This time we got an very interesting device from ASUS: EeeBox. This is small form factor PC that has mixed functionality between desktop systems and netbooks. Main features are low power consumption, small dimensions and decent performance rates. EeeBox mainly targets SOHO market but it can be interesting solution for all not-so-demanding users.
When we opened package first item that popped up was little black device, but, without interesting texture on flat surfaces as seen on ASUS website. Because of its small dimensions there was no room for a optical device, so if you need one you should obtain external one.
Since price difference between internal and external optical devices are relatively small that shouldn’t be a big problem. Power button, HDD LED, two audio connectors (mic in and audio out), two USB ports and card reader are placed on front side behind flipping front shield.
On the back side are located DVI, LAN connector, two USB port, wireless antenna connector and connector for S/PDIF adapter.
Besides device itself in the package are also present: power adapter, table and monitor mounting stand, USB mouse, USB keyboard, wireless antenna, S/PDIF adapter, DVI-to-VGA adapter, manual, recovery DVD, DVD with drivers, Star Office 8 and Microsoft Works 9 installation disks. DVI-to-VGA adapter is nice detail for all office users since most of them have monitors with VGA connector. Monitor mounting bracket can be used to mount EeeBox B202 on the back of the monitors that have diagonal larger than 15inch, and by doing that you will turn your monitor into AIO PC. Which is nice.
Software package, besides Windows XP Home SP3 OS, consist of Office Suites: MS Works 9a and Star Office 8. Obviously ASUS adapted software package to office users since the device itself has the same target user group. Adobe Reader is also installed so ASUS EeeBox B202 is ready for an office environment out of the box.
During test period of few (summer) weeks EeeBox B202 was surprisingly silent despite the fact that (usually noisy) 40mm fans are used. Obviously those fans never reached max RPM but nevertheless EeeBox B202 never got overheated or even warm. Benchmarking yielded expected results except in World in Conflict where absence of second core “decimated” the final score. Hard drive used in EeeBox B202 is slow but when it comes to HD 720p video reproduction, everything went smooth. Although ASUS EeeBox B202 reached lower temperatures than MSI Wind Nettop D130 power consumption was higher. We suspect on power adapter that, probably, has lower power efficiency.
