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Asus Eee Box a thick white slice of cheap computing heaven

Summary: $269.That's the base price of the upcoming Asus Eee Box, a shiny slice of plastic pound cake set to launch in mid-July in the U.

Andrew Nusca

By for The ToyBox |

Asus Eee Box$269.

That's the base price of the upcoming Asus Eee Box, a shiny slice of plastic pound cake set to launch in mid-July in the U.S. and a bit later for French-speaking Canada (oui, c'est vrai.)

It will run on a 1.6 GHz Atom processor in Windows XP and Linux flavors, both of which are less green than a loaded iPod: $269 for the base 1GB RAM, 80GB storage Linux model and $299 for the XP version. Memory ranges from 512MB to 2GB and storage from 80GB to 250GB, and 802.11n is standard.

As far as I can see, there's no optical drive nor HDMI, but it does have a reasonable number of ports -- perhaps useful as part of a TV-centric setup? Nevertheless, for the price, it's small form factor bliss.

Stats are as follows:

Name and Model: Eee Box B202

OS: Linux System/ Hardware Compatible with Windows XP

Processor: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz, FSB 533)

Memory: DDRII 512 MB / 1 GB / 2 GB (see US configs below)

Storage: 80 GB / 120 GB / 160 GB / 250 GB (see US configs below)

Chipset: 945GSE + ICH7M

VGA: On-board Intel GMA 950, 1600 x 1200 maximum resolution

Networking: 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN, 802.11n WLAN, Bluetooth optional

SD/MMC/MS slot: SD, SDHC, Mini SD, (Micro SD through adapter) ; MMC, MMC plus, MMC4.x, RS MMC, RSMMC4.x (MMC mobile through adapter) ; MS, MS PRO Audio: Azalia ALC888 Audio Chip

Front Ports: USB x 2 Card Reader x 1 Headphone-out jack (WO/SPDIF) x 1 MIC x 1

Rear Ports: USB 2.0 x 2 Gigabit LAN x 1 DVI out x 1 Line-Out (L/R) with S/PDIF x 1 WiFi antenna

Accessories: 19Vdc, 4.74A, 65W power adaptor Mouse (optional) Keyboard (optional) VESA mount (optional) WiFi antenna Stand

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7" x 1" Net Weight: 2.2 lbs. Gross Weight: 6.6 lbs.

US Configurations and MSRP: $269 1GB memory + 80GB HDD Linux edition $299 1GB memory + 80GB HDD XP edition $299 2GB memory + 160GB HDD Linux edition

What do you think? Cheap enough to have as a backup machine or gift to a child, or a Wii-lookalike with nothing under the hood? Tell us in TalkBack.

Topics: Windows, Hardware, Linux, Microsoft, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software, Storage

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Talkback

24 comments
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  • One billion = One thousand million

    I want that one billion right where that little arrow is!
    BALTHOR
    Reply Vote

  • I was already planning on getting an Eee laptop...

    but now I'm thinking of holding out for this machine. The only thing I'm not too crazy about is that they're probably gonna use Xandros for the Linux version again. I'd rather use something like PCLinuxOS TinyMe to get better performance out of it.
    Tony Agudo
    Reply Vote

    • Cool

      We have 3 Laptops in our house. All of them now run Linux (Thanks WGA).

      One of our machines, is the Eee PC 4G. It is the most popular machine with the girls. Everything you want, Camera, Mic, IM, Internet, etc. is right there in a very portable and battery friendly machine with a very easy to use interface.

      This Eee Box should be a hit! Just forget the XP. M$ can kiss my grits!
      Deefburger
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Asus Eee Box a thick white slice of cheap computing heaven

    It's less powerful than a pentium 4, with no optical drives and cost 3X as much as the plentiful used P4s on the market.

    Count me out.
    nathanralph
    Reply Vote

    • Including the size?

      In this form factor:

      Dimensions: 8.5″ x 7″ x 1″
      Net Weight: 2.2 lbs.
      Gross Weight: 6.6 lbs.

      Please point me to the Pentinum 4 for similar pricing with this form factor.
      MisterMiester
      Reply Vote

      • I have a P4

        I have a P4 that is almost this small. It's my Thinkpad G40!
        Deefburger
        Reply Vote

        • Like I said ...

