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Asus Eee Top All-In-One Touch Screen PC Tested

Posted by timothy on from the looks-perfect-for-my-car dept.

MojoKid writes "Asus recently announced a new addition to their Eee PC family of low cost desktops and notebook products. The Eee Top ET1602 builds upon the popular line of Asus Eee-branded products by introducing an all-in-one desktop form factor, complete with a 15.6" touch screen. Like the Eee PC netbooks that preceded it, the Eee Top ET1602 is built on an Intel low-power Atom platform, with the 945 GSE chipset. Other features include an integrated webcam and 802.11n Wi-Fi, 4W speakers with SRS Premium Sound enhancement, and a flash memory card reader. The touch screen interface demonstrated in the linked video shows it has some novel features and functionality built into its interface. The product is essentially a lower cost competitive offering to HP's TouchSmart line."

42 comments

  1. Nice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    EEEpost

  2. Addition? by Facetious · · Score: 0, Redundant

    This word. I does not mean what you think it means.

    --
    Let us not become the evil that we deplore.
    1. Re:Addition? by Facetious · · Score: 2, Funny

      Great, I fire off a post making fun of the OP for saying "addition" when meaning "edition," only to re-read the summary and find out I misread it. ::Hangs head in shame::

      --
      Let us not become the evil that we deplore.
    2. Re:Addition? by 4D6963 · · Score: 1

      First point and laugh!

      --
      You just got troll'd!
    3. Re:Addition? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You could have said you were just living up to your own name. But now, you're stuck with the shame.

  3. essentially a lower cost (599) competitiv by way2trivial · · Score: 1

    Would it have killed to list the competitive price? was it really necassary to miss that one specification that anyone interested in the story would really be interested in??

    --
    every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
    1. Re:essentially a lower cost (599) competitiv by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      What I want to know is why did they kill the power consumption with a 945? Hell everyone knows the 945 is a power sucking pig. If they were going to go that route they should have talked to Nvidia about the Ion, so we could have 1080HD video with it. But with a 945 chipset and a most likely $600+ price tag I think I'll pass. I smell fail here.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    2. Re:essentially a lower cost (599) competitiv by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Most likely because Ion wasn't available when they started work on design/preproduction, the 945 is really cheap, and an extra 10 or 20 watts makes a fairly minimal difference in a desktop scenario(sure, better for your power bill and the environment; but people don't really factor that into their buying decision, unlike battery life, which counts).

    3. Re:essentially a lower cost (599) competitiv by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      The Ion was announced, like, two weeks ago and might not even be available in volume yet.

      Intel is working on a replacement for the 945 - google for "Intel gn40". It'll do 1080HD video, etc.

      --
      No sig today...
    4. Re:essentially a lower cost (599) competitiv by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      The Ion is just a lower powered version of the 9400 which they have been using for awhile. There are also plenty of Nvidia and ATI laptop chips as well as desktop IGPs that would have worked. Being a desktop they had the power to get something that could actually play video decently. But by using the 945 they have given this machine just about the worst video performance they possibly could. Hell they could have gone Intel GMA and had better performance than the 945!

      What I was pointing out is that HD video is the big new thing. By pairing it with the absolute shittiest graphics chip they could get they have made sure the ONLY selling feature for this thing is the touch screen. And as I said a touch screen with such lousy specs for $600 smells like fail to me.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
  4. Multi-touch, Linux ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is this device multi-touch capable ?

    I think with the touchscreen support in the upcoming windows 7, Linux must have something competitive in this area.

    1. Re:Multi-touch, Linux ? by sexconker · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Multi-touch is the web 2.0 of touch screens.

      It's stupid shit that makes the plebes go ooooh and aaaah.

    2. Re:Multi-touch, Linux ? by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 5, Funny

      Multi-touch is the web 2.0 of touch screens. It's stupid shit that makes the plebes go ooooh and aaaah.

      Hey, just because you lost 8 fingers doing a stupid firecracker stunt doesn't mean the rest of us shouldn't be able to enjoy using all ten of ours.

      --
      Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
    3. Re:Multi-touch, Linux ? by jaxtherat · · Score: 1

      Linux must have something competitive in this area.

      Except this thing runs Windows, not Linux.

      --
      http://www.zombieapocalypse.tv/
    4. Re:Multi-touch, Linux ? by sexconker · · Score: 1

      You have 10 fingers?
      Odd, I have 8, and two thumbs.

    5. Re:Multi-touch, Linux ? by howlingmadhowie · · Score: 1

      i thought there were patent problems making touch-screen capability impossible.

  5. One mans opinion... A tad to expensive, but nice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If this had been just 100 less at 499 I could see it flying off the shelves. This is the market segments that people hunger form. Low power, easy to use, cheap computers!

    I really wish they had gone Linux though instead of XP. Also wish they would have gone ION / Dual Core Atom instead of the dated 945 and Single Core Atom platform.

    Just like early netbooks though, while not a full winner this is a big step in the correct direction. I look forward to the next generation.

