ASUS' Motherboard Comes With Linux Embedded

A new motherboard from ASUS has hit the market. The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-Ap@n has some features that other motherboards don't have: an integrated Linux distribution and instant access to functions like surfing the Internet, VoIP and Web emailing without entering the operating system. If you want to buy it, then you should spare $360, because that's how much it will cost.

The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n is an Intel X38 chipset-based motherboard and supports DDR3 1800MHz dual-channel memory architecture and Dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 lanes for improved graphics performance. The CPU power supply can be digitally monitored and fine-tuned with the help of the first ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit), thus attaining the best possible power efficiency and energy savings. This new motherboard also supports 802.11n WiFi specifications onboard for faster data transfers and Asus Express Gate, the optional Linux operating system bootup. This integrated distribution is called SplashTop and was made by DeviceVM.

The WiFi technology used on P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n offers transfer rates of 300 Mbps and has the latest WiFi specifications for better signal coverage. When the user starts the system, he/she can choose between the normal boot-up (from a hard-disk or CD/DVD drive), rebooting/shutting down or booting the SplashTop platform with Skype or the Web browser. The last one is a version of Mozilla Firefox with only the most important features included.

Skype 1.3.0.53 is included in Express Gate with all its features installed. The screen resolution can be adjusted, with basic display settings. A high-end sound system is available on the new motherboard, equipped with 8 channels and a HD audio CODEC (High Definition Audio, formerly known as Azalia) that enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output. A multi-streaming technology is now available, which simultaneously sends different audio streams to different locations, like talking to someone using a headphone and at the same time playing a multi-channel network game.