For years the laptop market was trained to believe that small equalled expensive.

Then Asus launched the original Eee PC and some things turned upside down -- at least for cutdown UMPC-type notebooks.

The main differences between the original versions and the 900 are: screen size, memory, a slightly larger body and a bigger mousepad.

Place the two units side by side and it is obvious that the newer model is just slightly larger, but the screen size is a much bigger change.

Instead of a 7in screen we now have an 8.9in screen with 1024x600 resolution rather than the original 800x480. Once again the screen is bright, clear and easy to read.

The unit we had included Windows XP Home SP2 and had 12GB of drive space, split into two drives of which only 8.5GB was free for programs (the Linux version of the 900 comes with 20GB).

There is also Microsoft Works and the much more usable StarSuite office software.

While the whole Eee PC is slightly bigger, the keyboard is identical to the earlier version – apart from the Windows logo on the third key in – and like its predecessor could cause problems for those with large fingers.

The new larger Elantech smart mousepad is about 1.5 times and much easier to use than the original.

The only other change to the Eee PC is the power unit and battery. The new external power unit is neater, but has no built-in plug like the original mobile phone-type supply on the original, which is annoying.

The only downside to the new Eee PC is the battery. It is the same Li-Ion
7.4 v 4400mAh unit as the original, which unfortunately means battery life is shorter, instead of close to three hours the 900 was closer to two hours.

Other slight tweaks and additions include a single panel at the back to upgrade the memory, a nice soft grey wallet to keep the unit clean and neat, and the WiFi LED is now blue.

Battery life is obviously an issue – although Asus has promised a bigger battery – and so is the slightly higher cost, but this is still an impressive improvement.

Distributors: Computer 2000, Ingram Micro, Interface, Microtronica, Portix, Target, VIPP