Which Eee PC did you get?
It seems as though there are two models of the ASUS Eee PC 4G: the “7A” and the “7B.” Both are the same price ($399) and identical to the untrained eye. There is one difference: the 7B is missing the second mini-PCIe (PCI Express Mini Card) expansion connector.
Yes, that’s the slot that this forbes article talks about for expanding the storage of the Eee PC:
But Asustek clearly wants to connect with the first billion, too. For instance, the 2- to 8-gigabyte memory cards can be upgraded to 32 gigabytes
Apparently, they’re not so much interested in the first billion anymore.
How can you tell which one you have? The serial number starts with either “7A” or “7B.” This can be found on a sticker on the back of the Eee PC. Of course, to see for yourself if your Eee PC actually has the second Mini-PCIe slot, you have to destroy the little yellow tab covering the screws of the hatch on the bottom of the Eee PC. By doing this, you are voiding your Eee PC’s warranty. If your SSD dies within the next year, you not only don’t have a warranty to get it fixed, but also can’t pop in a new SSD storage module into the secondary Mini-PCIe slot- since there isn’t a connector for it.
Early reports indicated that the loss of the connector had to do with black colored units or units shipped to the United Kingdom. I can confirm now that my US Pearl White Eee PC 4G bought via Newegg does not have the second Mini-PCIe connector. It is a 7B unit.
I’m now left with no warranty and no second Mini-PCIe connector- on a device that cost exactly double the original announcement from way back in June.
The weirdest part is that it seems to just be missing the connector itself, which is just a piece of metal. Cost savings? $1.
Regardless, I’d like to hear what ASUS has to say about this. I’m not very happy at all.
[edit @ 1:10am]:
Apparently, according to this thread (thanks muha), there are some users with serial numbers that start with 7B that actually DO have mini-pcie connectors. What in the world is going on?
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Ronald, I completely agree with you! As soon as I saw this little beauty, I ordered it – so low price for this nice little machine with so many functions available – I bought it right away -it’s no brainer here.
Don’t care if I have an other PCIe or not – with 512MB onboard Xandros Linux boots up in 20 seconds – it’s so important when you travel. ASUS – thank you for this piece little jewel called ASUS Eee!
Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, but what exactly do you achieve with this mini-PCIe port?
I’m thinking of getting an Eee PC, but I have no idea with this mini-PCIe port is.
lops- the mini PCIe has nothing to do with the 512MB of RAM on the Eee PC; that goes into the OTHER slot on the board.
JDP I know that. What I meant was – I didn’t care if I had an other PCIe or not (which I could use to extend my SSD storage), since current configuration of ASUS Eee meets and even exceeds my expectations, so I don’t need to pimp my Eee at all.. \m/
Well, it looks like I got a 7A unit!
Not that it really matters to me… lol.
I got 790AA serial number
and I got mini-PCIe
Cheers stephen!
I have a black Eee PC that starts with a 7A for the serial number. I don’t really care if it has the slot, as it doesn’t affect my usage of the machine. At some point I may want to upgrade the RAM (hoping that it does not void the warranty in the U.S.) but otherwise, I am a happy customer.
It looks like the 8G is also missing the PCIE port
I’ve talked to some suppliers about it already. So the PCIE will not be making a comeback on more expensive models.
I’ve got a Black EeePC with serial number starting “7A” and I do not have the Mini-PCIE connector
… which is annoying as I may have use for it if my SSD dies.
I was going to order a black Eee PC, but I am hearing they don’t have miniPCIe? Hmmmm?
So, instead.. maybe… well… Has anyone tried putting a different distro on an OLPC that they got via Buy One, Donate One OLPC $400 deal (with the wireless subscription built in to the deal) that is now extended until the end of the year?
see all the reasons why just one OLPC is a good deal (also for some child somewhere, maybe the next Linus Torvalds, but in a different part of the world):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37c-Iwg4ml0
With OLPC you will not be let down on the SPECs (what you see is what you get, and no bait and switch).
The trolls for the OLPC are getting annoying.
And troll Groklaw, when you buy an eee there is no bait and switch, and the specs are also “what you see is what you get.”
Bremen –
I think that if you took a look at the youtube video
in the post just above yours, after agreeing with the YouTube video program host, about the “need for OLPC world-wide, at still 1/2 the price per unit than the Eee PC, that you would agree that OLPC is a worthy cause (so your use of the word troll is maybe not the “correct choice of wording”. OLPC is the correct “social” move to make, to buy one and get one for $400 should make anyone feel good. Hey, you are helping some kid somewhere. Why not?
