The launch of ASUS’ Eee Box in Malaysia, it was one of those event that I try my best not to miss. I missed the Nokia N96 launch the other day (check it out at Jason a.k.a. smashpOp’s place).
Back to the Eee Box. What is it?
Fulfilling the needs of users who require a stylish, low-power computer with a minimal footprint, ASUS, producer of the world renowned Eee PCâ„¢, releases the new Eee Box. Replacing today’s bulky and boring PCs, users can refresh their working environment with a compact, elegant solution. With a range of exciting novelties, the Eee Box offers amazing journeys where users learn, work and play – all in line with the Eee PC™’s main tenet of easy use.
More Details on the Eee Box, A Little Revolution in Desktop Computing
At The Apartment
The ASUS Eee Box Launch was held yesterday evening (18th September) at The Apartment, the uniquely done restaurant at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. I think I was one of the few early birds there, so here’s a few clear shots of the booth and the presentation stage.
More of Eee Box
Right, enough about the venue. Let’s look at the Eee Box.
| OS | Microsoft Windows XP Home |
| CPU | Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz) |
| Chipset | Mobile Intel 945 Express |
| DIMM | DDR2 SO-DIMM 1 GB |
| HDD | 80 GB 2.5″ Hard Disk |
| Card Reader | SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC |
| WiFi | 802.11n |
| USB Slots | 4x – 2 front, 2 rear |
| VGA Out | DVI-I |
| LAN | 10/100/1000 |
| Dimension | 223 x 178 x 26 mm (without stand) |
| Weight | 1 Kg (without stand) |
| Silent Operation | Yes, ~26 db |
| VESA Mount | 75/100 Standard |
| Power Consumption | ~20 watt |
| Stand | Yes, included |
| Colors Available | White, Black, Green, Red |
| Suggested Retail Price | RM 1,099 |
As you can see there are more details in the table above than what’s available at the ASUS press release 😀 Well that’s why I was there, to find out more about the product.
ASUS gave all their guests an Eee Box pamphlet with updated details. Of course, I also gathered more details as I spoke to ASUS’ product specialist, Michael Ku.
So you must be thinking, is the system upgradeable? Yes. You could replace the 80GB 2.5″ hard disk should you need bigger space. It also comes with 2x DDR slots, and supporting up to 2GB. 🙂
No bundled optical drive or floppy disk drive, you could use external versions of such devices should you ever need them.
The Launch
The event started at around 6.30pm with a few speakers and their speech, introducing both ASUS and their latest product – the Eee Box.
After that, a short and entertaining presentation of how Eee Box could affect lifestyle.
This was then followed by a photo session.
And of course, part of the crowd were still having hands-on session with the Eee Box(es) that were on display. It’s not exactly light weight though, I felt that the Eee PC was lighter, probably because the Eee PC uses SSD while the Eee Box uses a 2.5″ hard disk, and perhaps a copper heat-sink too. Besides that, I think the weight is just right for the Eee Box. The weight made it decently sturdy while still being lighter than most laptops.
OK, Bye Bye
We didn’t left the place empty-handed. Besides the door-gift from ASUS, our stomachs were not left unattended as dinner was served buffet style.
Thanks ASUS!
My Thoughts On The Eee Box
I like it very much. I’m actually considering acquiring a unit to replace my file and print server.
And if I have the budget, I’ll probably get another Eee Box to pair with an Acer X153W LCD monitor. 🙂 After that, I’ll just need to figure out which part of the house could use a PC. 😛 Probably the kitchen.
I also think that it’s great for office work PC. With only around 20 watt power consumption, small and having more than enough RAM, storage space and processing power for anyone to surf the Internet and mess with office productivity applications.
I didn’t know you were there. Long time no see you lah..hehehe
I was supposed to go but then I had to attend another launch. My editor was there and he is in one of the pictures…hehe…
I thought going to see you there. 🙂
Actually I saw him, he seem familiar but I can’t remember where I saw him before.
After I got home then I realize – that guy is Justin’s colleague laaaaa. Yeah he’s in on of the pic, lower left corner. 😀
Hahaha…Yeah, that’s Ken.
Anyway, I think there is a Nokia event coming up next week, will you be there? Maybe we can go get some makan after that. hehe.
P.S. I am not sure if the event is for media or media and bloggers. Nokia rarely have events for both parties like the N96 one that you missed…heheh..
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
hm…
the price is without the monitor right…
i wonder the system will be all right if i on it 24-7…
so small so compact… afterward everything inside there got overheated and burnt! Haha
and the colours… too bad no pic of other colours!
haha
@james, thanks!
@joshua, that’s the thing here. Note the processor. Note the power consumption. 🙂 It is a cost-saving unit, heat is not a problem, 24-7 is not a problem.
I like it too. Then I saw the cheaper alternative which is to build one yourself.
RM230 for the board alone.
Yeah well setting up yourself could be cheap but what I always put into consideration are
1. the time to hunt the parts
2. the time to assemble
3. the time to troubleshoot (if there be any, *touch wood*)
4. the time to install the OS and every other thing else.
The thing is compact. I love it. I have MANY combinations for this thing:
1.) Kitchen. Making skype calls, watch TV and Martha’s cooking show, check emails and stuff like that. Even better, cookbooks. (Make sure he/she doesn’t burn the lunch/dinner also la!)
2.) Kids use. Well, it’s almost endless. Put an education software, let him/her mess around it. Total enjoyment for them too. And besides, it looks like those computers for the kiddies.
3.) Office use. General type-writer and casual internet machine.
4.) Personal use. Make it to become hi-fi set, make it to become a print server, make it to become whatever. 🙂
It’s so small and cute I love to go and buy it but… I already have the EEEPc. I’ll recoommend it to people who need it though. 🙂
i recently bought a white Asus Eee PC and i am very surprised about the size of this machine. it is very small and lightweight compared to my Toshiba laptop.
Eee box looks cool