The T91 asks you to swivel on it.

There are so many different Asus Eee PC netbooks currently on the market that it’s hard to believe a week goes by without a new one being launched. The Eee PC T91 is the latest incarnation, and is a netbook with a difference – a touchscreen display.

The T91 isn’t the first to feature a touchscreen panel – these are also available on products such as the child-friendly Zoostorm FizzBook Spin. It is the first from a mainstream manufacturer though, and turns the Eee PC into a more usable proposition.

At 8.9 inches, it’s closer in size to the original batch of netbooks – such as the Eee PC 701. The screen retains similar usability to larger 10-inch rivals by virtue of the same 1024 x 600 pixel resolution. There’s still not enough space onscreen to fit an entire website without scrolling, but it looks a lot sharper on a panel of this size. Annoyingly, it’s also a glossy panel, which can be difficult to see when in sunlight and covered in prints.

The touchscreen is responsive to both finger touches and a stylus, and it offers an alternative way of navigating the Windows XP operating system. Asus also bundles its Touch Dock software, which brings with it a host of finger-friendly applications, and also increases the size of some of the menu bars.

The biggest difference this makes is the ability to easily close applications. Where it’s near-impossible for those with larger fingers when using the Standard OS, switch on the Asus software and much larger close buttons make it easy for those with big digits. Among other things, there’s also a memo-making app built-in, making it easy to scribble notes to yourself, which can then be transferred onto the desktop in the form of post-its.

The T91′s design itself is neat enough, if a little underwhelming. As with most other manufuacturers, glossy plastics are the order of the day, which look great right up until the point it’s covered in fingerprints and grime. The screen is hinged in the centre, and swings round 180 degrees, before folding flat for tablet use.

The keyboard is smaller than most netbooks currently on sale, and a downside of the 8.9-inch form factor. This means it takes time to get accustomed to the interface, the tiny keys and cramped layout, but once you do it’s easily possible to strike up a quick typing speed.

The touchpad is equally small, but is responsive and also supports gesture support. It doesn’t add a great deal, but the ability to pinch your fingers to zoom – as with Apple’s iPhone – remains a neat touch, especially considering the small screen.

As with virtually all other netbooks, an Intel Atom chip provides processing power, in this case the Atom Z520 which is also found in Sony’s miniscule VAIO P-series. Running at 1.33GHz, and backed by 1024MB of memory, performance is OK – it’s no worse than any other netbook, but it’s still a device for basic tasks only.

Things are thankfully speeded up slightly by the use of solid state memory, although at 16GB those with large need media collections will need to either get an external drive or look elsewhere. Battery life is also aided by the SSD, and lasts for nearly six hours between charges. It’ll need to – as it’s a sealed unit, and you won’t be able to swap it for a new one.

Features include two USB ports – one on each side of the chassis, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader, but there’s not a lot else here. Bluetooth is provided, making it easy to sync with your mobile phone, but the T91′s Wi-Fi adapter is limited to 802.11g speeds.

Whether the touchscreen functionality has a lot to offer remains purely down to your needs, but the Eee PC T91 remains a highly portable netbook either way.

We liked the touch software, and the T91′s tiny size means holding it with one hand when writing with the stylus is no problem at all. Add to this a decent battery life, and many users will be able to overlook the cramped keyboard.

Via T3.com