Asus launches touchscreen Eee desktop

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 14 Oct 2008 at 10:34

Asus has launched a 15.6in touchscreen desktop PC, dubbed the Eee Top, as a budget rival to HP's TouchSmart.

With just 1GB of memory and a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, the desktop's specification shares much in common with Asus' Eee netbooks, but has a sizable 160GB hard disk.

The computer also has a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, a set of stereo speakers and a wired keyboard and mouse.

Windows XP will be shipped with the machine, making use of Microsoft's recent sales extension for low-powered desktops and netbooks. Sun Microsystem's Star Office will also be included, giving office capability straight out of the box.

HP's TouchSmart desktop impressed us with its sensitive 22in touchscreen and proprietary TouchSmart software that allows the computer to act like a digital message board for a household. However, at nearly £1,100 it is unlikely to break into the mainstream market - precisely what Asus hopes it can achieve with its cut-down version.

Unusually, in the image provided on Play.com, the computer appears to be running Linux, suggesting that another version of the desktop may be on the way. In any case, much of the success of the TouchSmart was down to it's proprietary interface, and Asus will need to follow suit here in order to make its new desktop usable.

The Asus Eee All-In-One touchscreen is available for pre-order now on Play.com for £399.99 with free delivery, and is due for release on 20 November.

The machine is the second desktop offering from Asus, the first being the Eee Box which we reviewed last month. This cost half the price of the new touchscreen model, but came without a screen or peripherals.

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