Shock! Brilliant (re)idea from Asus.

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Casio

Casio

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BradleyH131
Yes. It's got the Eee branding. But this is just awesome.


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The Eee train won't stop until all consumer electronics have been assimilated. Today Asus introduced the world to the Eee Keyboard, a full-sized keyboard with built-in PC including WiFi (and Ethernet), speaker, mic, and 5-inch interactive display and touchscreen. It weighs less than 2 pounds and connects to existing displays. Well, it would if it was more than a concept, which, knowing Asus, means someday soon.
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This would be useful for so many things, yeah, it is kinda a modern day C64, but nothing is wrong with that. I'm imaging taking my whole PC to work without having to lug around my whole laptop. Viewing downloaded Movies on the TV, etc, etc. If they can give this thing some reasonably decent specs, they'll be onto a winner.
 
Eric.
Laptop-display=laptop that needs external monitor? Why?
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Becase keyboard with computer built in + wireless HDMI = Computer on your TV.
 
Eric.
Laptop-display=laptop that needs external monitor? Why?
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I think it's more powerful and practical. Most places I go to use my laptop, such as work, have a monitor. The extra place that the LCD would otherwise take up could be used to beef up the hardware.

Like Omni's says too, it'd be so easy to plug it into a Television or something too, would make an awesome HTPC.
 
Give or take, they've got the right idea. They've really done something successful with the Netbook idea, and given the fact that everyone and their sister now has a Netbook program (I bought a Dell Mini 9 after Christmas), Asus has the corner on it.

Who wants to bet that if it takes off, Dell and MSI will have one within six months?
 
How is wireless HDMI going to work? That is a ton of bandwidth. I know I'd still rather have a laptop with the option of hooking up to another LCD or whatever. That way the system could still be used without the extra LCD. Also, there isn't more space available for hardware without the display...The machine just ends up being thinner without one (though this one looks just as thick as most laptops because its a standard-ish keyboard size).
 
Wireless HDMI shouldnt have a bandwidth problem, even 'wireless g' transfers at 54mbps. And n is around 300. If someone wanted to do it it could be done.
 
Casio
Wireless HDMI shouldnt have a bandwidth problem, even 'wireless g' transfers at 54mbps. And n is around 300. If someone wanted to do it it could be done.
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I did a bit of research tonight and found other wireless HDMI solutions in the making. Belkin's is here. $699 for a single room and it isn't even released yet. I'd be surprised if Asus could get the price down enough to make this thing worth making.

One thing I could not find, however, was how much bandwidth 1080p+7.1 would require. Even if this is possible, bandwidth wise, I think there may be issues with packets of video data not making it to the destination, like with Wifi. I'm still not seeing the advantage this would give over a laptop. Even for an HTPC application, it would quite possibly be cheaper to have a media PC and use a wireless keyboard and mouse, which would end up being more comfortable/lightweight.

One other thought: battery life might not be great while watching a video. You'll always have a lot of battery use while it is outputting video/audio over the wireless HDMI connection, along with the actual computing power. It would be offset by not having its own display, but then the touchscreen would sap a little bit, too.
 

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