Asus Eee PC 900 + Windows 7 = not half bad
Inspired by a blog post from MSDN (via @lancespeelmon) and emboldened by a post from@matro about an dirt simple USB memory stick-based install of the Windows 7 public Release Candidate, I decided to change the OS on my recently acquired (thanks Woot!) and upgraded (HT to @koralesky for advice and NewEgg for the cheap upgrades) Asus Eee PC 900.
It was relatively painless:
- Downloaded Windows 7 Release Candidate
- Turned a memory stick into a bootable Windows 7 installer using these great instructions (courtesy of @matro via @nampahc). Used Virtual Clone Drive to mount the RC ISO file to complete step #5.
- Installed Asus Eee PC 900 VGA Driver linked from this blog, because Windows 7 was happy with the built-in driver that provided only an awkward, stretched 800×600 and I was not.
And now I have the most responsive and most comfortable OS on my LapEee since I bought it. I really tried to like Eeebuntu, but the open bug with hidden wireless connections and intermittent pausing left me wanting more.
Not sure if I’d pay for Windows 7 once the trial license runs out, but the likelihood of me trying out another OS for the foreseeable future just went way down.
UPDATE #1
Added MSDN blog post linked by Lance Speelmon that first got me thinking this would not be a patently insane and futile undertaking.
About to try AntiVir Personal Edition for my antivirus and will report back if it fails miserably. Has worked well for about a year on Vista box. If that doesn’t work, will try AVG Free which seems to be Windows 7 certified.
Thanks for the tips, I did the same on my EeePC 900A. One difference, I didn’t have to install a video driver, it booted up in 1024×600.
Now we need to find ways to turn off the bling to save CPU cycles and battery. Any hints there?
The “900A” must have a slightly different (and more modern) graphics chipset.
Regarding battery, I’ve been running in the “Power Saver” power plan for a while and still have 60% battery left. Will have to find a more scientific means to benchmark power consumption.