Concept of the right smartbook
Alexandra | 4:36 pm | March 26, 2010 | Concept Laptops
While the whole world is discussing what tablet computers are needed for, what to do with an iPad and when smartbooks will appear (and what the meaning of this word is), Asian designers have developed a concept of a tablet computer. They have done it for the institute with a very pompous name Metatrend and without much ado called their creation a “smartbook”. Unlike all the existing tablet computers, Internet tablets and other devices, it possesses a number of simple and interesting ideas.
Firstly, it isn’t an Internet device but a real tablet computer, i.e. one can not only watch and read something on it but also work fully).
Secondly, there’s a folding wireless Qwerty keyboard in the set that can be put anywhere on the table.
Thirdly, a tablet has a convertible leg thanks to which it can be conveniently placed on the table as a photograph frame.
Also, the keyboard itself in the folded position can perform the function of a touch screen mobile phone (in this case the question of data synchronization between the tablet and the computer is solved automatically).
And finally, this concept is simply cool. But even the first four points are enough for manufactures to outline for themselves some new guidelines and for the developers of microchips to realize what direction they should go.
Source: Metatrend
12 concept laptops and PC that will strike your imagination
Alexandra | 10:40 pm | February 12, 2010 | Concept Laptops
Concepts… They are amazing, aren’t they? On the one hand, they inspire us, give us ideas for the future, push forward innovations. On the other hand, concepts disappoint, since we cannot have them right now. The only thing we can do is start saving money, and wait until they become a reality.
1. ARM Tablet
This concept from Sébastien Maleville can be used as a usual laptop or as a portable tablet. You can transform it by separating the keyboard from the monitor.
2. Asus Bookshelf PC
This PC from Asus consists of interchangeable modules, which allows to upgrade or downgrade your computer. You can do it by replacing or adding required modules.
3. B-membrane
This UFO-like computer with a projected keyboard uses a projector instead of a monitor.
4. Canvas
This concept was developed for designers and artists by Kyle Cherry. It was equipped with some built-in digital devices for easy drawing.
5. Horizon
Concept desktop from Japanese designer Mac Funamizu has a flexible OLED monitor, which can change its size!
6. HP LiM (by Jeffrey S. Engelhardt)
HP LiM (it means “Less is More”) consists from a 19” transparent touch screen, a wireless keyboard and a virtual touchpad.
7. Nuno Teixeira MAINGEAR
It’s a powerful gaming machine with improved cooling system.
8. Paper Laptop — eco-computer
This concept (designed by Je Sung Park) was made from recycled paper.
9. Philco PC
Although in the majority of cases concept computers show us the future, Dave Schultze’s creation carries us back.
10. Portable PC Theater
Jinwoo Han, a talented designer from the South Korea, created a concept of portable PC with a special bonus, a built-in projector for entertainment.
11. Prime Gaming Laptop
Prime Gaming Concept Laptop was designed by Kyle Cherry. He tries to solve such problem as limited size of laptop screens. Behold a powerful portable gaming computer!
12. Zafiro
Zafiro PC with transparent screen can be controlled by movements of your hands and body!
Pedal Charger – Use Laptop without Battery
Alexandra | 1:06 am | November 14, 2009 | Concept Laptops, Laptop News, USB Stuff
Sometimes technologies of the past help us to go in the future. Let’s take the first pedal powered machine for XO laptops as an example. Akmal Waak and Mike Dawson, technicians working for OLPC (the One Laptop Per Child Association, Inc.) in Afghanistan, have designed such a mechanism to charge XO laptops. Of course, it is made not just for fun or health improvement, this new prototype has noble mission, it allows to use OLPC gadgets in countryside and rural areas beyond the power grid.
Developers claim that their human power machine can be used without any difficulties even by children of 3rd and 4th graders. Users can run laptop and at the same time charge it, moreover it requires no additional batteries or special adapters.
Аbout 2,500 laptops were delivered in Kabul, Herat and Jalalabad schools. Now specialists of OLPC Afghanistan’s deployment analyze impact of these educational innovations and plan to create a new pedal charger of smaller size to provide more comfort and mobility.
Such mechanisms can be helpful not only in developing and least developed countries, but also in advanced economies. Why not? Among other kinds of energy given by sun’s rays or wind we can rely on simple pedal power. And some producers have already done it. So a company from China has put on the market its Рedal Powered LED Spotlight Combo Contraption, new charger for gadgets with a USB port.
Black Caviar Laptop
Christine | 1:08 am | March 26, 2008 | Concept Laptops, Laptop News
To be successful, a brand-new technical product has to be unusual (to be exciting), shiny (to attract eyes and hands), expensive (to show off), and functional (to justify the high price to yourself, even if it is so high that it cannot be justified).
The brainchild of designer Kyle Cherry, computer of new type called Canvas meets all the above requirements.
This multifunctional computer is meant to be a designer’s little helper: its aim is to ensure quick and easy switch from traditional pencils and paper to the world of raster and vector. Apart from bringing together a laptop and a tablet, it offers a unique navigation system which allows quick access to most used functions (a parallel with quick switching between a pencil, a rubber and a ruler can be drawn).
The surface is so bright and glossy, in case of a murder fingerprints can be taken directly from it, without any additional forensic devices.
Unfortunately, Canvas is a concept as yet, and we can only assume that it’s going to be expensive if put into production. Still, there is no reason to think that the price is likely to put people off, as we’ve already seen a good deal of less effective products, which were shamelessly overpriced (Airbook, SDD, black caviar).
