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Asus Shows Off Concept Keyboard PC

Posted 01/07/09 at 09:15:44 AM  by Paul Lilly

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And so it has begun. CES is the time for companies to show off future products, and that's exactly what Asus is doing with its prototype keyboard PC the company is calling the Eee Keyboard.

A fully functional computer sits inside the QWERTY keyboard, and several ports run along the top edge, including two USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, and audio in/out ports. The sub 2-pound keyboard also sports an integrated microphone and speakers, and comes equipped with WiFi capability and support for Ultra-wideband wireless HDMI.

The laundry list of features doesn't stop there. On the side of the keyboard, Asus has installed a mini touchscreen. SlashGear spent some hands on time with the prototype and says the main menu grants access to the calendar, photo gallery, media player, and an internet browser, in addition to other usability apps.

Not all prototypes shown at CES ever make it to market, but this is one we wouldn't mind seeing on retail shelves.

Image Credit: Gizmodo

COMMENTS:4
TAGS: asus, consumer electronics, concept, prototype, eee keyboard, CES2009
COMMENTS
avatarPretty sweet design. I'd

Submitted by Velcrow on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 11:33am

Pretty sweet design. I'd like to see it with a fold out dual screen. That way you can view two peices of functionality at once, and the second screen folds over the primary one to protect them both. Type a word doc on one screen, watch the Simpsons on the other. :)

Maybe when OLED is more widely used they can use the flexible 'roll up' feature of OLED and just let you slide out the screen for maybe a bigger 5x4 inch or bigger screen. They could have the normal aspect ratios then (4x3 or 16x9/16x10).

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avatarCool Idea

Submitted by blackblupen on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 8:58am

The idea of a computer keyboard as one unit has been around since the 1980s. The old TI home computer is one example. However putting the screen in the unit is a great idea.

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avatar Agreed, I was immediately

Submitted by Shalbatana on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 9:20pm

 Agreed, I was immediately reminded of my C-64 thinking... don't I have this already? [sans screen]

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avatarRad

Submitted by neo1piv14 on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 7:19am

Pretty rad for a concept device. Definitely seems to fall in the category of "Surf the web, listen to music, type a word documen" that's so popular these days. Still, even if it isn't powerful, it's a very neat looking toy.

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