So when the new Windows 7 RC was released I had to give it another try.

So far I’m very happy to report that it seems far more polished that the beta I originally tested and with the added bonus of it working properly with my mouse.

I have had no real issues with it or noted any bugs so far although this may change with extended use.

Performance isn’t quite like Windows XP, even with my RAM upgraded to 2GB but its very useable and I think the majority of users would be happy with the speed and efficiency of it.

For those who are wanting to try this, there are a few points to make,

1) Most of the drivers supplied from the Asus website state they are for XP, but once extracted, instead of using the asus_setup.exe, select the setup.exe.

2) In the case of the graphics drivers you will need to run the executable in Windows XP compatibility mode in order to get the Intel graphics tray application which enables you to use the F8 hotkey for switching the display modes. Once installed you will find an updated version is installed via Windows Update.

3) The only driver which won’t work is the ACPI driver which enables the hot switching of the wireless, bluetooth and webcam. There is a Vista version which will work but took a little digging around, you can get it here; Asus EEE 1000H Vista ACPI driver

If you have any questions or things you would like me to try, drop them in the comments.

I’m out and about today and had 30 minutes to kill before I was due to meet a friend so I fired up the laptop and connected with HTC Touch Diamond.

With Windows Mobile the process is so easy, when I connect the phone to my laptop, I get a popup on the device asking which mode I would like to connect by, Active Sync, Mass Storage Mode or Internet Connection Sharing. I pick the latter and am connected to T-Mobiles HSDPA network in seconds, the whole process is two clicks or less and couldn’t be simpler.

Recent changes to my employment have left me with two company provided laptops. Whilst most people would be excited by the prospect of having more than one new device to play with I’m rather more cautious with my approach.

My problem is none of these devices I can call my own and the harsh corporate measures and monitoring mean I cannot install any of the applications I require for other duties outside of that particular employers scope. Windows Live Writer for blogging, IRC for keeping in touch with communities I am part of and many other applications make up my day to day life in front of a computer.

I have tried to live in the cloud as far as possible as Kevin C. Tofel of jkontherun has, which to a degree has helped, I have even tried living from a USB flash drive with the excellent portable applications available on the internet.

Based upon the above I think its time I got myself a netbook, a companion mobility based device which I can use on a day to day basis whilst in between employers and appointments, something ultra-portable, that I can throw in a bag and carry with me.

So far my options are, the MSI Wind, HP 2133 Mini note or the ASUS 1000H. They are all pretty much similar as far as specifications, the HP being a little different in the that its powered by a VIA C7 1.2 Ghz processor where as the Asus and MSI are powered by Intel’s 1.6 Ghz Atom.

What has caught my eye are the recent battery tests done by Kevin C. Tofel on his recently purchased MSI Wind, he reckons with an ‘average’ days use you could be looking at 5 – 5.5 hours usage. From a £350.00 netbook that is a pretty impressive figure. He has been comparing his results with Brad Linder of liliputing who has recently purchased the Asus 1000H, he has seen similar results which is equally as impressive. What makes this more interesting is in the United States, Asus have just dropped the price of this model to $445, a saving of $105. I wonder if this generous discount will be shared over here with us folk in the UK?