We haven’t really seen a successful PC-in-a-keyboard design since the home computer heyday, when the Atari ST and Amiga 500 were the pride and joys of 1980s school kids playing Xenon 2. However, Asus’ new Eee keyboard could potentially change that by offering a fully functional HTPC inside a very flash looking keyboard.
The company first showed off a prototype of the Eee Keyboard at CES in January, but Asus has now revealed some more details about the self-contained PC, as well as potential release dates, at the CeBIT show in Hannover. Gizmodo reports that the PC will be based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, and will be equipped with 1GB of RAM and an SSD with either 16GB or 32GB of storage space.
According to The Register, there will be two versions at different price points, with the main distinguishing feature being a wireless HDMI connection to the TV. Although no specific pricing was revealed, Asus’ CEO Jerry Shen estimated that the standard wired version will cost around $400 US (£285), while the wireless version will cost somewhere between $400 US and $600 US (£427).
Other ports included on the back of the keyboard include a pair of USB 2.0 ports, a VGA connector and a standard HDMI port. It also looks as though Bluetooth and WiFi features will be included as standard. Perhaps most impressively, the Eee Keyboard will also feature a 5in display on the right that looks a little like a built-in iPod Touch.
According to The Register, Asus’ company chairman Jonney Shih said that the new Eee Keyboard could be released as soon as May this year, but that June would be a more realistic bet.
Will those specs offer enough power for a capable HTPC, and would you be interested in picking up a keyboard with a built-in HTPC? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
The company first showed off a prototype of the Eee Keyboard at CES in January, but Asus has now revealed some more details about the self-contained PC, as well as potential release dates, at the CeBIT show in Hannover. Gizmodo reports that the PC will be based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, and will be equipped with 1GB of RAM and an SSD with either 16GB or 32GB of storage space.
According to The Register, there will be two versions at different price points, with the main distinguishing feature being a wireless HDMI connection to the TV. Although no specific pricing was revealed, Asus’ CEO Jerry Shen estimated that the standard wired version will cost around $400 US (£285), while the wireless version will cost somewhere between $400 US and $600 US (£427).
Other ports included on the back of the keyboard include a pair of USB 2.0 ports, a VGA connector and a standard HDMI port. It also looks as though Bluetooth and WiFi features will be included as standard. Perhaps most impressively, the Eee Keyboard will also feature a 5in display on the right that looks a little like a built-in iPod Touch.
According to The Register, Asus’ company chairman Jonney Shih said that the new Eee Keyboard could be released as soon as May this year, but that June would be a more realistic bet.
Will those specs offer enough power for a capable HTPC, and would you be interested in picking up a keyboard with a built-in HTPC? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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