Desktop Eee PC spied on web

Brand-less slimline box runs 'Eee PC Linux OS'

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

17th March 2008 10:50 GMT

Is this the face of Asus' diminutive desktop Eee PC? The machine, snapped at the CeBIT show earlier this month, was certainly tagged with the Eee's own slogan, "Easy to Play. Easy to Learn. Easy to Work".

Asus' desktop Eee PC
Image courtesy Matbe.com

The desktop wasn't listed as an Eee but as the "Digital Home System EP20". However, it's hard to conclude that the 'EP' in the model number isn't short for 'Eee PC' - especially when the box is listed as running "Eee PC Linux OS".

Asus is probably just not ready to go fully public on the desktop, its specs and branding yet.

Runs Linux
Image courtesy Matbe.com

The pictures come courtesy of French-language site Matbe.com, which snapped the desktop at CeBIT, t'other week.

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Specs remain unclear, but past comments from Asus CEO Jerry Shen suggest that the EP20 will be based on Intel's Atom processor - aka 'Diamondville' - and the 'Shelton' platform into which the CPU slots.

The top shot suggests the EP20 has a slot-loading optical drive, while a glimpse of the backplane indicates Eee-standard VGA, 10/100Mb/s Ethernet, 3.5mm audio sockets and a trio of USB ports.

In the past, Asus has referred to the desktop Eee as the E-DT, noting that it will debut in April or May for $200-300. It's working on a digital TV with integrated Eee technology too.