Ok, it's a keyboard. May I use it as such (+ trackpad?) for another computer? Any information about that from Asus?
I'm going to need a replacement for my old apple keyboard (a white keyboard may look nice when new...), and if I could replace my old Win box at the same time[1], I could in theory free up some shelf space.
Bye
Markus
[1] I know, virtual win machines exist for the mac - but I need windows only for low cost/hobby PIC development, and the current win box cost me below 100.- € including legal OS and has a real serial port.
.. of carrying around something with a bigger foot print than a netbook, a small screen, less privacy and seems more likely to be damaged than a netbook.
From a nostalgia point though, i love the all in one idea. Takes me backl to my Electron [ i know, no screen] then the keybaord was the computer.
Wasn't there a Wang or Apricot or something like that that had a built in screen int he keyboard..... ?
Except they should give it some batteries, a proper keyboard, and have the touchscreen work as a touchpad. Then, they should add an API so other software can hook into it. Then it would make for a perfect KVM machine.
Piloti> Wasn't there a Wang or Apricot or something like that that had a built in screen int he keyboard..... ?
Apricot PC (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=499): "the keyboard was quite original with 8 "normal" and 6 flat programmable function keys along with a built-in LCD screen (40 characters / 2 lines) which displayed the function of the keys" (see also the Xen and Xi models).
I liked the idea that the function keys could be custom-labelled without the need for a loseable card strip or a second line on the screen - but this was, inevitably, rendered rather passe by high-resolution screens with WIMP GUIs. This seems to be the next iteration of that. It's cool, and it will be interesting to see what developments it inspires ... but right now I can't see it's got anything to offer over my netbook+desktop combo.
I thought I liked the idea of keyboard with LCD but I've been playing with a Palm Pilot Terminal Emulator and decided to slap that on my keyboard as per the Eee design -
Bloody awful ergonomics.
Having not been sure of what use it would be, I'm now not convinced it's that usable if it has a use. It seems neither as good as a small NetBook ( like Asus used to make ) nor a PDA-style offering with a small USB keyboard. Oddly enough, being right handed, it seems to work better with screen to the left; perhaps because that's where I put paper I'm copy-typing from as way past the cursor and numeric keypad is just too far away, and mainly one finger typing is right handed and gets in the way of viewing.
I won't use the "Fail" icon as perhaps it will be better in the flesh. I suspect not, and not likely to arrive at a price I'd pay. I would put money on it coming high in the "Pointless Gizmos of 2010" rankings.
Velocity Micro Edge Z30 Midsize Desktop (2.66GHz Intel Core i5 750, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 21.5" LCD)
eMachines ET1810-01 Mini-Tower Desktop (1.6GHz Intel Celeron 420, 2GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Basic)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Pavilion a4316f-b Desktop Bundle
Samuel Williams
Computer in a keyboard? #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:36 GMT
I had one of these with TWO 3.5" floppy drives no less!
http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?c=182&st=1
Nigel 11
Name wrong #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:36 GMT
Eee keyboard?
An Eeeboard, surely.
Markus Imhof
Useable as keyboard? #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:36 GMT
Ok, it's a keyboard. May I use it as such (+ trackpad?) for another computer? Any information about that from Asus?
I'm going to need a replacement for my old apple keyboard (a white keyboard may look nice when new...), and if I could replace my old Win box at the same time[1], I could in theory free up some shelf space.
Bye
Markus
[1] I know, virtual win machines exist for the mac - but I need windows only for low cost/hobby PIC development, and the current win box cost me below 100.- € including legal OS and has a real serial port.
Code Monkey
WANT! #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:36 GMT
I don't know what I'd use it for but I want one - once they've integrated the wireless receiver. Full marks to Asus once again!
Anonymous Coward
Yeah. What about a left handed version? #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:36 GMT
for the 10% of the population you are discriminating against with your latest offering?
Fail for obvious reasons.
