ASUS Eee Box

Tiny PC ideal only for those with tiny computing needs

WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE, the diminutive (1x8.75x7 inches HDW) and low-cost ($349.99) Eee Box is like its laptop counterpart, the Eee PC: Its performance is almost entirely dependent on what you want it to do. If you're looking for th emost basic of budget and space-saving desktops, you'll be able to cope with the Eee Box. Otherwise, you might be in trouble.
Based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and bearing an 80GB hard drive, Windows XP Home Edition, and just 1GB of RAM (though this is upgradable), the Eee Box is little more than a make-do solution for someone who doesn't want to shell out even $500 for a budget desktop.
Its scores in our productivity tests here, to be kind, underwhelming. The 828 it clocked in Cinebench 10 is the lowest we've seen. Requiring 27 minutes and 3 seconds to finish our Windows Media Encoder test, 19 minutes and 5 seconds to trudge through our iTunes conversion trial, and scoring a measly 68 in Futuremark's 3DMark06 benchmark test, the Eee Box is invariably at the rear of the pack. 3D gaming is pointless.
But if your needs never strecth beyond the most elementary computing, the Eee Box could be quite a deal. There's no built in optical drive, but you do get integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, a DVI port, for USB ports, and Ethernet jack, headphone and microphone connectors, and even a multiformat memory-card reader for expediting media moving. (A keyboard, mouse, and preinstalled StarOffice and MS Works software packages are also included.) For the impatient, the inclusion of Asus'proprietary Express Gate software lets you boot swiftly into Linux, so you can view Web sites or photos, use Skype, or do other minor operations without the hassle of booting into Windows proper.

Because the Eee is so small, you can store it almost anywhere (horizontally or vertically). Because it doesn't pull much current or move many fans, Asus estimates it will seldom ned to suck down more than 20 watts. (In one demonstration, the Eee topped out at 17 watts even when playing 720p high-definition video.) It also won't get much louder than 26 decibels-we had to strain to hear it even in a quite environment.
Adantages like these are nice plusses to the budget-friendly price, and as long as you're not interested in doing much more than Web browsing, word processing, or flipping through digital photos, the Eee Box will live up to your expectations. Just don't push it much farther. -Matthew Murray.

What's the Deal?
Looking for a tiny desktop to fill similarly small hole in your home-computing schema? Then the Eee Box, which can be hidden under an 8.5x11-inch sheet of papers, might be for you.
What it's for: Simple tasks like viewing photos, surfing for Web, instant messaging, and other non-intensive applications.

Who it's for: College students, the budget-conscious, or anyone looking for a second (or third or fourth) PC that doesn't need to be a powerhouse performer.

What's included: A keyboard and mouse; StarOffice and MS Works software packages; a stand for supporting the system vertically; and a wal-mounting bracket.



The bottom line: If your needs are modest, the Eee Box's price is definetly right; just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed by this pint-size pC.

source: Computer Shopper October 2008.