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Building on the computer-on-a-budget success of its popular Eee PC sub-notebook range, Taiwan-based computer manufacturer ASUSTek Inc. has this week used the Computex expo in Taipei as a platform to unveil its new desktop-bound creation, the snappily titled Eee Box (model: B202).
ASUSTek reveals its new Mac mini-beating Eee Box. Image: ASUSTek.
Designed to serve as the desktop equivalent of the Eee PC, the Eee Box follows the Eee line’s small form physicality, measuring in at a mere 8.5 x 7.0 x 1.0 inches and weighing an incredibly lightweight 2.2lbs (1 kilo).
In terms of performance, the Eee Box also continues ASUSTek’s expanding trend of adopting Intel Corp’s Atom technology, offering up a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor and 945GSE chipset, which will be bolstered by either 1GB or 2GB of RAM.
The Eee Box will also deliver its visual oomph via an integrated GMA 950, while connectivity will be provided by 802.11n and optional Bluetooth, and data storage will range from 80GB and 160GB hard drive choices.
Much like the newer Eee PC models, those consumers looking for operating system flexibility will be given the choice of taking their Eee Box armed with either Windows XP Home or a Linux-based OS.
Respective prices are spread across RAM, HDD, and operating system selections, with $269 USD securing 1GB of RAM, 80GBs of storage and Linux, while $299 USD gets you 1GB of RAM, an 80GB HDD and Windows XP.
Linux fans can double their RAM and storage for that upper-tier price, with $299 USD also nabbing 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive alongside the open-source OS.
Other features include a 3-in-1 media reader, USB 2.0 ports, and a DVI port. However, the Eee Box will not offer up an onboard optical drive, which will mean that USB reliance is mandatory for anyone looking to connect and utilise an adequate external device.
Given the modest dimensions of the Eee Box, it’s likely that ASUSTek is making a play for Apple’s similarly sized (slightly smaller) Mac mini desktop. Notably, the Mac mini comes with a rather lofty starting price of $599 USD, which is more than double the cost of the Eee Box.
ASUSTek has said that the diminutive Eee Box is expected to hit retail in the United States before the close of July. Expect more regions to embrace the computer soon after.
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