With Netbooks all the rage, but way too big for me, the CES09 announcement of the Asus Eee Keyboard definitely raised my eyebrows.  I’ve been talking about such an implementation of a computer-in-a-keyboard for years.  Asus finally does it, and I can only hope they’ll actually release it (supposedly in late 2009).

Almost everywhere that I go to work, there’s a monitor handy.  I hated porting around a desktop, so I’d usually plug in my notebook to the larger screen, a keyboard and a mouse.  Still a pain, as even the notebook was larger than I had wanted it to be.  Getting accustomed to different keyboard layouts is also a pain, although I’m proficient enough at typing (120-130 WPM) that I can get used to something new fairly quickly.

The keyboard pictured here IS the computer.  It includes the processor, an Intel Atom chip, RAM, the hard drive, and all the goodies you need for working on the go, as long as you have a monitor or HDTV handy.  That’s right, the device even includes an HDMI port to plug into an HDTV or other HDMI-friendly device.

Battery life is about an hour at the present, but Asus wants it to last 3 before shipping the device to consumers.  Battery life for me is unimportant, because I’ll have an outlet if I have a monitor handy.

On the back of the keyboard are all the ports you’ll need: USB, VGA, the HDMI video/audio port, 1/8″ audio in and out ports, and what might be a SD card slot for fast storage transfers from cameras and other devices.  They’ve got the gamut of ports covered well.  I’m assuming it will support Bluetooth and WiFi, since I don’t see a network port, but only time will tell.

For those who are on the go to clients or a variety of offices, this is a great idea.  The added benefit is the on-screen touchpad that will likely be customizable for shortcuts and other needs.  I hope they include a stylus for quick hand drawings and other doodles.  I’ve used keyboards with similar shortcut features, and I actually find them easy to use IF they’re my primary keyboard.  If Asus can find a way to allow this device to be used as a keyboard separate from the internal PC (say, for my desktop PC or my notebook), it will have even greater benefits as I’ll be able to focus on learning ONE layout and get even faster at inputting my posts and writings here and elsewhere.

I guess the only thing missing is a 3G SIM port, so I can always have the web on the go.  Ahh, if only to dream.

More info to come if there’s more to say.

Pictures courtesy of El Reg.

 

 

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