It's a bit strange there are so few "iMac-like" PC's on the market and so many big, ugly the-same-old-ATX-bulk. While general ATX is better for upgradeability, it's certainly not better to look at. Not to mention the space it takes and the amount of cables it brings. Everything collecting effectively dust.

Having heard of ASUS' "iMac", I got immediately interested. A cheap iMac-clone is a good idea (take a look at the box image and tell me THAT does NOT look like an iMac copy!). But after learning that it even comes with a touchscreen, I was destined to get one for testing. ASUS did make one very awkward and strange solution: this low-end PC is shipped with Windows 7, which is, as everyone knows, a slow, heavy and bloated OS. I was also very skeptical about the touchscreen use with Windows - does it come with a custom desktop, a bit like the Ubuntu Netbook Remix? A plain old Windows desktop is simply not usable on the touchscreen, at least not with your fingers anyway. The controls are simply too small and no optimizations for "finger-tapping" exist. Using the included stylus is, unfortunately, very 90's and kind of takes away the whole point of using a touchscreen in the first place.

Unfortunately the Eee Top is indeed shipped with the plain old Windows desktop, leaving no real use for the touchscreen. But away with Windows, let's put Ubuntu 9.10 + Netbook Remix on this beauty and see what it can really do! Read on to find out what this all-in-one PC is all about...

Say hello to Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala"

Ubuntu installed flawlessly on the ET2002T 20" Eee Top I am using. I also erased Windows in the process. All hardware was detected automatically and out-of-the-box, including WLAN, standby, power management, sound and webcam.

Except for the touchscreen. Unfortunately it seems Ubuntu doesn't autodetect touchscreens yet, so I simply installed the package xserver-xorg-input-evtouch using Synaptic and copied this file as /etc/X11/xorg.conf and this file as /usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/20thirdparty/50-ideaco-idc6681.fdi. After a restart the touchscreen was working perfectly.

Then I installed the ubuntu-netbook-remix package from Synaptic and the Firefox add-on Grab and Drag. I also modified the window settings and font sizes bigger and more "finger-friendly".

Wow. Ubuntu with the Netbook Remix desktop is just perfect with a touchscreen! And it's not just the "wow factor", it truly adds something to the usability of the system. Even now, I am tapping the screen of my Eee Top with my left hand, as my right hand writes this review. Multitasking. ;)

Other features and summary

Indeed the Eee Top is an impressive thing for a PC. There are plenty enough USB ports, a webcam, speakers, WLAN (802.11n), DVD-burner, SD card reader and even a HDMI port that allows the PC to be used as an external display to another computer (iMac users are familiar with this feature). Unfortunately there is no FireWire in my 20" version but the more expensive models boost even a Full HD resolution. Nice!

Aside of the software selection, ASUS did make another, really quite a silly mistake, though: the included wireless keyboard does not work at boot. You need to plug a USB keyboard to actually get to the BIOS settings and to use boot loaders like GRUB.

While not being the cheapest or fastest PC out there, I can't call the Eee Top overpriced (about 600 euros). Quite the opposite, in fact. Highly recommended!

Pros

+ Reasonably priced

+ Fast with Ubuntu

+ 100 % Linux-compatible

+ Very good features

+ Looks great!

+ Touchscreen truly enhances the user experience with Ubuntu

Cons

- Pre-installed Windows 7 feels slow, heavy, bloated, difficult and touchscreen unfriendly

- No FireWire

- Silly mistake with the wireless keyboard at boot (doesn't work)

Summary

With the pre-installed Windows 7 this computer gets a 6/10 from me. It is simply too slow and unusable with the touchscreen, at least without the stylus.

Replacing the bloat with a touchscreen-friendly OS and interface, I give it a much higher grade of 9/10.

Unfortunately ASUS made a serious mistake in choosing the software for this great piece of hardware. Nevertheless, Ubuntu installation was painless and easy. I just can't help to think the price of the PC might be a bit lower without the notorious Redmond-tax.