UMPC Blog

With all the excitement surrounding Asustek’s Eee PC’s at Computex it’s amazing that the company has something a little different to offer as well. It’s called the EBox, and according to PCAdvisor.co.uk, ASUS has already released some details regarding this possible rival to iMac:

The Eee Box is a white mini-PC about the size of a hardback book and will come with either a Linux or Windows XP OS. It will be available in a range of configurations, including a choice of hard drives from 80GB to 250GB in size, and allow users to surf the internet wirelessly via 802.11n Wi-Fi.

The device comes with four USB ports, two each in front and back, and a slot for MMCs (Multimedia Cards), SD (Secure Digital) cards and Memory Sticks.

The most basic version of the device, which will come with an 80GB hard disk and run a Linux OS, will cost around NT$10,000 (£160) in Taiwan, an Asustek representative said. She declined to comment further on the device or its components.

Here’s more from Gizmodo.com as they got to test this machine out:

The other toy Asus brought for us to look at is their upcoming Eee Box, which will launch mid-July in the US. Running on a 1.6GHz Atom processor, it comes in Windows XP and Linux versions, both of which are blissfully cheap: $269 for the base 1GB RAM, 80GB storage Linux model, $299 for XP. Memory and storage are configurable, running from 512MB to 2GB, and 80GB to 250GB, respectively. 802.11n is standard, and it has a pleasant number of ports—serious potential as a TV streamer box (as commenters have pointed out, lack of optical drive and HDMI out is definitely limiting here). We didn’t get to see it in action, but it’s definitely a cute, well-built package for the money. All the dirty details below.

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

Availability: For the US, we’re expecting to hit the market Mid July. For French-speaking Canada, a French Linux version will be available the following month.

Given the company history for setting high standards while offering low price-points with it’s Eee series, it’s hard for us here at Ultra Mobile Blog to believe that the EBox will differ much at all. The only question remains how will this impact the series, which to this point has been relegated strictly within the Ultramobile sector.