Asus has added Intel's desktop-oriented dual-core Atom chip, the 1.6GHz 330, to its Eee Box line of compact PCs - and given it Windows Vista to chew on.

Like the other members of the Eee Box family, the B208, still uses some mobile components - its 1GB of DDR 2 memory comes on a latop-oriented SO-Dimm, for instance. The machine also integrates 802.11n Wi-Fi in addition to Gigabit Ethernet, and has a "built-in battery that performs a UPS function".

The unit incorporates up to 320GB of 3Gb/s Sata hard drive storage and a multi-format memory card reader.

The B208 has an HDMI port driven by an AMD ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics chip with 256MB of DDR 2 video memory. With no Blu-ray Disc drive on board - or any other optical storage - the "high-definition entertainment" Asus said the B208 delivers "for maximum enjoyment" will have to be downloaded.

There's no word yet on UK availability and pricing. ®

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