The netbook that defined a category—and sparked a battery controversy

Science · Published 1 November 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In late 2007, the Asus Eee PC didn't just launch a product; it created an entire computing category. By blending low cost with portability, it became a global milestone for ultra-mobile devices, even as its unexpected success led to manufacturing inconsistencies that left some users with significantly less power than promised.

The Eee PC was marketed under the slogan "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play," aiming to provide a lightweight, affordable alternative to traditional laptops. Launched in late 2007, it introduced the 'netbook' category to the West, featuring solid-state drives (SSDs) and Linux-based systems. While subnotebooks were already common in Japan, Asus positioned the Eee PC as a response to initiatives like the One Laptop per Child project, focusing on extreme portability and low price points.

However, the device's rapid success created a logistical nightmare for its manufacturer. Because demand far exceeded expectations, Asus factories in Taiwan and China worked around the clock to keep up. This frantic production led to significant hardware variations; some reviewers received units with 5800 mAh batteries, while retail customers in regions like Hong Kong and the UK were shipped smaller 4400 mAh packs—only 76% of the capacity. These discrepancies caused massive variations in reported battery life, sometimes as little as 90 minutes, forcing Asus to launch both free and paid battery replacement programs.

The series eventually evolved through various iterations, including the 1000 series which introduced larger 10-inch screens and the 'Seashell' design. Despite its innovation, the netbook category was eventually eclipsed by tablets and Ultrabooks, leading Asus to end production in early 2013 before restarting with the EeeBook line in 2015.

Technologically, these devices were notable for their clever engineering of limited resources. For instance, the 1000 series used pixel mapping to offer a virtual 1024x768 desktop on a native 1024x600 screen, using a panning effect to display 'hidden' pixels as the cursor moved.

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