To fully grasp the new
ASUS EeeTop All-In-One PC, you must first be familiar with the term 'nettop PC.' A nettop PC is basically the desktop version of a netbook.
Netbooks are inexpensive, ultra-small, underpowered notebooks. Many are based on the Intel Atom processor, and most are poor performers when it comes to multimedia.
Nettop PCs share the same architecture, but their lack of horsepower is more apparent -- and more annoying -- because it's not justified by increased portability or longer battery life. The game, however, is changing.
Dual-core Atom processors are now available, and NVIDIA's ION graphics processor unit (GPU) brings hi-res graphics to a product category that previously only supported SVGA. As such, it's no surprise that low-priced, all-in-one units based on this new hardware, such as the
Lenovo C300, are reaching dealers' shelves in time for the holidays.
Lenovo's widescreen nettop was among the first, and now
ASUS, who started the netbook craze years ago with the
Eee PC, has stepped up with the
EeeTop (Model ET2002). Both units have price tags in the $550 - $600 range, stylish designs, and HD graphics capability.
The EeeTop PC also provides an HDMI video input jack, so you can use the unit to view HD video from other sources, such as a satellite receiver or a gaming console.
Combine this with a 20-inch 16:9 widescreen display (1600 x 900 max. resolution) and surprisingly robust audio, driven by SRS Premium Sound with virtual 5.1 surround sound, and you have quite a package. The unit also comes with a built-in webcam with excellent low-light sensitivity, a stereo microphone system, a super-multi DVD burner, 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, a 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet jack, six USB ports, and a 5-in-1 card reader.
NVIDIA's ION GPU is adequate for playing all but the most demanding video games or watching DVD or Web video, although some reports say viewing high-quality Flash video in full-screen mode is choppy. This problem, however, is expected to improve with the next release of the Adobe Flash Player.
The EeeTop's Atom 330 Dual Core 1.6GHz processor is noticeably faster than the single-core Atom used in ASUS' previous nettop offering, the ET1602. It's clear, however, that the emphasis was on getting the ET2002 below the $600 price point. The unit doesn't have a touchscreen display and only comes with 2GB of RAM and a 320GB 5,400 rpm hard drive. The bundled wireless keyboard and mouse aren't rechargeable, but batteries are included and the mouse has a power switch to extend battery life.
The mouse works great. The chiclet-keycap style keyboard looks great but lacks a numeric keypad. The omission doesn't make it small enough to stow in the EeeTop, however. The design of the unit's downward-facing stereo speaker system precludes that. ASUS evidently decided to go with a smaller keyboard to make the unit more like -- dare I say it? -- an Apple iMac.
The EeeTop now ships with Windows 7 Home Premium. Be aware some dealers might still have inventory with Windows Vista, but if so, it will qualify for a nominal-cost Windows 7 upgrade. Check before presenting your plastic, however, so you can avoid having to upgrade the operating system. The usual assortment of trialware and free software is also installed. I wish they would just give it to you on a CD. It would spare having to uninstall most of it.
What's the final verdict? Well, I agree with others who've said they wish the EeeTop came with 4 GB of RAM and a 7,200 rpm 620 GB hard disk, like the Lenovo C300 All-In-One. If it did, it would be the clear winner.
As it stands, the EeeTop's HDMI input capability is the major differentiator. If it means substantial space savings or other convenience, the EeeTop gets the nod. If not, a prospective buyer could easily gravitate towards the Lenovo.
Both offerings are a step in the right direction, however, and last time I checked major online vendors, like Amazon.com or Newegg.com, $550 would buy you either one. In the nettop product space, things are really looking up!
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