ASUS EeeKeyboard PC hands-on (slight return)

Has it really been almost a year (to the day!) since we last gave some first-hand thoughts on ASUS' audacious Eee Keyboard PC? Given the recent news of an apparent April release date, we thought we'd give the perennially-delayed machine another walkthrough, albeit via the touchpad only since it wasn't connected to an external display. The software is definitely still in need of some work -- we managed to crash the sucker within minutes, but the startup to Windows XP (the full version) was quick and admittedly pretty interesting to witness -- maybe at some point we could get a miniature game of Peggle going. When working, the menu was pretty smooth. None of the shortcuts were working, unfortunately , as the internet was down in the booth. As a keyboard, it feel pretty strong, resilient, and most of all clicky. Live through us vicariously, via still shots and moving pictures below.

ASUS EeeKeyboard PC hands-on (slight return)

[BubblegumBalloon Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:43PM]

wheres the video? :S

[emopoops Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:00PM]

@BubblegumBalloon wheres the backlit keys?

[bolezhinkov Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:03PM]

@emopoops

chillin' with the version that has infinite battery life.

[shadowj0 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:33PM]

@BubblegumBalloon

Video's there. Get off of IE.

On topic, I honestly didn't read it correctly and thought it was a easy-to-use touchscreen with customizable Favorite Widgets in it. With use of a regular monitor.

Now I wish they would make one with the screen on the other side. And make it more responsive, because that XP looked slow-responding.

[Sean Connery Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:36PM]

"As a keyboard, it feel pretty strong,"

You spelled very wrong.

[Gamecheater Posted Mar 2nd 2010 10:02PM]

@Sean Connery

I'm pretty sure he grammar very wrong more than he spell very wrong.

[Dking7 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:46PM]

Work It Harder Make It Better
Do It Faster, Makes Us stronger
More Than Ever Hour After
Our Work Is Never Over

[Broderbund Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:35PM]

@Dking7
Ugh, when I heard the version Daft Punk ripped off of Kanye West I was pissed..

[Prokanda Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:35PM]

@Broderbund: I really hope you're kidding.. please tell me it was a joke. I didn't see "/s" anywhere. I really hope you're not that stupid. /crosses fingers

[whiskers Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:44PM]

@Broderbund Well done. You got one, but you got 'em all the way.

[DougieBear Posted Mar 2nd 2010 6:27PM]

@Prokanda

But truthfully kanye is terrible.

[iLi3kTuttles Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:15PM]

Yo (Unverified), I'm happy for you and I'ma let you finish, but Dking7 had one of the best comments of all time.

[Prokanda Posted Mar 9th 2010 4:06PM]

@DougieBear: oh, no doubt. I was just talking about how Daft Punk was "sampled" in the Kanye song.. that Daft Punk song is something like a decade old. I was just hoping that he was kidding about it being the other way around with the sampling. :)

[honestgabe Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:47PM]

@metaesapuet I was going to post a similar comment, I'm suing you.

But seriously, I LOLed.

[Center Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:48PM]

That's very clever. Because I don't really use the numpad all that much at home (I do at work, but my work doesn't allow access to half the webapps in the screencap). For the right price, I would definitely get this. And imagine the possibilities of playing games or maybe even augmenting games (like inventory or health). Anyone remember Falcon 4.0 and how it allowed you to use an old monitor as a radar?

[Nicnac Posted Apr 22nd 2010 4:10PM]

@Center

re:gaming
1: it's always going to be a niche product because of price point which means you will be lucky to have support for any of your games
2: having to peer down at a screen at a bad angle in the middle of a fight is a sure way to get owned.
3: this could be bypassed with one of those keyboards with a slot top, middle for your ipod touch... the support will be a lot better.

[kojo87 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:48PM]

rather disappointing. hopefully they work all the kinks out. throw Windows 7 on there, connect it to your Homegroup and you got one slick, cost effective HTPC. wireless HDMI connector right? or did i dream that up?

[whiskers Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:45PM]

@kojo87 Atom can't handle HD flash :(
And why would you want your HTPC to be in a keyboard?

[Branhower Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:53PM]

@whiskers It would eliminate all the hassles of wireless keyboard and mouse or remote control configuration. There is that pesky wireless HDMI thing though.

[Pulldovr Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:50PM]

@Ryan Trevisol think it has a lock screen?

