Eee PC, EeeBox and now Eee Monitor. But the Eee Monitor isn’t just your standard monitor. It’s an entire computer system just as the iMac is. The black monitor with clear bottom and aluminium stand will come with a Linux operating system and will attempt to provide an affordable alternative to the iMac. Being part of the Eee range you can expect it to have the option of Windows XP as well, although it’s rumoured that first models will be Linux only.

Powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, the Eee Monitor will also include Ethernet, six USB ports, audio in and out as well as a webcam built-in to the top of the monitor. No official specs have been seen as yet, but it is believed that the Eee Monitor is either 19 or 20-inches.

Most impressive though is the fact that the speakers are made by high-end audio company Denon. For a budget machine this is quite a surprise. You still shouldn’t expect audiophile quality sound though. Big brand names that lend themselves to budget products have rarely been able to retain their quality in the product borrowing their name. Take Dell’s use of purpose built Harmon Kardon speakers for example. However, once we've had a listen then we'll judge.

The Eee Monitor has no firm release date for Australia but is expected to retail in the US for around the US$500 mark, well below that of the iMac.

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