The all-in-one desktop computer space doesn’t have a lot of contenders, what with Apple’s iMac practically dominating sales here, but Asus looks set to try and change that with a new machine that asks you to put your hands all over it.
Designed around a 27 inch screen, the Asus ET2700 is the world’s first 10-point multi-touch computer with a screen this large. The ET2700 manages to – like the iMac and Sony’s VAIO L series – pack all the desktop innards into a computer monitor, with the 27 inch Asus featuring up to an Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB RAM, up to 2TB hard drive storage, Nvidia GT540M graphics card, Blu-ray burner, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Gigabit network connections, USB 3.0 ports, eSATA, SD card reader, and Windows 7.
The large screen shows a 1920×1080 resolution with 178 degrees of viewing angle thanks to the vertical alignment panel, a technology that isn’t as strong as the In-Plane Switching (IPS) displays used on the Asus Transformer Prime and Apple iPad, but is much better than most laptop screens.
An external subwoofer is also provided, aimed at providing a superior sound experience for the computer, while also providing support for DTS Surround in movies.
Education is also being pushed a little with this computer, although the efforts lie in the music department, as Asus packs the ET2700 with an instrument suite designed to teach users how to compose music and play the piano, drums, or guitar.
The Asus ET2700 should be arriving this week in Australia for $2,999 RRP.
