I tested the Asus Eee PC (using a demo unit) for a few minutes and noticed some moments of quirkiness. Perhaps if we can resolve these, we might go ahead with the plans to get this UMPC (ultra-mobile PC). What strange Asus Eee behavior did we see? Check this out...

1. Strange audio playback.

When playing a video (in .AVI format) taken using a Canon IXUS 30, the ambient room noise sounds like screeching audio when played on the Asus Eee PC. I haven't tested any AVI videos of people talking.

The video was just a simple walk around the house, so the screeching might probably have to do with the way Asus handles audio codecs.

UPDATE: The unit I was testing was running on Linux. The .AVI file's audio specs are: 88 kbps bit rate, 8 bit audio sample size, PCM audio format.

Will test next time the .WMV video version [521 kbps bit rate, 16 bit audio sample size, 2 channels (stereo), 44 kHz audio sample rate], after I convert the AVI file to WMV using Windows Movie Maker on a WinXP desktop.

UPDATE #2: The WMV video plays well, and I can hear the audio also. The built-in mic of the Asus Eee, however, is quite weak (during playback of the recording). I'm still looking for a good external mic to use with the Eee.

2. Touchpad Jitteriness.

The touchpad of the Asus Eee is hard to control. Either the mouse does not move (if your finger is too dry), and the cursor vibrates left to right and back, even if you keep your finger steady.

One solution is to set the mouse sensitivity to "highest."

3. Linux OS Corruption?

I don't know what one customer did, but after trying the Asus Eee, it refused to boot. When I asked the in-store salespersons what they can do, they said they will install WindowsXP.

What about the Linux OS?, I asked.

They said they'll ask Asus first about how they can re-install the original OS.

I was planning to use the Asus Eee primarily for mobile writing. Write reports whenever there are micro-downtimes, such as when you're waiting for other participants of a meeting to show up.

It would also be convenient to use this UPMC to present jpg images or even video, but the audio experience has me worried.

(And no, I don't want to shell out P4,500 to install WinXP. I'd rather use Linux for a change.)

Have you been able to play video (with acceptable results) on this Asus mini-wonder? What format did you use?

Anyway, I'll go check out J. Angelo Racoma's MyAsusEee.com for additional clues.

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"Asus Eee and AVI Audio Weirdness"
First Posted: December 19, 2007 | Filed in: General

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