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Asus 1018PB vs Asus 1018P – pictures and video

By Andrei Girbea , updated on June 4, 2014

After testing the white version Asus 1018P last week (which turned out to be identical to the 1018PB available in the States), I now have the chance to get the upgraded version as well, this time with the Black Aluminum finish.

So, I’ve put together this post comparing the two, with pictures and video. The white device is the Asus 1018PB, while the black one is the Asus 1018P.

Besides those, there aren’t many differences between the two, as you’ll find out from the pictures and the clips included in this post, bellow.

White plastic vs Black Aluminum

White plastic vs Black Aluminum

First, take a look at the video. Then, if curious, see the rest of the post below.

So, as I’ve said, there aren’t many differences between the 1018P and 1018PB. Check them out bellow:

  • Asus 1018P comes with 2xUSB 3.0 and 1xUSB 2.0 slots, while the 1018PB only has 3xUSB 2.0 slots
2xUSB 3.0 on the PB

2xUSB 3.0 on the P , while PB only comes with USB 2.0 ports

  • Asus 1018P comes with a fingerprint reader, while the other doesn’t (it’s nice that there’s also a software that will help you secure all kind of content, from pictures to documents. Plus, you can login on certain sites and applications from this device with your fingerprint)
Fingerprint Reader on the right side of Palm Rest

Fingerprint Reader on the right side of Palm Rest

  • Asus 1018P comes with a better keyboard layout, with smaller Enter but big Left Shift (In fact, the 1018P I have comes with the US keyboard layout, while the white 1018PB comes with the European layout)

European keyboard (left) vs US keyboard(right) layout

  • The PB is all encased in texture plastic, while the P comes with an aluminum lid cover. Still, it feels less solid (it bends when pressed even gently), provides worse grip and catches smudges and fingerprints, like all aluminum black covers do
Plastic vs aluminum, again

Plastic vs aluminum, again

  • PB is 80 bucks cheaper than the P, as it will run for $350 in the States, while the better equipped version will run for $430 (prices are subject to change in time though)

All in all, the Black finish looks more classy and sober (a true business netbook, as Asus likes to call this machine). Still, I do prefer the white one, although I didn’t when I first lied my eyes on it. Still, that textured plastic is indeed pretty solid and gives a certain toughness to this little fellow. See some of the pictures below for details.

In fact, I’m pretty sure the 1018PB will also come in Black, but I don’t know whether it will have the aluminum finish as well. Hopefully not.

For more details about this EEE PC line, see the Asus 1018P review i had a couple of days ago. Like I said in the clip as well, I would right now buy the cheaper version. It’s not like I don’t like or appreciate the features on the upper class one, but I just don’t feel that I need them. So why pay 15% extra for something I won’t use?

Update:

Not sure if that’s the case for all devices, but on these two I have, there are a couple of other differences:

  • N475 1.83 GHz processor for the Black 1018P and N455 1.66 GHz processor for the white 1018PB
  • 2 GB of memory for the P, only 1 for the PB
  • 320 GB HDD for P, only 250 GB for PB
  • Windows 7 Home Premium for P, Windows 7 Starter for PB

Given these latest findings, if indeed the 1018P will have all these extras above over the PB, than I definitely have to take back what I said in the clip and above and would buy this one. The better processor, extra memory and improved OS is for sure something I would pay for, and taken all together, they all count for a lot more than $80.

But let’s just wait and see the 1018P/PB in stores and then I’ll be able to draw a final conclusion.

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Andrei Girbea, Editor-in-Chief at TLBHD.com. This project was born as part of my search for capable mini-laptops that I could easily lug around to work, and still provide the performance that I'd need on a daily basis. I'm primarily using such ultracompact devices and have been testing them since 2006.

19 Comments

  1. Kishiin

    August 21, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    Hey Mike, nice comparison between the two versions. I’m sure its exactly what a lot of people have been waiting for.

