ASUS Eee PC 1008p Seashell (Karim Rashid Collection) review

Over the last few years ASUS has developed a great reputation with the Eee PC netbook series, by managing to get the fusion of design, function and cost just right.

The ASUS Karim Rashid netbook Seashell range, so called because of its wedge-like shape and opalescent glossy casing, encapsulates everything that ASUS has been trying to achieve with its Eee PC range. The general consensus – amongst laptop reviewers and technology journalists – is that they represent some of the very best netbooks available on today’s market.

The Eee PC 1008p Karim Rashid netbook,  is ASUS’ attempt to take this successful range of netbooks and broaden its appeal to the funky and the fabulous. If anyone is looking for a seriously in-your-face netbook then take off your seatbelts, you have arrived at your destination.

What we like

The standout features of the Asus 1008p are obviously on the outside. The chassis comes in a choice of textile pink or brown twisted lozenge shapes, created by the designer Karim Rashid.

They give the whole thing a vaguely camp alligator-skin-bag-meets-Elvis Presley’s-private-jet-seat-covers kind of look. Whatever it is the overall effect is incredibly eye-catching; indeed when it comes into contact with bright lights it positively shimmers.

The Karim Rashid netbook screams appearances before practicality, which I’m sure will appeal to its target audience. For example, you’ll find all the ports hidden behind flaps designed to maintain the uniformity of lines and form.

But inside this stunning wrapper, the Karim Rashid netbook is still a standard Eee PC netbook with the same Intel Atom N450 processor and the same 1Gb RAM. It differs from other models in that it boasts an extra bit of hard drive storage; 250 Gb as opposed to the usual 160.

The keyboard is great, providing a very smooth travel action over nicely spaced keys that respond well when touched. The trackpad has multi-touch functionality, letting you indulge your zooming habits to the full.

You’ll really love the dual operating system, it just gets you online and instant messaging faster than other netbooks and that’s all you need to know. It’ll be ready for action within seconds in fact.

What we don’t like

This is a tough one because the Karim Rashid netbook is essentially a standard Eee PC netbook, which are amongst the best netbooks in the world. Many small niggles that would bother some people aren’t going to apply to anyone who has their heart set on this laptops more aesthetic elements.

The screen isn’t the best of the range and the battery life has been compromised for some reason – ASUS only promise you six hours of fun with this one instead of the 11 you get with other models.