us about 60 seconds to go from a cold start to surfing the Web, but you'll have to dig around a bit to configure the Wi-Fi settings the first time you use it. The 10.2 inch wide screen LCD display offers a 1,024x600 native resolution, which is standard for Netbooks. It's readable, but most documents and Web pages will require some scrolling, and it's an awkward resolution for both games and video content.