Asus Eee Box B202 Details Revealed

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/06/asus_eee_box_b202_details.html' target='_blank'>http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archive...02_details.html</a><br /><br /></div><img hspace="5" border="0" align="left" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1212444120.usr1.jpg" /><em>&quot;Here're more specifications for the Asus Eee Box B202 that will hit the US pretty soon, and I'm sure there is a bunch of you out there who can't stop yourselves from drawing comparisons with the Wii. Still, here are the nitty gritty of the details involved...The Asus Eee Box B202 will come in three flavors when it arrives on US shores - 1GB RAM + 80GB + Linux, 1GB RAM + 80GB + Windows XP, and 2GB RAM + 160GB + Linux which will retail for $269, $299 and $299, respectively. How many of you will start saving up for the B202? If they had some sort of portable LCD monitor and a roll-up keyboard to go, this will definitely outdo the Eee PC.&quot;</em><br /><br />If you've been reading Digital Home Thoughts for a while now, you'll know I love SFF (small form factor) computers. I've been a fan of Shuttle's XPC products for years, although strangely enough I only have one of them at the moment (must be time for a new one!). 99% of all computers sold are much larger than they need to be - unless you're a gamer, you don't need a giant power-sucking video card, or the hefty power supply that goes with it. Most systems are used for Web access, email, word processing, light gaming, and photo/video work - the latter requiring some grunt, but mostly of the CPU variety. I have two HP Slimline computers, which are about 50% smaller than your average tower, but even they are about 50% bigger than they need to be if expandability isn't a priority. The post over at Ubergizo goes on to list the following specifications for this box:<br /><ul> <li>Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor</li> <li>512MB/1GB/2GB RAM</li> <li>80GB.120GB/160GB/250GB hard drive</li> <li>Intel GMA 950 chipset</li> <li>Gigabit Ethernet</li> <li>Draft-N connectivity</li> <li>Optional Bluetooth</li> <li>SD/MMC/MS memory card slot</li></ul>I'm really interested in seeing how well the Intel Atom CPU does - I've read some impressive things about it. This Asus machine looks decent, but I think I like the look and feel of the <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/04/22/dell.bamboo.pc/" target="_blank">forthcoming Dell machines</a> a bit more...

[Felix Torres]

DVI and SP/DIF ports makes it real interesting...
...if...big if... it can play HD video files...
Worth keeping a look on the $299 version...

[ptyork]

Seems like a great WHS box, assuming it is fanless and as energy efficient as it appears it might be. Certainly a good fit for 90% of the computing needs out there, as well.

I'm waiting for a slightly better graphics chipset, though. I just don't like the idea of sharing my RAM (and controller and bus) with the GPU. Plus, isn't the GMA950 like old as dirt? I think I had this in my last laptop circa 2004...quite pokey. Regardless, this WOULD look very nice next to my Wii as a WMC (or extender) if the graphics had a little more oomph.

[yslee]

If the graphics chipset isn't going to be shared, it means a discrete solution. That means it probably won't be as cheap, and it is going to be a fair bit warmer too.

[Jason Dunn]

More details here:
http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=451

[micaels]

Definatly looks like an interesting device. might just have to get one of these as an extra computer:D I've already got to many desktops and laptop in my room. Tough yesterday I recieved the Antec 1200 will be fun switching to it:D Care to post an picture of where your computers are? Would be interesting to see how you handle this space issue.

[Felix Torres]

More details here:
AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=451)

Looks like it may pay to wait for the 1.1 version, like with the portable EE PC.

720p graphics playback isn't bad but digital media use does require 1080p playback, even if it is at 90% utilization.
The form factor is right, user accessible RAM and HDD is great, the chipset is fine, but the CPU...
Best part is that with these things taking off, we should see followup models (using the Mpbile Atom? VIA CPUs? Maybe a hardware-assist for video playback?) that can do the job right.

Looking at the mobo, I had flashbacks to the Home Computer era; Atari or Commodore could've built this... :)