Just Ordered a SN12E238UP212

I just ordered one of these (in red). I have been an Asus netbook customer for the past couple of years and have purchased various models; 70x, 901, 900, 100x, etc. Then I bough a 1201T and a 1215T, which were both the AMD processor, clam shell version.

In all honesty, I thought the build quality of the later Asus netbooks dropped significantly from the originals. After looking and reading about the Hannspree 12" model, it looked solid. Hope it lives up to my expectations.

Once I get this unit, I am planning on doing some immediate modifications:
1) Install a 128GB SSD
2) Upgrade the memory to 4GB

I have a couple of questions about the software that comes with it. What exactly are on the included disks?

My main operating system will be Ubuntu 10.10 (possibly x64). However I have not determined if I will be dual booting Win7 or running Win7 from a virtual machine.

I see that the Hannspree website has all the x64 Win7 drivers. So dual booting Win7 pro is probably the way that I will go.

Any comments or recommendations on the direction I am going with this unit is more than welcome.

Anxiously waiting!!!

 

I came here from Asus too. I bought it to fill in for my Asus laptop which I'm still waiting for Asus to repair, over two weeks now - and now I like it better than my 17" Asus.

If you mess with the hard drive and memory you void their goofy warranty, though, don't you? and the goofy warranty is for an amazing three years if you buy it from Costco and use Costco's AmEx card...but no accidental damage warranty, like my Asus, so try not to spill beer on the keyboard like I did.

 

I just returned mine to Costco... and now I miss it. The screen is really spectacular. The keyboard and trackpad are terrible, but I use a wireless mouse most of the time. I got a killer deal on an M11X, but I may order another Hannspree as I have decided to wait for sandy bridge, but really need 2 family laptops. I don't mind paying less than a grand for 2 good ultra portables, then forking over decent money for a nice desktop replacement in 6 months or so.

Anyway, you will not regret this purchase. It's a great buy. One word of warning, keep an ear out for your power adapter, mine starting buzzing loudly and would of had to been replaced had I decided to keep the machine.

 

Yep, great screen, terrible keyboard. I always use a wireless mouse so I hardly know about the trackpad, except the little I've used it it seems to work, and I really like that little button that shuts it off and turns it on Another thing that's great about this little gem is the way it came with virtually zero bloatware. No problem with the ac adapter so far.

 

Thanks for the inputs. I am now a proud owner of a SN12 (red). Some of the comments here complain about the keyboard and touchpad. However I don't see the problems.

Installed: 256 GB WDC SSD
Installed: 4 GB DDR3
Dual Boots: Ubuntu 10.10 x64 and Win7 x64

Have the Broadcom bluetooth card, but need a cable

In the mail is an Intel dual band wifi card. I really like the Intel wireless cards and installed them in all my Asus units. So will see how it works with the SN12.

My wife has the Asus 1201T and several times just tweaking and updating I will have both in front jumping back and forth. Here are my comparisons of the SN12 and the 1201T.

Size and Weght: 1201T slightly smaller and lighter. Not enough to worry about

Screen: Both seem about the same: no edge given to either. Both are glossy, bright, and clear. No dead pixels. Side by side they look exactly the same.

Keyboard: The edge goes to the SN12. Same size, but the 1201T keys are a bit smaller. I actually like the keyboard on the SN12. I came from (and still use) an Asus 901, so anything is better(bigger).

Touchpad: The 1201T touchpad is flat with dimples where as the SN12 is smooth and slightly recessed. I prefer the feel of the SN12 but the sensitivity sort of lacking. I am using Ubuntu and there does not seem to be any finger gestures and no sensitivity/speed adjustment. So here I give the ergonomics to the SN12 and functionality to the 1201T. Touchpad buttons on the SN12 are different and some/most probably won't like them. Overall I have gotten used to the touchpad scrolling hotpoints and really like them. I guess overall the edge goes to the SN12 touchpad.

Battery Life: SN12 beats the 1201T by about 1-1/2 hours and I only get about 4.5 hours on the SN12.

Speed: SN12 beats out the 1201T very slightly. From boot time to opening a browser or a document, the SN12 only slightly beats out the 1201T.

Construction: SN12 beats the 1201T hands down. Personally I think Asus dropped the ball on construction after the first wave of their netbooks. The SN12 is a fairly well built unit. I can break mine down to the underside of the motherboard in about 4 minutes and back together in about 6 minutes. The most difficult thing to do is take the keyboard off.

I have installed 4GB and a 256GB SSD into the SN12 and it is quite fast. It boots from GRUB to a login prompt; Ubuntu 10.10 x64 in 10 seconds and Win7 x64 in 15 seconds. Both Win7 and Ubuntu shut down in about 4 seconds

 

So far here are some of my concerns about the SN12:

1) Try and find a replacement battery. You can't unless you contact Hannspree. Hannspree replied to an email stating that a replacement battery is $50 plus $5 shipping.

2) Try to find a replacement charger. None of the generic ones have a tip small enough. I bought a travel 12v type from Targus and a Kennsington AC and neither of the kits have a tip that fits. I might have to find a tip and improvise the chargers.

3) Try to find a replacement anything for this unit. Nothing is available unless you go to Hannspree.

I did just order another in black (refurb) and for now will keep it for spare parts.