Definition: Given an Amazon customer review, write a title for the review. The preferred titles are under fifteen words.
Input: Purchased:  July 2011  My expectations for a netbook were sufficiently low.  I have been following the developments since MIT's Nicholas Negroponte first founded the One Laptop Per Child organization (OLPC), a few years ago.  After donating a few netbooks through OLPC, I decided to get an adult netbook of my own.    I wanted something light weight with a good size keyboard and efficient power management that would allow me to securely track my finances during extended trips.  I preferred a netbook with the LINUX operating system.  My companion insisted the netbook should be able to stream Netflix videos and the Rhapsody music service.  Netflix requires the Silverlight software which only runs on the Windows operating system.  I was leaning toward ASUS hardware due to their reputation for high quality.  After a reasonable search, I settled on this ASUS/Windows machine.  The netbook has a role, but it is still not intended to replacement a full size laptop.  I am amazed at how close it comes to replacing a laptop.       WHEN READING MY HIGHLY CRITICAL REVIEW, KEEP IN MIND, AFTER ALL THE SOFTWARE AND FIRMWARE UPDATES ARE IN PLACE YOU WILL BE REASONABLY PLEASED WITH THIS NETBOOK.  Enough of my gibberish, let us get on with the review.  I purchased the ASUS eee PC 1015-PX netbook, 2 GB of RAM, ASUS mouse, ASUS external DVD reader/writer, PC-to-TV video converter, and audio cables.    THE GOOD:  - The eee PC hardware:  keyboard, screen, and basic build are excellent for a netbook.  - Windows 7 Starter Edition is more than competent operating system for a Netbook.  Once everything is updated it is a smooth running system with the familiar look and feel of your desktop.  - Windows 7 Starter Edition can stream Netflix movies, Rhapsody music, Photo Shop pictures, and run most software in the Windows ecosystem.  Videos and web content can be displayed from the netbook to a TV with a proper PC-to-TV converter.  - Windows 7 Starter Edition is not a streamline and low maintenanceoperating system, but it is a familiar interface with a plethora of software choices.  It is more than adequate for most netbook uses.  THE BAD:  - Windows 7 Starter Edition is basically a crippled version of Windows 7.  It does not support reading/writing DVD's.  Normally, I would not have a problem with this, except ASUS failed to supply a copy of the Windows installation software on external media, because Windows 7 Starter Edition can not read DVD's.  Putting the Windows recovery files on CD-Rom is unthinkable - it would take approximately 30 CD's to store the 17GB of files.  - Normally the major updates like Windows service packs are preinstalled on the PC's.  The burden of installing the Windows 7 Service Pack#1 and prior updates is passed on to the customer.  You will invest a lot of quality time getting Windows 7 up to date.   - The only audio speaker is of poor quality compared to the rest of the hardware.  Why ASUS decided to install one cheap speaker on otherwise very nice hardware is beyond me.  The audio is very nice when using external stereo spearkers.  Yes, this is the newer model and it still only has one speaker.  Beware, the one audio port serves as both an audio-out and an audio-in port.  A software switch determines whether it is in input or output mode.  - The documentation attempts to cover several different netbook models on the same pages.  It is frequently difficult to determine which model was being described.  The user guide on the PC is slightly more informative than the paper booklet.  ASUS online user forum is not helpful.  Reading some of the responses to the customers pleas for help caused me to flinch.  The forum moderators are very arrogant and belittled those lacking technical skills.    THE UGLY (It may get a little technical):  - There are no Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system DVD's included with this computer.  If the recovery files on the hard drive are destroyed, you are out of luck.  You must decide whether to purchase a +16GB thumb drive to backup the Starter Edition and recovery files or use that money to upgrade to the Home Edition and use your standard backup software - assuming you backup your current system.  Keep in mind once the recovery software (ISO) is loaded on the thumb drive you can not use the self-booting drive to store any other files.  - The installed BIOS version 1101 is horrible and caused a number of issues.  The  netbook had problems recognizing my external ASUS CD/DVD reader with the installed BIOS.  The BIOS exhibited irratic behavior when attempting to access the BIOS setup panel.  Following the instructions in the manual, the included system software directs you to the ASUS BIOS repositories on the internet, but ASUS no longer updates the firmware on the sites.  In fact, the firmware in the BIOS repositories is older than the installed BIOS.  Eventually, I found the latest BIOS (version 1301) on the ASUS support site.  Be careful, blotching a BIOS flash can leave you with a non-working computer.  Save the current BIOS first, and then do not interrupt while the BIOS is being updated.    - The hard drive can not be replaced.  There is no access panel for it.  The case has to be completely disassembled voiding the warranty in the process.  You can only hope it never fails.  CONCLUSION:  The ASUS eee PC 1015-PX is a decent piece of hardware except for the speaker and touchpad button.  It has excellent battery life.  Once all the operating system and BIOS updates are in place it is an acceptable computer for travel.  Getting this computer setup properly is no fun, but your reward is a well built and smooth running machine.    SUGGESTIONS:  - The latest BIOS and drivers are on the ASUS support site.  I would go there first.  - Plan on spending a lot of quality time updating Windows 7.  The Service Pack #1 update will not run automatically.  You will have to start it manually.  - While upgrading the memory, I had a bit of a problem finding the cover screw for the memory compartment.  It is covered by a plastic plug that is a perfect match to the case.  It looks to be part of the case, but it is not.  Just pry it off with a fine head screw driver.  Search YouTube for a video \\"ASUS eee PC Memory Upgrade\\" for installation help.  You are not authorized to perform any updates to the ASUS hardware - memory included.  Do not look to ASUS customer support for any help.  - I was able to use the built-in backup/recovery software to store the Windows 7 Starter Edition recovery files to an old 40GB hard drive sitting in an external USB HD enclosure.  Now keep in mind that entire hard drive can nolonger be used for anything other than holding the +16GB of recovery files.  The computer geeks would be better served using 3rd party software to make an image copy of the entire hard drive.  It would certainly be more space efficient.  That is my next step.  In case you were wondering, the included backup software will not write the recovery files to CD-Rom.  - I am not sure how well this netbook would work with LINUX.  Some of the key features, the audio port toggle switch and the power saving mode, are both controlled by Windows specific software.  These device specific software  components (drivers) may not exist in the LINUX world.  You may lose a lot of functionality.  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  UPDATE:  November 5, 2011  I tried the eee PC with UBUNTU Linux and touchpad issues disappeared.  I am lowering my rating to two stars for all the torture this computer has put me through.  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  UPDATE:  November 25, 2011  The battery died today.  I have put less than 16 hours on this netbook after applying all the Windows updates.  It is only used in between flights at the airport.

It works with both Netflix and Rhapsody