Like a set of Russian nesting dolls, each successive Eee PC from Asus seems like it can encapsulate the previous mini-notebook in its portfolio. The latest, and the largest of these matryoshkas is the Eee PC 1000H, which shares many of the same features of its predecessor, the Eee PC 901 (including a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor, a 1.3-megapixel webcam and 1GB of RAM) but has a larger 10-inch screen, more spacious keyboard and 80GB hard drive. But in comparison to other similarly sized mini-notebooks, like the $499 MSI Wind, we wish the $649 price tag was lower.

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A Fresh, Larger Look

Similar to the Eee PC 901, the 1000H has an updated look and feel from earlier Eee PC models. The glossy black “Fine Ebony” lid is accented with the new Eee PC logo in cursive script. Add in the improved silver hinge and the black-on-silver combination and you have a high-fashion look. Unlike the 901’s shiny white lid, the 1000H is not immune to fingerprints; ASUS includes a cloth for wiping down the system.

With its larger 10-inch screen, the Eee PC 1000H is the largest mini-notebook to date: Measuring 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.0 to 1.5 inches, the system is bigger than the  10-inch MSI Wind NB, and at 3.2 pounds is about half a pound heavier. However, the 1000H still slid nicely into a shoulder bag and felt extremely light in a backpack. ASUS has also kept the power brick slim, bringing the total travel weight to a manageable 3.6 pounds.

Improved Screen Real Estate, Audio Punch

The 10-inch screen allowed us to keep two windows open side-by-side. The matte screen looked sharp from a variety of angles when we watched clips of The Daily Show on Hulu, but colors were still somewhat muted. Compared to the MSI Wind NB, the horizontal viewing angles were better and vertically tilting the screen caused only a bit of glare. Above the display is a 1.3-MP webcam that provided clear images and solid colors in a videoconference over SightSpeed.

Similar to the 901, the 1000H includes Dolby Sound Room stereo speakers. Despite being located on the bottom of the machine, the speakers delivered strong and solid sound. Streaming music over Pandora was loud enough to fill a small living room.