          [i]I have a P4 that is almost this small. It's my Thinkpad G40! [/i]

          For the same price as the Asus Eee Box?
          MisterMiester
          Reply Vote

  • Just my thought

    I was thinking as soon as I saw the picture that the thing would be near perfect for running games through emulation for the living room. Think about it an endless amount of games for the home, all brought to you for a price that is easier to stomach than a PS3. It would be nice to play some of the games I have on the big screen I got in the living room with my friends other than the little 17 inch monitor I have in my bedroom. Not to mention maybe using it to stream media from your main rig to the front room via XBMC or something to that nature.
    HazzMatt
    Reply Vote

  • Eee Box may be in my future :)

    ==============================================================
    Just ignore this post please.... I mistakenly thought it was a new version of their laptop model....<br>Thanks to those who let me know!
    ==============================================================
    One thing I didn't see though is a screen size for this little gem.

    I am liking the drive size, RAM, and the N band wireless! All for 269.99? This just cast the deciding vote between the Eee PC and the Cloudbook. I was leaning toward the Cloudbook only because it had a lot more storage than the Eee at 30GB, now.... How can I resist? If the screen size is 7" or better I'll be in line for my new toy....maybe even 2... Maybe the Wife will finally retire her circa 1999 750mhz Toshiba w/ no audio.....(I mean seriously, I build my systems and I'm not as attached to my computers as she is that laptop!).
    devlin_X
    Reply Vote

    • It's not a notebook...so there's no screen included.

      It's not a notebook...so there's no screen included.
      SeanRinVA
      Reply Vote

      • ahhhh my bad!

        I thought it was a new release of the notebook model damn...<br>

        Well, now I see how they can do it at that price point. I was wondering how they got the price that low while increasing the storage so much.<br><br>

        Well back to the Cloudbook as the lead choice for me again then....<br><br> Thanks for letting me know :)
        devlin_X
        Reply Vote

    • This is a desktop PC without a screen

      You can use any size screen that you want.
      shutrbug
      Reply Vote

      • Yeah, but it doesn't COME w/one

        Which is the point, I think.

        Still - doesn't look too shabby as a "guest PC", or maybe a Media Center box....
        drprodny
        Reply Vote

  • Interesting they needed XP

    Only the dumped, discontinued XP offers similar value to
    Linux (then still $30 more).

    Linux will continue to grow these sort of market (where
    WIN32 compatibility isn't essential) because like windows it is
    good enough but cheaper.

    ASUS release a netboot (e.g. PXE) version without HDD. Make
    a great thin client (we'll do the software).
    Richard Flude
    Reply Vote

    • They did.

      The sub notebooks can be configured for PXE if I'm not mistaken, and they have VGA and USB enough for desktop Monitors and keyboards. BUT, you can unplug them and take them to the conference room or the Breakroom and keep working!
      Deefburger
      Reply Vote

      • That's correct ...

        [i]The sub notebooks can be configured for PXE if I'm not mistaken, and they have VGA and USB enough for desktop Monitors and keyboards.[/i]

        I was planning on doing this with the current Eee 701 I have setting it up with a monitor and desktop mouse as a main computer for my daughter. She gets a desktop plus she can drop the notebook in her backpack when she needs it.

        If more power is needed on the desktop I'll just turn it into a thin client since they can be setup to boot to rom which is already a setting in the BIOS. I was planning on building a high end media server and can use LTSP with a few terminals no problem. ;)
        MisterMiester
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Asus Eee Box- wish you'd compare with Koolu

    A little box that tries to be green, cheap, low power ... it
    would be useful to see comparisons with the Koolu box.
    thanks
    tony
    Tony T3
    Reply Vote

    • Eee vs. Koolu - - on paper

      Based on what both companies have released about their products....definitely the Asus Eee box.

      With the Eee you have the ability to expand it's HDD capacity to 250GB and the RAM up to 2GB, while the processor is running at 1.6Ghz.

      The Koolu is only available with a maximum of 1GB of RAM and maxed with an 80GB HDD, let alone the fact that the processor is only running at 500Mhz.

      Even in their respective base configurations:
      Asus Eee w/Linux $269 - 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD and 1.6Ghz processor

      versus

      Koolu w/Linus $299 - 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD and 500Mhz processor

      The Asus Eee looks to be a much better bang for buck.
      LStewart
      Reply Vote

      • Forgot a couple of things to add....

        I also forgot to mention these facts:

        The Asus Eee has the built in card reader and the wireless N card standard for less than the Koolu
        LStewart
        Reply Vote

  • You didnt menton the Splashtop/Express Gate option?

    I checked around and like every Asus desktop and many of the new Asus laptop, the 3E Box will come with Splashtop/Express Gate which is the embedded Linux instant-on option. Turn on your computer and you can use Firefox, Skype, IM and PhotoBrowser without waiting.
    That is something I'be been waiting for 15 years yet it gets absolutely minimal coverage.
    zeke123
    Reply Vote
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