I recently decided to install the Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 on my netbook, an Asus Eee PC 1000HE, which had been running Windows XP on 2GB RAM. Getting Windows 7 installed in the first place was a bit tricky since the netbook has no optical drive, but this was easily solved by using an external DVD-burner. If you don’t have access to one of these, you are going to have to go through the rather involved process of formatting a USB-key as a bootable drive. Total install time was about 40 minutes.

Visually, Windows 7 looks worlds different than XP and even Vista, which I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to use. From the taskbar, Start menu/Windows button, and desktop, the overall user interface has been revamped resulting in a very refreshing, uncluttered experience. The old Start menu has been given a more logical hierarchy and the taskbar now shows image buttons that you can hover over for a preview of the window.

Asus has recently announced the newest addition in the ever-expanding Eee PC lineup, except this time the new model offers a few changes as compared to the rest. To begin with, the new model is the Eee PC 1000HE, it will retail for $399 and is currently available for pre-order. Also, for an unspecified “limited time” you will receive an additional $25 off, which will bring the price down to $374. For those willing to part with the money, you can make the purchase through the ASUS Eee PC Group on Facebook. As for color options, this model will ship in both fine ebony black as well as blue.