But the current model (non-Surf models, anyway) does ~3.5 hours.

Mine came yesterday. It's even smaller than I thought it would be. I love it! :)

I'm playing with the default Xandros OS in "Easy Mode" for right now. I'm not sure if I'm going to replace it, since the consensus seems to be that it runs fastest with the default install. I did upgrade it to 2GB RAM and replaced the kernel to handle that. I will tweak out the current OS and see if I can live with it.

Btw ... a new model with a 9" widescreen has been launched ;)

Yeah it's been discussed upthread. It will cost $100 more than the most expensive current model (putting it smack into full-featured laptop pricing), is larger, and has shorter battery life. No thanks. :)

You might also want to checkout this:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/g...tually-killer/

Well I installed 2GB RAM, removed the annoying unionfs (and thus have a whole 4 GB to work with! :)), and am running the stock Xandros distro with fluxbox for a window manager and the EEE is surprisingly usable. It's lightning fast, even faster than the standard "Easy Mode" desktop and way faster than "Advanced Mode". I haven't yet flashed the BIOS or tried to "overclock" the processor up to its rated speed. I probably won't overclock because I want to stretch the battery life and with flux it's fast enough anyway.

I'm slowly configuring fluxbox to act the way I want it to. I really do love flux, as I used it on my old old desktops where I first learned how to run linux. It's incredibly light and fast and really rejuvenates old slow hardware (like the old tech underclocked 900MHz Celeron M in the EEE).

I did throw out loads of packages that I don't need, and actually have almost 2 GB free on my 4GB SSD.

I looked at other distros, but each one seems to have some issues with the EEE hardware, so I stuck with the stock for now.

Finally! I took the plunge-saved $50!
 

So I got off the errrrr fence( :p)
BUY.com had a white 4g EEE at $50 off($349)and so I took the plunge.
Since I will only use this for internet and email and storage of travel info I should be fine with no tweaks-in fact I am looking forward from being out of the microsoft stranglehold.
White was not my first choice-but I can live with it.
Now I have to find a white mini USB mouse.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3600

$6 with free shipping :)

Are there any B&M stores where you could actually go to touch and play with one of these before shelling out the money?

Yes. If you are indeed in BOS then the local Microcenter will have them on display (and usually in stock)

730 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139

Thanks! I may just swing by after work and have a look.. Oddly enough the 4G model is no longer available on their website but hopefully that's not true for the B&M. At least I can see the form factor and figure out whether I can handle the keyboard.

Last time I was at a Microcenter they had all three models in stock, and only one on display. Their website doesn't always show what is in B&M stores.

Good luck!

:eek: No tweaks? But tweaking is half (three quarters!??!?!?) of the fun! (for this geek anyway.) :D

You'll love it's portability and usability. Even in the out-of-the-box Easy Mode it's quite powerful.

Thanks ScottC ^

Whoo Hooo!Haven't even powered it up yeat and I am impressed!
 

Received my EEE4g today(that was so quick-and I chose standard shipping from buy.com!)and I was impressed the moment I held it in my hands.
This is NOT a toy-it is a real laptop.
Much better construction and finish on it than I was expecting.
Also was much heavier than I was expecting-but still lighter than any other true laptop I have looked at.
Can't wait to play with it-and this thing is going to be a joy to travel with.