    One thing though, is there any difference between the battery capacities?

    • Andrei Girbea

      August 22, 2010 at 1:41 am

      No, I don’t think so, But I will double check

  2. me

    August 23, 2010 at 2:21 am

    shure it’s no typo “3x USB 3.0” in the PB-Version?!

    • Andrei Girbea

      August 23, 2010 at 2:24 am

      Oh my, but it is. There are 3xUSB 2.0 on the PB. thanks for noticing

  3. JohnnyTToxic

    August 23, 2010 at 10:07 am

    Hey!

    Where did you get a hold of a 1018P with a N475?

    I’ve seen 1018p for sale with N450 and N455.

    All these different processor options are a pain, I’d love to know if you know of a place that sells the 1018p with a N475.

    Thanks!

    • Andrei Girbea

      August 23, 2010 at 10:40 am

      They are not for sale yet, the ones I have are test units.

  4. JohnnyTToxic

    August 23, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Nice! I guess I’ll hold off on buying them.

    I wonder if it would have killed Asus to change the model name to 1018p-N4xx…

  5. Mohan

    August 25, 2010 at 4:19 am

    Hey Mike, Thanks for the comparison video. I was waiting for this a long time and you posted it as you promised! Now I have one more thing to know about this 1018P versions, Does the SIM Slot function? I read somewhere that only 1018PG will have a working 3G slot and others are just fillers. Can you shed light on this as well? Thanks in advance.

    • Andrei Girbea

      August 25, 2010 at 10:13 am

      No, they were dummies on these machines. At the moment I don’t know which exact versions is going to have 3G or if it’s going to come with another indicator for that machine… So you could be right with the 1018PG.

  6. Mohan

    August 27, 2010 at 3:33 am

    Ok, that solves the mystery. I will keep looking for your 1018PG review. Thanks for the answers Mike.

  7. Rock

    October 10, 2010 at 10:32 am

    hi Mike,when and where can I buy the 1018p? and what price is it ! the big THX

    • Andrei Girbea

      October 10, 2010 at 10:45 am

      Rock, where are you from? For instance, you can find it on Amazon in the States for around 430 bucks…

  8. Rock

    October 11, 2010 at 11:05 am

    Mike,I comes from China ,I have a friend in Boston she want to buy the 1018p with 320G 2G DDR3 rom and ATOM475 ,but I con’t find in Amazon with that hardware .

    • Andrei Girbea

      October 11, 2010 at 11:36 am

      Yea, don’t know where you can find it with that config in the States for now…

  9. Rock

    October 11, 2010 at 11:53 am

    O ,My god, u mean that there is no where I can buy it in the state? no matter how ,I am very delighted that u can help me ,the big thanks

    • Andrei Girbea

      October 11, 2010 at 12:31 pm

      Not from what I’m aware off… at least not for now

  10. grant

    January 11, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Is it available now? cause its been like 4 months since you last said that its unable to be found in the states..

  11. Pete

    February 2, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Hi Mike, Just received my 1018P and disaspointed microsoft store is selling it for 379.00 it states it has a a finger print reader but it does not come with it also a N450 processor. By the way its black also and no bluetooth or 3.0 usb. Seems that the 1015PEM is a better buy. Mouse pad is not multitouch and hard buttons. looks really nice but I am returning this netbook. Tigerdirect is now selling this product just type the model ex: 1018 or 1015 you will get a sticker shock on what they are asking for them. 1018p close to $480.00 vs 1015PEM with a dual core N550 for $369.00. Like to see a follow up maybe changing out the drive to a SDD. Keep us posted Thank You. Pete

    • Andrei Girbea

      February 3, 2011 at 4:26 am

      Yea Pete, If you read some of my posts, you probably saw I recommend the 1015PEM over the 1018P. The last one comes with n550 in some parts of the world and is better looking and more solid built. but battery is poorer and is way more expensive.

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