asus ee top et 1602

Asus's $599 Eee Top ET1602 seems like an attempt to capitalize on two major computer trends. Small, low-cost hardware is all the rage these days, and the Eee Top is both the smallest and the most affordable all-in-one we've seen. And with HP's TouchSmart line, as well as the coming native multitouch support in Windows 7, we expect more and more all-in-ones and laptops will ship with touch-capable displays. The Eee Top is undoubtedly unique, and as long as you understand the performance trade-offs, you may find this a tempting second or third computer. And yes, the touch capability imparts a minor wow factor, but the novelty wears off quickly once you realize the lack of substance in the software. Because of its design, cost, and targeted features, we recommend the Eee Top as a flexible, low-cost digital-information hub for around the house. Just be aware that for the same price, you can purchase a significantly more capable laptop or desktop.

The Asus Eee Top ET1602 is already on-sale overseas, and Asus says the system will make its American retail debut on March 9. When it does launch in the U.S., for $599 you'll get the Eee Top with its 15.6-inch, 1,366x768 LCD, a wired mouse and keyboard, a stylus, the attached stand/carrying handle, and a power adapter. The Eee Top has no DVD slot, but a number of USB 2.0 ports around the system allow you to connect peripheral devices, including external DVD drives. Unlike the similarly optical-drive-free Macbook Air, the Eee Top provides no special program for installing software via another system. asus ee top et 1602