[PORSCHEEE Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:50PM]

@metaesapuet
LOL

[Needsahaircut Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:50PM]

Can I buy this and just use it as a keyboard? I want to look sophisticated.

[htd Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:53PM]

make it 10" touchpad with the same interface and it would be called

eeePad

[htd Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:53PM]

actually the current size would be good for

eeePhone

[scrat Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:53PM]

could this screen be used like (multi)touchpad?

[Zonx Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:55PM]

I don't get the stupid antenna sticking out. That thing is just asking to get broken off! If the case is made of metal, and they can't put it internal then they should have come up with something other then that. But if they work out the kinks on this its going to be sweet. iPhone + Keyboard + PC in one package.

[justit Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:20PM]

@Zonx I'm guessing they needed an antenna sticking out since internally the metal casing interferes with wi-fi signals.

[DevinSean Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:10PM]

@justit
I have an all metal macbook.

It works fine >.

[jimlivingston Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:55PM]

This is like if all cars had heads-up displays and the new tech was to put the data inside the dashboard.

[benny90 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:57PM]

So about how much QHOTAR is the keyboard???

[benny90 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 3:57PM]

@benny90 oops, meant how much KHOTAR??

[emopoops Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:03PM]

is it blootooth capable?

[DougieBear Posted Mar 2nd 2010 6:28PM]

@emopoops

Wouldn't say so, looks like its got wifi though.

[HPFreeze Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:06PM]

If you are going to spend all this time making it work right the one thing that is still missing is a IR receiver and transmitter - because if you are going to beam HDMI to your TV you might want to, you know, control the input and be able to adjust the volume.

[midnightblade Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:11PM]

@HPFreeze But if you're sending content to the TV from this then you would could just control your system volume. Obviously that'll ahve some limitations but it should be fine for the most part.

[HPFreeze Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:14PM]

@midnightblade Fair enough on the system volume - but what about when I want to turn the TV on and off; shouldn't I just be able to sit down and grab the keyboard - why should I need to hunt for a remote too.

[notfred Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:06PM]

Can we have a lefty review it?

[Bandigolo Posted Mar 2nd 2010 11:02PM]

@notfred

Is that a very clever jab at the Hendrix reference in the title or are you being serious?

[Supraman Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:11PM]

Something looks awfully familiar with whats on that screen. I just cant put my finger on it....ohh watever

[DeFlanko Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:14PM]

One of two things is going to happen....

Apple sues the shit out of ASUS for icon infringement.

or

Art Lebedev will sue it for artistic likeness.

[iLi3kTuttles Posted Mar 2nd 2010 8:20PM]

@DeFlanko http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/matias-makes-room-for-your-smartphone-on-an-otherwise-vanilla-ke/ Looks pretty similar...

[DeFlanko Posted Mar 3rd 2010 5:44PM]

@iLi3kTuttles

That too...

[degofedal Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:42PM]

I waited so long for this I don't wan't it anymore.

[gentlefury Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:45PM]

So it's a mac keyboard clone with an iPod Touch clone stuck to it where the 10 key should be so it will just be extrememly frustrating to type numbers since you cant feel where they are.... Innovative!

[Prokanda Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:39PM]

@gentlefury: I think you forgot the part where it's an entire computer in a keyboard.. and if it's going to be used in the livingroom as a HTPC, how often do you think it's going to be a huge problem to just use the number row?

[gentlefury Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:47PM]

oh wait, im sorry, it also contains a seriously outdated windows OS in it too! Sign me up!!

[trevoreon Posted Mar 2nd 2010 4:55PM]

I want one.. But can anyone explain WHY I want one? Or better yet.. Why anyone needs one.

[cdf74dc9 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:58PM]

@trevoreon

Look @ the design man. Don't you just hated how dust craw under your current keyboard? Beside, who doesn't want a Mac look alike keyboard for their PC. The onlycons is it is more useful if the pad is on the left side.

[cdf74dc9 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:55PM]

Your computer is turn on and you are too lazy to mouse over and click. This kind of proves that people are getting lazier and lazier every day. Sign me up for one!

[aelaos Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:58PM]

The 80's are Back . it's style remindes me the great Home computer times , with spectrum ZX , Atari ST and of course AMIGA !!!! Then it was the usual , a computer in the keyboard. Ah !!! Beautiful memories , innocent times. Amiga i will love you for ever !!!!