Eee PC, if it chooses to anger it’s users, as is evident above by the many posts about this miniPCIe removal issue, most except those posted by obvious ASUS employees or agents (maybe Intel agents), that agree that the miniPCIe is something that is wanted in the Eee PC and was inevery unit evaluated by the Press prior to release of the unit….! THAT IS A FACT.
Hey, if ASUS wants us to, with LINUX we CAN and indeed will find a way to use the tech in the OLPC (dual mode screen that can be used in direct sunlight, outstanding battery life, MeshNetworking, etc), to replace the Eee PC totally! Now, that is not a troll, that is a promise.
ASUS really needs to wake up and put the miniPCIe back into their designs… as OLPC and Quanta’s 200 laptop, with the Quanta, that will be a commercial version of the OLPC is not far away (and in fact we can use just each of those, as easily as the Eee PC. Note: This post is simply a wake up notification to ASUS’s marketing and engineering departments. Hey ASUS, Wake UP!
Windows on XO OLPC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7130637.stm
I can’t believe this issue with the mini PCIe slot has gotten so much discussion. Remember guys, this isn’t a mainstream device. It’s the first of its kind. Everybody knows the first model of anything is going to have some kinks to be worked out. If you bought this early (as I did) just relax and enjoy the ride until the second generation model comes out and then you can complain! LOL
And by the way on this subject of the OLPC, I think it is a noble effort but I will not be participating. If I did, I would just request that BOTH the OLPC’s be shipped to needy children. I wouldn’t use it anyway. My daughter has had her own computer since she was two years old (an older 500Mhz desktop) and she is four and a half now. She would look at the OLPC and laugh. The pink Eee would be more her style…. Maybe when she turns 5.
But for the record, I think the OLPC is a great idea. If I were a citizen of a third world country and my child had an opportunity to get one I would be very thankful to whomever had sent it. My hat off to all who buy it. Quite noble of you…
I hope there will never be Windows on XO OLPC. The whole UMPC concept is finally a good opportunity to promote Linux among non-technical people. If manufacturers will start installing Windows on it, they will not only make it almost unusable (too slow, too many applications removed to find a space for “core” Windows components) and hence bury UMPC, but also lose a chance to somehow diminish Microsoft’s domination as the OS provider for personal computers.
Bremen you retarded Asus troll, are you on their payroll?
I stumbled on this forum and as a non technical user, I am confused with what the added PCIe does.I want this laptop mainly for portable email (AOL)as I travel a lot.I need some specific web access. I would like to increase the “hard drive” but do not know if it is possible or what to buy.Can someone just give answers for a “dummy” ? Thanks
The PCIe slow allows you to replace the built in flash drive, potentially with something larger or replace a worn out one.
See comment #20 above for a little more.
I’m personally not going to stress over this.
I’m going to get the 8GB model that just went on sale at newegg.com.
I’m also going to get an SD SDHC 8GB (later 16GB when they’re cheaper) and use that as 2nd ‘drive’.
I’ll also consider getting ‘portable usb hard drive’ which is essentially an external laptop drive, for storage of sorts. I won’t pull that out and use it unless I need it, but it’s there to offload files, to use at home, etc.
Use the internal 8GB flash drive and SD memory card as my two internal drives. That should be plenty.
8GB model $500
SD card about $100
Portable USB drive $100
It adds up.
When the internal flash drive goes south, if I can’t find an boot off an SD card I’ll simply trash it and get something new. It should be a very long time before the internal drive wears out and by then newer, butte models should be out.
Or so that’s my assumption.
The only thing the mini PCIe connector does is allow for a replacement mini PCIe flash drive to be added if the internal flash drive fails.
My Eee doesn’t have it, which is annoying because one day I’d have liked to upgrade the storage capacity of the Eee internally without modding, or extend the life span of the SSD to allow for me to use it for the full extent of my degree course at university.
(which I’ll admit is a silly idea as I’ll probably need something more powerful by that time)
Essentially, no one should NOT buy the Eee just because it doesn’t have the mini-PCIe connector, as it doesn’t add any functionality, merely a backup for if things go wrong and the internal flash drive borks itself.
Well, that’s my opinion…
Also, people who feel wronged or lied to because they got an Eee PC without a mini PCIe connector, you shouldn’t. I was disappointed, but Asus didn’t announce it as a feature, and it’s hardly a key feature of the Eee PC anyway… If you need more storage space, buy a huge SDHC card or a USB flash/hard drive.
I think I’ve covered everything relevant there. I’m not looking to engage in a flame war, just hopefully shedding some light for those who aren’t fully informed.
I truly agree with Banjo and RF9. This is ridiculous to have spent this much time agonizing over who has a mini PCIe and who doesn’t. Unlike desktop computers laptops inherently have a shorter shelf life than desktops anyway. In two years there will be something much better for around the same price, and everybody who was complaining about the PCIe slot here, will have something new to gripe about. I say just enjoy our new toys and get the most out of them for now….
