Fascinating Look Back at the ASUS Eee Keyboard PC from 2010 That Could Run Windows XP

ASUS introduced a device 15 years ago that blurred the line between an input tool and a standalone machine. The Eee Keyboard PC housed a full Windows computer within the body of what appeared to be a standard keyboard. After a long wait, it was released in mid-2010, just as netbooks were reigning supreme in portable computing and businesses were pursuing ever-smaller footprints. For $600 ($893 today), you got a silver wedge weighing more than 2 pounds, ready to connect to a TV or monitor for web browsing, movie playback, or light work. ASUS referred to it as a living room companion, something to use for quick chores without having to pull out a whole laptop.

Early adopters received a full-size chiclet keyboard, with each key glowing softly thanks to LED backlighting and tuned for even pressure and response, ensuring reliable typing even in low light. To the right of the keyboard is a 5 inch 800×480 touchscreen that is small and rectangular, and appears as an afterthought. That panel serves several functions: a trackpad when connected to an external display, an app launcher, and a little window into the system itself. The top edge is crowded with ports, including three USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, headphone, and microphone connectors for convenient connectivity. A battery powers the entire device for up to three hours, depending on what you throw at it, and a switch on the side allows you to turn off the power without unplugging.

Inside ASUS packed an Intel Atom N270 processor running at 1.6 GHz, 1GB of RAM and 16GB SSD (options bumped those last two to 32GB for extra breathing room). Everything is soldered to the board so no peeking under the hood for upgrades. Wi-Fi is 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 for peripherals and an optional ultra-wideband adapter for wireless video streaming to compatible TVs though certification delays kept that feature region locked at launch. The design is retro, reminiscent of the Commodore 64, but with modern touches: heat from the chips drains through the keyboard’s metal plate, keeping it cool during extended use.

When you boot up the Eee Keyboard, Windows XP Home welcomes you, unaltered and ready to run your old programs. ASUS includes a bespoke UI dubbed Easy Mode for the small screen. Large icons dominate the screen, organized into sections such as Web, Fun, Tools, and Learning. Swipe between sites by tapping the glass—Google searches launch an embedded browser, RSS feeds display headlines, and a primitive media player plays photographs or music from the SSD. Preloaded games keep things interesting: Jewel Shooter, a match-three puzzle where you flick gems with your finger, Sudoku, and a rudimentary golf simulator fill in the gaps. Switching to full desktop mode causes the view to pan uncomfortably across the narrow screen, but it handles Office trials or Microsoft Works just fine.

Performance is netbook territory, adequate for emails and streaming but limited by anything heavier. When connected to a large screen, the Atom chip crunches through online pages and 720p films with ease, transforming the keyboard into a remote for your television setup. Half-Life from 1998 installs and runs properly; the display rotates for landscape mode, and head tilts are required on the built-in panel, but external outputs solve this.