Whats the difference = Eee PC 1005HA - 1005HAB

Ok... So I was on a quest for looking for a netbook and my choice is down to the Asus Eee PC 1005HA or this other netbook.

I looked at bestbuy and bam... they have it. But it is a 1005HAB. So what is the difference between 1005HA and 1005HAB? Also if you read this one comment in page one of this link http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=397632 he says that is different then the HAB.

By the way here is the bestbuy link:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9382802&type=product&id=1218095770955

Oh sorry new question to add... Does this also apply to netbook?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=167633
-if it does that this will be the deal breaker between this and the other netbook.
-if not then... I'd still get it ^^

 

comparing Best Buy's to this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DYIXN2

The only difference is battery life. You're paying an extra 50 bucks for twice the battery life, but otherwise, every other feature is the same as far as I can see.

And as far as the accidental protection:

http://adw.asus.com/content/adp/default.aspx

"** ASUS ADW will be offered on ASUS Eee PCs purchased on or after April 1, 2009 at participating stores."

 

I am not sure that the "participating stores" for the 1 year ADW scheme includes BestBuy.

 

EBE is correct. Asus has never extended the ADP to models purchased through BBuy in the past, and I doubt Eee units are treated any differently.... removing that, the 30day Zero Bright Dot replacement guarantee, and reducing some of the specs are how BBuy gets their pricing below full protection/spec reseller models. For some people, that's a good deal. For others, not so much.

Amazon sells the -VU1X version of the 1005 (as Moo linked above), which compared to the -PU1X steps down to a 48whr 6 cell (63w in -PU1X) 553 FSB (from 667), N270 cpu (from N280), has a matte screen and drops the Bluetooth.

At current $340, that's only $10-15 above what you'd probably pay for the BBuy model with tax included -- and you get the 6 cell battery and full Asus ZBD warranty.

 

Wouldn't you pay tax on both of them? So wouldn't it still add up to about 40-42 dollars more?

If you got Best Buy's warranty, it comes with a few extra things, like an extra year of accidental protection, and the battery and ac adapter after a year, and easier drop-off at Geek Squad, that would make the comparable Best Buy one about 80-90 dollars more. So between the two, at Best Buy you'd be paying about 80 more dollars, but you'd be getting a less powerful battery that would have a longer life span because you get a replacement after a year, along with an ac adapter which would cost about 80 dollars(could probably find it for 50 online), plus an extra year of accidental protection.

You pay more up front for the Best Buy version, but it would cost you less in the long run. So between the two, I'd say it depends on whether you expect to keep it for a year and a half before upgrading, or you need it for at least three.

 

OK, let's go over this again

1. Amazon does not charge sales tax anywhere yet, afaik. Legislation in NY, CA and WA may eventually change things in those locales, however.

2. Quality of service through GeekSquad's warranty is known around here to be suspect at best.

3. There is no 30day ZBD on BB units.

4. GS' two year warranty does not simply hand out new batteries or adapters after 12 months on consumables just because you bought the warranty. Unless people are walking in at month 12, just saying "my battery is dead," and GS doesn't bother to check... (their Terms for both battery/adapter says "repair or replacement if defective as determined by us, at our sole discretion"). That means, unfortunately, performance below what would be expected via normal wear/tear (which is not covered), and batteries are expected to lose ~15-20% charge per year.

5. Cost analysis remains essentially the same as above -- no appreciable advantage to the BB units in direct comparison unless you don't want to spend the $15.

 

Cool, never knew that.

I've never heard any issues with it, at least with my location. The guys I've been working with for a while now haven't led me to have any reason to think that their service isn't good quality, and I've even helped them with some of those services. Could just be my location, though.

Are you sure about that? I know the BB models aren't eligible for the 1 year accidental damage from handing warranty and the extra year of the regular warranty, but I haven't seen anything say that it wasn't eligible for the 30 day ZBD.

Thats not what I've been told by the guys back in Geek Squad themselves. They've been telling me, as an employee, that they don't bother asking for the old battery if its been a year after the original purchase, and that they just get the new battery sent to them, and I've seen this done already a couple times. Again, could just be my location does it differently.

That and I'd say its closer to 40-50% a year, especially with how often you're going to go through power cycles on a netbook.

I'd still argue pretty differently, based on service and my experience and future costs. I still think it just depends on how long he plans to keep the netbook before upgrading.

 

Not sure about anywhere else, but Amazon does currently (and has for as long as I can remember) charge sales tax to people in the Seattle, Wa area.

 

Right, Amazon charges sales tax in KS, KY, ND, NY and WA

Source: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=468512&#merchants

 

Just to be clear, Best Buy has good warranty if i buy from them?
And 1005HA is better than 1005HAB...

Thanks for your input guys.

 

Yeah, the 1005HA is better than the Best Buy version. If I was to get a netbook, I would definitely want a longer battery life. Otherwise, I feel like I'm defeating the purpose of me getting a netbook.

The warranty is going to be very dependent on you, and things such as how long you expect to keep the netbook for, how much you travel, what the risk you feel of you dropping it or spilling something on it is, convenience, etc. Not at all a yes or no question. It could even go so far as to depend on how your local Geek Squad precinct operates, because they are relatively independent in how lenient they are with specific parts of the protection plan, and how good their customer service is.

Asus already has an amazing warranty on their laptops and netbooks, so even as a Best Buy employee, I definitely couldn't fault you for not going with Best Buy's protection plan, like I would if you were picking up a Dell or HP. A year of free accidental damage from handling protection at no extra cost is ridiculously awesome, on top of an added year of the regular warranty.

 

1. As above, depends on who you ask.

2. Yes.