I would like to thank the Asus employees and spin control doctors, the people getting screwed by Asus and the rest of you for participating in this conversation.
The gist of it is Asus played marketing games to generate a buzz by using everyone here, then at the last minute due to various reasons hiked the price way up and crippled the machine.
All
Stupid
Users
Suck
Ruben Trinidad, you’re a n00b.
Tell me where you can find a similar spec machine that size for a similar price?
Exactly.
Ruben Trinidad, how long did it take you to come up with the All Stupid Users Suck (ASUS) acronym? Did you spend all day? LOL
So I guess if I disagree with you that makes me stupid? No, actually it makes you close-minded and inflexible but I digress. I am not saying that I was disheartened by Asus’ methods of getting this product to market. I was mad, I called it a bait and switch among other things but I bought the product and I LOVE IT. Was the execution of the pre-release marketing perfect? By no means.
But the product is wonderful. It’s not without its obvious faults but lets not lower ourselves to insulting each other because I think the only stupid user is one who insults another for no good reason. Nuff said….
I *think* having the mini PCIe slot matters to me. I’m still learning.
I originally got mine on a lark–a chance to see what’s going on in the low cost (NOT! LOL) “one child-one computer” arena. I thought I’d have an expensive toy.
What I got still boggle s me! What I quickly discovered is that not only could the eeepc replace my full-sized laptop, but
eeepc is to laptop as cell phone is to cordless phone
I suspect that anyone who is dissatisfied with cost, capacity, or related characteristics has not spent a few days carrying it around. I can toss it in a large purse, my briefcase, or a backpack and take it with me everywhere. It does not pass the “look inside the tote to be sure it’s there” test, but it’s surely the future just the way the large clunky original cell phones paved the way for the tiny wonders many of us now carry.
I’ve discovered that there’s little (nothing?) the eeepc can’t do that my full sized laptops can do. I even had Adobe Audition 2.0 running successfully! (I removed it because it took up nearly 0.5GB and I have CoolEdit 2k.) I still have SAS running! The only thing limiting me is space.
I was about to get an 8GB unit because, along with 1GB of memory, it would let me install and run ALL of my important applications. Now, I’m not so sure. The 8GB will cost an extra $100 over the 4GB. Maybe I’ll get my original investment back (a black 7A unit with intact warranty sticker), but maybe not, especially after eBay and PayPal take their fees. So, maybe the best strategy is to wait 6 months for the 16GB mini PCIe cards to not only be introduced but to become reasonable (your thoughts and opinions appreciated).
I noticed that in today’s paper, a Dell advertising supplement offered a $500 laptop with features that well exceeded anything the 8G had to offer–except that I wouldn’t be tossing it into my bag to take everywhere (which, for me, is the whole point of the eeepc)!
Oh, sorry! I forgot to sign the last post!
–BriAnn!
It gets me that there are still all the boo hoo price babys who claim to have read this thread and are still making a point of the “price hike” (Rubin Trinidad). The machine spec’d in the $199 announcement is not what is for sale at $349 or $399. Either figure that out or STFU. This is exactly the kind of ill-informed crap that caused the whole $199 Eee PC mythos to be created and is continuing to churn it. A bunch of people took someones speculation for fact, a bunch of reporters told a story that was not backed up by actual press releases and now we get people crying wolf at ASUS for something that is not on their shoulders. Point me to just one place where an *actual* ASUS official ever said that the 4G was going to sell for $199 and I’ll stop getting defensive on this. And I don’t mean some article where “a source inside ASUS says” I mean an actual interview or press release. Until then IT WAS MEDIA SPECULATION THAT GAVE YOU ALL THE IDIOT IDEA OF A $199 4G EEE PC! Blame the dumb technology press!
I hear that Asus say units shipped in the UK will continue to have an internal PCIe slot.
Groklaw Writer wrote:
Bremen you retarded Asus troll, are you on their payroll?
Friday, December 7, 2007 at 4:59 pm #
Gee Groklaw, you bring the discussion to a whole new level. Reminds me of grade school…. anyway.
The fact is there is not bait and swith, and the specs released by asus for each product are exactly what you get. The OLPC is still called by many the $100 laptop, but like any product it is hard to know exactly what it will cost when it is actually produced.
And for the record, it is the OLPC that is struggling, not the eee PC. So perhaps Asus does know what they are doing. Actually I think the success of the eee is as big of surprise to Asus as it is to anyone….
