Asus 1008HA Seashell Netbook : Macbook Air's Lost Half Brother

Asus has come up with a three-level mode called Asus Hybrid which reduces the processor speed according to the task being performed. The 1008HA can be downclocked to 855MHz which will increase battery life and reduce heat dissipation using the power saving mode.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to remove the battery; alternatively, you could grab the slightly bulkier and less sexy 1005HA which will offer a removable battery. Like most netbooks, the 1008HA has a pint-sized charger but the rest of the accessories are a little thin. There's not even a proper case (at least with the test model we received) and the attention to details really sets Apple apart from the rest of the competition.

Last but not least, the 1008HA comes with Windows XP Home ULCPC (Ultra Low Cost PC) edition. Nothing much to write about on the 8-year old operating system other than it does the job simply and squarely. It is quiet surprising though how 6-year old hardware and 8-year old software can be repackaged.