When you get right down to it, the new ASUS EeePC 1002HA is a 1000H in an S101’s clothing. In updating its popular Eee PC 1000H, ASUS borrowed the sleek look of the premium Eee PC S101, but retained many of the same features of the 1000H, including a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP. But while we like the 1002HA’s improved design and larger hard drive, the 2-cell battery on this $499 netbook doesn’t match the endurance offered by its predecessor or by competing machines. 

Improved Design

When crafting the 1002HA, ASUS scrapped the design of the Eee PC 1000H, which was a bit bulky for our tastes, and replaced it with a look similar to the slimmer Eee PC S101. The brushed “Argent Grey” aluminum covers its lid and palm rest, and as it doesn’t pick up fingerprints, we much prefer its styling to the Eee PC 1000H’s black glossy lid and even the Samsung NC10’s basic look.

Measuring 10.4 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches and weighing 2.6 pounds, the Eee PC 1002HA is in the same size and weight class as its rival 10-inch netbooks. Of all the 10-inch netbooks, only the HP Mini 1000 is thinner by a mere 0.1 inches. Its weight is comparable to the 2.6-pound Lenovo IdeaPad S10 and 2.8-pound Samsung NC10 (see our size comparison chart below). As with most netbooks, when we placed the Eee PC 1002HA and its AC adapter (bringing the total weight to 3.2 pounds) in a women’s shoulder bag, we felt no strain.