Unfortunately these posts aren’t signed, so that may not have been the person who has been posting as Groklaw Reader. The only way to be user is if ant wants to dig through the logs and verify the included email addy and the IP of the sender….
Good point JDP, I had not thought of that. One more reason to let it go
Sorry Asus, I’m bailing on you. Besides, I need a magnetic touch screen for people to sign credit card transactions, via, wireless broad band, thus a mini-pci slot. C-ya!
Bremen -
If you look back it was not my post that called you those names. (the question about payroll, really with no faces, one sometimes wonders who is posting (I really wonder when folks start talking about XP on the Eee PC if some Microsoft employee is not lurking behind that screeen somewhere).
Anyone know about what software is being left off of the 2G Surf (as the 4G models all show that much more than 2G is used on the Flash Drive for OS and Applications)?
I just got a 701 from Taiwan and it starts with 7BOAA and has no PCI-e slot.
My UK 4G 701 Eee PC serial starts with 7C0AA – go figure!
I purchased my 701 from Newegg as soon as they were released. It has a serial number starting with 79, not 7A or 7B and it does have the pci-e slot. I upgraded my ram and installed Win Xp on my SD card, life is good. I hope someone releases a card for the pci-e slot, maybe some type of phone card would be nice.
Asus is going to have the last laugh when the color ones start selling. I saw advanced pics and it looks like there is no access cover to the memory at all. can someone else confirm this? I’m glad i purchased one right from the start even if they never release anything for the pci-e slot. I don’t blame the people who feel cheated out of it but it was never supposed to be a feature of the unit anyway. I use mine all the time in Starbucks, love the small size and weight.
couldn’t someone just solder on a minipcie slot right onto the board themselves…
So where can I get a 16 gig SD card for a good price? Love the Advanced mode for eeepc too! Had eeeXubuntu in it but removed due to grub on external thumb drive
First off my life isn’t ruined b/c I don’t have the slot, I ordered it and got what I ordered. My question is has anyone added the slot? If so please tell us whether it works! I plan on doing the wireless N upgrade and would like to know a head of time b/c I’d like to do everything at once and not take this puppy apart again. And if adding the connector doesn’t work I’ll just add an internal usb port (or 2 if it fits) instead. Please let us know. Thanks
-Matt
I just bought a new 4 GB Black and my serial number starts with 7C. So what does this mean??
hmmm – yeah – mine starts with 7C as well – just bought it in Taiwan a week ago
All this discussion is foolish. You have a $400 carry anywhere pc that you can install any OS you want. OK the memory might fail in 2 years, that’s $200 per year cost to you.
Then you can always open it up and get a soldering iron out to try and fix it yourself. If you mess it up, just get another one and you will know a lot more.
Look at it as a learning platform. Something to play with. If you break it, well consider that folks spend more than $400 on a good time in Vegas.
Quit complaining and see the big picture. Asus has shaken up the IT industry which was long overdue and we can all enjoy more focussed hardware and software…Microsoft move over!
I have a white 7c – have cracked it – no mini PCIe
I have a black 7b with no connector. I know the connector was not in the published specs but the first generation had it and from the first generation reviews I expected it to be there. Now that I bought one and have found it’s not there I feel a bit cheated. I did want to use the connector for extra storage so that I would still have the sd slot available for swapping cards between my other protable devices.
At least the solder pads are still there. I’ll probably be soldering a connector in soon.
Got a 4G (701) /w webcam and just love it. Bumped up the ram to 2gb and got the xandros kernel updated to support the 2gb ram.
As for the minipcie connector, my eeepc is missing it, but I’m not loosing sleep over it. I’ll use SDcard to upgrade it in future *if* the ssd should fail. I seriously doubt it will fail in the unit’s lifetime. I’ll probably be using a 2nd or 3rd gen eeepc before it fail on me.
I know how some of us also expected the eeepc to cook eggs for us in the morning and wash our laundry, but let’s not punish Asus because it couldn’t ok? ‘cos they never published it as a product specs for goodness sake!
Someone lock down on the comments already! :p
pcie or not, really, If your ssd drive dies in 3 yrs or 5yrs etc from having Page filing on. A new motherboard would cost under 99 bucks. More like 50 60 bucks. 701 i bought for 240ish new. Memory, keyboard, case, touchpad, battey, LCD, Inverter and motherboard with ssd.
SO 240 bucks divided by all those parts above.. Its still going to be pretty cheap for a new ssd Motherboard then get another 3yrs out of it.. If they sell enough machines, they will offer parts if we all rag about parts.
Make sure you also have enough ram to cover your programs. This keeps your system running off ram memory. 1gig should be plenty for xp I never use more then 500megs with a few things going. 2gigs i think is over kill for the smaller 7in screen puters.
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