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ASUS's Eee Box B202 is a nettop, a low-cost desktop designed mainly to provide internet access, that runs at 1.6 GHz and comes configured with either Linux or Windows XP operating systems. The slim Eee Box, with a form-factor resembling the Nintendo Wii, runs the same low-power Intel Atom processor as ASUS's Eee PC netbook line and is available with up to 2 GB of RAM. US models have either 80 GB or 160 GB hard drives; the 160 GB option is only available with Linux - the Xandros distribution in ASUS's case. In addition to the main OS, the Eee Box has an on-motherboard Splashtop-based fast-booting OS that can boot into a basic desktop supporting internet access in under seven seconds from power-on.

The nettop has all the connectivity options expected in a full-fledged PC, including gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, multi memory card support, and four USB ports. A monitor, which must be purchased separately, connects over a DVI interface at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200. For comparison, Dell's lowest-end machine, a 2.2 GHz Celeron running Vista, is slightly cheaper and more powerful than ASUS's model, but takes up far more space than the Eee Box with its 8.8 x 1-inch footprint, so small that it can be mounted directly to the back of a flat-panel monitor with VESA-compatible connector.

ASUS has experienced some negative press surrounding the Eee Box, as some units released for Japanese consumers were shipped with a virus installed on the hard drive. The malware would then spread to any flash drive attached to the system. The company has responded by recalling affected machines, numbering around 300.

Head over to the Product Details tab for a video of the B202 in action, including a high definition video test; the machine performs admirably for 720p resolution HD content but struggles to do full 1080p smoothly.

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  • Manufacturer
    Asus
  • Model
    EBXB202-WHT-X0023
  • Product Family
    Asus Eee PC
  • MSRP
    $350

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