Asus Eee Keyboard

Asus has managed to fit the guts of a full desktop computer into a standard-sized keyboard.

Having already attempted to spin the Eee brand from its netbooks off into mini desktop PCs, an all-in-one monitor, and even a television, it comes as little surprise that Asus has more tricks up its sleeve for those three hot-selling letters. This year’s Consumer Electronics Show showed us the Eee Keyboard concept, an entire computer built within the confines of a standard desktop keyboard.

Though it has a five-inch display built into the side where you would typically find a number pad, Asus doesn’t intend the Eee Keyboard to be used as a standalone device. Instead, it’s more like a computer that can be carried with you and quickly hooked up to whatever display you find yourself. Whether it’s a spare monitor at the office or a full-size TV in your living room, you have a totally functional computer and full-size keyboard at your disposal as soon as you connect it, and the built-in display serves as a secondary monitor for tasks like IMs or calendars.

Specs mimic those of standalone Eee PCs, including an Intel Atom processor, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 1GB of RAM, a choice of 16GB or 32GB SSD, Bluetooth, built-in speakers, and even weight of less than two pounds. Of course, it also has VGA and HDMI output for connecting it whatever displays you happen upon.

Though the version shown at CES was a prototype, it appeared full functional, and Asus representatives assured us it was definitely on the way to market. No details yet exist on when, though, or what it will cost.

All images are courtesy of Aving.net