Piloti
I still don't really see the point..... #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 11:37 GMT
.. of carrying around something with a bigger foot print than a netbook, a small screen, less privacy and seems more likely to be damaged than a netbook.
From a nostalgia point though, i love the all in one idea. Takes me backl to my Electron [ i know, no screen] then the keybaord was the computer.
Wasn't there a Wang or Apricot or something like that that had a built in screen int he keyboard..... ?
Buck Futter
Could be a great keyboard #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 13:24 GMT
Except they should give it some batteries, a proper keyboard, and have the touchscreen work as a touchpad. Then, they should add an API so other software can hook into it. Then it would make for a perfect KVM machine.
Mike Kamermans
I'm confused... #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 13:24 GMT
Am I supposed to look over my right wrist if I want to see what I'm actually doing, or is it a secondary screen?
TeeCee
Make one yourself! #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 13:24 GMT
You will need:
One Sinclair QL. One iPhone. One can of Holts "Silver Wheels". Blu-tack.
1) Spray the QL with the "Silver wheels" and allow to dry.
2) Blu-tack the iPhone to the top of the QL above the microdrive slots.
3) Er, that's it.
Darren Davis
@Samuel Williams #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 13:24 GMT
http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?c=182&st=1
... and it was probably faster too ;)
Wind Farmer
Pimp my Sinclair QL? #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 13:24 GMT
'nuff said.
Bl33ter
Problem! #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 16:13 GMT
Why does it have a screen where the tape player should be?
William Towle
Re: I still don't really see the point..... #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 16:13 GMT
Piloti> Wasn't there a Wang or Apricot or something like that that had a built in screen int he keyboard..... ?
Apricot PC (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=499): "the keyboard was quite original with 8 "normal" and 6 flat programmable function keys along with a built-in LCD screen (40 characters / 2 lines) which displayed the function of the keys" (see also the Xen and Xi models).
I liked the idea that the function keys could be custom-labelled without the need for a loseable card strip or a second line on the screen - but this was, inevitably, rendered rather passe by high-resolution screens with WIMP GUIs. This seems to be the next iteration of that. It's cool, and it will be interesting to see what developments it inspires ... but right now I can't see it's got anything to offer over my netbook+desktop combo.
NogginTheNog
This still needs a monitor, right? #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 17:33 GMT
So what advantage does it have over a netbook/laptop, SFF PC, or even one of Asus' teeny desktop thingies?
Jason Bloomberg
Hmm ... #
Posted Wednesday 4th November 2009 18:17 GMT
I thought I liked the idea of keyboard with LCD but I've been playing with a Palm Pilot Terminal Emulator and decided to slap that on my keyboard as per the Eee design -
Bloody awful ergonomics.
Having not been sure of what use it would be, I'm now not convinced it's that usable if it has a use. It seems neither as good as a small NetBook ( like Asus used to make ) nor a PDA-style offering with a small USB keyboard. Oddly enough, being right handed, it seems to work better with screen to the left; perhaps because that's where I put paper I'm copy-typing from as way past the cursor and numeric keypad is just too far away, and mainly one finger typing is right handed and gets in the way of viewing.
I won't use the "Fail" icon as perhaps it will be better in the flesh. I suspect not, and not likely to arrive at a price I'd pay. I would put money on it coming high in the "Pointless Gizmos of 2010" rankings.
Chris 40
Olivetti #
Posted Thursday 5th November 2009 15:12 GMT
@Samuel Williams
I expected a link to an Amiga or Archimedes, but it seems you had a Olivetti with CGA graphics running MS-DOS. Bad luck mate! Have a beer.
Hans 1
Gimme a 22" ipod touch #
Posted Friday 6th November 2009 15:00 GMT
Gimme a 22" ipod touch, please, with a display port, usb, firewire!
This thing is ridiculous, no really, total loss - who is in charge of Asus, these days? Have they hired Darl or something?
Who wants to carry a keyboard around with a ..... 5" screen??? Utter fail!
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