ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-MU27-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook with Kindle for PC (11 Hours of Battery Life) Buy new: $325.46 / Used from: $308.99
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A couple of months ago, I received one of the 1005PE alternatives to this netbook, and was fairly impressed with it. What happened to me is important for potential buyers of the current item, as well. Bear with me, as any potential purchaser should be aware of what may happen should there be any defect in the ASUS item they receive.
At the beginning of my review, let me recommend the review by "Turtle James," which is currently the top review for ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-PU27-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 14 Hours of Battery Life). He includes much helpful information about the setup of this netbook, and I find his information to be quite flawless, though I'm not sure it is necessary to combine the partitions of the hard drive. The computer itself seemed to run well, and was not nearly as slow as some people make it out to be, but it is with regret that I must tell the tale of the defective charger, which turned the computer into an expensive paperweight.
I followed the instructions in the manual (which matches Turtle James's review well) regarding the charging of the netbook, and I think I would have discovered a quite long battery life as a result, if I would have kept it long enough to evaluate that part. However, I encountered a problem with a small defect that made the netbook unusable.
The charger, the AC adapter that plugs into the power outlet was unusual from the beginning. After the first charge, I noticed that the blue light that lights up on the charger would stay lit for a while after unplugging from any power source. Not having any experience with this particular adapter before, I was not sure if that was normal, and in fact am still not sure.
After going through two cycles of charging and depleting the battery, as instructed, I attempted to charge the netbook for the third time, and behold, the charger did not work at all. When this happens, one cannot charge the netbook, and therefore cannot use it until one obtains a new charger. Buying a new charger after only two charges is in my opinion ridiculous, and to be avoided on principle.
So, I set about to rectify the situation, first calling the manufacturer, ASUS (pronounced ay-soos' by the service personnel). After messing about for some time trying different things with the technician, it became apparent that the charger must be defective. They said I could begin the process for an RMA, if I like, and I did like that idea, until I got further into the details.
It came as a surprise to me that ASUS would require me to send the defective part back to them first, upon receipt of which, they would begin the process to send me a new part that functioned correctly. I was informed that the RMA process at that point would take 10 - 14 business days. I asked what shipping method would be used to send the new part to me, and was informed it would be Fed-Ex...Ground.
The entire process, therefore, would take about a month to get what was rightfully mine in the first place for having purchased the device, after which I would not be able to return the device.
So, I chose to return the device to Amazon instead, because I learned the valuable lesson of what it is like to deal with the ASUS service department. I cannot thank ASUS enough for clarifying to me what type of company I was dealing with when purchasing their magnificent piece of . . . gadgetry.
I also made the mistake of ordering RAM and a case for the netbook at the same time, accessories I had no further need of, so I returned those as well. Amazon, being a company with integrity, refunded the entire amount. This has also been a valuable lesson on the folly of purchasing accessories before being certain the main product is stable.
ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-MU27-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook with Kindle for PC (11 Hours of Battery Life)bfd53 | shopping booksmark | welcome robot | music online | bioly1