  6. The direction of computers by Crashspeeder · · Score: 1

    While laptops and notebooks seem to be headed in the direction of the netbook, I don't think desktops are headed in the same direction.

    Even laptop users have reasons to using a laptop instead of a netbook (portable but powerful?) if they need to do anything heavy on the CPU or GPU. The netbook can't handle either very well.

    I think everybody's jumping on the bandwagon without thinking why.

    1. Re:The direction of computers by WTF+Chuck · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'm thinking it may do quite allright as a cheap touchscreen kiosk type of thing.

      --
      Note - Liberal use of <sarcasm> tags may or may not need to be applied.
    2. Re:The direction of computers by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 1

      Or a computer for the elderly: a powerful CPU or GPU isn't needed, the touchscreen is a little more obvious to use than a mouse and easier on arthritic hands, expandability doesn't matter, and the price is right for someone on a fixed income who may not need or even want a netbook (or finds the keyboard too small).

      At a few hundred dollars cheaper than the base iMac I could see it selling quite well, provided it isn't utter crap.

      --
      Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
    3. Re:The direction of computers by chuckymonkey · · Score: 1

      One use I can think of for this thing is to build something that I have wanted for a while. An easy drop down kitchen computer. Load up krecipes on it, migrate my cookbooks in and I have a nice little machine perfect for cooking. Another nice thing is that while I'm cooking I can stream in music or podcasts with it. I could put qbrew on it for my beermaking needs. Of course all this is convenience, but I still like the idea of having an upgradeable computer in my kitchen that could grow with my culinary needs.

      --
      "Some books contain the machinery required to create and sustain universes."-Tycho
  7. Why would anybody want a touch screen? by Joce640k · · Score: 1

    Why would anybody want a touch screen on their desktop? Screens are hard enough to keep clean without actually touching them. Ick!

    PS: And why on earth is the OS listed as "Genuine Windows XP Home"? Is there any other sort of Windows XP Home?

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    No sig today...
    1. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by twmcneil · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Who said anything about a desktop? I think this machine should go in the kitchen. Just stick it to a cabinet door and behold! A $600.00 recipe book with p0rn.

      Actually, I like the idea but it's bit expensive after you add some more memory to make the Atom suck less.

      --
      "The ferrets, they're every where I tell you!"
    2. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      The reason it is listed as "Genuine Windows XP Home" is because of the MSFT "Windows Genuine Advantage" program. I haven't seen XP marketed as anything else since that spyware....err anti piracy program started. I'm willing to bet my last buck that MSFT has it in the contracts that it HAS to be listed as "Genuine Windows XP Home" as part of the license agreement.

      That said I am smelling the fail here. It has a $600 price tag, a lousy 945 chipset(as someone who ended up with a laptop with that chip I can testify it is total crap) and a single core Atom. The touch screen is a nice touch(pun intended) but with the economy in the shitter I can't see folks shelling out that kind of cash for something that underpowered and expensive. It just doesn't seem to be IMHO a good value for the money. Now if they would have went Dual core Atom and added an Ion chip instead of the hot and crappy 945? Money in the bank. But why these companies keep pushing the really shitty Intel chipsets is beyond me. Intel must have a shitload of them in a warehouse somewhere and is selling them for pennies to get rid of them. That is the only explanation I can think of. But with an Ion you would have had a touch screen PC with 1080HD support. Now THAT would have been worth $600.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    3. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by rinoid · · Score: 1

      Bingo -- this is definitely a niche product IMO.

      Point taken -- nobody wants to be reaching forward at a desk, they'll use a mouse.

      This form factor is gee-whiz unless it's installed in a vertical application like a museum kiosk, way finding, or yes perhaps a kitchen recipe device (cooka sutra?).

    4. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by Jorophose · · Score: 1

      Some hospitals use touchscreen PCs mounted so that the screen is sitting under their hands at an angle. Think like a paper on a counter, but mounted a slightly different angle (145 maybe?), and kind of sliding off the counter.

      It works well. But those things must cost a fortune if they're Core 2s, compared to these. (doubling prices across a hosptial full of them = a lot) Although, when I was last there, there were only some in the ER "check desk" thing. Maybe one day these little buggers could make their way into offices.

    5. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by Jorophose · · Score: 1

      You can't have a dual-core processor and keep XP. So thanks kids for clinging to windows on your netbooks! Really doing the world a favour!

    6. Re:Why would anybody want a touch screen? by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Why not? XP supports dual core. If it is more of that MSFT licensing BS we all know how easy it is for an OEM to get around that. All they have to say is "Let us put XP on dual core Netbooks or it is Linux FTW." and Ballmer will crap his pants and hand it to them.

      I think we can pretty safely say the Ballmer monkey has some serious Linux fear going on by the way he kept extending XP and has kept it going on Netbooks. Frankly if I was an OEM I would say give us XP Pro or we are making a deal with Xandros for the business edition. It plays nice with AD and I can testify from personal experience it runs damned nice on as little as 512MB and that is with all the bells and whistles on a crappy Intel IGP.