Optimus Maximus Style Keyboard for Laptops?
maksim | 6:14 pm | March 2, 2008 | Concept Laptops
Building on the story of Optimus Maximus keyboard, will major computer manufacturers follow the example? The OLED technology that is used in the keyboard is still a very expensive alternative to a standard keyboard, but surely there are people out there who wouldn’t mind paying an extra $1000 for laptops that might look something like this?
Each key image can be fully customised, separately for any of the applications used. Language layout can be easily switched. There is no need to display secondary symbols like !ӣ$% on the keys, they will appear automatically after SHIFT is pressed. And you can get rid of some annoying keys that you never use, like, in my case, the one just below Esc.
Among many different highly attractive yet hardly realistic technologies of the near future, OLED is the one to keep an eye on. The advantages of an OLED-based displays over regular LCD display, similar to the one that you are most likely looking at at the moment, are amazing: OLED screens can be as thin as a human hair, they can be bent and transferred to fabric, they produce light themselves and don’t need backlight, they can display greater range of colours, image quality is equally good when viewed from any angle, and, to top it all, they are theoretically cheaper to produce in the long-run than regular LCD displays.
The only downside is the wearability of OLED elements- the lifetime is very limited and is more than ten times shorter than LCD. This, however, is only a matter of time, according to some industry experts, and fully customisable laptop keyboards will be only one of the many possible revolutionary applications, like multi-use newspapapers or video screens embedded in clothing
Asus Bamboo, The Jungle Boy
Boris | 2:30 am | January 31, 2008 | Concept Laptops, Green Laptops
Laptop life expectancy. How long is it? With the speed things are changing, CD for DVD, HDD for SSD, ABC for XYZ, how often do you want your laptop to be replaced? Our conservative guess is 1.5 years, at most. 18 months before you throw your laptop away, replacing it by a newer, faster, better one.
Portable devices and, in particular, laptops are not easy on the environment — they produce toxins when they end up in landfills. But the industry, while encouraging to spend more, is at the same time trying to show that it cares. Not just about terabytes, megapixels and inches – but about laptop ac adapters that don’t waste as much electricity, batteries that are easier to recycle, and components made from plants.
Asus brings us the latest in eco-friendly notebook design. The Asus Eco Book, as it’s dubbed, is encased in natural bamboo. Building computers out of wood is not new. Apple’s first computer was nothing more than a homemade motherboard inside a wooden box. But Asus had a much harder task, since the components of a laptop are so close together and heat insulation is an issue when something as flammable as wood is used. Apart from a bunch of homeless, anorexic pandas that rely on bamboo as their habitat and food, Asus will please everybody if the concept works.
Rock Chick Laptop
maksim | 4:18 am | December 11, 2007 | Concept Laptops
Yellow Volkswagen bus is driving alongside deserted Californian road on a sunny August evening. Inside, quiet guitar music is coming from the backseat. A couple is sleeping on the front bench. A dark-haired girl is chewing on a dried orange peel, sitting by the side mirror and looking ahead, out of the window, her hair flopping against the bus side, wind forcing tears out of her eyes. Sex, drugs and rock&roll generation did never tell us when was the moment when true rock and roll died.
Digitalised, automated, copy and paste music of today will never have the girl with an orange peel smile again. She knows that all that will be ever played have all been played before. Technology is just a new reflection on the other side of the same coin that is being tossed again and again.
Yet again, laptop concept has been turned inside out to create a Soundgate laptop, made specifically for musicians. It can be used both as a laptop, a note stand prompting sheet music and lyrics, a metronome, a recorder and a lot more. Link below has a video that gives a good impression of what it is capable of. A rock chick of a laptop, all it hopes for is a free spirit strong enough to carry it.
Via Yanko Design
Most innovative laptop concepts of 2007
maksim | 2:27 am | December 3, 2007 | Concept Laptops
Here are some of the most eye-catching laptop concepts of 2006.
1. Sony VAIO Zoom
The screen is a piece of transparent glass when the laptop is turned off. The glass comes to life when the power is on, with the help of holographic technology. Mouse buttons are holographic too.
2. Concept laptop made of wood
A relatively heavy material, with bad heat insulation properties, and a potential fire hazard too. However, the looks are supposed to compensate that.
3. LG e-Book
Surfing on a wave of raised eco-awareness, it is powered by batteries that utilise natural gas, methanol. Also, the screen consumes less electricity, as it uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), as opposed to traditional LCD screens.
4. Fujitsu Turn Table PC
A touch-sensitive LCD panel on the front can emulate a DJ turntable during playback of music files from the laptop, or from a separate MP3 player. Virtual 5.1 channel surround sound completes the picture of a really innovative new concept of a music laptop.
5. BlackBook
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The striking feature of this laptop is the design, with keyboard seamlessly morphing into the black glossy body of the laptop, with chrome-coated edges. Logo is replaced with a small TFT screen with customisable graphics.
6. Fujitsu Fab PC
Fab stands for “fabric” first, and only then for “fabulous”. The laptop is partially made of fabric, and uses e-ink technology that allows displays to be foldable. Mass-production technology is not quite there yet, but that moment is not too far away.
7. Canova laptop
The keyboard and the touchpad are both discarded in favour of a second screen. Both screens are touch-sensitive, and can be used to project an image of any conceivable device. A piano keyboard, for example. Or a graphic tablet.