Tuesday, May 6, 2003
HP, Microsoft Unveil New PC Design
Posted by Jason Dunn in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 05:30 PM
"Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are working together on a future desktop reference design that will bring several different communications technologies together in a package, HP said Tuesday. Microsoft Chief Software Architect Bill Gates will demonstrate the device during his keynote Tuesday at WinHEC in New Orleans. The PC is code-named "Athens," and the prototype resembles a docked Tablet PC in landscape mode. However, with a 23-inch flat-panel display, it is not designed for mobility, said Byron Sands, director of advanced technology for HP's business PC division.
That display comes with a phone handset and video camera tacked onto its sides, so users can hold videoconferences, take phone calls, and handle the rest of their daily Web browsing and e-mail through one desktop, Sands said. Any portion of a normal PC that relates to the user interface is part of the display screen, including media ports and optical drives, he said.
The rest of the PC, such as the processor and motherboard, fits into a compact chassis that connects to the display via a single cable that delivers data and power to the screen, said Kent Biggs, a senior member of the technical staff for the business PC division. The device uses a wireless keyboard and mouse, he said."
Could it be? A real revolution in hardware? It sounds cool, but I've never been a fan of buying "name brand" desktops - I always prefer to spec out the machine myself and either assemble it or have a local vendor put it together for me. If a HP cranks out some really innovative hardware, I just might buy one of their boxes...them promptly re-format the hard drive and build it back up MY way. :mrgreen:
That display comes with a phone handset and video camera tacked onto its sides, so users can hold videoconferences, take phone calls, and handle the rest of their daily Web browsing and e-mail through one desktop, Sands said. Any portion of a normal PC that relates to the user interface is part of the display screen, including media ports and optical drives, he said.
The rest of the PC, such as the processor and motherboard, fits into a compact chassis that connects to the display via a single cable that delivers data and power to the screen, said Kent Biggs, a senior member of the technical staff for the business PC division. The device uses a wireless keyboard and mouse, he said."
Could it be? A real revolution in hardware? It sounds cool, but I've never been a fan of buying "name brand" desktops - I always prefer to spec out the machine myself and either assemble it or have a local vendor put it together for me. If a HP cranks out some really innovative hardware, I just might buy one of their boxes...them promptly re-format the hard drive and build it back up MY way. :mrgreen:
