ASUS 3EPC 904 80Gb/1Gb Notebook. After having the 900HA for 8 months and it broke, this was the replacement item.

Vedict: What a wasted opportunity. This machine could be a winner but the manufacturer missed the target by a mile.

If this was my first take on ASUS Netbooks, then I would be sadly mistaken about their overall quality. It is a poor second cousin to the brilliant 900HA/20Gb SSD/1GB machine that it replaced.

A brilliant concept, but to me, it appears that ASUS have created a hybrid machine that fits into no category. It could have the 1.6 Ghz processor, but instead it has the 900Mhz jobby. It could have the larger 10cm screen, but no - they fitted the 8.6cm.

Ultimately, it is a replacement machine and I will treat it as such.

Will I keep it or replace it, the verdict is open right now, but I am giving the Dell Notebook the once over...

Latest of a new breed of portable computer - the netbook. This one is small and light at just over a kilo. The ivory clamshell case is nice to hold. The keyboard is 3/4 size and this one runs xp with a useful 80gb hard drive.

The battery is a bit heavy which adds a bit of mass, but overall the package is light and easy. Even the charger is small, light and very portable. A protective skin is included in the box.

The keyboard is good considering its size. If you have big hands you might struggle. Most should be ok.

The processor seems a bit weedyy Intel celeron 900hz, but is fine for the job. It has wifi and connects to wireless networks easily.

The advantage this has over the linnux machines is that most USB broadband dongles work fine with this. By the way the machine has 3 usb points.

I have tapped this review out on the Eee PCwhile perched on the sofa with the US Opeen on TV. It has been no problem.

I would recommend this as a handy travel/ second machine. Also the price at £250-270 range makes it very affordable. I paid this much for a Dell pda 2 years ago. This Asus is so much better.