ASUS EeeKeyboard gets really, really official

It's already gone up for pre-order and been unboxed, but ASUS has only just now really, officially "launched" its EeeKeyboard, completing a long, strange journey that began way back at CES 2009. Since then, we've seen the keyboard PC get a June launch date, run Moblin, get an August launch date, get gutted, hit the FCC, get an October launch date, hit the FCC again, get a capacitive touchscreen upgrade, get a price and a February launch date, get delayed, lose a space, and get a late-April launch date before now finally launching... in May. Thanks for the memories, ASUS.

[Thanks, Sal]

[RickStar Posted May 1st 2010 10:45PM]

@Evan

Fall Out Boy reference. Almost an epic one, too.

I think this product would've had potential... a few years ago.

[sys3175 Posted May 1st 2010 11:00PM]

@RickStar Because of the fact it needs UWB it couldn't have existed a couple years ago. Or would you like a wire running out the back of it across your living room to your tv?

[Evan Posted May 1st 2010 11:17PM]

@sys3175 You fail to understand the topic at hand.

[benny90 Posted May 1st 2010 10:50PM]

Haha good stuff!! At least it didn't turn into total vaporware! Can't say the same about some 'other' products out there that were cancelled before they ever appeared.

[Spaceshipped Posted May 1st 2010 10:57PM]

...Why?

[KupoCheer Posted May 1st 2010 11:01PM]

This is a totally interesting product sort of mucked up by some clunky implementations. Specifically, the receiver bit you plug into the top of the keyboard for wireless access is something that kind of should have been built into the thing.

I hope it sells well enough for Asus to iterate on it. I'd love to see a more modern version as a product that wasn't horribly delayed. Too many aged Atom-based solutions coming out of Asus.

[whatpoint77 Posted May 1st 2010 11:15PM]

You mean like Facebook official?

[jackson Posted May 1st 2010 11:16PM]

What a stupid idea. What if you want to swap out your keyboard? You're stuck with it.

[The Joker Posted May 2nd 2010 3:59AM]

@jackson just plug a USB keyboard into it, numb nuts.

[pixelog Posted May 1st 2010 11:26PM]

Price?

[MaTdg Posted May 1st 2010 11:44PM]

How about the specs guys? It has netbook specs from THREE YEARS AGO(!), a dated OS which support is dying and will probably have a pricetag of $400-$500.

It's about time to kill the atom n270 already!

[DoctarPeppar Posted May 1st 2010 11:52PM]

@MaTdg
Yeah, add flaw 4.) shitty processor to my list as well :P

This *could* have been a really sick product though...Asus ruined it by delaying it so many times.

[DoctarPeppar Posted May 1st 2010 11:51PM]

This is a really kickass product BUT...it's got some flaws --

1.) Too expensive -- 600$? No way!
2.) They would have been better off going with a high quality resistive screen along with a stylus so you could use the panel for drawing, etc.
3.) The UWB dongle hanging off the back of this thing is kind of gay. They should have made it internal, along with the antenna.

[hero785 Posted May 2nd 2010 12:45AM]

And Asus's point is? Nice but no thanks!

[OneFourtyBPM Posted May 2nd 2010 1:01AM]

Can someone please tell me if you can use this as a regular keyboard with another computer ?

[paezbak Posted May 2nd 2010 1:22AM]

thats a lot of link...

[iknowaeiou Posted May 2nd 2010 1:57AM]

A netbook without a screen. Awesome.

Joking. Sort of.

[cdf74dc9 Posted May 2nd 2010 2:24AM]

"ASUS EeeKeyboard gets really, really official"

Sound more like officially expensive. Price competitively with Logitech g19 and it might have a shot.

[dannyry Posted May 2nd 2010 2:25AM]

youll be seeing these on slickdeals and dealnews soon for $299. the price will drop rapidly.

[Smurf Posted May 2nd 2010 2:54AM]

iPhone knock off.

[The Joker Posted May 2nd 2010 4:29AM]

@Smurf clever comment knock-off.

[xdeiri Posted May 2nd 2010 3:35AM]

not bad for kidz or beginners

[HeatR216 Posted May 2nd 2010 4:32AM]

What about that one it went to jail for stabbing the prostitute in Mexico???

[LeonardWashington Posted May 2nd 2010 4:34AM]

Engadget I demand a review!

[tbon3 Posted May 2nd 2010 5:29AM]

Put a USB 3G modem in and it's the the new asus MEGA-PHONE!

Hey engadget, are you going to make an Engadget app for the the Asus EeeKeyboard's 5" screen?

P.S. While you're at it an engadget app for S60 would be nice as well!

[Denus Posted May 2nd 2010 5:53AM]

It took so long, I was already waiting for the nexgen model =)

[robogobo Posted May 2nd 2010 6:04AM]

This sounds like a sarcastic response to complaints that the iPhone has no physical keyboard.

[skywise Posted May 2nd 2010 9:44AM]

this EeeKeyboard has taken so long to get here that it's become...

*sunglasses*

...a ZzzKeyboard.

[Charlik Posted May 2nd 2010 11:24AM]

I'm not really impressed. Having a computer in the keyboard is nifty but I foreseen damage when the cat, the dog, the kids knock it of the table or spill something on it. I still think a small box on the shelf with the TV/monitor is better. Or build it into a tv, perhaps in partnership with an existing tv company.
When I first heard about this project I thought we might finally get a full touch screen keyboard with a 'pad' zone. Something that could change for the software, language etc, something that has no openings for dirt, soda and such.

[Bully Posted May 2nd 2010 12:15PM]

!! I'm pretty stoked to make this my next Hackintosh!!

[jellotime91 Posted May 2nd 2010 1:49PM]

Ok, well not that it's REALLY official, can they use a loop longer than 14 seconds for their promotional videos? How freaking cheap can you be? Is Asus not a multi-billion dollar PC manufacturer?

[VF34WRX Posted May 2nd 2010 3:44PM]

it's about 18 months too late Asus.

[exsonic Posted May 2nd 2010 9:55PM]

excuse me, what's it for................?

[thedude Posted May 3rd 2010 7:58AM]

Are you sure you fit enough links into that single paragraph?