      With the economy in the shitter all it is going to take is a single OEM selling a Linux Netbook with a dual core Atom and a good GPU like the Ion and Ballmer will be changing those allowed specs pretty damned quick. He just better hope the hype on Win7 doesn't turn out to be more BS because otherwise I think his days as CEO will be numbered.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
  8. primates by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 1

    Bring out the gorilla arm!!

    that said, I love this device and think it can be a really usable workable home for my apps ;)

    I opted for a touchscreen laptop over Christmas, but since have wished I got myself a desktop.

    shame its not linux by default, I wonder what the driver support is like.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  9. One mans opinion... A tad to expensive, but nice. by hyperz69 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If this had been just 100 less at 499 I could see it flying off the shelves. This is the market segments that people hunger form. Low power, easy to use, cheap computers!

    I really wish they had gone Linux though instead of XP. Also wish they would have gone ION / Dual Core Atom instead of the dated 945 and Single Core Atom platform.

    Just like early netbooks though, while not a full winner this is a big step in the correct direction. I look forward to the next generation.

    P.S. *Sorry I posted Anon before, somehow I was not logged in ;\*

  10. wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    4W speakers with SRS Premium Sound enhancement

    Anyone else find that funny? It's like bragging that your car has a 80hp 4-banger, with twin turbos.

  11. Screen resolution by dtfinch · · Score: 3, Informative

    Since most reviews including this one assume that it's enough to just give the screen size in inches, as though readers are too clueless to care, I'll save you some searching. It's 1366x768.

    1. Re:Screen resolution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They did tell you the resolution in the video.

  12. This has been out in Europe for quite a while by revjtanton · · Score: 1

    ...I think I even read about it on Slashdot almost a year ago...actually, yes I DID read it on Slashdot in October: Here it is

    I actually tried to buy this since then from overseas (I'm in the US) vendors and it was very easy to do. If not off of eBay many vendors would ship it at a total cost of about $700 after shipping.

  13. Sounds great by moniker127 · · Score: 1

    I think this will see lots of use, you could use it as a pretty nifty control panel, as a TV, or if you just need a computer for the internet, this would be great for that too.

  14. Re:One mans opinion... A tad to expensive, but nic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Just today I installed debian on one of these things, and everything including the touchscreen seems to work out of the box (with some configuration) the only thing I haven't tested is the wireless.

    By the way, the built-in touchscreen seems to work much better than some LG touchscreens I've used that cost more than the whole machine, so all in all I'm pretty impressed with it.

  15. Re:One mans opinion... A tad to expensive, but n by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    P.S. *Sorry I posted Anon before, somehow I was not logged in ;\*

    I think I'm speaking for most of the slashdot when I say:

    OH, DEAR GOD, NO! Not that! What are we going to do? Our world is going to collapse! Quick! Someone call the national guard!

  16. Netbook Tablet? by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 1

    Forget touch screens for info kiosks, I just wish EEE and other netbook vendors would drive the price of tablets down.

    Tablets are generally 1.5 - 2 times the price of a normal laptop, which prevents their mass adoption.

    There's the Maemo series but the is limited by the RAM, 800x480 screen, underpowered ARM CPU and tiny/onscreen keyboard. (I have a N770)

    Stick that in an Atom powered device, with a satisfactory keyboard, trackpoint as secondary input device and good battery life and you've got yourself a winner.

    1. Re:Netbook Tablet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amen brother !

  17. Great alternative by ps60k · · Score: 4, Insightful

    At about $599, the Eee Top ET1602 is relatively expensive considering its performance

    True, but this is ridiculously affordable for small/medium businesses looking to incorporate touch technology. Similar touchcomputers purposed for business use can easily run north of $2000 a pop.

    I help run an average sized family restaurant, and we use an old ink-and-paper ticketing system in the kitchen. I have been toying around with the idea of replacing it with a homebuilt touch-based interface, hanging a couple touchmonitors where the ticket rail sits. This move would help me eliminate paper, ink, and printer maintenance costs, not to mention giving my technically-inclined kitchen staff a new toy to play with.

    So far, the costs of the touchmonitors alone have been prohibitively expensive, but a product like this one could allow me to realize my idea. Being able to acquire a touchcomputer (not just touchmonitor) at a fraction of the cost definitely catches the eye of any business thinking about implementing touch-technology.

    This thing is very promising. It's almost perfect for my application. I don't need speed or any bells and whistles, I just need something touch-enabled, networkable, and self-contained. This is awesome. I will definitely be watching this thing closely.

    1. Re:Great alternative by thechao · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Make sure the touch screen works through pressure and not some electric effect. If it's in the kitchen you'll soon find you need to put some sort of saran wrap on the computer because the back-splatter from grease will coat the damn thing. Also, make sure the covering is easy to remove and replace, as this will need to be done fairly regularly, depending on your menu. We had a similar problem for a small company w.r.t. children and food.

  18. Re:One mans opinion... A tad to expensive, but n by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Someone call the national guard!

    They're on their way! ... wait, what Nation are you from again?