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!
The near future of high-tech industry (your excursion to CES 2010)
Alexandra | 7:39 pm | January 26, 2010 | New Laptops
The last Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has become the main source of information about new technologies and products from the world’s largest product designer and manufacturers. The show was held in Las Vegas, and this place wasn’t chosen by chance. The U.S. market is traditionally considered as one of the most important for many large companies that design and produce electronics.
Judging by the general show trends, 2010 will be the year of Android smartphones, Tablet PCs, and rapid development of three-dimensional television. And like a year ago, at CES 2009, manufacturers introduced a lot of notebooks and netbooks in a classic form factor. Developers still believe that this market is very promising. For example, MSI management expects 50% growth of notebook shipments in 2010.
Lenovo attracted visitors by the unusual Ideapad U1 laptop. This device, which is actually a hybrid of tablet and netbook, has a 11.6″ display that can be disconnected from the keyboard and work independently as a Tablet PC. Ideapad U1 is expected in shops this summer at a price of about $ 1000.
You could see new netbooks based on Intel Pine Trail hardware platform from all major manufacturers at CES 2010. Most of those devices had similar characteristics and were running Windows 7. The Samsung N127 netbook based on OS Moblin can be mentioned as an exception.
One more piece of news from Intel. The company launched AppUpCenter, a new online store of applications for compact portable computers. All users of netbooks with OS Windows can join this service.
Among the huge number of laptops that were presented at CES 2010 there are some unusual ones. Samsung demonstrated a prototype laptop with a 14″ transparent OLED-display. It’s difficult to imagine who may need such a computer, but this invention of South Korean engineers may find application in other industries. Also Dell showed a workable concept of Studio with a 16″ OLED-display, which response time is 0,004 ms. And Asus amazed visitors by its new NX90 Bang & Olufsen edition laptop.
So CES 2010 gave us a general idea of what devices we should expect this year. Evidently experts expect the increase in sales of portable computers (both netbooks and notebooks). Marketing specialists pin hopes on tablet PCs, but demand for them will depend not only on technical specifications, but also on pricing policies.
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
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.